Attic storage

[v1ru5879]

Would like to make use of this empty space. But would like some input as to how I should go about it. Never had an attic before this house. I took some pictures of what the garage portion looks like. I need a bigger ladder to actually get up there but this should be enough to show what I am working with. Also, I don't plan on having excessive amount of stuff up there

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[v1ru5879]

Bump

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[BigSteve63]

Looks as if you only have 2 x 4 joists to deal with, so anything going up there would definitely need to be lightweight. I would fir above the 2 x 4 with 2 x 2 to create space to prevent wiring from being compressed. After that, regular OSB would create a suitable deck for storage.

Steve

 

[v1ru5879]

Looks as if you only have 2 x 4 joists to deal with, so anything going up there would definitely need to be lightweight. I would fir above the 2 x 4 with 2 x 2 to create space to prevent wiring from being compressed. After that, regular OSB would create a suitable deck for storage.



Steve

There are a few larger 2x6 that are there also. After only seeing 2x4s I was actually a little hesitant about even going up there without getting some input from someone who can tell me about the amount of weight that will support. What thickness of osb would you recommend?

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[bczygan]

Build a shed.....a big one.

Bill

 

[v1ru5879]

Small lot with HOA. I can't justify a shed for seasonal items either

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[didit]

I would not put anything other than insulation. That will not support much weight. Maybe Christmas decorations on a piece of plywood at most.

 

[Nowater]

You do not have joists.

The photo shows trusses, which are usually not designed for any lower chord load as you propose. I suggest you not use them for storage at all. Search on trusses!

 

[Chevy-SS]

As others are saying, you have limited structural support up there, but it could be 'easily' corrected, with a little more support in the proper places. I would have good contractor or engineer look it over and give you the recipe for fixing.

I would use plywood floor and also install a GOOD set of sturdy pull-down folding stairs.

I wouldn't put anything up there right now and I wouldn't use a ladder. You only get one life, haha. Stay safe.

 

[v1ru5879]

I would at least like to be able to get up there so I can run some Ethernet lines to some rooms. I would be interested in seeing what the rest of the house is like. I can see them not wanting to insulate the garage to save cost when they were building but as you can see the the osb sheets it was purposely built that way. If I could at least get a walking path put it, maybe a 2x10 would that still be risking too much weight? Makes me curious tho because the rails for the garage door are right below. I'll record a video of what it looks like up there n post it. Maybe the pictures aren't doing me any favors

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[C_F]

I would at least like to be able to get up there so I can run some Ethernet lines to some rooms. I would be interested in seeing what the rest of the house is like. I can see them not wanting to insulate the garage to save cost when they were building but as you can see the the osb sheets it was purposely built that way. If I could at least get a walking path put it, maybe a 2x10 would that still be risking too much weight? Makes me curious tho because the rails for the garage door are right below. I'll record a video of what it looks like up there n post it. Maybe the pictures aren't doing me any favors.

That will definitely hold your body weight, so if you're just running ethernet lines, no problem. Just don't step on the sheetrock. Other than that, maybe 150~ish pounds of storage weight spread out over 3-4 spans, unless you further reinforce.

 

[firebirdparts]

I think so. A few christmas decorations will be fine. You can decide which direction you want to pick your way to. Hard to move around among trusses.

 

[Innovate1]

I put a 2 x 4 about a foot above the lower cord and tied to the diagonals. Then put a strip of OSB (7/16 or 1/2 -can't remember. I had enough room for full sheets and was done during construction. Narrow sheets will flex more so you will want thicker or a few 2 x lumber. It is very handy to add wires and such. Just be careful to lightly load. Things can add up over time.

 

[v1ru5879]

Ok I was really getting worried that I wouldn't even bet able to get myself up there without worry of falling through (190lbs). I have what seems to be enough room to spread out the load of the seasonal items. Just past the osb boarders that hold the insulation back is the interior of the house. Only the garage area seems to be constructed this way. I have 3 rooms I would need to run cat5e to so it shouldn't be too hard given the amount of head room I have available.

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[v1ru5879]

Well since I am stuck at home and have some 7/16 osb I think it is time to tackle this project. Was thinking of making just a walk way in the garage trusses to where I can get above a hallway or area with walls so I can lay the sheets of the osb for seasonal items. I have to say I still am a bit nervous about walking up there thinking the trusses are not going to support my weight. I think making a walk way on the trusses will be a better idea then using them as the storage area, then laying the sheets on sections with walls would be better suited for the storage area. Any thoughts on this plan?

