Recent content by ChuckGm3

Thanks. I used SweetHome3D. Very easy to get started but pretty robust when you want to get more complex.

Went with the 1/2" sheet rock.

So lightweight 5/8 vs 1/2... only real benefit is the 5/8 shouldn't sag but the 1/2 might?

5/8 is fire code, but while this is an attached garage, the house-side wall is a sealed off fire-barrier already so I'm not required to have a fire-code ceiling I don't believe. Having worked with 1/2" and 5/8" in the past, that extra 8th makes a huge difference in the weildability. I could...

http://www.homedepot.com/p/SHEETROCK-Brand-UltraLight-Firecode-30-5-8-in-x-4-ft-x-8-ft-Tapered-Edge-Gypsum-Board-14113812408/203021463 This is the stuff I was considering. 51.2 lbs per sheet. The PV panels are 35lbs each. About 720 for the entire array including mounting hardware.

Any additional weight on top of those 2x4's like I have though? Insulation and/or storage?

No snow. I'm in the valley in Southern CA. The roof is OSB with asphalt shingles. It's also probably worth noting that I have a solar PV system with 18 panels on the left slope of the garage. So when you say add a plywood gusset to each, you mean at the vertical framing (that attaches to the...

I have also considered vinyl soffit, ceiling tiles etc. but those are more expensive than drywall. The 2x4's are 16' long from wall to ceiling rafter. The whole garage is 20.5' wide so about 5' of that left side would have the ceiling mount directly to the ceiling rafters.

One measurement I didn't add to the diagram is my ridge to tie. It's about 48" and in actuality I'm not sure it sounds as a true rafter tie. It rests on top of the right hand wall like a ceiling joist, but ties to the rafters on the left hand wall, so a bit of a hybrid model.

Check out my crude illustration below and let me know what you think. I already have OSB "floor" in about a 16'x8' section sitting on top of these rafter ties for about 400 lbs worth of storage space (with a pull down ladder). R13 has been stapled up under the floor and R26 everywhere else)...

Finally made it to a major milestone and put the garage back together for regular use this weekend. Still have quite a bit to do: 1. Finish wiring receptacles and light switches 2. Install ceiling insulation 3. Install and paint ceiling panels 4. Install and wire new LED shop lights 5. Finish...

Got the 3/4" EMT and wall boxes installed last night.

Being in a townhouse you probably at least have a 2nd story above your garage? Mine had nothing but black shingles and plywood between the sun and my oven of a garage. The radiant barrier I installed made the biggest immediate impact. 10 deg difference for $100 worth of foil. The garage door...

Yeah, I've got a bunch of leftover 3/4" metal conduit from the Solar PV install. I just need to get some gang boxes for the outlets and that will be the next step now that paint is done.