Paul J Martin asked:
Regardless of how you use your workshop and what kind of work you actually do in it, having a pleasant working environment will not only improve the standard of the work you will be able to achieve but also promote safer working.
I myself use my workshop for woodworking and this kind of activity requires a bit more control over the atmospheric conditions to keep the wood from moving or warping and ruining the work. Even if you are using your shop for less precise work you will still need to cover some basic things to make the shop a little more inviting.
Lighting. This is probably the most important element in creating a useable safe space. Natural light is of course the most preferred but usually is insufficient in quantity and obviously absent at night. Unfortunately most of us will have to install some kind of artificial lighting source.
Make sure there is plenty of overhead lighting mainly consisting of fluorescent strip lighting. This type is very cheap to run and creates a very useable general light in the shop. You can then supplement this with task lights using halogen bulbs to really highlight important areas.
Temperature. Most workspaces will need the ability to adjust the temperature/ humidity. This can create a much more pleasant working environment and will be essential in the depths of winter or height of summer. Obviously during summer you can use natural ventilation by opening all available doors and windows supplying fresh air into the shop. If this is insufficient then consider installing an air conditioning unit to reduce the temperature
environment
Regardless of how you use your workshop and what kind of work you actually do in it, having a pleasant working environment will not only improve the standard of the work you will be able to achieve but also promote safer working.
I myself use my workshop for woodworking and this kind of activity requires a bit more control over the atmospheric conditions to keep the wood from moving or warping and ruining the work. Even if you are using your shop for less precise work you will still need to cover some basic things to make the shop a little more inviting.
Lighting. This is probably the most important element in creating a useable safe space. Natural light is of course the most preferred but usually is insufficient in quantity and obviously absent at night. Unfortunately most of us will have to install some kind of artificial lighting source.
Make sure there is plenty of overhead lighting mainly consisting of fluorescent strip lighting. This type is very cheap to run and creates a very useable general light in the shop. You can then supplement this with task lights using halogen bulbs to really highlight important areas.
Temperature. Most workspaces will need the ability to adjust the temperature/ humidity. This can create a much more pleasant working environment and will be essential in the depths of winter or height of summer. Obviously during summer you can use natural ventilation by opening all available doors and windows supplying fresh air into the shop. If this is insufficient then consider installing an air conditioning unit to reduce the temperature
environment