This may be a little late to chime in but here goes:
Fluorescent lighting:
- Lumen output of lamps from any of the big 3 manufacturers (GE, Philips, Sylvania) should be around the same, nothing noticeable to the human eye. The color of the light (even though all may be rated at 4100K, 5000K, etc) will usually be different from the three manufacturers. Keep in mind most fixtures have a ballast factor of .88 (which means it only drives the lamps to 88% of their rated output, basically)
- Fixtures with specular (shiny) reflectors typically reflect light downward, and deliver more light directly towards the floor. Fixtures that are painted white provide a wider throw of light to try and "fill" the space with light, providing light higher up on wall. This makes you feel like the entire space is brighter/bigger. IMO specular may be better for noticing imperfections on paint.
- As far as operating temperature, different ballasts can start lamps at different temperatures. In my cheapo Home Depot fixture, my lamps have always started, even at around 0F.... they are VERY dim at that temperature, and take forever to warm up. T8 lamps provide maximum output at room temperature (70-80F, with lamp temperature around 100).
See this if interested:
http://assets.sylvania.com/assets/documents/faq0008-1296.d9bed7c5-de6a-40a6-81bd-d610e4c14f25.pdf
If you're really looking to blast some light in the garage, T5HO (not regular T5 is the way to go, but you NEED it to be decently warm for them operate efficiently, unless you get bulbs with amalgym). T5HO (4') provide about 5000 Lumens, and have a 1.0 ballast typically (ie 100% output)
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LED Lighting is getting "more affordable" - ie. still ridiculously priced.
Color quality is on par with fluorescent systems, as long as you go with a reputable manufacturer.
The fixture below is rated at 4000 lumens, and would be between a 2 lamp and 3 lamp T8 fixture. Here is the math:
4000 Lumens for LED is the light output out of the fixture.
For 3x32T8, you have:
2900Lumens x 3lamps = 8700 lumens
.88 Ballast Factor = 7656 Lumens
75% fixture efficiency = 5742 Lumens out of the fixture
Lithonia 2x4 LED Recessed Volumetric Troffer 2RTL4 40L - 2RTL4 CAS 40L
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SORRY IF THIS WAS LONG AND BORING... I'M JUST PASSIONATE ABOUT LIGHTING.
