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2 Car garage need lighting help!!!

6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago

HI everyone! Building new home that has a 2 car garage, 2 story with bedroom above it. The garage comes with one light fixture definitely not enough should I get recessed if so how many or light strips which ones and how many?

Comments (17)

  • 6 years ago

    We have 2 overhead lights and then the garage door openers have their own lights that light up when the door is raised or lowered. How much more lighting do you need? Does your garage have windows?

  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    ˆˆˆˆˆˆˆˆThe basic utilitarian approach.

    But if you forsee a different future, consider the whole gamut: LED strips, suspended worklights, potlights, tracklighting, accent lighting, wall lighting. Or a combination. Also, style and wall colours figure in. Rustic or sleek modern or anything in between or beyond. You don't have to build your parents' garage.

  • 6 years ago

    We have exact same as CP

  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    The picture i attached is the current lay out I'm thinking, I'm going to work on my car in there so i need it bright and there's no windows. I found a picture of a garage on the web and I like the long lights they use but I only see 4ft in stores. I'll attach a picture and maybe one of you guys can tell me where that strip is available?


  • 6 years ago



  • 6 years ago

    In my shop/garage I addeded outlets at ceiling level, then plugged in 4 ft. 2-tube shop lights with T-8 lamps, which were suspended with eye hooks and chains. These lights are a step up from the cheapest shop lights and will come on at cold temps. I use the pull chains to turn on as they're spread out and I don't need them all on at once.

  • 6 years ago

    Our last garage we had 3 recessed florescent lights running the length of the garage plus under cabinets lights on the work bench. Great light for working on projects. This house we only have 3 smaller florescent lights and 2 normal bulb type. Good but not as good for projects. I don't even count the garage door opener light. They are only good for seeing where your car is when it is dark.

  • 6 years ago

    You can check out Garage Journal for more viewpoints as well.

  • 6 years ago

    We installed 6 LED panel-like lights available at big box stores (2 per bay, so 4 total would be sufficient for a 2 car garage). They are a million times more effective than the obnoxious florescent fixtures they replaced. If you want them longer than 4', buy two (or more) and string them together.

  • PRO
    6 years ago

    Strategically places electrical outlets on walls and ceiling are important too.

  • 6 years ago

    You can use online lumen calculators to determine the overall amount of light you need and work from there.

  • 6 years ago

    I used surface mounted 4 foot, two tube, fluorescent fixtures over my work benches, placed so thatI'm not trying to work on something in my own shadow. I'm converting them to LED tubes this year, but they've always been more than adequate. A retractable trouble light is also useful, and mine is positioned so that I can use it in the driveway or the garage.

  • 6 years ago

    At least 4, better 6. Large LED lights, rectangular in shape like the old fluorescent ones

  • 6 years ago

    Fluorescent is still the best bang for the buck or use a fluorescent fixture with LED lamps (but compare the LED lamp output to comparable fluorescent). Unless you’re going to be spending a LOT of time in your garage, energy savings are minimal.

    From there you have general lighting and task lighting. Off hand, I’d saying four, 4 lamp, 4’ fixtures would be sufficient. Then add task lighting over, say, a work bench.

    8’ fixtures tend to be a little more expensive, so are the bulbs. Then you have to transport an 8’ glass tube when you need a replacement. I’d go with 4’ fixtures. If you are in a cold climate and don’t plan on heating the garage, look for low temperature fixtures.

    While you are at it, you might think about adding some circuits for general use receptacles. Two 20amp, 120v circuits would probably be enough unless you have a big compressor or planning on adding some stationary tools.

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