Garage and Workshop Lighting Tips

Workshop Lighting

There are many different reasons for installing lighting in and around a garage or workshop. Whether it’s to improve security, help light up entrances, or allow the garage itself to be used regularly as a workshop or hobby space, there’s a solution for any lighting challenge.

Exterior lighting & security

Ensuring that you have appropriate lighting around the exterior of your garage is extremely important to help secure what is stored inside, as well as deter potential intruders from exploring other parts of your property. If you require a high level of security, for example to keep a car or expensive equipment safe, then high powered floodlights with integrated PIR motion sensors offer discouragement to would-be thieves. Additionally, if you are looking for an extra level of protection, floodlights with a built-in cameras are at the cutting edge of security; the Lutec Draco floodlight acts as both deterrent and detective, as it not includes a PIR motion sensor and a security camera, but also a speaker and microphone, allowing communication with whoever’s in shot via an app on your smartphone or tablet.

Dusk to dawn lights are another good option for improving security around a garage, and they look great too. These lights have built-in photocell sensors that will turn the lights on when darkness is detected, and off again at sunrise. As well as the added security benefits, dusk to dawn lights are very energy efficient, as the lights remain off during daylight hours ensuring that no energy is wasted unnecessarily.

Lighting the inside of a garage or workshop

Due to the fact that garages typically receive very little natural light, it is important to utilise bright downlighting throughout the space. LED battens are a great option here, as unlike traditional fluorescent tubes, they require no warm-up time, produce less heat (a welcome benefit when ventilation is limited), and can withstand more extreme conditions and temperatures.

Garages and workshops can often be exposed to high levels of moisture and dust, so when choosing lights it is important to take note of the IP rating. The Eterna Eco 64w LED Weatherproof Batten is a great choice. It has a high IP rating, whilst providing a bright, even spread of light. This fitting is also available in a wide range of sizes, making it suitable for most garages or workshops.

For anyone who spends a lot of time in their garage or workshop, having the right lighting for the task(s) at hand is critical – not just for being able to see properly, but also safely – particularly when power tools are involved. For carrying out detailed tasks, consider using desk lamps and spotlights to further illuminate specific work areas.

The way in which you use your garage will clearly affect the type of lighting you require – if you are using it simply for storage, then some simple battens should be fine. However, if it is somewhere you work and where you spend a lot of time, it is vital you take the time to perfectly plan your lighting layout.

If you’re still unsure on the best lighting solutions for your garage or workshop then please feel free to contact us today.

charles author bio

Charles Barnett Managing Director

Charles started Lyco in 1995 with just 4 enthusiastic employees and has grown it considerably over the past 25 years. Charles is also the Managing Director of Lighting Direct and newly acquired Online Lighting. He now has a team of 50 lighting experts working on growing Lyco Group to be the UK leader in lighting for both businesses and homes. Away from the office he is a keen cyclist and is proud to have cycled 1017 miles from Lands End to John O’Groats to raise money for a new residential centre for adults with multiple learning difficulties.

Guide To Fluorescent Tubes – T4, T5, T8, T12

LED Lighting

Introducing fluorescent lights into your business or home could save you considerable amounts of money, both in running costs and in replacing old lights. They’ll also light up your environment better than standard fittings with incandescent light bulbs.Fluorescent lighting is more flexible than most people think, with variations to suit most needs. In this guide we take a look at the different types of fluorescent tubes, identify the best use for each and highlight the benefits they offer to the user.

T4 fluorescent tubes

T4 fluorescent tubes are compact and easy to install, making them the ideal way to light-up kitchen counters and worktops.

These tubular bulbs use between six and eight times less energy than incandescent light bulbs, making them a good choice for households looking to cut down on their energy footprint and businesses looking to save money on energy costs. Furthermore, these compact fluorescent tubes last for up to 10,000 hours, so you’ll hardly ever have to replace them.

Our T4 fluorescent tubes come in a variety of lengths and wattages.

T5 fluorescent tubes

T5 fluorescent tubes can be installed to efficiently light everything from factories, to schools, offices, supermarkets, and even underground railways.
They’re a cost effective way of lighting large spaces because they can last up to 30,000 hours and have low mercury content, ensuring that they have a minimal environmental impact. The T5 tubes achieve this by using a coating on the inside of the glass wall that stops the glass and phosphors from absorbing mercury.

