2x4's across trusses

[iowabucks]

Hey everyone, I have a question that will probably be so easy to answer that I will be embarrassed.

I have very limited carpentry skills or time, so I had a garage built for me. 28' X 34'. Now that it is finished being built I was ready to start insulating and drywall with a little bit of storage space in the attic.

I see the builders left 3, 2x4's run across the bottom chord of the trusses. Nailed in by 2 or 3 nails on every truss. I would assume that it was just to hold it all together as it was being built. But I wanted to get them out of there so I could lay some OSB down for a storage area floor. As I started on it I was wondering if it would be better left there to help support the storage in the attic, but it would definitely cut down on the amount of storage space.

Should these be taken down or are they meant to stay there?

 

[Jess]

Those are usually required by the truss design to hold the bottom chord in place, although they do look temporary. If you have a design certificate for those trusses from the supplier, they will show what bracing is required to prevent any chance of failure. You could add a few more rows and sheet over them but be sure that you consider the load since they are designed to support the roof not an attic storage area.

Ask your builder for the truss certificate.

 

[DalyArcher]

Mine required that OR a rigid ceiling. I will be drywalling so the inspector advised that counts as rigid ceiling to tie the bottom chords together. Just curious though, did you spec "attic trusses"? Were you clear in your intention to store things in the attic with your truss manufacturer? I would be mindful of the weight you put up there. A few boxes of Christmas lights is one thing, a collection of surplus car parts may be an entirely different matter.

 

[pattenp]

OSB laid down will serve the same purpose as the current 2X4's. That being said your truss are not designed for attic storage and whatever you put up there will need to very light weight stuff. Once you put down the OSB flooring in the center and add drywall and insulation you'll be close to the load limits of the truss cord.

 

[NuthinFancy]

It looks like you've got 24" OC trusses with 16" OC wall studs - a common configuration - and the way I built my 14' x 30' shop. I understand what you mean about having a flat 'attic' space. I chose to add 2 x 4 blocking between the bottom (and upper) chords of the trusses. Lots of 2 x 4s, but it stiffens up the structure pretty well while allowing the flat floor above. If you have or have access to a miter saw and setup a stop block (assuming the spacing is consistent) you can crank them out pretty quickly. Of course you still need to install them. I'm using an air-powered nailer. They're usually available to rent at home centers, etc. if you don't have one already.

HTH
nf

 

[rburke65]

As previously said, the trusses pictured are not attic trusses. Storing anything up thre will be limited to very lite weight objects.

 

[iowabucks]

I definitely plan on it being lightweight storage. Most likely it wont be much more than 4 sheets of OSB. Not storage all the way across the attic area.

Just wanted to figure something out with the drwallers starting in a day or two.