Learn how to get the best lighting for your garage space.
Let’s be honest.
How many of us have a garage with that one bare bulb just hanging from the ceiling? If you ever spend time in your garage, you will quickly realize how that single bulb just isn’t going to cut it. Whether you are working on your cars, or digging through your freezer trying to find something for dinner, it can be anoying or even creepy.
So how does one "de-creepify" the lighting in their garage? (That's totally a word by the way)
By choosing the optimal lighting options.
Now, I happen to live in a state that is a frozen tundra for half of the year (I'm not bitter about it). Because of this, it’s important to make sure that I select the right set up that will function best in the colder temperatures.
For those of you living in warmer climates, this may not seem like much of an issue to you (I am a little bitter about that). However, it is always a good idea to make sure you get a bulb that will function at its best year round because you never know what Mother Nature will throw at you.
Optimal lighting in your garage is going to lead you to fluorescents as your best bet. That may surprise you, as LED is the latest technology, but so far LED tubes still tend to blow your budget.
In choosing your fluorescents, there are a few things you should know:
- Make sure to go with the T8 tubes
- Unfortunately, T12 tubes do not function properly below 60 degrees
- Choose electronic ballasts
- Magnetic ballasts don’t work well under 50 degrees
- Use two 4 foot fixtures (end to end) above each car in your garage
- This provides the best coverage for your space
Some of you may be doing the math in your head right now and are thinking, Why not just do one 8 foot fixture and tube? We recommend the two 4 foot fixtures and tubes for the ease of installing them on your own. It is much easier to maneuver a single 4 foot tube than an 8 foot one.
This will give you the best overall lighting in your garage.
However, if you are working on specific projects or just need lighting in a specific area, there are many options to fit your needs.
Some of the most convenient portable lights are in the NEBO line.
- The Larry 2
- It has a 180 degree swivel magnet to help you maneuver those tight spaces.
- The Big Larry
- This one has a heavy duty magnet in the base of the handle and also has a few more light functions to fit your needs.
These LED wonders can attach to any metal surface, rounding out your lighting needs in the garage.
Say goodbye to creepy garages!
