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Shelving ideas inside metal building

Joined
Feb 6, 2014
Messages
19
Location
Opelousas, LA
Hey guys,

I've got a 24W x 30L building that I need to add storage and organization to, I have a few ideas rolling around but wanted to hear your ideas and experiences.

Basically I need to add hanging storage and shelves to get stuff up off the floor until I have time to get additional cabinets, etc. I'm thinking of adding plywood/osb walls in the back to accomodate the hanging storage, but for storage shelves I'm stuck between integrating shelving without erecting walls so that I can take advantage of the 10" depth of the purlins and not have to take up additional floor space with 18" deep shelves...BUT I'm not sure how it would look and the bracing between purlins would be tricky.

I've looked at pallet racks and other "mobile" storage ideas like wire racks, etc but I hate taking up any floor space as it'll be snug in there once I get a boat and other stuff.

Post pics of your setups!

Thanks

<a href="http://imgur.com/y0vJDpt"><img src="http://i.imgur.com/y0vJDpt.jpg?1" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>
 
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morley

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May 27, 2009
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4
Location
Mid Michigan
A buddy of mine did the pallet racking and set the lowest shelves up high enough to park things under the bottom rack. His quad, snowmobile and lawn tractor all have homes under the storage area. I liked it so much I bought a couple sections.

Also the Tap-Mount rails work well for hanging things and could mount to the steel skeleton of your building.
 
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burdickjp

New member
Joined
Apr 19, 2015
Messages
4
Here's a vote for pallet racks. I went with gorilla shelves. You can get a bunch of different brands which all interchange from different vendors. You just have to look.
 

p928sfan

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Joined
Sep 2, 2011
Messages
42
Location
Theodosia, MO
On my 24x28 metal shed (14' height) I went with two rows of pallet racks on one side and one row on the other side. I also raised the shelves to let my car go underneath. Here are some pics. (apologies - I can't figure out how to get it to show pics)
http://imgur.com/a/LVs7M
 

Beaumont67

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Apr 10, 2011
Messages
526
Location
St. Thomas, Ontario
BlownSilverado - dam that's a well made garage.
I'd appreciate knowing the garage brand & some costs of your nice build.
- I also intend to put pallet racking in my new build, for parts storage.
- Years ago, I got a pickup of free warehouse racking for free...when our factory was downsizing.
- Horizontal square tubing 2x2"x7 ft. & 3/16" wall thickness...they hold a lot of weight or bulky items.
 

Alchymist

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Mar 1, 2009
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4,423
Location
Central PA
Not easy to find, but store a lot in a little space- 2 rivet adjustable shelving on tracks. Have 6 of these set up with pegboard on one end, other end next to the wall. Not the best picture - but. Shelves roll on aluminum/steel track fastened to the floor. Shelves are about 2' wide, accessible from both sides, approx 8' high and wide.
 

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Gotcha640

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Jan 27, 2015
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948
Location
Houston TX
As far as making use of the tops of the braces, I'd be tempted to make boxes or trays that fit in/on them. They could have some sort of toggle clamp to keep them in place, and either flat tops or handle tops to move around the shop.
 

RicochetFord

Member
Joined
Feb 19, 2015
Messages
7
Location
Riesel Texas
I have a similar 30x30 metal building with 8 inch purlins running like yours. I took some 12 inch wide bookshelves I got for free and cut them down to fit on top of my 4 foot wall purlin. It worked but the three shelves are not the same height and pretty much look like ****. I was able to put a lot in them though.

I have a lot of 3/4 inch mdf left over from a project and am toying with the idea of framing the sides and making new shelves that utilize the entire 4 foot by 30 foot wall on one side for storage. I like the idea because it does not take up any floor space and is not so deep that stuff gets lost behind stuff. I kept all the drops from my build so I can weld them together to make braces on the bottom of the purlin to the ground to keep it from turning.

I have tossed around the idea of pallet racking as well but wanted to explore other options first.
 
OP
B
Joined
Feb 6, 2014
Messages
19
Location
Opelousas, LA
Thanks for the feedback guys, looks like pallet racks are probably the easiest and most sturdy option available without much headache.

BlownSilverado - dam that's a well made garage.
I'd appreciate knowing the garage brand & some costs of your nice build.
- I also intend to put pallet racking in my new build, for parts storage.
- Years ago, I got a pickup of free warehouse racking for free...when our factory was downsizing.
- Horizontal square tubing 2x2"x7 ft. & 3/16" wall thickness...they hold a lot of weight or bulky items.

The building is from Mueller Buildings they were very easy to work with, many building options to chose from. Mine was a "custom" build since I wanted a 16x8 door placed off center on the front side along with a few options. I went with 10 foot walls, but now I would opt for the 12 foot walls so that I could have a storage loft in the back of the building.

The building, doors, windows, and full solarguard insulation were around $8500; concrete labor and materials were $4500. Another $3350 to erect the building and and hang the roll up door. I had to shop around and ended up saving about $6000 for the same setup compared to several other contractors and building vendors in my area.

