2x8's for room over garage floor ???

[JUSTA50]

I've had my wonderful garage built for a year or so. Did all the work myself with the help of some buddies. In the designing and quoting phase of the process I was talked into just ordering manufactured roof trusses from a local company. 12/12 pitch.

Long story short, when I ordered them they had 3 options: No storage regular trusses, light storage room cut trusses, and regular room over garage trusses. I'm fairly sure I did the last because I planned to eventually put a bonus over the garage.

Well, that time has come. I'm ready to make my man room. In looking at the truss structure the floor span is made from 2x8's. The garage size is 30x30 and the room size is roughly 30x10. I'm wondering if I shouldn't add some support in the garage in the form of an LVL or steel beam? The garage is completly open and I would hate to interfeer with my 14' ceilings but may need to for structural support. Thoughts from the Garage gurus?

 

[rsanter]

go back to the truss company and verify what you have....first step

then look at what you will put up there load wise and from that you will know if you need to add structure

I would encourage the install of an I beam with trolly and hoist no matter what. I don't know how I did without mine before

bob

 

[Zeke]

Call the truss company and discuss this with the engineer. Ask him (her) what the live load rating is. Then decide if this will support what you plan on putting up there. Probably no full size pool table.

 

[readhead]

With the 2x8 bottom cord it sounds like you will be fine. However as Zeke mentioned a quick trip to the truss yard with your plans should verify the live load.

 

[JUSTA50]

Forgot to mention, the Truss company got bought out and closed the doors. No one to contact....

 

[JUSTA50]

Room will be used for general storage of hobby items and an office. No pool table or anything heavy. Heaviest might be a couch or desk.

 

[readhead]

Do you have the truss plans? The reactions and loads may be in the truss plan package.

 

[Sureshot]

Do you have the original bill? It may detail or give enough info to figure things out.

 

[Zeke]

Well, call a truss company or supplier and tell them you are building a 30 x 30 shop with a 10 x 30 enclosed space above and get them to spec and price out some trusses.

 

[Iowa Mark]

You could plywood the vertical walls upstairs creating a pair of beams to help transfer the roof load and new floor load to the end walls.

 

[jhelrey]

My buddies garage had an above storage spot. Because they wanted to turn it into a full blown office, they attached 2x10s on everyone one. Big difference in how the floor felt.

 

[chadman]

I have 10/12 by 32' RIA trusses in my building. They have 2x8 bottom chords as well. I've got a decent amount of stuff up there including about 100 16' 2x4's. No issues thus far.

 

[kbs2244]

I would expect 2x8s at a right angle connecting the bottom of the trusses will stiffen up your floor and spread the load.

 

[Daniel Dudley]

2x8 is typical for a 10 foot span.