Attic Storage Limit

[btlegacy]

I am trying to figure out what the limit is per sq foot for my garage attic. Here is a quick paint drawing of what the trusses look like

 

[Steevo]

What do the truss drawings indicate they are designed to support?
My guess is the weight of sheet rock on the bottom, and insulation on top is all they are meant to support.

 

[btlegacy]

Unfortunately, the garage was built about 10 years before I bought the home so I do not have the truss drwaings. I am going to look tonight to see if I can find any markings on the trusses to find out who drew them up initially.

 

[Kin Creed]

Unless they are specifically designed storage trusses then I agree with Steevo, they are designed just for roof loads (like snow if applicable) and a ceiling.

I have been unloading stuff from my garage attic, trying to decrease the load I have up there because it's not designed for storage. It totally *****, because it's great storage space.

I still keep stuff up there, but not nearly much as I used to and I try to keep anything remotely heavy near the edges, the middle I keep clear.

So I would not think in terms of approaching the attic load limits, but rather try to limit the amount of weight you put up there.

There are plenty of things like empty tool cases, boxes, the wife's holiday decoration collection and similar bulky but not too heavy things I will probably always store up there. But all the camping and sports gear is now stored in backyard storage sheds.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Trusses like that are NOT designed to carry any additional load beyond a ceiling (sheetrock). What is the spacing between trusses ?

You could probably store some very lightweight stuff of there, but make sure to use some kind of a "floor" (even just a couple of 2x4s) to spread the load across across as many trusses as possible.

 

[btlegacy]

That's what I figured. Right now it is empty and just has the plywood sheets going down across the middle. I am going to end up keeping it mostly clear. Maybe some Christmas decorations and items like that

 

[Jweebothee]

That's what I figured. Right now it is empty and just has the plywood sheets going down across the middle. I am going to end up keeping it mostly clear. Maybe some Christmas decorations and items like that

This is exactly what I did in my house, made a small floor area and keep holiday stuff, hunting gear and other lightweight stuff. It's not much but it does help

 

[CNGsaves]

Of course, you could store all you want up there . . . IF . . . you throw bunch of money into Lam-Beam(s) across the top or sides as ridge beam(s) that would be appropriately supported at each end. Then add hangers from ridge beam(s) to the floor of attic (ie your ceiling). This is wood option.

Then you always have steel I-beam(s) option as well.

Anything is possible with enough money !!