Lighting Options New Build Garage

[program4444]

Hello - Starting on a new build - what an exciting and equally annoying process. Who knew there were so many choices to be made. We have the main house largely figured out, but now we need to do lighting for the garage. The builder is happy to do whatever, but said many people just use screw in sockets or cans. I've spent a ton of time reading here, and know both options are less than ideal.

Below is an image of the garage. It's a decent size. How would you light this? The garage door openers will be side mount so the entire ceiling will be available. I'm thinking 4' 2-bulb LED tubes as a perimeter around each of the 3 bays, plus more in the alcoves and over the front stoop.

That sound right?

 

[theoldwizard1]

What is the ceiling height ? This makes a HUGE difference ! Ignore "watt equivalence". What you need to know is lumens.

There are new low voltage LED cans that look nice and are easy to install (cut hole in drywall, run low voltage wire, snap in, no box required) but I don't know how much light they put out or how big the "puddle" is.

 

[program4444]

ceilings will be at 10.5'.

 

[Jakemedic]

Primelights.com. They will do a lighting diagram for you and help pick the appropriate fixtures. I don’t get anything from them for recommending them. Just a good company with amazing service and products.

 

[Zeke]

Did you read the sticky on lighting at the top of the forum page? Probably all you need to know.

 

[75gmck25]

My preference is to first install a small set of lights and a wall switch for your basic needs (be able see when you get into the car, etc.).

Then install a 2nd wall switch (or even two more) that is connected to ceiling- mounted double receptacles. Using those receptacles you can hang new plug-in LED light fixtures, use them to connect to boxes for fixed ceiling lights, etc. The point is that you have a 2nd switched power source in the ceiling.

Most new plug-in LED lights have about six foot cords, and with a few ceiling receptacles you can get really flexible solutions for task lighting. And if your needs change, just relocate the plug-in lights.