For a garage, I would probably install two 4-tube fluorescent fixtures. I like to be able to see when I'm working in the garage. I would place them centered on each door and centered in the garage ceiling.

Nicpedia, you are talking about the exterior lights? Have one light centered above each garage door.

FWIW, I prefer soffit light, I like the glow it provides. I'm going to add soffit lights to my front porch, and will replace the existing wall lights with something smaller, frosted, and with fewer lumens. I wish I had a soffit above the garage, but it has a gable above, so we have a motion-sensor double spot light instead. Pointing down as much as possible.

i agree with you on excessive lighting, of any kind!

Virgil, thank you. When I get to interior lights I will probably go with those 4' long led fixtures. The fluorescent ones seem to be outdated don't they? Or is there still benefit to them over the LED replacement type?

bpathom, I am talking about exterior lights. Above the doors outside the garage. Two 10' wide 8' tall garage doors on a 28' wide garage. I think just 1 light above each door will not illuminate everything enough? I was thinking at least three? I've never done soffit light and only ever seen wall lights when in person....unfortunately I have to be the trend breaker for my area I guess? The soffit is probably 10 or 11 foot above the garage driveway pad. Do you folks think two 6" recessed lights would be sufficient then? I'm all about saving cuts in my soffit with tin snips! I could use 4" fixtures to use my hole saw but I feel those will not be bright enough.

What about flat, flush mount instead of recessed?

Still two? I figured recessed left me with more options in terms of what type of bulb.

I guess it all depends on your architectural style and your desires for lighting effects. Soffit mounted fixtures will tend to throw the light downward and illuminate the bottom of the wall and the paving surface below the fixtures. Wall mounted fixtures may be found which create a wide range of lighting patterns and effects. I know you are concerned about your garage, but here's an example of wall mounted fixtures which do not call attention to themselves, but deliver striking lighting patterns.

Those are some sharp looking sconces. I'd actually like something like that inside my house in the living room. They look modern enough for my style.

I agree recessed will not flood out as much light. However in the soffit that is 10 or so feet above the ground, I believe that would flood out an okay amount. My soffits are 20" deep (from wall to fascia board) but I imagine you meant the height clearance which is not very much...maybe 7" or so in the middle. I think I will use those lotus clamp style lights above the two doors. 1 centered on each door. They claim to be 1000 to 1200 lumens @ 13 or 15 watts which would make me happy if that's true. If I don't like them I am kind of stuck with trying other similar clamp style lights. I can put a 4" round box above each door as the alternative to have more options of light but the lotus lights look very sharp. So I am a bit undecided on what's best for the light choice there...be it lotus style or just a 4" round electrical box that accepts any fixture, you know?

Keep in mind that there may be a solid header beam above each door opening.

What's a "... lotus clamp style lights..."? :-)

Virgil, this is in the soffit, or the "eave overhang" for the roof that is on the garage. So nothing there besides my truss tails every 24".

This is a lotus clamp style light. Lotus is the main brand I believe that other companies are copying.

Edit: I am considering these lights in a lot of places. Not at this price point though, something from Lithonia lighting for interior of house such as in kitchen and living room space to achieve a thin light that floods the general area with light and is air-tight along with nearly no insulation space reduction.

I doan see nothin'...:-(

Click on the word This at the beginning of the second paragraph. It's a link.

Gotcha--thanks! :-)

Deciding on 1 light above each door. I think that I'll go with 4" round ceiling receptacle boxes so that I have various options for light fixtures from a very simple porcelain base with edison bulb or for two fugly spot lights facing down, or for one of the LED downlight options online. :) The lotus style lights would be my first pick but due to their LED driver being in it's own box that means that I can't easily replace it if it goes bad when up in the metal soffit that does NOT come off in portions very easily!