T5 fluorescent lights use ballasts – the device that limits the amount of current passing through the tube to stop it from overloading. Additionally, these ballasts enable T5 fluorescent lights to work at frequencies above 20kHz, giving you features such as instant start, rapid start and programmed start.

Another advantage that T5 fluorescent tubes offer is that they produce high levels of colour rendering and efficacy. The correlated colour temperature (CCT) and colour rendering index (CRI) of the lamps is determined by the phosphors used in the manufacturing process. The CRI of the T5 lamps can be specified from 70 to the mid-90s. For good quality lighting, we recommend to specify a CRI of at least 80. With T5 fluorescent lights you can choose different shades of white light, such as cool white, warm white and daylight.

Taking T5 lighting one step further, our HE (High Efficiency) and HO (High Output) tubes really deliver. T5 High Efficiency Triphosphor Tubes last up to 50% longer, meaning they will deliver up to 30,000 hours of light, whilst equal in life expectancy, the T5 High Output Triphosphor Tubes are ideal for rooms with high ceilings.

T8 fluorescent tubes

Our T8 fluorescent lights are some of the most widely used, and are perfect for places where you need to see lots of detail. Our T8 tubes have excellent colour rendering capabilities, bringing out the details of clothes and furniture. Retail stores, garages, offices, schools and conference rooms can all benefit from T8 lights.

They’re also extremely energy efficient, lasting up to 15,000 hours, and even longer in some cases – plus they require minimal maintenance.

Some T8 tubes can even rid you of those wretched winter blues. The T8 Tubes for SAD provide more natural light, similar to daylight; unlike the often artificial-looking and harsh light that’s given off by some fluorescent tubes. This can combat against Seasonal Affected Disorder (SAD), which can leave you feeling depressed or worse. They’re perfect for reception areas too, as they give a warm, welcoming feeling to customers.

We can now offer LED T8 tubes with even greater energy efficiencies. These tubes can last up to 40,000 hours and provide great light output using less power.

T12 fluorescent tubes

T12 tubes are the largest fluorescent tubes available, but they’re being phased out in favour of T8 tubes, which are smaller and more energy efficient. They’re good at lighting large areas, such as offices and retail space, but because of their higher running costs, and the fact that availability will soon become an issue, we’d recommend changing to T8s.

If you are still definite about wanting T12 tubes we stock a few wattage variants. Take a look at which T12 fluorescent tubes are available through Lyco. If you can’t find the model you are looking for, you can call us on 0345 646 1133.

Why not browse our full fluorescent tube range?
Looking for more lighting information and inspiration? Take a look at our Lighting Advice section.

Where Next?

View Our Full Range of LED Indoor Battens

View Our Full Range of LED Indoor Battens

Garage and Workshop Lighting Tips

Blog: Garage and Workshop Lighting Tips

View Our Full Range of LED Light Bulbs

View Our Full Range of LED Light Bulbs

charles author bio

Charles Barnett Managing Director

Charles started Lyco in 1995 with just 4 enthusiastic employees and has grown it considerably over the past 25 years. Charles is also the Managing Director of Lighting Direct and newly acquired Online Lighting. He now has a team of 50 lighting experts working on growing Lyco Group to be the UK leader in lighting for both businesses and homes. Away from the office he is a keen cyclist and is proud to have cycled 1017 miles from Lands End to John O’Groats to raise money for a new residential centre for adults with multiple learning difficulties.

Best Floodlights for Every Budget

Security Floodlight

Floodlights are an exceptionally versatile form of lighting and can cater for a huge range of settings whether commercial, residential or industrial. Typically, they emit strong beams of bright light so are the obvious choice for security lighting. Many varieties that utilise warmer light temperatures can be used more decoratively, to accent architectural features or landscaping. The advent of smart technology and LED has meant that many floodlights now feature impressive functionality such as remote control (via mobile apps) and HD Wifi-enabled cameras. Solar panels and sensors deliver minimal energy use in LED floodlights, as well extremely long-life expectancies, which can offer cost savings. The sheer range of floodlights available on the market now means there is a floodlight to suit every setting or application, no matter how big or small. Here is a selection of our best floodlights to suit every budget.

