Yet another lighting layout question

[Cooter_76]

I've read a bunch of lighting threads on this board. While they've been very informative, at a certain point my head starts to spin. Looking for some suggestions for my specific scenario:

I bought my current house about a year ago. It has a three-car garage, with one bay somewhat separated by a wall. That bay has been designated as a work shop. The home came with two single incandescent bulbs (one in the 2-car section and one in the 1-car bay.) Both are controlled by the same pair of 3-way switches. As best I can tell, these lights are on their own 15-amp breaker in the main panel.
I converted the fixture in the work shop to a duplex outlet and hung two of these 4' T8 fixtures from the ceiling, plugging them into the duplex outlet. So far I'm happy with this setup.
Now it's time to turn my attention to the 2-car area, which will be used for vehicle storage and repair (no brain surgery.) I'd prefer to have surface-mounted fixtures in this part of the garage to provide better clearance and plan to remove the existing fixture and hard-wire any new fixtures off this power. Initially, I plan to install three 4' T8 fixtures toward the rear of the garage, since the overhead door covers the front half of the ceiling when it's up. One fixture would be centered width-wise, and the other two would be 18" off the left and right walls. Fixtures are represented as yellow rectangles here:

Questions:
- Does this sound like a good start? Thinking I can add more fixtures if needed, but would prefer not to have to re-orient the first set.
- The garage has off-white painted ceiling and walls. Home Depot sells three fixtures that I'm looking at: One with reflectors, one with a lens and one with bare bulbs. Do I need a reflector or lens? I'm a bit weary of bare bulbs from a safety standpoint.
- I already have enough T8 bulbs on hand to install in these fixtures. Any compelling reason why I should be looking at LED instead?

Any and all advice welcome.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

I'm assuming the ceilings are 8 or 9 ft. You don't need reflectors, and probably not lenses. If you find yourself swinging around a lot of 2x4's the lenses would provide some protection, otherwise they simply collect bugs and dirt. The white ceiling IS your reflector.

I would install the three lights in the two bay back more toward the doors, and put a strip or two across the garage forward of the grille/hood area of the cars, near the back.

Are you planning on running more wire? do you have access above the ceiling?

 

[Cooter_76]

Thanks for confirming what I thought (ceiling acting as the reflector.) The ceilings are 8 1/2'. I do have adequate access to the attic to run more wire.

I like the idea of adding a couple strips running perpendicular to the other three. There is a pull-down attic ladder in that area, but there may be enough room for more lights.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Just make sure that whatever you get specifies that it is approved for surface mounting. They do get hot. Might want to space them off the ceiling with some pieces of 3/4 to 5/4 thick blocks at the ends or mounting points of the lights. Just make sure the area of the fixture where the ballast is located is exposed on the top surface for cooling. Goes a long way toward making the ballast last longer.

Charles

 

[gs8212]

... Might want to space them off the ceiling ...

Charles

Slightly different question on dropping them off the ceiling between the doors, and between a door and wall. Seems I should drop the lights to basically the height of the open door to maximize my light underneath them when they are open. Thoughts or experiences?