I have 2x4 trusses designed with the metal mesh. The garage celling does not have any drywall. I have two sections of plywood on the trusses. I would like to support the trusses so I can add more weight. Maybe some beams across the middle of the garage?
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garage truss storage support
- Thread starter wazzabie
- Start date
Youngandfree
Well-known member
They aren't.Same here. Almost all garages near me are similar. Unlnown if they really are supppsed to hold any weight.
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Nope. A truss is a system and is not designed to add extra supports to do what you want
PopcornSutton
Well-known member
In my view, it all depends on the weight. If it's a matter of putting some 1/2 OSB across some bottom cords and storing some boxes of misc. stuff, I wouldn't hesitate. But storing tires and/or heavy materials is a different matter.
In commercial buildings, bar joists are common, which is a truss design. When heavy utilities needed to be installed, they are always directed to attach their hangers to the top cord, not the bottom. Things like branch circuits and lighting conduit don't amount to much weight and they could attach to the bottom.
In commercial buildings, bar joists are common, which is a truss design. When heavy utilities needed to be installed, they are always directed to attach their hangers to the top cord, not the bottom. Things like branch circuits and lighting conduit don't amount to much weight and they could attach to the bottom.
MooreGarage
Active member
When we had our garage built 25ish years ago, the builder offered 3 different options for roof trusses... standard, usable attic, and room-in-the-roof (meaning the space could be finished for habitation). We went with the usable attic option, which beefed up the trusses with 2x6 instead of 2x4 on the bottom, and an unobstructed 8' wide center section that has full stand-up height in the center, accessible via pull-down stairs. Really glad we went this route, the extra storage space it provides is awesome. I put a plywood floor down only on the center section. The two outer sections are too awkward to access.
adsinnott1
Well-known member
I have the same set up in my detached garage. OSB floor and ladder access. Nice to put stuff up there that I rarely need.When we had our garage built 25ish years ago, the builder offered 3 different options for roof trusses... standard, usable attic, and room-in-the-roof (meaning the space could be finished for habitation). We went with the usable attic option, which beefed up the trusses with 2x6 instead of 2x4 on the bottom, and an unobstructed 8' wide center section that has full stand-up height in the center, accessible via pull-down stairs. Really glad we went this route, the extra storage space it provides is awesome. I put a plywood floor down only on the center section. The two outer sections are too awkward to access.
Most residential roof trusses are engineered to hold 10 PSF Dead load on the bottom cord. A load that does not move. Drywall, insulin, ductwork, electrical, lights, etc. Most residential roof trusses are engineered to hold 0 PSF live load on the bottom cord. Stuff that moves. People, furniture, storage, etc. Some times you can find the ratings somewhere on the truss. It should be 4 numbers like 30-7-0-10. Top live, top dead, bottom live, bottom dead.
Do people store stuff on top of the bottom cord, yes. Should they, probably not. If you stay under 10 PSF, you are probably fine. But drywall and insulation weight more than you think.
Do people store stuff on top of the bottom cord, yes. Should they, probably not. If you stay under 10 PSF, you are probably fine. But drywall and insulation weight more than you think.