Overhead Garage Storage

[JackShephard]

Been looking into building some storage shelves that hang from the ceiling of my garage. I've seen some designs that I like (

), but I'm still hesitant to hang something above my cars.

Anybody done something similar? If so, what do I need to know about safely installing in order to avoid a disaster down the road?

 

[MFolks]

Make sure your into solid wood in the garage's ceiling, don't rely on moly bolts in the ceiling's drywall. What weight are you going to hang up there?

 

[Ilikeike]

I've built some at home and our shop at work,they are very strong.
Metal angle and expanded metal sheets.

I like the look much better than the bulky 2x4" stuff I tore out.

This is just my 3rd car area in my home garage,I have much bigger shelves at work and under my RV shed that holds all the front end pieces of my Camaro.



I'm about 240# and can sit or hang off any section of shelf with no issues.

 

[JackShephard]

Make sure your into solid wood in the garage's ceiling, don't rely on moly bolts in the ceiling's drywall. What weight are you going to hang up there?

Nothing substantial. Building it mainly to store a card table and chairs along with a few other common garage items I want to get off the floor

 

[M K S]

I just installed two 4x8 Saferack's. IMO they are very well built and I'm fully comfortable parking underneath. LMK if you have any questions.

Right now they are on sale at Costco.

 

[Denwood]

Google: "garagejournal soffit storage"

Google does a better job of indexing images and threads.

 

[nadogail]

I have installed a few for customers, they loved them.

Either the metal ones previously mentioned or a sheet of OSB, hung from the joists with 2 X 4 support beams. The OSB is a cheaper, but less elegant solution.

 

[esvee]

Google: "garagejournal soffit storage"

Google does a better job of indexing images and threads.

Fantastically, if you leave the quotes in google takes me to your post, not the threads.

Leave the quotes off and you'll get what Denwood is pointing you to.

 

[Psycareyo]

These work well for me. I also have one that raises and lowers a 4x8 workbench made of 2x4 framing and two sheets of 3/4" plywood.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0009I8AO6?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00

<a href="http://s1211.photobucket.com/user/Psycareyo/media/Garage/20150930_191951.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc421/Psycareyo/Garage/20150930_191951.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 20150930_191951.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s1211.photobucket.com/user/Psycareyo/media/Garage/20150930_142647.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc421/Psycareyo/Garage/20150930_142647.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 20150930_142647.jpg"/></a>

 

[engineer2]

I might do this someday.

 

[JackShephard]

Having no engineering background, I am just concerned with the structural integrity of attaching something to the ceiling of my garage. I found a simple set of plans from Family Handyman (http://www.familyhandyman.com/garage/storage/easy-garage-storage-solutions/view-all - see "Suspended Shelving") and they recommend storing no more than 160lb on them. Those of you with knowledge in this area, do you think that's a safe ballpark weight?

 

[engineer2]

That sounds OK. I believe our roofs are designed for snow loads of maybe 20 to 30 lbs/sqft. You have to see what you are attaching to and try to spread the load carrying members across as many joists/rafters/trusses as possible and avoid the middle of the ceiling. Even then I wouldn't store cylinder heads or boxes of magazine. If your garage ceiling is made of 2x4 trusses, you might want to investigate how much weight you can hang off the bottom beam. There is probably info on the internet.

 

[archirelic]

I just recently ordered one of these and will be ordering an additional unit very soon. The plan is to hang them from my ceiling above my garage door and they will act as a lumber rack...freeing up a lot of my wall space, etc.

http://www.sears.com/newage-products-4'-x-8'-adjustable-width-ceiling/p-00946142000P?sellerId=SEARS&prdNo=2&blockNo=2&blockType=G2

 

[bdamico]

Many have. Search for soffit in titles only. Oh and see my sig

 

[muidaq]

If you have the height and can span wall to wall...

 

[WarDamnEagle]

I have 3 Onrax 4'x8' units. 2 above the double garage door and 1 above the single car door. They work great. I have used these same units in two different houses with no issues. The best thing about them is the floor decking is made from individual metal slats that allow you to slide boxes across them from the front. That saves a lot of strain with trying to lift items into place.

http://onrax.com/