What kind of lighting should I choose for my garage?

Lighting in your new garage

Are you unsure what kind of lighting to install in your new garage? Or maybe you’re just tired of bad lighting in your garage? We’ve compiled some helpful pointers.

First off: draw a plan of your garage

Plan how you want to set up your garage and how it will be used:

  • Workbench area for DIY
  • Storage for items you’re not using right now
  • Space to hang items from the walls
  • Space for your electrical items, such as a chest freezer or central vacuum system

Now, if you have high ceilings, think about how you want to use the extra space over the garage door. It could serve as storage for those items you can’t let go of.

Once you’ve determined the total size of your garage (in three dimensions), you’ll be ready to choose the type and strength of lighting you need.

What kinds of lighting are available?

Let’s first look at the types of bulbs available:

  • Fluorescent

    Fluorescent bulbs are a tubular shape. The mercury vapour atoms contained in the bulbs is ionized to produce light. The colour of the light depends on the coating on the inside of the tube. Fluorescent bulbs are also commonly called fluorescent tubes or lamps. These are the most common type of garage lighting and are usually mounted on the ceiling.

Fluorescent lights
  • CFL or Compact Fluorescent Lamp

    CFLs are available in different shapes and sizes. You’ll probably have already seen the spiral-shaped ones used in homes. They provide better lighting and are more energy efficient than standard incandescent bulbs. They are also more like natural light and don’t get hot. With an average life of 10,000 hours, they will last ten times longer than standard incandescent bulbs and use 75% less energy.

CFL or Compact Fluorescent Lamp
  • Halogen

    Halogen bulbs are not as efficient as CFLs, but are better than standard incandescent bulbs, saving you up to 33% in energy and lasting 3,000 hours on average. They contain no mercury, and there is a wide range of models so you’re sure to find the right one for you. This type of bulb generates white, clear and bright light.

Halogen lights
  • LED

    Light emitting diode: LEDs are the most energy efficient light bulbs, reaching up to 90% savings, and they last an extremely long time. They don’t heat up, they’re also lead- and mercury-free. They are an ideal choice for accent lighting that requires a directional beam. However, their initial cost is high. But, if you calculate your energy savings from using LED bulbs in your home and garage, you can see that you will easily recover the initial cost in a few years.

LED lights

So then, what’s the best choice?

Ask any handyman and most will tell you fluorescents are the best for general lighting purposes. There are a couple of minor drawbacks: they take a while to get to maximum lighting and they do emit an audible buzz.

That said, which fluorescent bulb is best? T5, T8 or T12? T represents the diameter in eighths of an inch. T8 is the usual suggestion because:

  • It produces approximately the same amount of light as the bigger T12, but is more energy efficient.
  • It provides a more natural light.
  • Most T8 bulbs come with rapid‑start ballasts rather than instant-start ballasts which tend to burn the bulbs out too quickly, especially when turned on and off often.
  • Finally, you should buy 4‑foot tubes rather than 8-foot tubes because they are easier to handle and use less energy but provide the same amount of light.
T8 T12 lights
Light intensity

So now you just need to decide whether you want a cool 5000K light or a warmer 3000K light.

Don’t forget that you will likely need additional lighting in the areas you work most often. Now all you need to do is choose the type and strength of lighting. Last but not least, don’t forget about your outside lighting, over both the main door and the access door. CFLs are the best choice here.

Thinking about changing your garage door?

Call us at 815-657-8173 if you’re wondering how a well-insulated, weatherproof door could improve your garage. You can also visit our showroom, we’d love to show you around and explain which of our doors is the best fit for your home. Don’t forget you can request a quotation online.

Why not try out our Design Centre? Just upload a photo of your home to see what your garage will look like. Alternatively, look at our image gallery.

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