Overhead garage storage

[kwoody51]

I'm wondering what everyone's thoughts are on a system like this?
http://www.saferacks.com/advantage.htm

I have a garage that uses trusses, however there is a small portion, 6 x 20 on the back wall that is actually the floor of the upstairs. This area is about 4 feet higher than the rest of the garage.

Ideally I'd like to use a system like in the link above and mount it above the garage doors. I'm wondering, however, if the trusses can handle the weight. I don't know what the trusses are rated for but assuming they are the minimum needed for the job as it's just a standard 3 car garage.

I am planning on building a 2x6 frame with a 4x8 sheet of 1/2 plywood over top of it as opposed to purchasing the system in the link.

If I were to mount the rack to area that is where there is floor above I would mount it in the corner and secure 2 of the 4 sides to the wall, supporting the free corner with a piece of angle iron similar to the system in the link. I know this would probably be the more secure option. Ideally I'd like to put it above the garage doors though as this is currently wasted space. My wall proposed space has bikes hanging.

I plan on storing seasonal stuff that is in rubbermaid totes as well as some totes of baby clothes. Probably 10-15 totes that are anywere from 10 to 30 lbs.

Thanks for your help!

 

[Nosferatu]

I guess it depends on what you're going to be putting up there. I rented a house that had a similar shelving unit mounted in the garage. I put all my camping **** up there and it seemed to hold just fine. I wouldn't trust it for storing stockpiles of ammunition or anything heavy, but for most general ****, I'd think it would be fine.

 

[Jack Olsen]

For heavier loads, it's important to distribute the load over more than one joist. That can be as simple as a sheet of L-shaped steel stock or even a 2x4. I made lightweight storage for above my doors, and used a 2x3 frame with particle board over that. For what I keep up there, it's been fine.

In this picture, you can see that my garage was made longer at some point in its history, so the old beam is there. I connected the shelves to the beam and then to the roof joists. On the other side of the beam, I tacked up some 2x4 pieces so I could store long pieces of wood.

I reinforced the vertical pieces that connect to the ceiling with steel, just so there wouldn't be any surprises if a piece of wood slowly failed.

 

[kwoody51]

Thanks for the photo Jack. I failed to mention that whatever I do I'll plan to use a piece of angle iron that is screwed into at least 2 joists.

I guess my concern or fear is that based on some searches and other reading is that the cords of the trusses aren't meant for much weight and are in tension so added weight to them only adds addition tension to them. I know the typically answer is to contact a structual engineer, but that feels like overkill for this.

 

[Teken]

Have you found a cheaper site then the actual vendor? I am interested in their 4 x 8 units and require two of them above the garage door area.

I am in the middle of making one, but with just scrap pieces it looks so ghetto!

 

[Mike 47]

I plan on storing seasonal stuff that is in rubbermaid totes as well as some totes of baby clothes. Probably 10-15 totes that are anywere from 10 to 30 lbs.

No more room in the basement? That'd be ideal.

 

[ErickForest]

Here is the storage that I built above the garage doors. It spans the entire width of the garage. I used uni-strut along the celing and anchored into each joist. I used 2x6 framing and another piece of unistrut underneath. There is 5'-4" clear space above.

 

[Teken]

Here is the storage that I built above the garage doors. It spans the entire width of the garage. I used uni-strut along the celing and anchored into each joist. I used 2x6 framing and another piece of unistrut underneath. There is 5'-4" clear space above.

Would you mind providing me with a link as to where this uni-strut can be purchased on line for a reasonable price. Any other close up pictures would be greatly appreciated as well.

I believe your method is the best balance of cost and build quality I am seeking for my current garage.

 

[Grumpy365]

Would you mind providing me with a link as to where this uni-strut can be purchased on line for a reasonable price. :

Shipping on strut will eat you up. They sell it at Home Depot, Lowes, any electrical or refrigeration supply house and most hardware stores.

Good luck

 

[akdiesel]

I am a huge fan of Uni-Strut. The stuff has been around longer than most of us and has a lot of potential.
I built a 4 post lift out of it to hold my snowmachines on two seperate rising shelves.

 

[kwoody51]

Thinking I'm just going to go with the corner option. The wife would prefer that and I know it's more secure, now I just have to figure out where to put the bikes.

As to the basement question, this is where the totes are now and it's perfect..... however we are thinking of finishing the basement. Also getting them out of the basement will free up some space for the little one(s) to play.

 

[garageracks]

I installed some racks in my garage a few months ago. I ordered them from http://www.overheadshelf.com. There were several reasons I ordered them from www.overheadshelf.com. One is because I could speak directly to the owner and designer of the racks. He gave me all the information I needed on truss strength & weight along with some other good tips. The website has overhead garage storage installation videos and a pdf that you can print with step-by-step directions that were really helpful. The other factor that made me pick these garage racks was because shipping was FREE believe it or not. I am really happy with my dealings with Overhead Shelf.

 

[netbrad]

I've been going back and forth between over the door systems and this one:

http://www.monkeybarstorage.com/shelves

Their system mounts on the wall which (according to them) is better because it doesn't put additional stress on the trusses. I'm having a hard time wading through all the marketing hype for both types of systems to figure out the best one to use.

 

[kwoody51]

Long time overdue, but here's what I ended up doing, nothing fancy.

 

[jcp907]

This is what I am in the process of completing

It's 4 ply 1/2 inch plywood under a sheetrocked and insulated box...essentially ground accessible attic space.

 

[tba]

I took the shelving I had, cut it to length, and lagged it to the ceiling.

 

[formek]

This was a thread I found on this bord. I thought it was cool http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=100622

 

[regguy1]

This was a thread I found on this bord. I thought it was cool http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=100622

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=65557

 

[JohnMcD348]

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=94916

Here's a link to what I did for over the door storage. I used a few 2x4's, some of the metal 2x4 hangers and 4x8 sheets of OSB split into 2x8 for easier handling and mounting. I did it similar to Jack's in that I added an additional middle support to. I attached the wood to the rafters using framing brackets and long screws 4 1/2" drilled into the rafters.

 

[cowboybob56]

I installed some racks in my garage a few months ago. I ordered them from http://www.overheadshelf.com. There were several reasons I ordered them from www.overheadshelf.com. One is because I could speak directly to the owner and designer of the racks. He gave me all the information I needed on truss strength & weight along with some other good tips. The website has overhead garage storage installation videos and a pdf that you can print with step-by-step directions that were really helpful. The other factor that made me pick these garage racks was because shipping was FREE believe it or not. I am really happy with my dealings with Overhead Shelf.

I too was looking at overheadshelf.com, but recently they stopped taking orders and now today June 2012, I cannot even access their webpage. Anyone have news of the company?

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

CowboyBob:
We will be releasing our own rack system in April.


http://sphotos-b.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/c0.0.493.235.68090154211/p843x403/535642_190312161092906_292648913_n.jpg

 

[fstbusa]

I did mine a few months back. Used all thread to support the front of the shelf to get a clean look. The all thread runs thru a 2x4 spanning a few trusses.

 

[Tier1Terrier]

I just recently installed a pair of saferacks (4'x8' each) over my garage door as in the picture above. They are built very solid and look great. I like them so much I'm ordering another couple of racks from them in different sizes for the back wall of my garage.

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

We finally released our garage racks.
Link: http://legacyindustrial.net/cart/legacy-garage-rack-4-x-8-p-273.html