Looking to build a storage deck/level inside 11' tall attached garage.

[moreover]

As the title states, I want to add a storage area above my 17x32 attached garage. The footprint will be 17'x8'The ceiling is 11' and the platform surface will be at 7'-6" from floor. Construction would be free standing and be supported by 4ea. steel 4"x4"x3/16" posts anchored to the slab by plates. An I-beam will run the 17' width. And the 8' tied together with steel as well. There will be wood 2x8 joists spanning the 8' in joist hangers at 16"oc. The top surface will be plywood decking. All steel framing will be MIG welded.

Does this sound like a plan?

I would like to utilize just 4 posts but can insert another two in the center if necessary. What size steel beam would support this weight on 4 posts, or even 6 posts. I would like to keep them pretty shallow to maximize overhead clearance.

I plan on storing a jetski trailer with 2 stand up skis (700lb), a powermatic 66 table saw (400lb) plus an additional 400-600lbs of rubbermaid totes up top.

If there is a better construction method, i'm all ears.

I will use my skidsteer to load the larger stored items mentioned.

The reason for this build is to make room for a new, larger car in the garage and make some room to start working on my classic mini cooper again.

Thanks again for the suggestions.

 

[bad_idea]

Do you already have the steel on hand? I believe the goal could be met with wood at a lower price. Why not attach it to the walls on each side?

As far as welding with MIG, what MIG? Need a decent machine to ensure penetration.

Also, would love some pics of the classic mini.

 

[finn]

A platform 8’ deep and only 3 1/2’ high presents a problem accessing things that inevitably end up at the back.

Any chance of raising the roofline without destroying the aesthetics of the house, or maybe replacing the trusses with something that will get you more headroom?

Do you want cheap and quick, or are you looking for a viable long term solution?

Personally, i’d Look into adding a storage shed or renting a storage unit before I built a difficult to utilize cubby hole.

 

[moreover]

I have a 24' stick of the tubing already. I would rather keep the load off the walls as these studs are 2x4 and support a second story as well. Granted, it would be a much cheaper and easier undertaking tying into the existing studs.

I am a decent mig welder and have a Esab 235 amp machine. I'm good with wood but prefer its use architecturally instead of structural.

The mini is a 1970s Morris mini. Honda VTEC going in. But now I'm tempted to go AWD with it. No pictures at the moment as I'm traveling.

 

[moreover]

Above the garage is a second floor so roofline modifications are out of the question. My height measurements are off. There will be 44" from ceiling to platform surface.

A storage shed is not allowed in my neighborhood and I'm not a fan of renting. I have a place to store some of my bulky stuff but prefer it be in climate controlled storage. Jetskis and table saw would be easy to pick off the platform when needed. The totes contain rarely used items. Odds and ends mostly.

 

[Ray916MN]

Any reason you wouldn't just put up 2 rack deep pallet racking? More than strong enough, reconfigurable and will provide a floor half as thick as what you have planned.

 

[Bretny]

Lol modify the roof to add a storage shelf. Now thats a first.

Could you run the 8ft wood into the metal beam to not loose 8in of head room? Or use a thinner 17ft steel beam with another support post to gain more head room?

 

[bad_idea]

Should be some span tables for I beam on the inter web somewhere. Do you know any engineers? Last time I needed to know the load capacity of a certain I beam my ex-BIL ran the numbers for me. Sometimes I wish my SIL hadn't divorced him.

I am planning on building a similar storage loft in my garage using I beam. I plan to use the I beam for rigging also. Much easier to pull an engine with a chain fall than an engine hoist. I plan to make the top of the 2x8s even with the I beam. Plan to use a 10" or 12" tall I beam to leave me room to get a beam clamp on the bottom flange. I'm looking at welding a piece of flat bar to the web of the beam for the 2x8s to rest on and then weld a vertical piece every 16" to attach the 2x8s to. I hadn't thought of using joist hangers. Will you weld those in or drill and bolt them to the beam?

 

[moreover]

I'm on board with the pallet rack, even if it needed modifications.

The joist would be installed directly between the I beams, not set on top to minimize the profile. You could either drill the web of the beam and bolt a 2x8 to it. The joist are then fastened to the lumber with conventional hangers. The other option is weld on hangers which are available too.

 

[GMCGarage]

As the title states, I want to add a storage area above my 17x32 attached garage. The footprint will be 17'x8'The ceiling is 11' and the platform surface will be at 7'-6" from floor. Construction would be free standing and be supported by 4ea. steel 4"x4"x3/16" posts anchored to the slab by plates. An I-beam will run the 17' width. And the 8' tied together with steel as well. There will be wood 2x8 joists spanning the 8' in joist hangers at 16"oc. The top surface will be plywood decking. All steel framing will be MIG welded.

Does this sound like a plan?

I would like to utilize just 4 posts but can insert another two in the center if necessary. What size steel beam would support this weight on 4 posts, or even 6 posts. I would like to keep them pretty shallow to maximize overhead clearance.

I plan on storing a jetski trailer with 2 stand up skis (700lb), a powermatic 66 table saw (400lb) plus an additional 400-600lbs of rubbermaid totes up top.

If there is a better construction method, i'm all ears.

I will use my skidsteer to load the larger stored items mentioned.

The reason for this build is to make room for a new, larger car in the garage and make some room to start working on my classic mini cooper again.

Thanks again for the suggestions.

A W8x10 will support 40 psf which is about twice your load. Make sure you have some bracing to stabilize it.