TRAINROOM WINDOWS?????????

[TXT]

I would like ya'lls opinon'sss on wether I should have windows or not in a new train room that is 18X28 ft. Nothing has been built yet! What would you do??????????

[BATMAN]

I would put windows in for sure. I like natural daylight. For me it makes the train room a nice place to be during the day. I have lots of natural light during the day when I tend to do work on the layout and at night the track lighting sets the mood when I just want to run trains. I am out in the sticks so there is no light coming in from outside at night. Also think of the resale value on your home. Someday the house will be on the market. If you don't like the windows just black them out.

[traindaddy1]

YES

[rlplionel]

I enjoy the natural light the windows in my train room provide. Be sure you consider your local building code. The code may require you to have windows in your train room because of safety considerations (fire escape).

Robert

http://www.robertstrains.com/

[jonadel]

YES!

Certainly there are advantages to not having windows but I think the idea of having natural light out weighs those advantages. Our layout is in the basement and I do miss the windows.

I spent the last 18 years of my job in a room without windows, I hated it. I used to get there before sunrise and would often times leave in the dark, I felt like a Mole.

[johnandjulie13]

Absolutely.  Shades/curtains/blinds can keep the sunlight out if you need it. 

Regards,

John

[Jumijo]

Add the windows! Natural light makes smoke from steamers show up better than artificial light!

Jim 

[dougdagrump]

Add the windows! Natural light makes smoke from steamers show up better than artificial light!

Jim 

Plus they provide an emergency exit when your other half come after ya' with an iron skillet when she discovers what that new steamer cost.

[palallin]

A dissenting vote:  I'd give you my windows if I could.  They make impossible any decent backdrop, for the frames keep them from being effectively blanked.  They also reduce the amount of wall space for shelving (if you need it).  They increase the difficulty in maintaining climate control.  If the layout is in fromt of them (as mine is), they do not function as escapes for you (though they may for subsequent owners; fortunately, I live where I am not bothered by "codes").

[TXT]

Lots to think about! Thanks for all the response's. I am leaning towards no windows because, there would more wall space for the around the room plan I am cooking up in my head and there's always a need for train shelves. Ya'll make some good points about the lighting though!HUMMM! As for codes I live in the country and really there are no code's out here! And it is going to be on the second floor of the detatched garage, access will be through a pull down attic ladder as to maximize floor and wall area(and $ saved by not adding a regular door can be spent on MORE TRAINS!) Thanks to all who responded!! Im still working on this plan!           

(Im just glad Im not the only one with this addiction!!! )   

[ChiefEagles]

Got windows in mine.  Mine is an upstairs bedroom.  Makes excellent squirrel shooting from the windows as they rob my bird feeders and pecans.   Run trains and shoot the pests.  Best of two worlds.  

[Anonymous]

If your walls are high enough you could install transom windows above the layout. This will permit natural light into the room, but won't interfere with the back drops, scenery, or shelving. Heck if the walls are tall enough you could even run a ceiling layout above the transom windows... and they also make remote controlled blinds now too.

[rthomps]

I say "no" if you want to maintain the present color of your trains....    You can do most anything and any kind of effect with artificial lights....

The "premiere" collections & layouts that I have visited have been in windowless buildings.

Just MHO.

[asch]

I say "NO"! I have had layouts in the past in rooms with windows and the current layout room does npot have windows and I love it. I have no inturupions in my walls so I can hang shelves, the trains are not visible from the outside(security) and in my experience windows get obstucted by benchwork so they are useless as a means of excape. With that said i do keep to fire extinguishers in my trainroom on opposite ends just in case.

[phillyreading]

Like others have mentioned put a window or two in there for resale value. You can always put up shades or curtains.  Don't add sky lights, as they can be damaged easily by a falling tree branch.

Another thing to consider is to follow the National Electric Code if you are adding electric outlets or light switches to the room.  The place where I am at, the clown(and I do mean clown) who built the house didn't follow the NEC(used white wire for the ground instead of green in conduit, free floating outlet boxes-not mounted to wall with a nail or screw) and now I am having electrical problems, outlets and lights are quitting on me. For the lights it could have been the hurricanes in the past two years that came through south Florida as they are outside lights that quit working.