 

[didit]

I wouldn't try walking on what appears to be just enough structure to support the drywall. This has the potential to snowball into a major repair and possible injury. OK, now I've said that, my conscience is clear.

 

[v1ru5879]

I wouldn't try walking on what appears to be just enough structure to support the drywall. This has the potential to snowball into a major repair and possible injury. OK, now I've said that, my conscience is clear.

I have to wonder why they would put the access door there if it wasn't intended to be accessed, there is even a pull string light up there. I would think the access door would have been put some place else if it wasn't meant to be accessed from there

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[Milzo]

the access panel is for the insulators so they could blow in the ceiling of the finished room

 

[v1ru5879]

Those blowers must shoot the insulation pretty damn far seeing how this is on the front of the home. Not saying your wrong but I'm just trying to be logical, I am by no means a builder but I tend to use my logical approach on everything I encounter

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[Loose Nut Buster]

Personally I think it's pretty funny when you said no plan on putting much up there, give it enough time and you will forget not only how much, but what is up there.
Been there N still doing it.

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[v1ru5879]

Personally I think it's pretty funny when you said no plan on putting much up there, give it enough time and you will forget not only how much, but what is up there.
Been there N still doing it.

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I really do plan on sticking to only seasonal items going up there. Decorations sleds n snowboards, recently did a major declutter and downsized quite a bit

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[Milzo]

Those blowers must shoot the insulation pretty damn far seeing how this is on the front of the home. Not saying your wrong but I'm just trying to be logical, I am by no means a builder but I tend to use my logical approach on everything I encounter

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I worked for one of the big 3 national builders for 15 years. we would put access panels in the garage for the insulators to access the attic. they have long hoses, walk the trusses and start at the far end of the attic and work their way back to the access hole around here

 

[v1ru5879]

Well I just walked around up there and didn't fall through. Looks like I'll be able to run some 2x10s and create a shelf type setup which should be more than enough for what I gotta store

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[v1ru5879]

Was thinking of doing a 2x10 across the horizontal 2x4 that is holding the diagonals for a shelf, this particular area has a wall between bother horizontal boards so I should get the weight distributed pretty evenly in that area

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[HotrodHR]

That "attic"" space was not designed for storage. Do yourself a favor and find a solution that doesn't include the attic. It's a PITA shove stuff up there and retrieving it... These spaces are where you put stuff never to be seen again...

 

[Snip]

That "attic"" space was not designed for storage. Do yourself a favor and find a solution that doesn't include the attic. It's a PITA shove stuff up there and retrieving it... These spaces are where you put stuff never to be seen again...

At least not until you start the moving process, after living in the house for 35 years,LOL. Small block chevy heads and intake, heavy duty engine stand, 35 years of Harley parts, etc. You get the idea. I even had pull down stairs so I could get up there. Drywalled, insulated and OSB floor. Why the whole shooting match didn't come down at once I'll never know. Irish luck maybe?
My new shop will have 14' ceiling and an access panel for insulators only. hopefully never to be entered again, I've learned my lesson...............maybe

 

[CraigStu]

I am not exactly following your plan for 2x10s but caution that they are weight. You already need to be concerned about weight so each 2x10 reduces what you can store by it's own weight. OTOH, you can certainly put a few sheets of osb or plywood to store Christmas decorations. I have done that by ripping the 4x8 sheet in half the long way so it could be moved into position. then just screw it down next to it's brother. Be aware though that, if you decide to sell at some point, get that **** out of there because your trusses are not certified for storage.

 

[HotrodHR]

At least not until you start the moving process, after living in the house for 35 years,LOL. Small block chevy heads and intake, heavy duty engine stand, 35 years of Harley parts, etc. You get the idea. I even had pull down stairs so I could get up there. Drywalled, insulated and OSB floor. Why the whole shooting match didn't come down at once I'll never know. Irish luck maybe?
My new shop will have 14' ceiling and an access panel for insulators only. hopefully never to be entered again, I've learned my lesson...............maybe

I should have ended my comments with, "Ask me how I know...". Lol

 

[rburke65]

More of an access space....not storage. Suitable for a Christmas tree....not much else.