Loft Lighting Recommendations

PlacidCasual · 7 Feb 2016 at 09:19

HI Peeps

I've boarded a portion of my loft out approx 4m by 4m. I'm looking for some lighting suggestions. I had thought to buy 2 x 10W LED fllodlights from Toolstation, wire them up via a junction box and have a long lead that I could drop through the hatch and plug into a wall socket.

But on reflection I wonder if the light might be a bit shadowy or glaring. I'd mostly chosen the idea on cost.

For infor the house is 100 years old with slate roof and no sarking felt, so I'd been planning on using reasonably weather resistant components as whilst we don't have any leaks and condensation only occurs on cold days if Ieave the hatch open a long time I guess thier is alwys some risk.

Any suggestions.

RJC · 7 Feb 2016 at 09:30

Install two of these, I have two in my loft:

http://www.qvsdirect.com/1-x-54w-4-ft-t5-non-corrosion-fluorescent-fitting-ip65

NoNameNoNumber · 7 Feb 2016 at 09:33

I have one long one RJC but the warm up for the tube does frustrate me, I've been tempted to use a couple of floodlights on PIRs.

DXP55 · 7 Feb 2016 at 10:05

This bungalow I have had already been done - previous owner had put fluorescent lights all along ridge almost end to end.

Being as it was built in 1972 there was no truss bracing and as I have put 4x1 along both sides of apex it is sort of blocking light for far reaches of loft so I have been thinking of what I can use so light reaches down to eaves.

was thinking of a few LED ceiling lights - they might hang just a bit lower and be below 4x1

Be interesting to see what people come up with.

nutcase · 7 Feb 2016 at 11:41

Stick a few LED bulbs in housings up there - I'm always forgetting to turn the loft light off soo if it's only using a couple of watts it doesn't get too expensive!

Caged · 7 Feb 2016 at 13:02

JCC Skypack is a dirt cheap LED batten and really good.

Adam · 7 Feb 2016 at 20:37

I have a fairly big loft and I used 3x standard filament bulbs placed at either end and one in the middle. Each bulb is wired to one of the 3 way switch I fitted by the hatch.

I used the guide here which was very useful: http://www.flameport.com/electric/lighting_circuits/connect_at_switch_for_garage_or_loft.cs4

The bulbs don't need to be cost effective as you will rarely use them. I believe all the materials cost me < £15-20.

the-evaluator · 8 Feb 2016 at 10:37

I've got 3 x 20W LED floodlights with PIR in my loft. THey're more than bright enough and the PIR is really handy as I was forever forgetting to turn off the lights when leaving the loft.

BigT · 8 Feb 2016 at 11:09

I've had great success with LED bulbs with sensors built in, either dusk/dawn for outside lighting or PIR built in for the loft. you're then not restricted by light fittings and can use what you want.

the-evaluator · 8 Feb 2016 at 11:17

I meant to say that the PIR is separate from the LED floodlights. The PIR module is in the middle of the loft near the hatch and then the floodlights are placed at both ends and in the middle.

PlacidCasual · 8 Feb 2016 at 11:57

Thx for the responses peeps. Gives me some things to think about. May go down the IP65 flourescent route, not sure. LED's are worth thinking about though.

Participant · 9 Feb 2016 at 05:09

RJC said:
Install two of these, I have two in my loft:

http://www.qvsdirect.com/1-x-54w-4-ft-t5-non-corrosion-fluorescent-fitting-ip65

I've got a few of these mounted to the roof top chords, all off one switch as I'm hardly ever up there. Cheap and effective, easily wired from an existing lighting circuit.