Under Door Garage Lighting

I needed much better lighting in the garage. (My eye sight isn't what it used to be).

I briefly considered a professional kit that lights the door panel up, when in the upright position. A little pricey, and didn't provide lighting while the door is down.

This alternative provides the same amount of extra lighting while the garage door is up or down; by hanging the lights below the door but clear of the track.

I have ceiling shelves where I previously attempted to hang the lights from but the clearance was insufficient, and doesn't help when the door up anyhow.

The dimensions are based on a one car garage. Adjustments will be necessary if using a single two car door.

Parts:

• 10 ft. 12-Gauge (or 14-Gauge) Half Slotted Metal Framing Strut Channel
  • (Slotted angle as an alternative would have been lighter and less expensive))
• (4) 5/16" x 4" screw hook lag threaded zinc
• (2) 1 - 1/2" S hook zinc
• Approx 10ft of Double look chain zinc plated #2/0x1'
  • (4) 2 - 1/2' long lengths
• LED tube lights
• Zip ties

Tools:

• Drill / Driver
• Drill bit
• Universal Socket
• Pliers
• Ratchet wrench
• Level
• Tape measure

Determine where you would like the light(s) positioned. I went for about the half way point of the door (while in the upright position). But adjusted based on the location of ceiling joists. Stud finders are ok, but I have better luck using a magnet to find the nails that were put in through the drywall into the studs/joists.

My joists are oriented to run the width of the garage door. I located two joists to use for holding the screw hooks (they should be close to 16" apart, mine were 19"). Use a pencil to mark a spot about six inches past the track edge into each of the two joists; repeat on the opposite track as well.

Drill a pilot hole at each of the four spots you marked off.

Normally you'd want to use an impact driver to screw into a stud/joist. You have to get a little creative with the screw hook. I used a universal (gator) socket, but a standard socket that fits over the screw hook will work as well. I used a non-electric driver with the socket to start the screw eyes into each hole. Once slightly in I drove it in further with an impact driver... but found using a ratchet wrench (or pair of pliers) more effective (though tiring).

(I cut my chains to length at the hardware store, using their supplied chain cutter).

Hang a chain from each of the four screw hooks. Use an S hook to connect the two chains together. For safety I use a pair of pliers to close/squish the end of the S that the chains are connected to. This helps prevent a disaster if somehow the chain slips off. Repeat on the other side of the garage door.

Hang the slotted strut channel onto the S hooks (currently connected to the chains).

Note: while this holds well, I do think a screw eye should have been bolted to the strut channel instead.

I had picked up an eight pack of these cheap LED tube lights. They are able to be powered/connected in chains/links of four.

They have key hole slots in the back for flush mounting to the ceiling, but also a little cut out to hang from hooks. I used zip ties through the cut outs to attach two of the lights to the slotted strut channel.