Lighting Design Assistance 32' x 24' x 12'H

[diiulio]

looking for your recommendations...
24'x32' x 12' high. Looking for a nice lighting layout. Finished framing and roof is going on next week hopefully.

I don't have a large budget. I'd like to be around $500 if possible. I was thinking four rows of 3 or 4 4' double LED lights.

The drawing shows 32' x 24' layout and I will wall off the 3' stairs, so effectively I really only have 28' x 24'. The stair side will be probably for wood working side and the opposing side will be the auto shop side. I don't mind having task lighting as needed.

This isn't a recent picture, but best I have that shows the inside. I am not very good at taking pictures that actually show what is going on.

Next year I will put drywall on all walls and probably paint ceiling white, walls a light gray and floor will be either sealed or light blue epoxy.

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[Platonic Solid]

Need a close-up pic of just the upper left section of the drawing so it can be read. Unless you have the CAD file.

 

[diiulio]

I blew it up in CAD. If this doesn't work I can email you the CAD file.

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[Platonic Solid]

I am not very good at taking pictures that actually show what is going on.

I was just rereading your request and this statement stopped me cold now that I've seen your build thread (Garage with a loft - link) which is packed with informative pictures, including drone shots and time lapse videos.

 

[diiulio]

Thanks. I have been trying to document the build, but it is difficult when you are a one man show. I never think to stop and take pictures while I am working. It is usually at the end of the day where I am cleaning up and say 'Oh yea, take a couple of pictures so I can see the progress.'

I will put a link to my build in my signature so it is easier to find for others.

Plus, I need to get a better title for the build because I had originally started it when I was thinking about the design and then I just rolled into the build with it.

I pretty much stuck with the original design except for moving the stairs from outside the structure into the structure. It ate up a few feet of the shop and the loft, but allows a parking spot outside, no snow on exterior stairs in the winter time, and I think more aesthetically pleasing.

I hope the build is interesting and helps others with ideas for building their shops.

 

[cybrdyke]

I guess it's become a pet peeve of mine because I'm a lighting nerd..
This building is outstanding and the documentation of the build is also top shelf. I'm guessing that this is costing you a sh*t-ton of money. And it looks well spent.
Wouldn't you like to have some nice lights in your brand new building? $500? The low quality of the lights you'll get for that amount wont match up with the great quality of time and effort that you've got invested already.
Just one guy's opinion.
CD

 

[Platonic Solid]

diiulio - Would you be willing to consider this fixture: 1ft. x 4ft. Flat Panel LED (link)? It will require a drywall grid adaptor kit (link) to recess into your ceiling. It would look sweet! Might be closer to $800 total. If you are creative enough to build your own ceiling adaptor then total price is $400 (estimating Qty.12 fixtures) which would give you about 65fc at 30" workplane.

 

[garage guy1of38]

Don't skimp on the lighting budget. It'll be the one thing you regret.

I may have went a little overkill, but the amount and quality of light the shop has is worth every penny.

 

[diiulio]

I'm listening... Yes, I agree good lighting for a good building. PS, I would definitely consider the flat panel LED. I don't know anything about it, but definitely interested.

 

[Platonic Solid]

diiulio - The fixtures in "garage guy1of38's" post above are 2x4 flat panel edge lit LEDs. They provide exceptionally even light output = no hot/bright spots, just a flat layer of light (very cool effect). The 1x4 I linked to is a very good price and should fit nicely between your ceiling joists, though even surface mounted, these fixtures are only 7/16" thick (not including the driver box on the back).

Their intended design is to drop into standard recessed "T" grid ceilings found in most offices.

 

[diiulio]

Do you go with 'cool white' or 'bright white'? What is the difference?

What would you do for a layout? 4 rows of three? Distance between them?

 

[Platonic Solid]

Suggest between 4000K and 5000K CCT. It's really a personal preference decision.
Google "CCT Chart" and you'll get the idea.

I was looking at your layout last night. Not done yet.

 

[diiulio]

PS, didn't mean to rush you. Take your time.

Also, I was thinking about the mounts. My drywall needs to be fire rated and the troughs would need to be boxed out to meet the fire rating since there is living space above. Is there a way to surface mount the 1x4 flat LEDs?

 

[Platonic Solid]

Yes, LumeGen 1x4 LED Panel Surface Mount $24 ea.

 

[Platonic Solid]

Suggestion 1:
Qty. 13 fixtures (or 12 if you eliminate the one behind the stairs)
1ft. x 4ft. Flat Panel LED 5000 Lm 40W $33 (link)
with
LumeGen 1x4 LED Panel Surface Mount adaptor $24 (link)
Avg fc @ 30" workplane = 63
Total Cost = $741
Dialux Report (link) dimensions on pg 3 are from interior of walls.

pics linked to larger images


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[Platonic Solid]

Suggestion 2: (My recommendation)
Qty. 17 fixtures (or 16 if you eliminate the one behind the stairs)
Same fixture and surface mount adaptor as above.
Avg fc @ 30" workplane = 83
Total Cost = $969
Dialux Report (link)

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[diiulio]

That's awesome! Thank you so much for taking the time to do that. I will post pics of the install.

 

[Platonic Solid]

FWIW, you can achieve the same result using 2-lamp 4ft LED strip light from page 1 of The Best Light Fixture thread (linked below). Cost is about $34 per 2-lamp strip fixture with housing (+ shipping). It's certainly not as aesthetically pleasing as the flat panel, but it is a garage. The layout remains the same regardless.

Edit - If it was my garage, I'd still go with the flat panels.