I've just finished the roof on my new garage (metal building) and I'm starting to lay out the electrical.

Can anyone give me some advice on how much lighting I should put in?

The building is 32' by 54' with 12' side walls and the roof peak is 16'.

Thanks

 

When you get my age, more is always better. My garage is 40'x42' and I've got 4 rows of 8' florescent (sp?). The end of the fixtures are butted end-to-end so that each row is almost continous. Each row is 8' apart. While you're at it, now is the time to run circuits for a 220v compressor, welder and don't forget the AC.

 

When you think you have enough add some more. Never seen to much lighting. I have even seen some lights on the side of the garage. This lights up the sides and interior when the doors are open. Put them on a different run and you can turn them on when needed.

 

Never walked into a garage and said, 'man, can you turn those lights down...'

 

One thing to keep in mind, if the garage is not heated regular fourescent lights have a real hard time starting in the cold weather. The 8 foot fixtures with bulbs that have a single pin on each end seem to work a little better.

 

Ok, I guess another question is do I mount them to the rafter or hang them at 10' or so?

 

cool. lighting ....... that's what I do ....... depending on what you want to spend and how high you need the fixtures to be .... If they need to be right against the ceiling purlins then the way to go would be 8' flourescents HO (High Output.. these are the cold start bulbs and ballasts, they are more expensive, but if the shop will be used when it is cold, they are worth it ... they have the RDC (recessed double contact) ends and are a 110 watt lamp instead of 75 watt (as are the single pins). Also they most important feature is the bulbs ..... Using a cheap cool white bulb will reduce the amount of light by at least 40% ...... use a bulb with a Kelvin rating of 5000 (5000k) which is a bright white light. Do not go to lowes, home depot etc...... find a local Long life light bulb dealer or order online cheapest I've found (but shipping will kill you for an 8' bulb) and tell them you want a Triten 50 HO ...... expect to spend around $20-$30 PER BULB, but that will probably be the last bulbs put in the shop, unless you use it as a 50 hour a week workplace, then they will only last 8-10 years. Another bulb to use is called daylight (6500 kelvin) best for displays. If your car is in the shop for protection from the weather and it is a showplace, this would be the color to use. This lamp is similiar to the lamps used in paint booths (color corrected ... stuff inside the shop looks like it would in daylight)

Another option is the new high bay fluorescent fixtures..... these are replacing the Metal Halide fixtures and for good reason ..... use a fluorescent tube that gives better light (your choice of 5000k or 6500k) and 1/2 the electricity ...... around $200 each ..... drop around 12"-18" from ceiling ..... would need 8 for REALLY bright

My shop is 24 x 36 with four 4' light fixtures in ceiling and one 4' over work bench (6500k in ceiling, 5000k over bench)..... plenty bright for me

I would use 3 rows of 4 8' HO fixtures positioned in 1/4's
another question is shop setup, how are you going to work in the shop ... don't position a light where you know your back will be between it and the workplace if there is not a lighting source on the front side .....

remember, the most important aspect is the kelvin rating of the bulb, otherwise you are not getting the most out of your design .......Robert

If you want email any concerns and I'll help

robert@robertharrisonline.com

dude, just noticed you are in Dallas .... that weblink is a company based in Dallas somewhere ...... could go pick up the bulbs and save shipping, but order from the web because the pricing is WAY cheaper than their salesmen pricing quotes