The Best Budget Floodlight For Under £20

Lyco 50W Cool White LED Floodlight

£19.99

This budget-friendly option is hard to beat when it comes to price vs performance. An energy-saving 50W cool white LED, which replaces a 300W halogen lamp, is housed in a contemporary compact casing which gives a neat appearance. Ideal for smaller areas such as gardens and outdoor seating areas, the floodlight has a 25,000 hour life expectancy that far exceeds its halogen equivalent.

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Best Value Floodlight For Under £50

Robus Champion 50W Cool White LED Floodlight

£49.99

With a staggering 50,000 hour life expectancy, this powerful yet lightweight floodlight will last a lifetime. With a 4000k cool white light colour, it is ideal for medium sized patios or car parks. It is constructed from die-cast aluminium black casing with tempered glass diffuser and comes with an adjustable mounting bracket to offer directional lighting.

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Floodlight With The Best Features

Lutec Draco 17.5W LED Security Floodlight with PIR sensor and HD Wifi Camera

£115.00

This floodlight is an impressive piece of kit with a 17.5W LED that is the equivalent to a 200W halogen lamp. Featuring a PIR sensor, camera, as well as being Wifi-enabled, it’s the ultimate choice for securing homes and premises. The light’s time on can be adjusted via a mobile app enabling easy control when away from the property.

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Best Value Floodlight With PIR Sensor

Lyco 50W Cool White LED Floodlight with PIR Sensor

£24.99

This is a great value floodlight to select if a quick and easy deterrent is needed to improve security of premises. The PIR has a range of up to 8 metres and the time on, once activated can be set from between 7 seconds to 10 minutes. The 50W cool white LED is the equivalent to a 300W halogen lamp, so this humble unit really packs a punch.

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The Best Value Floodlight With HD Wifi Camera

Lutec Libra 38W LED Twin Floodlight with PIR Sensor and HD Wifi Camera

£149.00

Equipped with a HD Wifi camera that records 1080 x 720 video quality and supplied with a 8GB SD card, all controls for this floodlight are accessed via a mobile app. The PIR sensor has a detection range of up to 19 metres and a number of time-on pre-sets are available. The 38W energy efficient LED replaces a 300W halogen lamp which has a far superior lifespan of up to 50,000 hours.

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The Best Solar Floodlight

Lutec Sunshine LED Solar Floodlight with PIR Sensor

£73.99

Budget and environmentally friendly, this solar-powered floodlight will not cost a penny to run once it has been installed. Simply ensure the solar panel is positioned in full sunlight to charge and the unit will operate between dusk and dawn or can be switched off when not required. The PIR sensor has a range of up to 15 metres and the time-on when activated can be set from 10 to 90 seconds.

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The Best Value Floodlight For Small Areas (Under 150W Equivalent)

Value 10W Daylight LED Floodlight

£4.99

At the price you will be hard pressed to find an energy-efficient floodlight that is better value. Perfect for small gardens and areas in need of contained light beams the 10W LED is as powerful as a 60W halogen lamp. With a life span of 25,000 hours it will be some time before this floodlight will need to be replaced.

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The Best Value Floodlight For Medium Sized Areas (150W > 500W Equivalent)

Value 50W Daylight LED Floodlight

£23.99

Value 50W Daylight LED Floodlight with PIR Sensor

This is a great option for illuminating car parks, gardens or other external areas that don’t require an excessively powerful floodlight. The integrated 50W LED has the equivalent output of a 285W halogen lamp with a fraction of the energy use and a much longer life span of 25,000 hours which will help keep costs down.

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The Best Value Floodlight For Large Industrial Areas (1000W+ Equivalent)

Eterna 200W Cool White LED High Power Floodlight

£207.00

Eterna 200W Cool White LED High Power IP65 Floodlight - Black

 

Ideal for large car parks, loading bays and sports pitches this powerful floodlight contains four integrated LEDs, each with an output of 200W. The casing is made from tough polycarbonate and will withstand damage and corrosion. It has a 25,000 hour life expectancy and will use a fraction of the energy of a traditional floodlight.

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Reena Reeves

Reena Reeves is a writer and editor with 15 years’ experiencing working in publishing and digital media. She has a degree in Journalism and has worked for publications such as Smash Hits magazine, OK! Magazine and The Daily Express. Reena has been writing about lighting since early 2017 and has supported us with website copy, product descriptions and articles on lighting trends and commercial lighting solutions.

