Basement shop lighting...

11 years ago

last modified: 11 years ago

So I want to light up an unfinished basement with 7ft ceilings. The space where I need the light is roughly 40ft x 12ft or so. I was thinking of going with 2 rows of T8 4' fixtures---2 tubes each. The first row would go down the long wall about 2-3ft from wall. The second row would be approximately 6ft from the first row. I am hoping for input on how far apart to space each unit in a row---continuous, an interval of say 2 feet? Then the other factor is the layout as is runs perpendicular to the joists. I don't know if it would be better to slightly recess the fixtures and run parallel to the joists with 2 fixtures every 6ft? I figure that layout will require more work but might give me a safety net as far as breaking T8 bulbs. FWIW, I used Jack Lindsey's tips on lighting a woodworking shop and found I need 16 fixtures. I just don't know that 2 rows of 8 fixtures is truly necessary? Any help would be appreciated.

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Comments (4)

randy427
11 years ago
I'd say it depends on whether you need task lighting everywhere, 16 fixtures might be right if that's the case, or mostly general lighting with task lighting in specific areas, like over a work bench or power equipment.

I'd have the fixtures between the joists with the tubes about level with the bottom edges.

With white walls for light reflection, a fixture every 10 to 12 foot should be decent general lighting.

For task lighting, I'd try to ensure I wouldn't be working in a shadow or dark spot. I use a retractable fluorescent trouble light when needed.

JM$.02W
Apache RP thanked randy427
Apache RP
Original Author
11 years ago
That is the idea behind the two rows---to eliminate the possibility of shadows. I suppose I could tweak it a bit with an L shaped design for task lighting then follow that with a few fixtures for general lighting. It would be nice to add white paint everywhere---doing that would also save some $ per fixture. Ah, the possibilities.
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rwiegand
11 years ago
It also depends on whether you are old or plan to become so-- as time goes on light requirements increase. I think it's almost impossible to have too much light in a basement shop. I put in general lighting then added additional fixtures wherever I found myself working someplace where I couldn't adequately see what I was doing. Task lighting was a mix--fluorescents over a bench, track lights with halogen spots over the lathe, incandescent flood over the table saw (to avoid the potential of a strobe effect making the blade look stopped when it wasn't). In my new shop the ceilings are at 9ft and I'm very happy with the t8HO fixtures I've put in. I think they'd be too much at a lower height.
Apache RP thanked rwiegand
Apache RP
Original Author
11 years ago
For the moment, we have found a radon problem that needs corrected first. But hopefully, I can still turn the space into a shop. I don't intend to get too old down there but I planned for 100fc at working height just in case. With only 7ft to the joists, I've been trying to decide if a certain type of light would be best but have only looked at t8s and LED strip lights. The LEDs were brighter in store but I don't know how they would fair in a basement. The price is surprisingly comparable with much lower running costs on the LED after install.