14 NEAT Shed Windows Ideas and Options For Your Shed (and Where to Find Them)
Looking for more light?
We’ve been on the lookout for inspirational ideas that will encourage you to haul out your tools and upgrade the old shed windows
When a shed is weatherproof and watertight, you can think about boosting the interior light levels. Why not turn the old shed into a hobby-hut or a comfy spot for tranquil contemplation?
The possibilities are endless, and here are just a few of the neat ideas that we found for a shed window revamp.
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1. An Easy to Make Small Square Window
No longer truly square, who can know if the window was built like that by its maker, or if weathering has distorted the frame.
This hand crafted window was lovingly shaped from recycled timber. But what if you don’t have the time, the DIY skills or the funds to fit out your shed with glass windows?
How about recreating the look by building a small, square shed window frame with a bit of character with a shutter to keep the rain out
2. Door Windows
Adding an attractive shed door window to a garden shed or outbuilding instantly creates a more homely, welcoming look.
As well as transforming the exterior appearance, the extra light flooding into your shed makes it more useful as a space for storage, hobbies or relaxation.
For the best effect, make sure that your shed door window is fully coordinated with the other windows and fittings.
You can create your own door (with help of these FREE plans) and just add a piece of glass in, or buy a replacement door
The cheapest place for replacement doors?
3. Shed Windows with Shutters
Whether they are fully functional or just added for their decorative effect, simple shed windows with shutters can give any garden shed a more appealing look.
Hinged shutters can help to protect your shed windows from storm damage and rowdy garden ball games.
Paint your shed window shutters in a contrasting color to add low-cost visual appeal. Repeat the high-contrast accents on other woodwork features for maximum impact.
Similar shutters available online at Amazon and Home Depot.
4. Double Glazed Shed Windows on a Budget
If you live in an area prone to frost and snow, you may want to think about upgrading your shed windows for cold climates.
This can help to prolong the life of any tools or gardening machinery stored in the shed. The most effective solution is a double glazed shed window.
If this stretches your budget, how about making your own shed window double glazing? See here for a great instructable on DIY double glazing - perfect for a shed window
Pretty effective DIY double glazing can be created by fitting transparent polycarbonate glazing sheets on the back of the shed window frames.
Along with improved comfort and an attractive appearance, double glazed shed windows also provide increased security.
New double glazing may be more desirable if you’re planning to create a home-working office or studio outbuilding in your garden.
Thrifty gardeners lead the way when it comes to low-cost, double glazed shed windows.
If new double glazing is beyond your budget, cheaper upcycled double glazing is the environmentally friendly alternative.
The cheapest place for professionally double glazed windows?
5. Shaped Shed Windows
Think ‘out of the box’ and go for round and other 'not square' shed windows.
While shaped windows don’t let in as much light as the familiar rectangular panes, the look can be uniquely individual.
You don’t need a Dutch barn to get the most impact from a round window.
How about some fun, porthole style windows for your garden shed?
Increase the diameter of your round shed windows to create visual impact and add ‘wow factor’ to your garden landscape
Shaped shed windows available at Amazon and Home Depot.
6. Aluminum Shed Windows
When practicality is more important than appearance, aluminum shed windows can be a great choice.
While anodized aluminum isn’t the prettiest option for a garden, it’s a long lasting material that won’t rust or rot. Most homeowners tend to opt for ready-made aluminum shed windows. This means that there is a wide range of sizes and styles available online.
If security is an essential feature, you may prefer to go for a fixed, non-opening aluminum shed window.
The cheapest place for aluminum windows?
7. Stylish Shed Windows
When you use stylish shed windows for light and visual appeal the only limits are your own imagination.
Simply increasing the number of windows will dramatically improve the light levels inside any shed. Get creative by stacking large shed windows, one above the other.
Alternatively, try combining small shed windows of different sizes to transform a humble garden shed into a centerpiece outbuilding. The end results can be stunning – inside and out.
The popular choice when looking for character like in the above two sheds are french windows.
French windows available at.
