Time to upgrade from a single 4ft fluorescent

[dummptyhummpty]

Now that I've got my storage and work area figured out, I wanted to start improving the existing lighting and am hoping to get guidance from the experts.

My garage is a newer, attached 20ft by 20ft with a single 4ft, two tube fluorescent. It gives off enough light to move around the garage, but the corners, especially where I have my workbench, are a little dark.

I'd like my lighting to allow me to use the open space to work on, under and in cars along with other bigger projects, but to also be able to relax and tinker on smaller projects at my corner workbench. I've considered in-ceiling LED cans above the bench with ceiling mounted LED tubes in the rest of the garage for when I need more light, but I'm not sure if that will be a compromise. Instead of upper cabinets above the bench, I'm planning for some smaller shelves and don't expect to have that area available to use for task lighting.

The ceiling is two different heights with the taller portion being a little over 9ft and the lower being about 8ft. The lower is U shaped with the top of the U facing the front of the garage. In the area above the garage door track we have two 4ft by 8ft ceiling mounted storage racks and I realize that will limit the placement of some lights. Depending on the lighting layout, I may be able to flush mount the lights that go in the portion with the lower ceiling.

Any recommendations would be helpful, thanks!

 

[LaneRover]

Is the garage an 'open canvas' or is it finished with sheetrock? I am thinking about the ease of wiring. Where is the entry door from the house (I assume there is one)

FYI - I am no expert . . .

In my experience for the work bench area you want lights placed so that you won't shade whatever you are working on but also not be so far back that there are glare issues if working on something glossy. Cans can work but so can led tube lighting.

 

[Norcal]

If there is living space above or the ceiling is fire rated, cans will be problematic because they will compromise the fire rating.

 

[dummptyhummpty]

Is the garage an 'open canvas' or is it finished with sheetrock? I am thinking about the ease of wiring. Where is the entry door from the house (I assume there is one)

FYI - I am no expert . . .

In my experience for the work bench area you want lights placed so that you won't shade whatever you are working on but also not be so far back that there are glare issues if working on something glossy. Cans can work but so can led tube lighting.

The garage is finished, but I don't think wiring will be too hard. The entry door is on the bottom left of the diagram. Here's a picture looking into the garage. Thanks for the advice on placement for the workbench, I'll definitely have to look into that further.

 

[dummptyhummpty]

If there is living space above or the ceiling is fire rated, cans will be problematic because they will compromise the fire rating.

Good point, however they ran utilities through that part of the ceiling (which is why it's lower) and there's another layer of drywall between the living space.

2nd floor
----------(drywall)
utilities
----------(drywall - cans would be here)
Garage

 

[akasrick]

Now that I've got my storage and work area figured out, I wanted to start improving the existing lighting and am hoping to get guidance from the "experts" (not me).

My garage is a newer, attached 20ft by 20ft with a single 4ft, two tube fluorescent. It gives off enough light to move around the garage, but the corners, especially where I have my workbench, are a little dark.

I'd like my lighting to allow me to use the open space to work on, under and in cars along with other bigger projects, but to also be able to relax and tinker on smaller projects at my corner workbench. I've considered in-ceiling LED cans above the bench with ceiling mounted LED tubes in the rest of the garage for when I need more light, but I'm not sure if that will be a compromise. Instead of upper cabinets above the bench, I'm planning for some smaller shelves and don't expect to have that area available to use for task lighting.

The ceiling is two different heights with the taller portion being a little over 9ft and the lower being about 8ft. The lower is U shaped with the top of the U facing the front of the garage. In the area above the garage door track we have two 4ft by 8ft ceiling mounted storage racks and I realize that will limit the placement of some lights. Depending on the lighting layout, I may be able to flush mount the lights that go in the portion with the lower ceiling.

Any recommendations would be helpful, thanks!

A members lighting solution to something similar in this thread, https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=401864&page=6 link to product in post #11.

akasrick

 

[dummptyhummpty]

A members lighting solution to something similar in this thread, https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=401864&page=6 link to product in post #11.

akasrick

Thanks, I'll read through that.

 

[sberry]

The new 4 ft led have end to end plugs for 4 units, super easy, super cheap to operate. Hook some together, hang them up, see what happens, move if you want. Often easier than all the mental ************ of trying to get it perfect the first time.

 

[jimreed2160]

The new 4 ft led have end to end plugs for 4 units, super easy, super cheap to operate. Hook some together, hang them up, see what happens, move if you want. Often easier than all the mental ************ of trying to get it perfect the first time.

Exactly what I did. Just go to Costco and get a wagon load of lights and then daisy chain them together. You can set them up to light up as a string or individually. I have lights over all of my work areas and love it. Bonus is that the LED fixtures have a very low amperage draw.

 

[G29]

FWIW, I replaced my 8' 75 watt frosted florescent ballast driven tubes with clear 8' DAYLIGHT LED tubes (no ballasts).

The DAYLIGHT LEDs put out more usable white light, easier to see/read, no flicker, no hum, no ballast, instant on and use considerably less juice. They are somewhat directional so you can "point/rotate" them towards darker spots or work areas.

I hope they keep improving these LED tubes and the prices keep coming down.

For anyone that is interested, here are the tubes:

• CNSUNWAY Lighting 8 ft LED Tube
• 96" 45Watt T8 FA8 Single Pin LED Bulbs with Clean Cover,
• 4800LM Super Bright 6000K Cool White (12-Pack)

Link to 8' DAYLIGHT LED 4800LM TUBES