I couldn't believe some wanted $22,500 for a 24x30 building! One guy wouldn't give me a cost breakdown so I could see what I was paying for, needless to say he didn't get the job.
 
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plow

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Feb 12, 2013
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Louisiana
Hello Blown, I was in your AO last week (Breaux Bridge). I'm in Shreveport.
 

Charles (in GA)

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Jan 11, 2006
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50 mi south of Atlanta
AT 24x30 you didn't build it near big enough, nor tall enough from what I can see.:)

I prefer heavy metal pallet rack, but some of the suggestions for somewhat lighter metal shelving is also great.

Here is the smaller of two pallet racks I have. This one is 12 ft high, and 8 ft long, and 26 inches deep. My other one is 14 high two eight foot sections (three uprights) and is about 38 or 40 inches deep (its not the standard 42 inches like many of them).

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Alchymist

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Central PA
I tried a freestanding pallet rack along with shelving down one side and across one end of a 2 bay - all floor to ceiling. Found I could put all & more in the 6 rolling shelves with less floor space. The heavier pallet racks are great for heavy stuff tho , engine blocks, transmissions, etc.
 

vonhef

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Apr 4, 2011
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Southern, Ok
I tried a freestanding pallet rack along with shelving down one side and across one end of a 2 bay - all floor to ceiling. Found I could put all & more in the 6 rolling shelves with less floor space. The heavier pallet racks are great for heavy stuff tho , engine blocks, transmissions, etc.

On my pallet racks I use storage containers that allow me to add more items per shelf. IMHO, it also gives it a less cluttered look.
Picture below is the best I have of the shelves at the moment:
clean2.jpg
 
OP
B
Joined
Feb 6, 2014
Messages
19
Location
Opelousas, LA
On my pallet racks I use storage containers that allow me to add more items per shelf. IMHO, it also gives it a less cluttered look.
Picture below is the best I have of the shelves at the moment:
clean2.jpg

I like your setup, very clean. Can you post some close ups of the top shelf storage? I'd also like to set something up like that on the back wall for taller items that are rarely used.


Thanks for the feedback guys, good ideas.
 

Alchymist

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Mar 1, 2009
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Location
Central PA
On my pallet racks I use storage containers that allow me to add more items per shelf. IMHO, it also gives it a less cluttered look.
Picture below is the best I have of the shelves at the moment:

Were that all I had to store, I would have kept the pallet racking. It was 11' high by 20' long, and quite well packed, along with numerous peripheral shelves. The one photo gives a glimpse of it, can't pack it much fuller.

With that said, the 2 bays of the garage houses, in addition to the 6 rolling shelves, 2 roll around tool boxes with top boxes, small milling machine, 9: X 36" lathe, wood shaper, 2 planers, jointer, table saw, scroll saw, large router table/cabinet, O/A torch & tanks, 3 generators, small wood lathe with bench, drill press, engraving machine/cabinet, band saw, and spindle sander plus several other roll around cabinets. Without the rolling shelves to contain all the individual "trade" tool boxes, power tools, electronics, and scads of parts, It wouldn't all fit! Oh yeah, there is a 12' long X 10' high X 14" set of shelving used as a lumber rack down the middle..
 

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stage20

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Nov 5, 2013
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pcola FL
i built a big u type loft shelf around my building 7ft 6" up. keeps a lot of stuff off the floor, and its a good thing, cause my floor is filled too.

ill snap a pic this weekend.
 
OP
B
Joined
Feb 6, 2014
Messages
19
Location
Opelousas, LA
Here's an update for you guys, I ended up building a studded plywood wall, priming and painting the wall, then making some 2x4 shelves that are attached to the wall.

Rented a Hilti powder actuated nail gun, that sucker was a blast to use (literally). Framed the wall with 2x4s on 24" centers. Used 2.5" tek screws to attach 2x4s to metal girts.
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All of this drilling into metal has worn out my old 18V hitachi drill, so I had a good excuse to buy a new Dewalt 20v max brushless kit. If you haven't used an impact driver, it will change your life :thumbup:
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23' long, 8' high
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Holes filled and sanded, primed and painted
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The shelving unit is pretty basic, 8' long, 8' tall, 16" deep. Shelves are 7/16 OSB, decided not to paint at this time since they'll get all scratched up anyway.
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Can finally start organizing the chaos! Will probably need additional shelves.
rUYRugN.jpg


Next up will be hanging organization and a workbench.
 

jd_1138

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Joined
May 8, 2013
Messages
17,051
Location
NE Ohio
Looks good, I finally built mine as well.

Next time don't build it upside down.;)

Shelving is awesome. Once you get everything off the floor, you can have room for stuff that needs to be on the floor like vehicles, lawn mowers, etc..

I built my mom an 8x10 shed at her new house. I used the leftover plywood to build a ton of shelving in it, and she actually said "it's small, is there room for all that shelving in there!?" Then after the shelving swallowed up all that she had to put in it (with lots of room to spare), she was like "wow!"
 
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