One note about adding on to a house, make sure that you or a qualified contractor know what you are doing!!

Lee F.

[fifedog]

No windows.  You will definitely have faded colors on your layout, boxes, trains, etc.  I'd install a couple ventilations shafts on both ends, but that's it.

[CB&Q]

   trainman have you considered a sky light or two? get daylight to work by and yet walls still available for shelving or backdrops just a thought. I had same issues with windows but then used the  view blocks and created a place to erect a vertical wall onto the layout so backdrops or whatever I wanted it for. I use view blocks so it gives the impression of less is more effect and forces the viewer to look at each area seperately and then opens up to another area. you may want to try it out on paper to see what you can do. have fun.  

[jefelectric]

I also would go with no windows, codes permitting.  BTW, today just about every location has building codes & building permits.  Be sure to check before you start building, it can get expensive if you don't.  One other thing you might want to do is take a second look at that stairway idea.  I've never seen one of those that would stand up to regular use.  Not sturdy enough.

Not picking, just trying to help.

[Serows1]

I absolutely would install windows, natural light is great for layout viewing.  Glass block would be nice and secure.

[johnandjulie13]

I would dissent with Lee and recommend skylights if you want to maximize your wall space.  The skylights would allow you to get some natural light in.  You can get shades for the sky lights to keep the light out if you desire.  While having no outside light will allow you to display your layout as you desire, you will discover that you are working on the layout more often than displaying it to friends/family.  Having natural light into the room will help create a more pleasant environment for working.  A happy railroad man is a productive railroad man.

Regards,

John

[rogruth]

Well,my train room has one window that I did not want but was required by local building code.

Safety reasons which were then defeated by installing a window heater,air conditioner.Also have a door window. 

[TXT]

What great ideas! Thanks to all again for answering. Let me just address some of the concerns.

1. There are no codes out here!

2. It is separated from the house 10-20 ft.

3. No tree's are taller than 2 1/2 (25')stories.

4. This my family home for 40yrs, my dad gave to me and I will give to my kids. Not for sale.

 I like the transom windows, the end walls could have them above the 8ft point!

Thanks again for all the input! Ya'll are great!

[Pappy]

Unless I missed something in one of the messages, it appears everyone is thinking of normal average standard windows, unless I'm misunderstanding the transom window.  I would want windows for both light and fresh air.

No codes.  Separate from the house.  A Godsend.  I would re-invent the wheel here and go with high ceilings, windows around the top leaving plenty of space for backdrops and shelves.   I would use special glass that let's the natural light in but not the harmful rays that can deteriorate colors.  I would use a remote control system to allow opening and closing of the windows.  I would look at special screens to minimize dust.   Or as mentioned, skylights, lots of skylights with remote control for opening and closing.

Maybe a super high ceiling with a balcony at 10 feet and windows above the balcony.  Ceiling fans, super quiet exhaust fans, steam heat.

Or, because eventually no matter what size room I would build it would become full.  I would maybe look at adding some windows at the lower level on one wall for viewing in from the outside.  Add a deck for those that cannot fit in to see the layout because there is no room.

For me the answer is in the height of the room when it comes to light and air flow allowing for backdrops and shelves.

[palallin]

 One other thing you might want to do is take a second look at that stairway idea.  I've never seen one of those that would stand up to regular use.  Not sturdy enough.

 

We have one here at the office that is built plenty sturdy.  Installers recently hauled furnaces and so forth up through the holes with one of them stnading on the steps and pushing up to help.  If you're interested, i could get you an ID on it.

[TXT]

Thanks for all the ideas! My computer power supply went out and couldnt get it fixed till today! I've been having forum withdrawls for the past few days. On the pulldown stairs issue, I currently have a woodset that has been in heavy service for over 10 yrs(30 decoration totes up and down every holliday!) But I would like to replace with new metal attic stairs! Thanks again! Keep up the good info!