Garage lighting

Tackle_Berry · 1 Oct 2013 at 15:17

Looking to improve the lighting in my garage, currently got just one single 4ft fluorescent tube on the middle ceiling rafter.

I want to get it as bright as possible for as cheap as I can (less than £60 if possible). Not sure if I should be looking at a better twin fluorescent or LED's, flood lights etc.

Any ideas?

CaNsA · 1 Oct 2013 at 15:38

Grab a couple of used fluorescent tube fittings and mount one on each wall.

job done.

Nightglow · 1 Oct 2013 at 15:44

What you doing in garage.
Painting walls, ceilings can help, no ceiling then mount lights on a white board, throws most light down then.
Could look at two or three 5' or 6' fluorescent on the ceiling or two fluorescent lights on each wall, again with a white board above them to reflect light down.

TLC is cheap for lights.

Wall:

5': http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/TNPP158.html

6': http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/TNPP170.html

Ceiling:

5': http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/TNPP258.html

6': http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/TNPP270.html

EDIT: Out of interest you can now get T8 LED Tubes in 2', to 8' sizes now, direct replacement.

http://www.ledison-led-lights.co.uk/t/T8+LED+Tubes/4.htm

RJC · 1 Oct 2013 at 20:48

One option to look at is Anti-corrsive fittings like the ones below:

http://www.qvsdirect.com/single-t8-anti-corrosion-ip65-fluorescent-light-fitting-58w-5ft

I am going to fit these to my parents garage (I have these in my loft) as the T8 tubes in open luminaries cant get warm enough to emit decent light during the winter months, also look at decent tubes from Philips or Osram.

Nightglow · 1 Oct 2013 at 21:07

Good idea RJC, makes a lot of sense, have these from TLC in my loft.

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_In...ing_Fluorescent_Index/Single_Flo_2/index.html

Makhaira · 1 Oct 2013 at 21:27

5' weatherproof fitting is about £20 from a wholesaler, and tube is only a few quid. A pair of those should light up your garage like a christmas tree!

Tackle_Berry · 2 Oct 2013 at 12:12

Nightglow said:
What you doing in garage.

It's used for a home gym,

Thanks everyone for advise think I will look for some 5-ft twin tubes with decent bulbs.

Painting the walls or getting white boards isn't an option unfortunately.

Business Man · 29 Oct 2014 at 17:49

Will one of these lights be sufficient to light up a 14ft x 8ft garage ?

http://www.qvsdirect.com/single-t8-anti-corrosion-ip65-fluorescent-light-fitting-58w-5ft

Snaggle · 29 Oct 2014 at 20:05

depends how bright you want it.. to drive yer car in sure.. to work in there.. no

RJC · 29 Oct 2014 at 20:09

Depends on what your doing, general lighting 2 should be ok, but buy decent tubes.

My parents have a double garage and 4 single 4ft lights are ok.

PhillyDee · 30 Oct 2014 at 10:01

Always install tubes in pairs. Especially if using rotating machinery, since the frequency can make moving objects appear to be still!

Abyss · 30 Oct 2014 at 12:32

Ebay for "suspended ceiling light". They are forever being removed from offices/retail units and have little to no resale value. All you need to do it screw them directly into a joist or make a framework for each light to sit in. Will give far better lighting as the larger ones take 4 x T8 tubes each