Am am building a barn/workshop that if 40'x60'. I am trying to decide on the best lighting for the money. However, I don't know where to start.

What is the height of the ceiling?
If the ceiling is high, will you want or accept fixtures mounted lower than the ceiling?
What will the temperature be?
What will be the tasks performed?

The celing hight is about 14 feet where I intend to hang more of the lights. This is not the center, but two runs just off center. I live in south Alabama where the temp will be from high 20s to 100.

The latest and greatest lighting is the T5 fluorescent lamps, with 2,3,4,5, or6 lamps in a chain hung 2x4 fixture, smaller with less lamps. Not sure of the task, what you need light for, such as just to see, or to work on equipment.

These start instantly, and are the brightest fluorescent lamps going. 6 lamp fixtures replace 400 watt metal halide highbay fixtures.

A quick layout for good general lighting could be two rows of 3 lampers 6-8 per row.