lighting suggestions please

[hookedontronics]

I have a 32x28' garage with a 9.5' ceiling. I currently have 4 light bulbs in the garage and it is horrible. I'm looking for some new lighting. I was going to go fluorescent 2x4 but my rafters are only 20" between them, so then I started looking at 1.5x4 and it's slim pickins'. I'm open to suggestions at this point. if I do go 1.5x4 i'd likely do 8 of them to really light up the place, but I am also unsure on bulb brightness (t4, t5, t8 etc). Recommendations welcome. I'd like to try and stay below $600 for 8 new lights or just $600 in general for any lighting. Please let me know what you'd recommend.

thanks

 

[taz2002]

i just build a 24 by 60 12 ft walls ceiling is 15 ft went to home depot and got 5 t8 4 bulb with the cage on around the bulb for $49 each if i remember right and 5 double on wall at 7ft up on 45degree angle on another switch also put up vapor rap on the ceiling to cover up the insulation an reflex the light it almost day light with it all lights on

 

[hookedontronics]

any pics?

 

[2ManyProjects]

I have a 32x28' garage with a 9.5' ceiling. I currently have 4 light bulbs in the garage and it is horrible. I'm looking for some new lighting. I was going to go fluorescent 2x4 but my rafters are only 20" between them, so then I started looking at 1.5x4 and it's slim pickins'. I'm open to suggestions at this point.

It sounds offhand like you're thinking solely in terms of flush-mount "troffer" type fixtures. Why? By comparison, surface-mount "strip" or "wrap" fixtures can be placed pretty much anywhere you need them. For further general thoughts, see:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=3387494&postcount=5

 

[JoeFin]

Sounds as if your ceiling is not yet sheet rocked

In which case you could box 4' T8 strip lights with sheet rock. Just add blocking between the ceiling joist for the ends and top of the box section and screw the sheet rock to it. "IF" it is a fire barrier then you would have to tape it, other wise just seal it with primer and then hang your strip light in it.

Then add a little trim molding to the bottom perimeter and you will have lots of creative trim options. If you have any commercial electrician friends they might be able to find you used 1" square reflective panels. Not very efficient for the application and actually designed to reduce computer screen glare, but it sure would look cool.

Your ceiling certainly is high enough to take advantage of 98% aluminum reflectors and you would have to be careful to keep your box depth correct, but this absolutely will give you the most "Bang for the Buck" and with color corrected lamps the Best lighting option

I'm sure some one will come by and proclaim 98% reflectors don't work because they aren't included in the Free Online Lighting Calculator some folks use around here. Or that painted ceiling are 80% reflective - when new/freshly painted. But relying on the reflectivity of a ceiling exposed to dust, cobwebs, grinding particles, and what ever else you are doing in your garage is not a wise decision.