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Q.
I have a question that I have spent 3 hours on with no answer. I would like to
create an overhead storage unit in my garage. However, my new house comes with
a 10 year structural warranty and the framing company stated that I cannot
install an overhead storage unit (by drilling into the trusses). If I do it
will void my warranty. So I thought I would just make a self suporting overhead
storage unit. The area I want to cover is 18ft wide and 10 feet deep and their
are irregular angles due to 2 hot water heater closets. I thought about a wire
mesh shelf going all the way across and maybe one or two middle posts. However,
I would like to get your thoughts on this. Any plans would be appreciated or a
place to get one.
A.
You don't say what you
are thinking of putting in this storage space, or how tall the garage ceiling
is. I will assume that you have enough room above the cars in the garage to put
this storage in place, and you are thinking of storing relatively light items.
If you want to stuff the area with boxes of books, pots and pans, big tents and
other heavy items, it might be a problem.
Trying to span 9, 10 or 18 feet is not likely to work with wire mesh. It would
flex too much and sag in the center of span. If you are not trying to store
really heavy items, I think I would try this. Nail (or screw) a 2x4 or 2x3
along the walls to act as a ledger to hold up the storage area. This should not
"void the warranty" on the framing, but the builder may tell you otherwise. Add
the posts in the center as you were thinking by running one or two 2x4's along
them (attach to the side of the post on one or both sides). Now you will need
to add some intermediate supports...more 2x4s or 2x3s depending on the weight
you are planning on supporting. The interior framing should sit on top of the
ledger that you attached to the walls, and for best support it should stand on
edge (the longer dimension is vertical). On top of the framing you have put up,
lay some 1/4", 3/8", or 1/2" plywood. It is probably not necessary to attach it
to the framing, but if you can, it will add rigidity to the whole thing.
Now just monitor the structure as you load it, and over time. The framing will
tend to bend down in the center, and this will increase with time. Don't
overload it, and you should be ok. If you leave some of the area open, you will
be able to load and unload it more easily. For example, since plywood comes in
4 foot wide sheets, you could run two sheets in a 9 foot wide space and leave
the center foot open so that you could reach up and get the things you put on
each side.
Of course, all of this won't work if you have overhead garage doors, and
especially if you have ceiling mounted garage door openers. Sorry, I can't
provide plans, and I am not equiped to post any design drawings at this time.
Good luck, and remember, don't overload this storage area.
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