8. Shed Window Planter Box
Window flower boxes are easy to install, adding an exciting new dimension to any shed window.
When fitted within easy reach, a shed window box is easy to water and maintain. Your reward is a splash of vibrant color and the intoxicating scent of your favorite summer flowers.
For even less maintenance, plant drought tolerant herbs like rosemary and lavender.
9. Window Screen / Flywire
In hot, sticky situations you need as much breeze as you can muster.
Adding window screen (aka flywire) insect screens to your shed window frames allows you to enjoy refreshing ventilation without being hassled by the bugs. DIY experts can build their own screens by purchasing frame timber and a roll of flywire online.
Luckily, low-price insect screens can be bought ready-made for those of us who aren’t so handy with a wood saw.
Cheap window screen available online from Amazon and Home Depot.
10. Transom Windows
A transom window is a window that sits above a door. They tend to be more secure than putting glass in your door for two reasons
First, It is less likely that opportunists will be able to look into your shed at that height. Secondly the size of the window is usually smaller than a person can crawl through
The other reason why they are popular is they still let in a lot of light in if it's on the sunny side of your shed. They are great for workshops and people who want light but store expensive items and equipment in their shed
Good selection or Transom windows available on Amazon and Home Depot.
11. Window Mesh Security Grilles
Is your shed window on (or going on) a public walkway area? If so, you should take your outbuilding security up a notch by fitting wire mesh security grilles over your shed windows.
These tough wire grilles send a clear message to opportunist thieves and vandals. Window mesh grilles are usually fitted using special bolts which can’t be loosened from outside. Steel framed window grilles are the most effective option.
TIP - As well as securing the windows, ensure that the shed doors, roof and side panels don’t allow easy access for burglars
Find a good place to get security steel mesh for windows? Let us know
12. Open Steel Mesh Panels
Mesh panels are a popular option for an outdoor storage shed, dog run or kennel.
The mesh provides free airflow, helping to keep the interior fresh and healthy. Wire mesh also makes the enclosure easier to clean. With a wide range of materials, finishes and colors on offer, your outdoor storage shed, kennel or dog run doesn’t have to look industrial.
Optimize your design and materials to make the most of your budget.
Find a good place to get open steel mesh panels? Let us know
13. Polycarbonate Sheeting for Roof Windows
Light-up your shed interior with some shed roof windows.
Whether you’re building a simple potting shed or adding an elegant outbuilding to a landscaped garden, roof windows will vastly improve the interior lighting. As always, the low budget option is to use polycarbonate sheets or recycled glazing.
Polycarbonate sheets are also much tougher than traditional glass panes. If you live in an area prone to hail storms you may have already made the switch to tougher, acrylic or polycarbonate glazing.
With easier shipping, lighter weight and safer handling, polycarbonate is becoming the go-to glazing for greenhouse windows.
Good selection of polycarbonate sheet on Amazon and Home Depot.
For a more stylish solution you may prefer to invest in an elegant shed skylight. For comfort, you may need to change the position of an existing shed to increase or reduce incoming sunlight.
14. Greenhouse Windows
Need more light? You can run glass or polycarbonate sheets across your whole roof or an entire wall
A few years of wear and tear will eventually take its toll on greenhouse windows, but you definitely won't be short of light
More Shed Window Ideas?
Sometimes it can be difficult to come up with fresh ideas for your garden or shed window make-over. Checking out sheds and cabins from other cultures can often generate inspiration.
Try Pinterest, ‘The world’s catalogue of ideas’, or a Google image search. Both will return hundreds of inspirational images that you can use for a shed and garden make-over.
Ornamental dormer windows, decking, shingles and shutters were just a few of the ideas that we found with a mouse-click.
Thanks for Reading
We hope that you’ve found a little inspiration among these neat ideas for new shed windows. With their low cost and green credentials, some of those upcycled windows are looking particularly attractive.
We can also see that security doesn’t need to be the ugly option if you choose a narrow, transom style shed window.
Now it’s over to you. We’d love to hear your own advice on upcycling, buying or fitting new shed windows. Please leave a message on our Contact Zac page.
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