New Shop Lighting Help

[bryna]

I'm building a new 36 X 44 shop. The side wall height will be 14 feet 6 inches. Three bays with the full height and along the back wall I'll be constructing a 12 foot deep loft for storage above and my machine shop below. I keep hearing about a new type of florescent light fixture that is recommended for the high ceilings.... does T8 sound right? Anyway, I'm looking for suggestions and possible suppliers for the new light fixtures... thanks for any advice.

 

[14binders]

T-8's have been the standard commercial fluorescent lamp for 15+ years. T-5HO (High Output) lamps are just starting to become mainstream as their price drops. However lamps and fixtures are still difficult to find retail. They are very popular as a replacement for commercial high-bay (14'+) spaces typically using large metal halide fixtures. T-8's just don't drive down to the floor if they are mounted at over 12' high like T-5HO's will. They are also slightly less efficient than T-8, but you have to install fewer fixtures. I don't have any suggestions for sourcing these off the top of my head. I do suggest getting strip-type fixtures with gasketed wrap-around lenses to keep dust out of the fixture, as dust can really cut the light output and no one wants to dust their lights.