What would you do differently if you built a new shop

[ovrszd]

A 50w bulb running 10 hrs per day at 12 cents per KW cost comes to .06 cents per day. 365 days a year = $21.90. 40 years = $876.00.

This would be assuming that in their ramblings around in the house they wouldn't have more than one light on at any given time spread over 10 hours a day. I know I'm going high here.

So you've potentially saved $876 by installing 6 skylights. How much does it cost to install a skylight?

 

[Big Barn]

And I feel the same way, in reverse, about windows. They are so efficient nowadays I just can't see building a shop without them.

Our house living room doesn't have skylights but has a good picture window. No need for the lights to be on during the day.

I'm a big fan of natural lighting. It has an incredible impact on one' s well being.

Plus who here DOESN'T want to live long enough to tell our kids how to bring up THEIRS.

 

[ovrszd]

I'm a big fan of natural lighting. It has an incredible impact on one' s well being.

Plus who here DOESN'T want to live long enough to tell our kids how to bring up THEIRS.

True that!!!!

My wife asked me yesterday evening, after I had spent all day outside at the farm, what my Worldly contact had been for the day? She was implying whether I had people contact or not. She worries about that for some reason. Thinks my World is a bit small. I said I had contact with the entire World as far as I could see it. She just looked at me with that "I'd grab you by the ear if you were closer" look. :laughing:

I once slept outside for 4 months with no overhead cover of any kind. Worst part was during Full Moon.

 

[/pine]

A 50w bulb running 10 hrs per day at 12 cents per KW cost comes to .06 cents per day. 365 days a year = $21.90. 40 years = $876.00.

This would be assuming that in their ramblings around in the house they wouldn't have more than one light on at any given time spread over 10 hours a day. I know I'm going high here.

So you've potentially saved $876 by installing 6 skylights. How much does it cost to install a skylight?

Even 40 years ago when the cabin was built...natural light was the issue not saving money on electricity per se...

The property is parted by a substantial mountain river so it lies in a valley bottom with mountains on either side...the skylights were used the same way windows are in walls...to take advantage of the exposure...here it is very limited...

My comment on saving money was off the wall and really had nothing to do with the post that included it...it was about leaks...and a skylight is not much different than a window...if they are not installed properly they will leak...

FWIW...most skylights that leak...leak because of the flashing (curb mount) or the sealant in non curb mount models...

 

[Big Barn]

I prefer an all steel building, but that's just me.

I am "heat" conscious to have no use for skylights anywhere. That's why I mentioned windows, windows, windows. Good quality double glass insulated windows to minimize heat loss.

Here's a pic I just took at 11:30 a.m. on a very cloudy Missouri day with lights off.





View attachment 500393

Here's a pic I just took of my North facing shop office. Noon, gloomy March day, lights OFF.




Terry

 

[ovrszd]

Here's a pic I just took of my North facing shop office. Noon, gloomy March day, lights OFF.


View attachment 500439

Terry

You can't get no repurposing done in there!!!!

Nice room Terry.

 

[EddieWalker]

Even 40 years ago when the cabin was built...natural light was the issue not saving money on electricity per se...

The property is parted by a substantial mountain river so it lies in a valley bottom with mountains on either side...the skylights were used the same way windows are in walls...to take advantage of the exposure...here it is very limited...

My comment on saving money was off the wall and really had nothing to do with the post that included it...it was about leaks...and a skylight is not much different than a window...if they are not installed properly they will leak...

FWIW...most skylights that leak...leak because of the flashing (curb mount) or the sealant in non curb mount models...

I'm always surprised at how many windows I've taken out that have absolutely no sealant around them of any kind. Most are aluminium framed with a few nails holding them in place. Some show staining from leaking over the decades, others I didn't see anything. I think the big difference with installing a window and a skylight is that when the skylight leaks, you know it. You might never know that the window was leaking. Another challenge to a skylight over a window is that the higher up in a house that you go, the more movement you get. All houses move, taller ones move more then shorter ones and great rooms move more then anything else.

Techniques and materials are getting better, but I still run across nearly new homes with skylights that leaked.

 

[newbury]

<snip>
My comment on saving money was off the wall and really had nothing to do with the post that included it...it was about leaks...and a skylight is not much different than a window...if they are not installed properly they will leak...

FWIW...most skylights that leak...leak because of the flashing (curb mount) or the sealant in non curb mount models...

And my comment was because I've spent many hours on roofs fixing flashing which flexed, aged and leaked.

Skylights on steep roofs are usually more forgiving than roofs with little slope. But you are still putting a hole in the roof. Windows are usually vertical and it's easier to get the water to run off quickly.

 

[jack707]

High enough so I could put a lift inside it sucks changing oil laying on the floor.

 

[ovrszd]

I'm always surprised at how many windows I've taken out that have absolutely no sealant around them of any kind. Most are aluminium framed with a few nails holding them in place. Some show staining from leaking over the decades, others I didn't see anything. I think the big difference with installing a window and a skylight is that when the skylight leaks, you know it. You might never know that the window was leaking. Another challenge to a skylight over a window is that the higher up in a house that you go, the more movement you get. All houses move, taller ones move more then shorter ones and great rooms move more then anything else.

Techniques and materials are getting better, but I still run across nearly new homes with skylights that leaked.

Eddie, being a "Northerner", I just can't get past having X square foot of roof/ceiling space with no insulation. Maybe I'm missing something.