Let’s start with an important fact – you will likely never see a parking garage that uses natural light. It’s simply not a feasible option because the intensity of natural light would vary too greatly throughout the day. This means that you’ll have to rely on artificial lighting. Now, this doesn’t mean that you need to build a parking garage as bright as a shopping mall – you still need to allow privacy and security. It’s important to consider all of these factors when making your choice.
The right lighting can do wonders for your building and its visitors. On the other hand, insufficient or inadequate lighting will make it much harder for people to find their cars after they exit the elevator or even see what floor they parked on. So let’s dive into why this is so important and what you need to know about parking garage lights if you plan to build one soon.
The Importance of Parking Garage Lights
It is important to get your parking garage lights right, but why is this? What difference can good or bad garage lights make to a building? Safety is the first and most important point. If people can’t see where they’re going, they’re more likely to trip and fall. This could be dangerous for the person who fell and others trying to navigate the garage. Visibility is also critical when it comes to safety in parking garages. If you can’t see oncoming vehicles, they probably can’t see you either. Garages are often shared spaces where people come and go from several buildings. So, it’s important that people can tell where they are and where they need to go at a glance.
LED Lighting Options for Parking Garages
- Standard fluorescent bulbs typically produce around 2,000 lumens.
- Halogen incandescent bulbs are even brighter at around 2,800 lumens.
- LEDs range from around 100 lumens for warm white bulbs to upwards of 10,000 lumens for Cool White bulbs.
- HID lightsare even brighter than halogen bulbs, generating around 20,000 lumens. As you can see, there’s a pretty significant difference between the brightness levels of each type of light source.
Benefits of Good Parking Garage Lights
- Parking garage lights allow people to see where they are going and what is around them. This makes them feel safer and more secure in their surroundings.
- The right lighting can also make your building look more attractive and appealing. A well-lit garage is often a sign of a well-kept and well-managed facility.
- Good parking garage LED lightscan improve the experience of your customers or visitors. They make it easier for people to find their way around and assist those who might otherwise have trouble navigating your building.
3 Factors to Consider When Selecting Your Parking Garage Lightings
- Location – Where in your garage are you installing your lights? This is an important consideration for light color, as some colors work better in certain areas than others. Cool white lights, for example, work best in areas where there isn’t a lot of ambient light. On the other hand, warm white lights are better in areas with natural light or sunlight.
- Intensity – How intense do you want your light to be? This is related to the brightness of the bulbs or fixtures that you select. If you’re installing parking garage lights on a timer, you might want them at a lower intensity during the off hours.
- Cost – Garage lights don’t come cheap, and there are many options. You need to find the right balance between quality and price. Remember, though, that you get what you pay for. So, it’s important not to skimp on quality, even if you’ll have to spend a bit more initially.
How to Achieve Optimal Lighting in Parking Garages?
Let’s discuss how to achieve optimal lighting in parking garages.
- You should consider turning off your lights during non-peak hours or at least dim them. This will help to reduce your energy costs and maintenance requirements.
- When designing your parking garage, you should also consider where your lights are located. This will help ensure that the lights are shining where they need to and aren’t shining where they shouldn’t be.
- You can also use light-colored walls and surfaces to help bounce or reflect light into the garage where needed. This can help brighten the area and make it easier to navigate.
Final Take
Good parking garage lights will help people to navigate their way around the building more easily and make the building more attractive. There are many light sources and brightness options out there. So, it’s important to be mindful of the factors determining which light is best for your parking garage. If you follow these tips, you’ll be well at choosing garage lights that are bright enough to be helpful but not so bright that they feel intrusive.
