Storage questions

[loumoon]

Hi all!

Please be gentle. I'm a newb looking for some pointers for creating overhead storage in my newly built garage. It's 20x20 with 9ft walls and a gable roof.

I want to take advantage of the extra space above but I'm not sure where to start. Traditional (retail) overhead racks seem designed to attach to a finished ceiling but my garage is detached and unfinished, with support boards spaced every four feet - not suitable for a ceiling and I'm not sure I'd want one anyway. Can I attach these racks to the cross support beams? If not, is there a way to reinforce the 'ceiling' to turn it into loft storage?

If it's helpful, my primary storage needs are for seasonal outdoor decorations and camping equipment, which currently take up around half of a car bay.

 

[radio63]

Hi, Maybe show a few pictures to see just what you've got. Maybe some plywood sheets across rafters to hold up the items you'd like to store(?)

I agree with not wanting a finished ceiling. That's how my garage is.

 

[frankush]

Pictures will get responses. Take a look at this link to gain some knowledge about collar and rafter ties.

https://www.nachi.org/collar-rafter-ties.htm

The "typical" Chicago garage uses rafter ties on 4' centers. They sit on the top plate of the walls. Generally, they are 2x6's and their primary purpose is to keep the walls from bowing out at the top under heavy snow loads.
I had my first garage torn down because the brick walls were severely bowed out. It had other issues as well as being too small.
Adding additional rafters to get a 2' spacing is a challenge because you would need to remove a portion of the roof sheathing from one side minimum, in order to get them in place. That's if you wanted a single piece of lumber to make the span. It's easier to sister 2 pieces together, that are a couple feet shorter and bolting them together. Once done, throw some 3/4" plywood on top, in the area that you want a floor. I wouldn't go crazy on the weight you put up there, but it will accomplish what you want to do.

 

[rayra]

better find out the load rating of your horizontal rafters / bottom of your roof trusses. You may not be able to put much weight up there as things are. You might be able to increase that load rating by sistering additional rafters / joists to the existing structure.

 

[Tawn]

I built this shelf above the garage door. Runs the width of the garage and is 4 feet deep.

Tied in to rafters and studs on the ends. A "cutout" to clear garage door opener.

I don't put anything too heavy up there so, 1) So I don't overload rafters and 2) what ever is up there has to be carried up and down a ladder.

 

[Lucky13driver]

Tawn nice looking shelf.

 

[Jazz1]

Old doors sourced for high shelves. I have these shelves around perimeter of garage for stuff I dont use daily. Golf clubs for hanging stuff I’m painting

 

[ddawg16]

Hi all!

Please be gentle. I'm a newb looking for some pointers for creating overhead storage in my newly built garage. It's 20x20 with 9ft walls and a gable roof.

I want to take advantage of the extra space above but I'm not sure where to start. Traditional (retail) overhead racks seem designed to attach to a finished ceiling but my garage is detached and unfinished, with support boards spaced every four feet - not suitable for a ceiling and I'm not sure I'd want one anyway. Can I attach these racks to the cross support beams? If not, is there a way to reinforce the 'ceiling' to turn it into loft storage?

If it's helpful, my primary storage needs are for seasonal outdoor decorations and camping equipment, which currently take up around half of a car bay.

Welcome Lou......for a newb you're being very humble and asking good questions.

Your garage sounds exactly like my old garage. I'm guessing it was built in the 50's?

As noted above, those 'support boards' are most likely collar ties....they keep your walls from pushing out.

I you plan on being there any period of time, I can't stress how much benefit you would get from putting up drywall....especially in Chicago. It will raise the temp at least 20 deg or more in the winter with just minimal heat. Additionally, adding the drywall will do wonders for lighting and dust/dirt control.

Your ceiling....you could easily install additionally ceiling joists. If it was me, I'd be using 2x6 or 2x8. If the outside distance is 20' or less, you can get boards 20' long and just trim the end at an angle so it will fit up in there. Simpson makes ties to allow you to anchor them to your top plate. And, yes, you can get those boards up there. Turn the flat...stick up one end...go at an angle until you get the tip of the other end up into the space above the plate....then rotate the board vert. Anchor with the Simpson hardware.

Install them at 16" OC (OC = On Center).

Once in place, you will have a great surface to install drywall. And, in the attic, you can lay down some 1/2" plywood for additional storage up there. Install a telescoping attic ladder and you are good to go. If you want to get real fancy....install some recessed lighting....it can be 4' LED strips or recessed LED cans.

With the walls still open, run any electrical you think you might want. If you install any outlets, put them about 54" above ground. This way you can lean a 4x8 sheet of something against the wall and not block the outlet.

If you are thinking of installing a workbench, figure out the location and start keeping an eye on someone giving away kitchen cabinets.

Once you have your walls drywalled and painted, you now have plenty of options for storage.

For my in-laws, I went to HD and picked up the wire shelf stuff. The tracks can be screwed straight to studs and give you plenty of flexibility. And since you put in attic storage.....all those lite bulky items can go up there out of the way.

 

[D rock]

I think about overhead storage this way...make sure what ever you put up there to hold things is strong enough to hold what you are planning to put up there because you don't want it falling off and crashing down on you...hang light oddball stuff up because physics will kick your a**. Trust me, I've been whooped a few times.

 

[bad_idea]

https://www.familyhandyman.com/garage/storage/build-the-ultimate-garage-cabinets-yourself/view-all/

All the storage you will ever need. Maybe. I built some upper cabinets like the ones above in my last garage along the 9' high ceiling. Great use of a space that you can't get to or use otherwise. Cabinets hide the mess and keep the dust out. You can substitute 2x material and cheap plywood for the fancy melamine in the above. I didn't build any large cabinets along the wall, but they may prove useful if you have a lot of junk to organize in. Notice they have a ledger board raising them off of the floor - no rot issues and gives you a cubby to roll the jack under or similar items. Search their site and you will find plans for similar cabinets with sliding bypass doors. Simple to build with simple tools, great way to sharpen your skills too (I'm no carpenter so it helped me).