Window in new shop

[m_kilde]

Hi All

Very soon I will be starting to build a new home workshop.

The shop I have now, have one window place right in front of my workbench

Now I would like to ask all of you, if the best placing of a window is in front of the workbench, or if it is better to have the window on one side of the workbench

Here in Denmark the sun is low on the horizon right now, and I found the direct light is a problem

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Mogens Kilde
www.wallenderengineering.com

[ripfence]

Put the window in front of the workbench and install blinds. The blinds will disfuse the direct sunlight.

[m_kilde]

Sorry if I seems to pressing your all !, but it looks like my topics landed near the stonage, and I sure would like more input on my topic befor i start to build my new workshop

hope my own reply will put the topic in present age again


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Mogens Kilde
www.wallenderengineering.com

[SGW]

Your personal preference, I think. I'd probably have the windows to one side, so I could have shelves and other storage along the back of the workbench.

[Wirecutter]

I'd have to agree with SGW - I like having shelves on the back wall to the workbench.

I have a window at one end of my shop, and a couple in my home office. I find it easier to concentrate with the shades drawn - I get distracted too easily by action visible out the window. I open the shade (for light) sometimes when I work with my back to the window.

Maybe I was a cat in a previous life?

[jkilroy]

I would go with skylites for natural lite, at many as you can put in there. The fewer windows in the walls the fewer people can peek in and see your shiney metal goodies. If that is not a concern they go at it as your wish.

[Duct Taper]

The biggest problem is when the bright sunlight shines directly on your project or machine... but only on part of it. You can't see what you are doing. I moved my machines to the windowless part of the shop just because of this. I put up lights that give an even source of light.

Having a wall behind the bench is nice for pegboard, but even nicer is a 6" shelf placed about a foot above the bench working surface to put your hand tools on while you are working. It keeps them out of the way of the project and they are easy to find and grab when you need them.

[cam m]

Mogens
How is your shop going to be located? How is it laid out inside? Where is the proposed window? I have windows on the east, south, and north sides of my shop and I am very happy with the layout. I have a grinder and a press in front of the south windows, a drawing board below the east window, and my lathe sits directly under the north window. The diffused natural light of the north window is great for the lathe. I rarely use the drawing table early in the morning because of my shop schedule so the direct sun hasn't been an issue. My property is way out in the countryside, so I don't have blinds and probably never will.
Cam
Editted P.S. Because I live on a rural property, traffic outside the windows is rarely a problem.




[This message has been edited by cam m (edited 03-07-2006).]

[Wingnut]

m_kilde,
I am a firm believer in natural light. Any shop I design has a maximum of light I can allow in as modified by other needs in the shop. That said 'direct' sunlight, in your eyes from an angle or reflecting off your work is cause of significant strain and work shadows interfering with what you perceive especially finish work. In your current shop hang a thin or sheer sheet of fabric to diffuse the direct rays. A good compromise might be a narrow horizontal window higher up the wall and a bright reflective surface to diffuse the light. Another idea might be placing a tall narrow window to one or both sides of the work area or between machines and again a diffuser/reflector surface to even the light.
Skylights are an option but have concerns with weather covering them leaking etc. or depending on sun angle, heat and direct sun concerns. Have you considered a 'saw tooth' design with a row of south exposure windows along the ridgeline? At higher latitudes Southern exposure maximizes heat and light gain in cold seasons and minimizes heat gain in summer, etc... Don't forget too... more electrical outlets than you need, still won't be enough.
Give a shout if this or other ideas may help.
Will A.

[ahidley]

I put one in the middle of the workbench. I mounted the vise in the middle of the workbench. Workbench is 20 feet long. Visibility is great. But when grinding or when things "fly" out of the vise its directly into the window. I put a piece of plexiglass infront of the window.