raise inside height of garage joists(?)

[pitterpat]

I'm looking for a way to raise the inside height of garage joists that span the width of my garage to put in a lift. I have a hip roof and the garage is 16' x 22', there are 3 or 4 joists (maybe not the right term) that go across the width (16') that sit on the rim(?) of the garage. I'd like to make the center of the garage usable height higher so I could install a lift to work on my VW's.
Is this doable?

 

[deter]

it depends how far you want to raise the ceiling joists. You really dont want to go more than about 1/3 the way up the roof rafters, as the clg joists tie your walls (to keep them from kicking out at the top

Edit for a pic:

 

[DangerousDan55]

A friend of mine did the same thing.
What he did was to Only cut the 16' joists that he had to to fit the lift in.
He framed in that opening like you would do when installing a folding attic ladder. But he also tied the cut joist to the roof rafters, and then installed new joist across at the same area on the rafters. He actually "boxed in" that area. he made that boxed area large enough to alow the roof of a car go up in it. That way he could raise the car to the lifts limit. Just got to think about antenas mounted on the fenders and remove them.

Now he had another issue. He wanted his lift to one side of the garage, and the one lift post would go through the roof. So, he just framed out a "dormer" with a window to make it look it was a room on a second floor. At first you could see the top of the lift post in that dormer window. But he blacked out the window.
He lives in a HOA area and THEY are clueless. He added/scabbed on the small dormer in a single day.
His looks great being sheetrocked & painted. Sorry have no pics.

 

[CNGsaves]

Show us what you're working with . . . both Inside pics and Outside pics.

 

[SteveCh]

I helped a buddy do this in his 3-bay garage. He needed to install a life to work on his 'vettes. It was an old garage, but solid. We decided to choose which bay would be the one by parking the 'vette in each and he could walk around and decide. Once we figured that out, we marked the joists we needed to remove and replace, backed the car out, and had the job done in about three hours. Works great.

 

[theoldwizard1]

it depends how far you want to raise the ceiling joists. You really dont want to go more than about 1/3 the way up the roof rafters, as the clg joists tie your walls (to keep them from kicking out at the top

Edit for a pic:

EXCELLENT PICTURE !

I concur, only go about 1/3 of the way up. Roofs done with high collar ties have rafters that are oversized (unless you are planning on doing that also).

Also, I have seen garages with joists that skip every other rafter. When you install raised joist, do NOT skip any rafters. The joists are what prevents the rafters from pushing out the side walls.

 

[zack99]

if they are just for tying in the walls they could possibly be replaced with wire rope and turnbuckle.

 

[Pat Brady]

Don't raise the bridge. Lower the water. (Remember that movie starring Jerry Lewis?)I.E. Why not put in a pit?

 

[theoldwizard1]

if they are just for tying in the walls they could possibly be replaced with wire rope and turnbuckle.

True !

 

[Bib Overalls]

if they are just for tying in the walls they could possibly be replaced with wire rope and turnbuckle.

Yes. Not all that uncommon. But usually done during original construction and occasionally during a remodel to improve the sense of volume.

In this case, the OP already has the material so there is no expense other than nails.

I would cut the collar ties with a sawzall close to the rafters and leave the stubs in place. No point in disturbing the connection between the joist, rafter, and top plate.