For many San Diego homeowners, a single bulb is the only source of illumination in their garage. Is the same true for your garage as well? If you are thinking about remodeling your garage, in addition to a new garage door maybe you should reconsider your lighting choices as well.
Quality lighting is as important in the garage as it is in any other room. It improves the safety of your garage, as no burglar will dare break into a well-lit garage. It also helps when you need to find the items you’ve stored there. If you are planning to sell your home, it can increase the home’s value. Last but not least, lighting will make your garage look good inside and out.
Choosing the right lighting for your garage only takes a little planning. Here are some of the best garage lighting solution for any garage remodel.
Planning Out
The first thing you need is to devise a plan. Create a sketch of your garage and label each area including parking, storage, shelves and cabinets and work areas.
To maximize the storage potential of your garage make sure to use the available vertical space. You can even place shelves above the garage door and use that space to store items you don’t always need clear access too.
After you’ve planned out the layout, it’s time to plan where to place the lighting fixtures. Apart from an overhead fixture, you’ll need task lighting for some areas like the workspace. If your garage is on the sunny side, perhaps you should consider adding windows to utilize the available natural light.
You should also plan for the outdoor fixtures, as a well-lit garage is sure to keep both burglars and vermin at bay. A good place for an outdoor fixture is above the garage door and near the footpaths.
Once you know where to place the fixtures, it’s time to decide on the types of lightbulbs you are going to use. Here are some of the best choices for your garage:
Fluorescent Lamps
Fluorescent bulbs are elongated glass tubes coated in phosphorus. Each tube contains small amounts of argon and mercury gas, so handle them carefully. The good thing about fluorescent lamps is that they come in various sizes and strengths. They are affordable, available everywhere and most importantly, they are a good light source.
Compact Fluorescent Lamps
Another great choice for garage lighting are the so-called CFL bulbs, mainly because they are available everywhere at an affordable price. These spiral-shaped bulbs come in various colors, from yellow to bright white. The best thing about them is that they are very eco-friendly, using only a quarter of the energy of an incandescent light bulb with a lifecycle ten times longer.
Halogens
A good alternative for CFL bulbs are the halogens. Although not as efficient, they give off a clearer light than the other alternatives.
Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs)
By far the most energy efficient choice on this list, these bulbs use about a tenth of the power of a standard lightbulb and have the longest lifespan. However, they are more expensive than all the other choices on this list. Still, in the long run, LEDs are without a doubt the most affordable choice.
Planning and executing a garage remodel can be tiresome if you don’t have the right people to do it. If you need help with installing your new garage door during your garage remodel, contact Rockstar Garage Door Services, the leading company offering garage door repair in Santee, Rancho Bernardo, National City and the rest of San Diego County.