Unsure of what kind of lighting to install in your new garage? Perhaps your garage lighting just isn’t up to scratch. Here are some useful tips to shed some light on the situation.
First thing: sketch out your garage
Draw a plan of how you want to use and set up your garage:
- Workbench area for projects
- Storage
- An area for items attached to the wall
- Space for your electrical appliances, like a fridge
Do you have high ceilings? If you do, how do you want to use the extra space above the garage door? It could be the perfect place to store all the items you just can’t bear to part with.
By the time you’ve figured out the total space of your garage (in 3 dimensions), you’ll be able to determine the type and strength of lighting you need.
What are my lighting options?
First off; let’s see what types of lightbulbs are available:
- Fluorescent
Fluorescent bulbs have a tubular shape and contain mercury vapour. The atoms in the mercury vapour are ionized to produce light. The colour emitted depends on the phosphor coating inside the tube. Fluorescent bulbs are commonly called fluorescent tubes or lamps. This is the type of lighting you’ll find most often in garages and they are usually mounted on the ceiling.
- CFL or Compact Fluorescent Lamp
Compact Fluorescent Lamps come in all shapes and sizes, you’ve probably seen the spiral ones in homes. They give off better lighting and use less energy than standard incandescent bulbs. They look more like natural light and stay cool. They have an average life of 10,000 hours, lasting ten times longer than standard incandescent bulbs and use 75% less energy.
- Halogen
These bulbs use more energy than CFLs but less than traditional incandescent bulbs, with average energy savings of 33% and lasting 3,000 hours. There is no mercury in halogen bulbs, and they come in a wide variety of models, so you’re sure to find the right one, whatever its purpose.
- LED
LED stands for light emitting diode. These bulbs are the most energy efficient, saving you up to 90%. They also have an extremely long life. Always cool to the touch, these bulbs don’t contain any mercury or lead. LED bulbs are also an excellent choice for accent lighting that requires a directional beam. The main drawback to LED bulbs is their initial cost. Nevertheless, this initial cost is easily recovered in just a few years when you take into account your energy savings from using LEDs to light your home and garage.
So, where does that leave me?
Most handymen will tell you to go with fluorescents for general lighting purposes. The only slight inconveniences are the time they take to get to maximum lighting and the fact that they buzz.
But which fluorescent should you choose? The T5, T8 or T12? The T represents the diameter of the bulb in eighths of an inch. The T8 is suggested most often because:
- The T8 produces about as much light as the T12 but is more energy efficient.
- The light seems more natural.
- Most T8 bulbs come with rapid‑start ballasts rather than instant‑start ballasts, which tend to burn the bulbs out too quickly, especially when turned on and off often.
- It is generally suggested that you buy 4‑foot tubes and not 8‑foot tubes as they are easier to handle and more energy efficient, but provide the same amount of light.
Finally, you need to decide whether you want a warmer light intensity (3000K) or a cooler light intensity (5000K).
Remember, you will probably need extra lighting in the areas you most often work. Now all that remains is choosing the lighting strength and type. Don’t forget about exterior lighting over the garage door and access door. We would advise CFLs for this purpose.
Do you want to change your garage door?
Get in touch with us at 508-875-3508 so we can explain how a well‑insulated, weatherproof garage door could make all the difference. Why not pop into our showroom? It would be our pleasure to show you our entire range of garage doors and the best one for your style of house. You can also request a quotation online.
Try out our Design Centre by uploading a photo of your house, it only takes a couple of minutes and you’ll be able to see what your garage will look like. Or visit our image gallery for ideas.
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