Outside garage door lights

[mikey531]

I did search but did not find anything. I am looking for the pro's and cons of using a flourescent light in each of door bays. I am thinkiing about putting a 4 foot or 2 foot flourescent light attached to the header in the middle of my 9 foot doors. This would be on the outside of the doors and I would like to have it work off a photo cell, and motion sensor or whatever would work. I have also moved the window panel down one so I have a solid panel on top now. Thanks for any help and opinions !

 

[Gary S]

Just make sure the light fixtures you buy are exterior rated. All the reasonable priced ones using 4' tubes I've seen are rated for indoor use only.
You might consider using CFL exterior rated lighting for this job. I think it is easier to find "exterior rated" fixtures with CFLs than it is with 4' tubes.
But, you need to look at your local electric suppliers and see what they have for you.

Lights like this work really great, and they have a photocell built in so your job is done.
http://www.menards.com/main/outdoor...e-fluorescent-wall-light/p-1803043-c-6403.htm

 

[mikey531]

Thanks
But I wanted to put them under the header so they will shine down the whole door. I don't know if this is practical or if someone has tried it.

 

[frankush]

This is the style you want. It's a vaportight fixture. I know that 1 lamp versions are available. The bugs are gonna love them.

http://www.homedepot.com/buy/homese...oor-vapor-tight-fluorescent-fixture-6219.html

 

[rshadd]

I like the look of incandescent bulbs for outside lighting. They have a softer warner (yellowish) light that's better suited for outdoor lighting. Fluorescent blubs tend to be harsh and cold (blueish white) and don't look right for outside accent lighting.

 

[lowell66dart]

FIrst the bugs will come.Then the spiders to catch the bugs. Now the birds show up to eat the trapped bugs. What you wind up with is mess. Ask me how I know.

Go LED and you have none of the issues mentioned above.

 

[Kevin54]

For what it's worth, I don't care for a fluorescent light outside. To me the color looks cold and odd looking. I'm with rshadd, I like an incandescent for an outside light or a cfl on a dimmer.

 

[mikey531]

What I am trying to do is have light shine down across the doors and light my driveway too. I am going to buy a cheap 2 foot and mount it and see what happens. Thanks for the comments !

 

[Steevo]

Why not put something like this on the wall above each door (the light, not the sign):

They have a nice vintage look that will go with your "T".

 

[Air_Cooled_Nut]

Steevo, I want! Where to get 'em? What are they called?

 

[Air_Cooled_Nut]

OP, here's the proper century for your lighting
http://1000bulbs.com/category/antique-light-bulbs/

 

[Charles (in GA)]

What the OP wants is to illuminate the surface of the door, probably for an "effect". Problem is, you lose several inches of headroom. The light Steevo posted is close, but still won't light up the door much. A variant of that light is an angled version designed to be mounted on a goose neck and shine back on the building. Put a floodlight bulb in it and you get the illumination on garage doors themselves, and the fixtures is up out of the way. And yes, the bug issue will be a problem. I have heard that they are not attracted to the light from an LED, but I don't know why.

Charles

Here is what you get with the type Steevo posted.

Here is the angled version

 

[CNGsaves]

Not sure how feasible it will be now since garage is all built, but installing LED's in the horizontal space of header right above door would look real cool for your "effect" of lighting up each individual door. Maybe 4 or 5 bulbs spaced apart across the span that were enclosed to minimize bugs. I'd look for "undercounter cabinet" LED lighting and see if it would hold up to elements under the garage door header.

Maybe you could router out a groove across that whole header and install what you want, then backfill the space between bulbs with a decorative-type wood like cedar in the 1 inch groove you've cut out.

P.S. Great looking garage with different textures (cedar & siding), along with the carriage-style garage doors. Now that we got glimpse of old Ford, give us some better pics or other cool rides you have inside garage!

P.S.S. Your idea has me thinking I might tie in some lighting that kicks on when the garage door opens (ie in addition to the chinzy bulb inside the garage door opener).

 

[ptgb]

Why not put something like this on the wall above each door (the light, not the sign):

They have a nice vintage look that will go with your "T".

Steevo, I want! Where to get 'em? What are they called?

I just picked up three of those same lights (or an exact copy). They are from northerntool.com. http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200485122_200485122

They are high quality and rated for outdoor use (aluminum powder coated). I plan on mounting them on each side and middle of my double doors.

 

[Air_Cooled_Nut]

Thanks ptgb...but yeeowtch! the price for just one!

 

[Sureshot]

I wonder if the bugs are attracted to the heat more than the light and that is why they do not come to the LED?

 

[pauls340]

Actually, the LED doesn't produce UV and that's what the bugs like....they will also eliminate fishflys around lights by water.

 

[CitadelBlue]

As an option Google "The American Fluor Yl108-4 14" Round Barn/ Yard Light For Downward Area Lighting". Cost is around $33. Amazon seems to have the better price. This is a steel fixture. I purchased 2, added a coat of brown spray paint and they are doing well. There is a threaded hole at the top of this fixture so you can add a elbow at the top and a piece of pipe ......