Suggestions For Lighting (new shop)

[Palmetto]

Hello everyone. This is my first thread, and I am looking for suggestions on lighting for my new shop.

I spent that last year building my shop myself. Although it is not totally finished, it is usable. The pictures are not the latest, but they show kinda how it is layed out. It is a 30'x40'x14'-6" enclosed shop, with 20' lean-to's on each side. It has 14'x14' roll up doors on each end, and 8'x10' slide doors the sides to access the lean-to's. I am also in the process of building out a 20'x20' office under one of the lean-to's.

RIght now I have a 2 8' T8 flourescent light fixtures put up as temp. lighting. They are ok, but I would like some brighter light. I was thinking of maybe Metal halide, but not sure of what wattage or type to go with.

Any suggestions would be great. There is allot of usefull information here. Thanks Allot.

Phillip

 

[67restoproj]

Nice shop! Have you thought about skylights? I think a combination of florescent and skylights would be a good mix. I like natural light and its free..

 

[Palmetto]

One other note. My ceiling will remain open, with exposed rafters, just like the picture shows. The rafters are 6'-0" tall in the center, making it 20' to the peak from the top of slab.

 

[Palmetto]

No skylights. My roof is on,with insulation, with no leaks, and I am not jacking with it!

BTW, I did the double bubble radiant barrier from Mueller, with ridge vents, and it helps allot!!

 

[bmacz06]

I am a big believer in Metal Halide after my experience at work and I have 2 150 fixtures in my existing 22' X 28' garage. It is enough lighting for storage but not enough for a workshop. I will be putting up 6 150 watt fixtures in my 20' X 40' with 12' side walls. In my opinion it is better to have more fixtures with lower wattage for better light dispersion.

I can't explain it but the quality of light coming from Metal Halide seems to be brighter and far better than the equivalent wattage with flourescent. A light meter may show it the other way around but I see with my eyes and not a meter.

I sourced my lights from here: www.optilight.com and I went with the acrylic reflectors.