Bleg: Workshop Edition

By | February 22, 2014

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This is the workshop that came with the house we bought last year.

Is there any reason why I shouldn’t put plywood over the insulation on the ceiling and replace the hanging 8ft fluorescent fixtures with ceiling mounted 4ft ones?

4 thoughts on “Bleg: Workshop Edition

  1. eriko

    I have been buying rolls of led lights (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002Q8V8DM) along with some barrel connectors and power bricks. I cut them into 4″ chuncks stuck them to strips of wood and screwed those to the ceiling in zig-zag pattern. The soldered on some wires and barrel connectors to hook them up. Now there is bright light coming of most directions above. This makes for very few shadows.

    As to covering the ceiling the only issue I can think of is that there needs to be an airspace between the insullation and roof so moisture can evaporate and flow up to the top vents. Also while it is dustier to work with why not use sheet rocks? It is cheaper.

    I have no affiliation with the seller other than buying from them.

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  2. ChrisJ

    None that I can think of. Some advice: 1) Don’t compress the insulation or you’ll lose R-value. 2) Paint the ceiling white to reflect light back down toward the floor. You’ll be amazed at the difference this makes. 3) Look at T5 High Output lighting. I put 6 two foot twin lamp T5 HO fixtures in my 24×30 shop and couldn’t be happier.
    Eriko is right, Sheetrock is cheaper and it’s what I’d use for your application.

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  3. montieth

    Plywood would catch fire easily. I’d suggest hardee backer. A bit spendy, BUT it’s damn near fire proof as you can get and will resist thumping into with anything but a well swung hammer.

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