Span Question for Overhead Storage

[Colin Len]

Hoping to get a little assistance here on determining how I should frame some overhead storage in my garage. Might not be relevant, but worth mentioning, that this storage is going to be temporary - I'll probably use it for 3-6mon prior to being taken down for a larger remodel project. I'm aware there are span tables out there but they are all specific to various building framing rather than shelving and I'm not super familiar with all the live/dead load stuff or how that would translate into my situation so hoping someone can simplify and give me a quick answer here.

I need to span 9.5' from end to end. Looking at the construction span tables I'm thinking I should opt for 2x6 @12" OC. But as mentioned above I'm really not sure if these span tables for floor/ceiling joists are even applicable.

As for weight, it will be fairly heavy stuff but generally a mix of things and I'm not actually entirely sure what all will be going up there yet. This will be installed on the gable end of my garage so one end of the shelf will have ~3' of headroom to pile things up but the other end will taper down and almost nothing will be able to fit over there so that kinda limits how much I can put up there.

If I could get away with 2x4's instead that would be advantageous in terms of cost, slightly more headroom for storage and ease of installation. Another option I was wondering about would be to double up the 2x4's. Doesn't help with cost or ease of installation but helpful for maximizing headroom above the shelf.

So what do you guys think?

 

[mike93lx]

Short term and light weight storage? I'd do 2x4 16OC without concern. If heavy stuff, 2x6 16oc. Long term/permanent and heavy stuff? I'd probably do 2x8 16OC

 

[Colin Len]

Short term and light weight storage? I'd do 2x4 16OC without concern. If heavy stuff, 2x6 16oc. Long term/permanent and heavy stuff? I'd probably do 2x8 16OC

Thanks, and good call - I should have mentioned something about weight. I'll edit my post.

As for weight, it will be fairly heavy stuff but generally a mix of things and I'm not actually entirely sure what all will be going up there yet. This will be installed on the gable end of my garage so one end of the shelf will have ~3' of headroom to pile things up but the other end will taper down and almost nothing will be able to fit over there so that kinda limits how much I can put up there.

2x8 is 100% out of the question due to the tight space. If that was the only doable option then I'd abandon this plan and try to find another solution. It's already too crammed up there as-is and even a 2x6 is really pushing it.

 

[firebirdparts]

I'd say shelving is actually pretty realistically loaded at 40 pounds per square foot. It's actually more believable to use a span table and guess the weight on a square foot of a shelf than it is the room, where it's 95% empty and then there's a piano.

 

[vrinner]

For my main house garage, I double upped the 2X4 and used liquid nails and screws. It's pretty solid.

 

[strutaeng]

Can you use steel? Some HSS3x2x3/16 (oriented in the deep direction vertically) should span that far easily...

How many of these would you need? Trade is cost though over lumber.

 

[tarmy]

Here is an idea…works great for me…

 

[Colin Len]

For my main house garage, I double upped the 2X4 and used liquid nails and screws. It's pretty solid.

Across what span? How's it holding up?

Can you use steel? Some HSS3x2x3/16 (oriented in the deep direction vertically) should span that far easily...

How many of these would you need? Trade is cost though over lumber.

The shelf would be ~3' deep so quantity would depend on what spacing was needed. I planned on doing 12" OC so I'd need 3 "joists". Not sure what it'd be for metal. I don't think the hassle of metal makes sense. I'd have to find somewhere to buy it, it'd probably be quite expensive and I'd need to figure out how to attach them as well rather than the off the shelf Simpson stuff I can use for wood.

 

[Colin Len]

Here is an idea…works great for me…

Hmm, that's interesting. I really like the idea from a space saving standpoint. But, for something temporary I think the cost would be quite high compared to wood. Best I can tell a 10' section of unistrut is around 3x the cost of a 2x6.

 

[vrinner]

Across what span? How's it holding up?


The shelf would be ~3' deep so quantity would depend on what spacing was needed. I planned on doing 12" OC so I'd need 3 "joists". Not sure what it'd be for metal. I don't think the hassle of metal makes sense. I'd have to find somewhere to buy it, it'd probably be quite expensive and I'd need to figure out how to attach them as well rather than the off the shelf Simpson stuff I can use for wood.

Mine spans across the entire depth of the garage so like 18'. It's holding up great, it's just a place to put all the junk that I never see and my kids will have to deal with some day. But you can actually walk up there no issue. I think my application is different than what your talking about now that I read above.

 

[Zeke]

Hmm, that's interesting. I really like the idea from a space saving standpoint. But, for something temporary I think the cost would be quite high compared to wood. Best I can tell a 10' section of unistrut is around 3x the cost of a 2x6.

Don't have to use unistrut. Any metal including pipe would work using bolts.

I'm trying to figure out what the green bungee on the pulley block does .

 

[mike93lx]

Don't have to use unistrut. Any metal including pipe would work using bolts.

I'm trying to figure out what the green bungee on the pulley block does .

That's rope for the loppers on a pole pruner

 

[quickfarms]

The upper lumber rack in my wood storage is double 2x4’s about 16” oc and it is just fine