Bathroom Zones – What Can Go Where

Bathroom Lighting

Before any lighting installations are carried out in bathrooms it is essential to understand the significance of bathroom zones, as set out in the electrical safety regulations. These bathroom zones are designed to ensure that only bathroom lights provided with appropriate protection are used, especially within the higher risk areas so that the risk of harm is avoided.

Looking for Bathroom Lighting? View our full range >

IP Ratings

Like other electrical equipment, light fittings are given an IP Rating to indicate their suitability for a particular environment. IP stands for ingress protection and the rating consists of the letters IP followed by a two digit number. The first number indicates the level of protection provided against intrusion by solid objects such as dirt or dust. The second digit indicates the level of protection against various degrees of moisture. For a more in-depth explanation of IP Ratings take a look at our definitive guide to IP Ratings.

Looking for Bathroom Downlights? View our full range >

Bathroom Zones Explained

Bathroom zones are best described with reference to illustrations but the measurements stated are quite specific and must be adhered to. What follows should help with understanding what grade of fittings can be placed in the different bathroom zones and the reasons why. It is only a guide and such work should always be carried out by a qualified electrician who will be conversant with the IEE Wiring Regulations (17th Edition).

As you can see the illustration below shows a bath, wash basin and a stand-alone shower installation. If any of them are combined or their respective zones overlap then the higher risk level should be applied.

Bathroom Zones explained

As you can see the illustrations show four distinct bathroom zones, 0, 1, 2 and 3 (referred to in the key as “Outside Zones”).

Bathroom Zone 0

Zone 0 is inside the bath or the shower tray itself. If lighting is required in there, any fitting used must use a low voltage supply, that is a maximum of 12v and also be rated at least IPx7 which means it is totally immersion proof.

Bathroom Zone 1

Zone 1 is the area above the bath or shower tray to a height of 2.25m from the floor. Any fitting used in this zone must have a minimum rating of IPx4* , which means it is protected against water spray from all directions. If the fitting uses a 240v supply, a 30ma residual current device (RCD) must also be used to protect the circuit in this zone.

Bathroom Zone 2

Zone 2 is an area stretching 0.6m outside the perimeter of the bath and to a height of 2.25m from the floor. In this zone again an IP rating of at least IPx4* is required. It is good practice to regard the area around a wash basin, within a 60cm radius of any tap as zone 2.

Bathroom Zone 3 (Outside Zones)

Zone 3 is anywhere outside zones 0, 1 and 2 (subject to specific limits) and where no water jet is likely to be used. No IP rating* is required in these areas.

*If there is any likelihood of water jets ever being used for cleaning purposes in Zones 1,2 and Outside Zones, fittings rated a minimum IPx5 must be used which tells you that the fitting is protected against water jets.

The latest edition of the IEE wiring Regulations will provide more detailed information but your electrician should be fully up to date with these.

Suitable Suggested Products

When it comes to selecting the actual fittings to go into the different bathroom zones there are plenty to choose from in our Bathroom Lighting category.

Need Further Advice?

The information provided in this guide should help you to understand the requirements for bathroom lighting and the meaning of bathroom zones. When you discuss your requirements with your electrician you should now feel able to do so with greater confidence than you may have felt before.

If you have any further questions please don’t hesitate to get in touch:

  • Call us: 0345 6461142
  • Email us: sales@lyco.co.uk

Why not take a look at our full range of Bathroom Lighting?

For more inspiration and advice try our Lighting Advice section.

Where Next?

Bathroom Ceiling Lights Bathroom Mirror Lights Bathroom Wall Lights

 

charles author bio

Charles Barnett Managing Director

Charles started Lyco in 1995 with just 4 enthusiastic employees and has grown it considerably over the past 25 years. Charles is also the Managing Director of Lighting Direct and newly acquired Online Lighting. He now has a team of 50 lighting experts working on growing Lyco Group to be the UK leader in lighting for both businesses and homes. Away from the office he is a keen cyclist and is proud to have cycled 1017 miles from Lands End to John O’Groats to raise money for a new residential centre for adults with multiple learning difficulties.