20x30 loft

[Sigepkat]

I'm getting ready to add a loft to my 30x40 shop. I'd like to have the loft take up 20x30 (half of the shop.) What's the best route to go for construction? Should I do all wood, is steel cheap enough to be worth doing some main supports (thinking the front 30 ft crossbeam), etc? Any help is appreciated.

Chris

 

[Sigepkat]

Oh, BTW, the shop is 14 ft tall, w/the plan to make an 8ft floor on the "first floor" the loft would only be about 6 ft at the peak, so there probably won't be "living" space up there, just storage.

CM

 

[JimH74]

Exactly what I have. Two large metal beams, each 30 feet long, one on the end of the building and one in the middle. The beam on the end of the building is supported by 3 metal posts. The one in the middle was sized to be a clear span. Metal floor "joists" with 3/4" T&G plywood flooring. Also had a beam installed in the ceiling of the loft, so that I could install a hoist to lift items up into the loft. I don't recall what the cost was, since it has been several years ago and was included in the build. I wanted it built so I could put some weight up in the loft, not just Christmas decorations and lights. Just yesterday, I put my small Kushlan cement mixer up there.

 

[My Old Tools]

here is mine. Decked it with 3/4" Sturdifloor.