Is it OK to store things in garage rafters?

Here’s the official answer: Unless you have “storage trusses” specifically engineered for extra weight, you shouldn’t store anything in them. They’re designed to support your roof, not your junk. Make sure items are spaced so that the weight is evenly distributed over the chords.

How much can garage rafters hold?

So how much weight can you hang from your garage ceiling? Regular garage ceiling joists of modern construction can generally support 50lb/sqft. If you have trusses or your joists are supporting more than just sheetrock or your garage is older this number could be significantly less.

How do you store things in rafters?

Rafters and exposed floor joists are especially good for storing long, skinny items like scrap lumber, skis, or drapery rods. For those, you just need to screw in a few hooks to hold the items, or screw in a few cross-pieces. For heavier items, you may need to screw in a more substantial plywood bottom.

How much weight can garage ceiling joists hold?

Fine Homebuilding notes that 2-inch by 6-inch garage joists will support a weight of up to 50 pounds per square foot. If you overload your garage’s ceiling joists, the ceiling may appear to sag from the strain. While your 2-inch by 6-inch joists can collapse from too much weight, such a scenario is uncommon.

What should I do with the rafters in my garage?

Use care when working in the rafters or on a ladder. Reinforce the rafters in your garage for storage. If your garage has open rafters below the roof, you’ve got a wealth of storage space available above your head. By laying a board or set of boards onto the rafters, you can store many items up and out of the way.

What can you store on the roof of a garage?

If your garage has open rafters below the roof, you’ve got a wealth of storage space available above your head. By laying a board or set of boards onto the rafters, you can store many items up and out of the way.

How is the height of a garage rafter measured?

Measure the length of a ceiling joist from the midpoint of the garage to the wall of the garage. Divide this in two and move to the center point of this half of the joist. Measure the height from the center of the rafter directly above this point to the center of the ceiling joist.

What should I put in my overhead garage?

Install a pull-down attic ladder to better access attic or overhead garage storage. When not in use, it folds back up and out of the way. But before you add extra weight to your trusses, make sure they’re rated for storage. Ditch the cardboard boxes and store your overhead garage storage items in heavy-duty latching totes.