Install on sloped ceiling or across it?

[VeemanOH]

Hey all... I could use some advice about lighting a garage that's almost done being built. It's a 32 x 44 x 12 with scissor trusses and a finished (white steel liner) interior / ceiling.

In the (*ahem*) rough drawing attached, you can see there's two big overhead doors at one end and the two main working bays are in blue. Work bench area will be at the opposite end. Purple shows how the trusses are done...

Anyway, I attempted to review the lighting layout thread (tons of good info), but wanted to ask more questions.

Lots of those layouts have the lights (single LED's) going north-south directly mounted directly on the sloped ceiling created by the trusses. Most of the time they seem to be in three or four rows.

1. Is there an advantage to that layout rather than going east to west (in line with the trusses)?

2. Is it better to attach the lights directly on the ceiling rather than hanging the lights from chains and making them level / parallel with the floor?

Originally, I thought 6 fixtures with 4' LED's would be enough, but not sure at this point. I'd like to add ceiling fans in the center of the shop and have concerns about hanging lights swaying in the breeze, etc.

Any opinions would be welcome! Thanks!

 

[nadogail]

No matter how you do it somebody will tell you that you should have done it differently.

 

[cybrdyke]

There's very little difference in mounting east/west vs north/south, unless you have obstructions in there.
Light fixtures are designed to be hung level. Hanging them at an angle will make a difference, but unless your ceiling is steep, it shouldn't be a huge issue. You will probably have less light bouncing off the walls, which is the light that helps fill in shadows and contrast.
CD

 

[nsula_country]

Hey all... I could use some advice about lighting a garage that's almost done being built. It's a 32 x 44 x 12 with scissor trusses and a finished (white steel liner) interior / ceiling.

In the (*ahem*) rough drawing attached, you can see there's two big overhead doors at one end and the two main working bays are in blue. Work bench area will be at the opposite end. Purple shows how the trusses are done...

Anyway, I attempted to review the lighting layout thread (tons of good info), but wanted to ask more questions.

Lots of those layouts have the lights (single LED's) going north-south directly mounted directly on the sloped ceiling created by the trusses. Most of the time they seem to be in three or four rows.

1. Is there an advantage to that layout rather than going east to west (in line with the trusses)?

2. Is it better to attach the lights directly on the ceiling rather than hanging the lights from chains and making them level / parallel with the floor?

Originally, I thought 6 fixtures with 4' LED's would be enough, but not sure at this point. I'd like to add ceiling fans in the center of the shop and have concerns about hanging lights swaying in the breeze, etc.

Any opinions would be welcome! Thanks!

This number will need a multiplier in front of it... Unless the building will only be for parking/storage.

Direction of the fixtures will have minimal impact.

Surface mounting is always simpler than hanging.

Example, I have 12, 8' fixtures under a 30x60 lean to...

CT

 

[VeemanOH]

Thanks for the input. @Nusla... the 4' fixtures I was thinking of are double bulb and I will be working in there often, so more light will be a plus. If you think I need more, then I'll look into it.

I attempted to download the Dialux software but I don't think I know how to use it and the learning curve is probably pretty high. I'll see what's available at the store (Menards, for example) and try to come up with a good lighting setup.