Ceiling Load Capacity

[OldracerJones]

I'm building interior rooms in my 30 x 50 shop. I plan on storing things on top of the rooms so I'm wondering how to contruct the ceiling so it will handle the load of storing items.

I want to use 2 x 6 top construction with 16" centers then top with 3/4" plywood. Do you think that would be adequate to be able to store Christmas decorations, spare luggage, etc.. On top?

 

[pattenp]

What's the span? If not more than 10-12 feet and you don't throw anything heavy up there you should be okay. Also I think 5/8 ply will do if you aren't going to be up there walking around a lot.

 

[OldracerJones]

Three rooms: 10 x 10, 8 x 10, and 12 x 10.

 

[kbs2244]

Plenty strong for what you are talking about

 

[Steevo]

With 2x6's running the shorter span on each of those size rooms, on 16" centers, with 5/8"plywood on top, you should be able to store quite a bit up there.

The top of my bathroom inside my shop is done that way, with 2x6's running 7' span from the structure wall to the supporting bathroom wall, at 16" centers, and I wouldn't hesitate to put an engine in a crate up there if I could fit it in there.

According to this calculator, you are good for 40# sq/ft at 10ft-4in span.

http://www.awc.org/calculators/span...bmit=Calculate+Maximum+Horizontal+Span#answer

 

[Zeke]

For future reference, the term used in this case is floor. You are building a room with a floor on top. With a floor span table to tell you the lumber size, you could put a lot up there and never worry about sag. As mentioned, you could cut back a bit since it's just storage.