When I originally put up my lighting the garage, I simply velcro’d the lights in the garage door tracks. A quick, easy install, and it worked great.

However, with spring and the mowing season approaching I see that idea being a pain in the rear every time I need to open the door.  So today I did a little rearranging.

The main issue I had to deal with was how to mount the lights in the garage with minimal damage to the walls (it’s a leased house).  I settled on a really simple idea using Hercules Hooks and Hook & Loop Velcro straps.

Two hooks and  straps are used per fixture (for each end).  Attach the velcro strap around the light, and then use the plastic loop on the velcro strap to hang the fixture on the Hecules Hook.  Simply but effective.

And a look at the switch (on the left wall in the above picture) that controls the lights.

Shaun Lighting

One of the downsides to building a layout like this is the lack of a overhead valance for lighting, like I had on the old shelf layout.  Technically, you could build up the center supports and backdrop to be taller to support one, but I was trying to keep the height down to 24″ or so for portability.

I already had a bunch of T4 fluorescent fixtures, so I wanted to reuse those.  I also didn’t want get to crazy with mounting them because this house is a leased house.  I try not to put *too* many holes in the walls and ceilings.

Since the garage door will rarely be opened, I came up with a simple plan:  Use the garage door tracks.  I simply laid two 48″ fixtures in each track and secured them in with a velcro strap, and then two more at the front of the garage mounted to wall. A single switch (not shown) turns them on.

With this setup, if I ever do need to open the door, I can easily pull down the lights from the track and open it. The wall mounted ones are clear of the door and can stay up.  I have about few more fixtures so I could even double up the lights to increase the output maybe.

I tried to take a before and after shot with the camera but it really didn’t show a difference, but in person the lights really do help light up the front the garage (the other side is lit by the main ceiling fluorescent fixture).

While it won’t be the awesome “direct above the track” lighting I had before, I think this is will get the job done.

Shaun Lighting