Building a Garage Storage Loft - HELP!

[DRC12345]

Hello all, first post but frequent visitor to this fantastic site!

I am planning out a loft storage are in the rear of my drywalled garage. Nothing fancy, just your basic 10’ x 4’ with about 26” of ceiling clearance. Now, based on the location of my entry door, and limited ceiling height I cannot span the full 18’ width of the garage. This will leave one outside corner of the loft open and require ceiling joist support.

What would be the most efficient way in terms of max. load support to brace this open corner? I would like the safest method possible but not overdue it either. I am planning on building the loft out of 2x6 planks and 2x4’s for support the 4’ way. I was thinking a metal bracket/strapping (not sure what the term is) secured flush along the ceiling joist an then another metal strap bolted to the first and hanging down to secure to the loft corner….similar to the process of hanging a garage door opener.

Your opinions and tips are greatly appreciated!!!

Primary uage of the shelf will be storage of light to heavy objects such as winter tires, kids toys, shopvac, etc.

The following photo shows the ceiling support PRE drywall. As you can see, the roof trusses are above the ceiling frame constructed by the builder, to alight with the i-beam support. I am hoping this will be strong enough to support the load of the shelf/loft. What do you think?

I have outlined the 4'x8' area in which I would like to build the loft.



Uploaded with ImageShack.us

 

[rieferman]

For a shelf of that size (you mentioned 26" of clearance.. about the height of a rubbermade storage container) I'm guessing your storing household things, not huge heavy engines etc. If I'm guessing right, I'd just built a frame out of 2x4's with 16 inches on center spacing. I'd screw the frame to each stud and add a triangular brace on the unsupported corner. Screw down plywood or OSB.

 

[Motofixxer]

Posting a picture and giving info on what type of storage will be is very helpful. Otherwise using regular 2x4 construction, Or a frame of 2x6 should handle most situations. Use 3-4" screws with predrilled holes will help for more strength than just nails. Joists 16" oc should be fine as well as joist hangers where needed. You could run a 4x4 perpendicular to the trusses with predrilled lag bolts into the trusses. Or use a 2x4 with counter sunk lag bolts then screw a second 2x4 over the first one. Then hang a support from that. It all depends on what your situation calls for.

 

[DRC12345]

Photo uploaded in original post!

 

[DRC12345]

Posting a picture and giving info on what type of storage will be is very helpful. Otherwise using regular 2x4 construction, Or a frame of 2x6 should handle most situations. Use 3-4" screws with predrilled holes will help for more strength than just nails. Joists 16" oc should be fine as well as joist hangers where needed. You could run a 4x4 perpendicular to the trusses with predrilled lag bolts into the trusses. Or use a 2x4 with counter sunk lag bolts then screw a second 2x4 over the first one. Then hang a support from that. It all depends on what your situation calls for.

Thanks Motofixxer. I am intrigued by the 4x4 or 2x4 across the roof trusses. What would you recommend to support the loft after this step? A 2x4 lag bolted into the 4x4 top and bottom into the loft?

What do you think of my idea to use heavy duty metal bracing (similar to garage door opener support) and drill this directly o the roof trusses?

 

[DRC12345]

New Pic attached in first post to better clarify!

 

[DRC12345]

So I have decided to pursue this project using 2x4 lumber and making the width of the overhead storage approx 3’ x 8’ long. I plan on supporting the open / unsupported corner with angle iron fastened to the ceiling spanning 3 or 4 joists (bottom chord 2x4 per photo in first post) and then a perfed iron strip bolted to the angle iron and also bolted into the corner of the shelf/loft.

How does this plan sound? I plan on storing items such a seasonal tires, a shopvac, lawn mower in winter and other smaller light items. Think it should be stable enough?

Would you recommend 4” wood screws or lag bolts to fasten into the rear and side wall studs? There are so many different kinds so I’ not sure where to start…#10, 12, 14 4” screws, etc.

What do you think?

 

[regguy1]

Overhead storage idea, maybe it would be helpful?http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=65557

 

[DRC12345]

Overhead storage idea, maybe it would be helpful?http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=65557

Nice job there! How did you fasten your 2x4's to the ceiling? From the initial photo it looks like you use angle brackets on each. If so, did you find this was this sufficient enough to handle the load?

 

[DRC12345]

Come on guys, someone has to have some feedback, any feedback?

 

[regguy1]

Nice job there! How did you fasten your 2x4's to the ceiling? From the initial photo it looks like you use angle brackets on each. If so, did you find this was this sufficient enough to handle the load?

I did use angles for the front frame support, I mentioned in the thread that the shelf uprights are fastened to the top plate in the rear and a lot of the weight is supported that way. I'm not planning on heavy items up there. More about this in the thread. You could design a similar system capable of heavy loads.