Windows in a Garage Shop

[BigguyZ]

I have a detached two car garage where I use one half to house my workshop.

I recently finished upgrading the lighting for the shop, using 6 fixtures that use two high output 46" T5 bulbs each. It's really great, and a huge improvement over the two bulb socket lights that were there originally. However, with all of this light, my back yard is flooded with white light when I'm in there are night.

The two windows I have are opposite the garage door, and face my house. But they're also visible from the sidewalk (eventually I'll add a privacy fence, but that's far off in the future). So my concern is that all of this wonderful light makes it easy for a not-so-honest citizen to see my garage from the street, and perhaps notive I may have some items of interest in there.

To add to the fun, one of the windows is broken, from when I moved in. I'm looking for replacements now, but I'm wondering what to do with them in general to increase security with my garage. After all, there are thousands of dollars of tools in there.

I'm thinking of what options I have to deal with this, and I'd like to get your thoughts. And everybody loves a good poll, so I thought I'd include one.

Thanks!

[toolguy1000]

it would depend on where one lives. areas prone to break ins would need greater security than areas that aren't so prone.

[LCHIEN]

it would depend on where one lives. areas prone to break ins would need greater security than areas that aren't so prone.

that was my first thought.
even if you live in a "good area" there might be service people who happen by and can see your stuff. I think advertising that you have a shop is not a good idea. This some sort of window treatment is good. For a shop I would think high mounted windows (high on the wall but short in height) would flood your shop with daylight but keep passerby from spying what you have. Maybe some thin drapes that allow light in but you can't see through.

[capncarl]

I fabricated "burglar bars" for my shop windows. Much better safe than sorry, regardless to the safety of the neighborhood. The bars use the same pattern of the windows, made using 1/2" round stainless, welded at all bar crossings with 3/16" flat plates at each end of bar, and screwed inside the window with 4" round lag screws. This set up is barely noticable from the outside but an intruder would see them if he looked inside, and is obvious inside the shop, and if someone inside the shop was scoping it out would write the windows off. That transfers all the liability to the personell and roll up door, which have extra deadbolts and padlocks. A little bit of security goes a long way for your piece of mind. It might not stop a determined thief but would slow them down enough that they would have second thoughts.

capncarl

[Bruce Cohen]

My "shop" is a windowless garage. I'd kill for a window, really

Bruce

[woodturner]

I'm thinking of what options I have to deal with this, and I'd like to get your thoughts.

Glass block windows will admit light but block vision - so you get the light in, but no one can tell what is inside. They are also inexpensive - about $2 a block if you buy and assemble them yourself. You can also get vent blocks to allow some ventilation.

When I built my garage/shop, I intentionally did not put windows in it for security reasons. The entrance door is on the far side wall at the end, so for ventilation I can open the main door and the entrance door and get a good cross flow.

[Brian G]

How about something like this?

Mirror window film via amazon.com link

or a different brand of mirror window film

There may be other brands and I don't have any user experience with them.

[tommyt654]

Blinds are inexpensive

[cork58]

My shop was built under my design and there are no windows. When we had the shop and house built the driveway was a 1/4 of a mile long and we both worked full time. Had a security system installed but now we are completely surrounded by subdivisions and the driveway turned into a 400' little hop off the main road. All that being said I still wouldn't have windows.

[JR]

How about rolling shutters? They're secure, guard against weather, provide extra insullation. They're very common in Europe.

[BigguyZ]

I'm partial to the idea of glass block. the thing about the windows also is, I can look out the window of my house, and if there's someone in there, I can easily enough see that as well.

Even with film, come summer I'm hoping to be making enough sawdust that someone walking by may not need to look in to know that there's some WWing going on in there. Thus, the concern about both visibility and anti-intrusion.

The neighborhood I live in is safe enoujgh, but I have to admit it's in an area Minneapolis there there are issues, and while my neighbors are good overall, anyone can be walking by from other adjacent areas, and those are the people I'm most concerned about.

I have had things stolen from different garages, and I really want to do what I can to prevent things from happening again- though I don't want to go overboard either...

[catta12]

I have a similar setup and am in the process of digging up some light curtains to obscure view, but let in light. I love having windows in my shop for the light factor. Your topic makes me wonder if I should add a little more security to the window though.

[chopnhack]

Replace the window, add surveillance and an alarm and you should have most of what you are looking for.

[LinuxRandal]

Another consideration, is a/c in the garage. If it is provided for by a window unit, total removal is out.

Skylights are one item I would kind of like in a garage, a window for an a/c unit, with glass block above.

[sweensdv]

Take a couple of pieces of ¾" plywood and some hinges and mount the ply on the inside frame of the windows. When you have a need for more light just swing the pieces of ply open. Use a hasp and a padlock to secure the ply when not using the shop.