New construction dimmable recessed shop lights?

[brokersteve]

We are in the process of building our 30'x56x18' two story garage/shop. I want to finish the interior to look as close to our home living areas as possible. I will have a "man cave" area that will definitely have recessed lights. I had planned to install hanging 4' LED shop lights throughout, but like the idea of going full recessed throughout for the finished look. Ideally would like dimmable LED with switchable temperature. My concern is how this may look in the shop and how functional it will be vs traditional shop lights? I plan to have different zones to accommodate individual work areas. We will have a two post lift on one end. An office, bedroom and wood working area upstairs, and some general auto and metal fabrication areas down, along with a full bath. Please let me know if you have any advice, warnings or alternative ideas. I'm not opposed to adding a few traditional shop lights here and there if necessary. I just want to plan right up front so as to not have any regrets. Thanks in advance!

 

[Firebrick43]

You will need to have at least twice as many recessed lights as surface mount to compensate for being recessed.

No matter what, install the cans if you do it and seal them. They make them now with the connector for the LEDs retrofit lights.

The direct mount lights **** and leak air, insulation falls down when replacing, ect.

 

[75gmck25]

I've seen manufacturer guides for placement and number of recessed lights, including various uses (lumens, etc.) and for different ceiling heights. I would look at the online docs from different manufacturers and see what they recommend.

For a well-lighted shop with high ceilings it may take quite a few fixtures, but with LEDs they still probably won't draw that many amps. Also take a look at how you expect to use different parts of the shop, and individually switch banks of lights that will be useful. For example, no reason to light the entire shop if the only place you need light is near the workbench or to avoid stumbling over something when you are looking for a tool.

 

[dave*99]

We are in the process of building our 30'x56x18' two story garage/shop. I want to finish the interior to look as close to our home living areas as possible. I will have a "man cave" area that will definitely have recessed lights. I had planned to install hanging 4' LED shop lights throughout, but like the idea of going full recessed throughout for the finished look. Ideally would like dimmable LED with switchable temperature. My concern is how this may look in the shop and how functional it will be vs traditional shop lights? I plan to have different zones to accommodate individual work areas. We will have a two post lift on one end. An office, bedroom and wood working area upstairs, and some general auto and metal fabrication areas down, along with a full bath. Please let me know if you have any advice, warnings or alternative ideas. I'm not opposed to adding a few traditional shop lights here and there if necessary. I just want to plan right up front so as to not have any regrets. Thanks in advance!

Will you have 18' high ceilings in some part of the shop? Recessed lights are not often applied to high ceilings. Not enough light.

 

[Shiftless]

What is the intended use of that space? If you are just storing vehicles and using it as a lounge/ TV room/ party space, those might be OK.
Little flush mount or recessed led lights such as normally installed in living areas have a wide beam pattern. If you mount them on ceilings 18 feet up, they won’t be an efficient way to light a shop.
If you want to work on vehicles or other projects like woodworking or general fabrication, you need bright light. How many foot candles are you aiming for?