Creating A Storage Loft

[werty]

Hello, I browsed and searched but I could not find a definite answer for this one.

I have an 18'(wide) x 22' garage, and I am wondering if I can use the above area for storage. I do not have much experience with the terminology of things, but I will try my best.

It has a 6/12 gable roof w/ 2x6" rafters 16"oc

Every 4' oc there is a cross tie that is a 2x6"

I would like to put some storage above the door areas of the garage.

I do not plan to put anything heavy up there, but it would be nice to put seasonal stuff/camping gear / etc

I am not sure about the terminology, but I was thinking I could get 2x6"s and span them from above the door, to the first cross tie. Matching the 16" spacing of the studs. And then put plywood over that. That would give me a 16x4' shelf across the front of the garage. Similar to how the garage door opener was hung.

In the rear the same thing, but it is only a 2 foot span so it would be a 2x16' shelf.

So I am wondering can I do this, or do I risk the roof collapsing / death / etc.

If I can do this, should I use joist hangers off of the cross tie?

Should I attach the cross tie to the rafters?

Would it be possible to do more of the "attic" the same way?

Thank you!

 

[Steevo]

As long as you don't exceed the capacity of the 2x6's you should be ok.
Since those aren't trusses, they do not transfer any weight to the rafters above.
You might consider adding full length 2x6's between the existing ones for your loft areas, so you gain some additional strength.

 

[darkk]

DAMN! That looks exactly like my garage! I used 2x12x22 across the back 8ft of mine. I used joist hangers on the ends. I spaced them out every 12" on center with 1/2" plywood floor. I nailed *2* 2x4's together at the 4ft mark and went up to a cross *T* at the ridge board and again at the outer edge 8 ft edge up. Its been pretty heavily loaded for about 10+ years now with no problems. Pictures later if I can find them.

EDIT* just barely see them but they are loaded up pretty good.

 

[rlitman]

I was thinking I could get 2x6"s and span them from above the door, to the first cross tie.

Don't do this.

The 2x6 span you're describing is not the problem.
You're hanging half the weight on that one cross tie, and the other half on the door header (the weakest wall in the garage).

Consult the wood span tables. I ran 2x10's parallel to your cross ties (you could rip out the cross tie and replace with 2x20's), and put a floor on that.

 

[werty]

Thanks for the advice guys. It seems like doing that front loft is out of my capacity right now, but I can do the small one on the back today, and then do the front one down the road and do it right.

That garage door header is 3- 2x12. I believe. Not sure if that helps or not, but I will do bulkier cross ties down the road when my budget and storage needs increase.

Here is a time lapse of the garage being built:

Thank you!