Garage lighting

[IndyGunworks]

Give me some budget oriented lighting options for a 40x40 garage/workshop.

 

[bulletsmith]

Since you said workshop, I would suggest looking at fluorescent fixtures that use a T5 lamp. They do fairly well in the cold and throw quite a bit of light for their size. Not sure what your budget is, but you can always light the essential areas now and add as you can.

 

[mrjarrell]

I second the florescents. They give you more than enough light and are cost efficient. Only drawback to them is that some of them get testy in really cold weather and may not fire up immediately. Doesn't happen a lot, but it can, (as I well know). If your garage is heated it won't be an issue. Putting in a couple of spots over work spaces may also be an option for you for more directed light, (like over a workbench) if you want lots of light.

 

[w_ADAM_d88]

Are you limited on voltage? I may be able to get you some lights from work. They're high bay warehouse lights, only downside is they take a while to warm up when you first cut them on and they get hot. They're kinda like these...
HID High Bays

 

[IndyGunworks]

I have 8 windows going in, as well as windows in 2 walk doors, and 3 overhead doors, and will use lamps at the bench for direct lighting... I like those fixtures and would probably use 10, or 12 of them..... so that's not a horrible cost for that amount of light.

I still have to figure out what I am going to do for the ceiling.... I think my cheapest option is going to be metal liner panels at around 1800 bucks, unless you guys can come up with a cheaper option

 

[IndyGunworks]

Are you limited on voltage? I may be able to get you some lights from work. They're high bay warehouse lights, only downside is they take a while to warm up when you first cut them on and they get hot. They're kinda like these...
HID High Bays

I think those would suck to much power.... and HOLY crap batman, that's pricey.

 

[1DOWN4UP]

get the T5's.

 

[bulletsmith]

HID lighting has long been the standard for what you are trying to do. However, in the past 10 years or so these fixtures are being replaced by T5's. Cheap and cheap to run.

 

[Roland of Gilead]

If you go with T5's get 4 bulb fixtures for ambient light and some 6 bulb fixtures for areas to work in. They might be a tax right off for energy efficiency.

 

[Cameramonkey]

What? No LED love? I love me some LED lights...

 

[bulletsmith]

I believe the cost is still above what the T5's are.

 

[Brandon]

I have been slowly replacing my florescent light fixtures with LED 4' fixtures. $40 a pop at Costco but SO worth it, no flickering, work in cold weather unlike the florescents that want to flicker until they warm up - if ever. (I know, you can get florescent lights that work in the cold but I can get led's and be done with it!)

 

[woowoo2]

I would apply several solutions. At least two banks of T-5 fixtures,with a minimum of two switches, more is better. This is your base lighting. Then several LED fixtures for close work. Also, one or two dust to dawn, motion sensor, LED flood lights outside. You don't want to turn on all the lights every time you enter the building.

 

[femurphy77]

Do some research on the T5's, you won't be impressed.

 

[behiggie]

+1 for the led's we are changing all of our florescent fixtures over to led. They put out great light and as a plus they don't use the ballast so one less thing to go bad.

 

[k12lts]

I built a 30x40 garage three years ago and used 65w (300w equivalent) CFL bulbs for lighting. I spaced eight bulbs in the building and put four on a switch so I can just light the part of the building I need or turn them all on. They screw into a standard bulb base and are very bright and cost effective. Less expensive to install and use than florescent tube lighting.


Shop Utilitech 65-Watt (300W Equivalent) 2,700K Spiral Medium Base (E-26) Soft White Outdoor CFL Bulb at Lowes.com

They make it like daylight in the building.

 

[jkaetz]

Anything with a ballast is going to be destroyed by LED in on/off cycles if that is going to be a concern.

As for florescents not starting in the cold, I have two 4' cheap fixtures for my garage and they fire up every winter just fine. They will take a minute to reach full illumination but never failed to ignite.

 

[Dirty Steve]

I have LED's in my pole barn. Purchased the fixtures on sale at Rural King many years ago. More than ample light and no flickering.

Dirty Steve

 

[66chevelle]

I put these in my 24x30 and they worked great.

Howard Lighting VSA4A254APSMV000000I VSA4 2 Lamp 4 T5 HO Fluorescent Enclosed Vapor Dust Water Proof Tight Light Fixture NSF IP67

 

[eldirector]

On a budget? Hit up Craiglist for 2 or 4-bulb 4' fluorescent fixtures. Several years ago, I picked up a bunch of the "old style" T-12 fixtures for super cheap. Got a bulk-pack of bulbs, and I am set for a few decades. Never a problem with cold-start, either.

Just put in more than you think you need. I could still use a couple more (9 2-bulb fixtures in a 20x20 garage).