To answer your question, the garage attic is not a good area for storage. First a truss, a manufactured roof system, is designed to support the roofing above and the ceiling below. If the attic is to be used for storage, the truss would have to be designed for the additional weight.

Can you store stuff above garage?

If you find yourself in need of additional home storage space, you may be overlooking the perfect spot to create it: above the garage. With some DIY care and attention, that unused space can become a perfectly workable garage attic for year-round storage.

Can you use garage rafters 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.

Can I put an attic above my garage?

If your home’s HVAC system does extend into the garage, then the attic above it should be insulated as it would for any other room of the house. This will serve the same function of keeping hot or cold air inside the garage as it does for the rest of the house.

How do I add storage to my garage attic?


Quote from Youtube video: So things to consider when doing attic storage. Wait make sure your trusses are designed to support the weight that you plan on putting up in your attic. Most.

Can I use attic for storage?

Attics have good potential for storage and are less creepier than basements, though not by much. Yet before you start hauling everything but the kitchen sink up that ladder, you should find out if your attic is up for the task. Assessing your attic for any damages will require a bit of detective work.

What is the space above the garage called?





A garage apartment is an apartment on top of the garage of a house. A garage apartment is an accessory dwelling unit that is smaller than the main dwelling on a lot or parcel of land.

How much weight can my garage ceiling support?

Depending on what you have, the ceiling on your garage can hold a lot of weight. Your garage ceiling can hold three to four tons. For example, if you have a metal roof that can handle a 2,000 pound weight limit, you have a capacity of three tons.

How much weight can I put in my garage rafters?

The general rule of thumb is you can hang around 5 to 10 pounds of weight from a roof truss. Remember, if you’re planning to build a roof truss for your garage, it’s recommended to hire a structural engineer.

How much weight can roof rafters hold?

Typical Loads



If the bottom chord of a roof truss functions as a floor joist, such as in an attic room, it carries a live load that also varies by use, but a typical live floor load for a residential space is about 40 pounds per square foot.

Is my garage attic strong enough for storage?



To answer your question, the garage attic is not a good area for storage. First a truss, a manufactured roof system, is designed to support the roofing above and the ceiling below. If the attic is to be used for storage, the truss would have to be designed for the additional weight.

How much weight can you put in a garage attic?

On average, an attic that has not been designed specifically for storage or already converted into a habitable room can hold 10lbs per square foot. The maximum weight load of an attic can be increased by taking certain measures, such as layering wood across the joists to spread the weight.

How do I build a raised area in my attic?

How to Build a Raised Storage Area in Your Attic

  1. Cut 2” thick lumber to length for the frame.
  2. Attach metal covers to electrical junction boxes, and move any electrical wires out of the way or notch the frame to fit around them.
  3. Build a frame on 16” centers perpendicular to the attic floor joists.

How much weight can attic joists support?



Attic Joists for Live Loads



In many cases, ceiling joists for dead loads are designed to carry 10 pounds per square foot (psf), as opposed to the 40 or greater psf that live-load joists must carry.

Is it OK to put plywood in the attic?

An attic can be floored with 1/2″ CDX plywood, if it is being used only for storage. However, the same can’t be said if you are planning on using the space as a living space. In that case, you will need to use 3/4″ thick plywood. As an alternative, 3/4” OSB can be used.

How thick should plywood be for attic storage?

Joist Spacing and Attic Use



You need 3/4-inch plywood. The thinner plywood is acceptable when the joist spacing is 16 inches. If you plan to finish the floor in the attic and turn the room into a living space, however, you should always use 3/4-inch plywood.

How much does a 4×8 sheet of 3/4 plywood cost?

3/4 x 4 x 8 Plywood Sheathing at Menards

Everyday Low Price $57.28
11% Mail-In Rebate Good Through 5/30/22 $6.30



Is OSB OK for attic floor?

If your attic joists won’t bear the weight necessary to finish out a living space but the engineer cleared them to support floor decking for light storage, you can install ½-inch plywood or oriented strand board (OSB) in 4-foot-by-8-foot panels over existing 16-inch OC joists.

Is plywood stronger than OSB?

Osb is stronger than plywood in shear. Shear values, through its thickness, are about 2 times greater than plywood. This is one of the reasons osb is used for webs of wooden I-joists. However, nail-holding ability controls performance in shear wall applications.

What holds screws better plywood or OSB?

Plywood and OSB: Screw withdrawal or holding ability. Group 1 plywood, made from the strongest species of wood such as Southern Yellow Pine, holds screws better than OSB.

Is OSB ruined if it gets wet?



OSB won’t be completely destroyed by water, unlike MDF or similar interior laminate materials; however, like any wood product, it will swell and shrink as it absorbs and releases water, so you should typically avoid more than casual contact with water.