How Many Garage Lights Do I need?

[Bill Wells]

you can never ha e enough square footage in a garage , or lights ..

i added a 24x24 two stall garage for the toys with a 9-1/2 foot ceiling, with a lift in each stall so i can stack 2 with 2 underneath . i could not go higher due to zoning regs.

i put in 4 recessed 90 w incandescent flood lights spaced across the front of the garage just to the inside of a 22 foot long workbench , 2 of the same on one side and 4 on the opposite side . i have windows at the top on the front and one side that are 3' h x 20' long, so lots of natural light during day time . i added 4 four foot double fluorsecent tube lights across the front , two more on the side without window and two between the two stalls centerline . then put in two hanging rewind power cords so i can move around a double halogen light on a tripod to position lighting when i need it at certain working projects .

the lights are independently switched in banks so i can have on all or just some as needed . the flourescent lights give a good shadowless balance of lights for working on the cars . i do not need any more lighting than that - the place lights up like 4th of July when all are on . if i did not have the windows on the one side i would have added two more 4 footer double bulb flourescent lights on that side .

The incandescent lights are not good enough by themselves , more would be needed if no flourescent lights.

do not be stingy on lights or eletric outlets .

my garage is heated and air conditioned so i do not worry about ballasts . bill