Soffit lighting suggestions wanted

[Bazzer]

Hey guys, new to the forum here building my dream garage and now about to tackle some wiring for lighting on the exterior. Was curious what you guys would suggest for soffit lighting above my doors on my super structure as many call it haha. Would you guys have recessed lighting above the doors or just three 1 each outside of the doors and the middle?

I am curious as I don't know which direction to go, also would you suggest any lights in the upper gabel?

 

[Terry D]

I would think any recessed lighting above the doors and in the gable would be just for looks. I wouldn't think the light would shine down far enough to light anything up. (3) coach lights on the doors would be nice. If you are wanting to light the driveway up, maybe a LED wall pack in the center above the doors on a separate switch

 

[vekster]

nice looking shop. What size is it? 14' walls?

I am at the same stage as you in my build and just started wiring for lights.
My wife helped me layout my lighting but looking at yours i would put a pot(down) light right up in the peak and maybe 3 spaced along the little roof above the doors.

 

[Bazzer]

Thanks Terry, I agree they're for looks more then function its too tall for function, I'll keep your suggestions in mind

 

[Bazzer]

Vekster the wall height is 18' with the block foundation, 16 4 1/2 stud wall. Yes I was thinking the three in the soffit like you suggested and peak area I'm lost, not sure I should bother due to its shape and light pointing on angles may look funny, how do you center a light in the peak with the triangular point?

 

[vekster]

Bazzer, i dont have a picture but on my house i put a piece of plywood squaring off the point at the peek and having the light sitting horizontal shining down.
Obviously it was squared off with plywood before the soffit's where capped in aluminum.

 

[mike93lx]

I think sconces on the wall on either sides of the doors plus some soffit lighting would look good.

For the soffit, I would look at wafer LED's. You can get them in various sizes, installation is easy and they can come with selectable color temps

 

[Bazzer]

Bazzer, i dont have a picture but on my house i put a piece of plywood squaring off the point at the peek and having the light sitting horizontal shining down.
Obviously it was squared off with plywood before the soffit's where capped in aluminum.

I didn't even think of that idea! thanks for that!

 

[Bazzer]

I think sconces on the wall on either sides of the doors plus some soffit lighting would look good.

For the soffit, I would look at wafer LED's. You can get them in various sizes, installation is easy and they can come with selectable color temps

I'll look into those wafer leds, I haven't heard of them unless you mean slim recessed led thank you, yes sconces are also an idea I've been contemplating but wasn't sure it would make my garage look as modern or more older with them.

 

[Shiftless]

I'll look into those wafer leds, I haven't heard of them unless you mean slim recessed led thank you, yes sconces are also an idea I've been contemplating but wasn't sure it would make my garage look as modern or more older with them.

Sconces look great. I have one of these on each side of my 16 foot wide garage door.
Plenty of light for just walking around. But of course, if you want to do work in your driveway you’ll need something completely different on a separate switch.

 

[ford33]

Something to consider in your cold Canada climate. If the lighting generates heat and the heat is directed upwards towards the roof, you may experience ice dams in winter. The snow will melt when the warm lights are on but then freeze at the cold eve edge at night and also during the day. This freeze thaw cycle may cause water to not run easily off the roof resulting in water damage to the interior of the home and wood rot.

Depending upon your attic ventilation type, open or closed, you should consider the effect of heat on the roof edge.

 

[mike93lx]

I'll look into those wafer leds, I haven't heard of them unless you mean slim recessed led thank you, yes sconces are also an idea I've been contemplating but wasn't sure it would make my garage look as modern or more older with them.

Yes, the slim recessed. About a half inch thick and just clip onto the mounting surface. I got some recently for my basement that are a little thicker (maybe an inch) with the LED recessed a little from the surface. They look a lot better than the fully flush models, IMO.

And maybe sconce wasn't quite the right term. I really just meant wall mount lighting.

Attached are pics of what I have at my house (I know, my siding is filthy)

 

[Bazzer]

Thanks Mike, I get what you mean then, I have some thinking to do as i begin drawing out my diagrams.

 

[Bazzer]

Something to consider in your cold Canada climate. If the lighting generates heat and the heat is directed upwards towards the roof, you may experience ice dams in winter. The snow will melt when the warm lights are on but then freeze at the cold eve edge at night and also during the day. This freeze thaw cycle may cause water to not run easily off the roof resulting in water damage to the interior of the home and wood rot.

Depending upon your attic ventilation type, open or closed, you should consider the effect of heat on the roof edge.

Yes great point as well, I will be running leds for sure and they don't generate the heat a regular bulb will but that's def something I will keep in mind as I don't need any ice damns

 

[cybrdyke]

Soffit lighting will throw harsh scallops of light down the wall. Some folks like it, some dont. If you decide to go this direction put some thought into the placement of them. If they're not symmetrical, they'll look terrible.
I agree that lighting on the angles will look weird and wont be effective anyway.
Do NOT put any lighting up high that will shoot toward the driveway unless you want to blind yourself while pulling into the garage.
Cylinders, like that pictured above, are great because they can shoot up and down and create a nice effect. They come in dozens of styles. Wall sconces are effective as well. An outdoor LED ribbon would be dramatic across the horizontal soffit. Again, some folks like drama, some dont. And you can get color changing, too.
Just some food for thought.
CD

 

[yeldogt]

Soffit lights need to be carefully thought out ... most times they just make many points of lights around a building. They can work imo if deep recessed .. with a big over hang ... and with something that really need the light

Most Coach type lights blind when you put bulbs in them bright enough to do more than guide to a door. I like layered light. Down lights by the side of man door -- Overhead down lights over garage doors. I do typically put a high power quality spot high up on a building -- they trow a lot of light and high enough up they don't blind. There are times when you need that type of light.

You have a tall building .... placing soffit lights is going to call attention to the height ..also the surface type LED are not very nice light output .... it's the modern version of a ceiling light ... light goes all over

 

[Bogie1632]

I think some barn lights would look good on that garage. They look good hung low or up higher. You'd get lighting and some character if you get a style that compliments your finished structure. LEDs on a dimmer. Leave them low for normal use, crank them up for garage parties or working outside by the door.

Sweet garage by the way.

V/R
Bogie