Some lighting questions

[MtnMan]

Hello guys,

In the process of finishing my 2 stall 20x20 garage. Ceilings are 11'. I purchased (8) 8' t8 fixtures. (Holds 4 4' bulbs each). Just wondering if this is going to be enough light. Im going for a really well lit area because I will be doing a lot of detail work out of it.
Also, what color bulb shoud I go with? Any one color better than the other? Or is it just personal preference? Sorry for the newb questions.

 

[regguy1]

I have 20 48" T8's in my 26' x 30' I used (and like very much) the 6500K Phillips tubes from HD. For your size what you have sounds like it should be good, placement of lights is important. You can see photos and videos of the garage here: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=140674

(the garage is much brighter than it looks in the video as it was taken with a digital camera.)

Keep lights around the edges, lights over the center of cars will create shadows

 

[frankush]

You should be fine. I put up 6 of the same fixtures in a 22x24 and I'm happy. I stuck with 3500K.

 

[Mr_fixit]

I have 3500 , 4100 and 6500. Definately don't use 3500.... Unless you like less light that looks like the regular incandescent bulb color. 4100 is whiter and 6500 is slightly more blue. I think I like the 6500 best. It think that's a reasonable amount of lights for that size garage.

 

[MtnMan]

Thanks for the replies. I do like the light to be more of a white instead the blueish or yellowish color. So 4100 would be the way to go?

 

[ddawg16]

I have 20 48" T8's in my 26' x 30' I used (and like very much) the 6500K Phillips tubes from HD. For your size what you have sounds like it should be good, placement of lights is important. You can see photos and videos of the garage here: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=140674

(the garge is much brighter than it looks in the video as it was taken with a digital camera.)

Keep lights around the edges, lights over the center of cars will create shadows

Good advice.....

Thanks for the replies. I do like the light to be more of a white instead the blueish or yellowish color. So 4100 would be the way to go?

Yes....4100-5000 would be less blue...but also understand that the final color will be very dependant on the paint on the walls as well. As Reg said, placement is important....I would suggest no closer than 16-20" to the wall...that allows you to have shelves..but lacking shelves...the light will bounce off the walls....and depending on how you painted your walls, the color will change.

If you have wood or dark colors on your walls...the 6500 is actually a good color for the bulbs. If your like me with light gray walls, 4100-5000 works well. You can get an idea by clicking on the link in my sig....I have one photo in my garage build where you can see the difference in light color...right side is warm white (2700) and the other side bright white (4100 I think).