Can you use your 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.

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.

How do I build a storage area in my attic?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: I used just simple two by twos with some cross members and plywood boards as the Shelf.

How do I strengthen my garage ceiling for storage?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: Into these areas and my suggestion would be to simply build the floor. Below the framing plates you know this is going to reduce the ceiling area.

Can attic floor support weight?

If you’re talking about the floor of an attic, then it may, or may not, support the weight of a person. We’ll tell you how you can figure it out. If you’re talking about walking on the roof and therefore relying on the roof truss and attic to support you, it highly likely that the roof will support you.

Can attic joists support a floor?





That begs the question; can my attic support a floor? The answer, in most cases, is a definite yes. Even though it wasn’t put there, the joists supporting your ceiling are quite strong. Putting down flooring won’t stress them any more than the floors in your bedroom, kitchen, or bath.

Can you store things in attic above garage?

So, can I use my garage attic for storage? The short answer is yes, garage attic storage is possible, but if it’s not done carefully, it may lead to accidents and damage to the property. Standard trusses, typically used in garage attics, are not designed for heavy storage.

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 I store above my garage?

The horizontal bottom chords of most garage trusses are designed to carry the weight of drywall and insulation. So if your ceiling is unfinished, you have some excess carrying capacity up there: 5 lbs. per sq. ft. is a safe estimate.

How much weight can garage ceiling joists support?



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.

How do you reinforce a garage attic storage?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: This is done nail a vertical brace and if you're looking for a little more strength. This might do it something like this with a full member.

How do I strengthen my attic joists?

How to Reinforce an Attic Floor with Sister Joists

  1. Clear the Joist Spaces. Pull out all insulation and any debris from all of the joist spaces so you can see the full length of each joist, including where it meets the exterior walls. …
  2. Measure the Old Joists. …
  3. Cut the Sister Joists. …
  4. Install the Sister Joists. …
  5. Install Blocking.



How much weight can I put on 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.

Can I walk on attic floor?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: You could step on that and if you do that you're you could fall all the way through or you could just crack the sheetrock.

How do I know if I can store things in my attic?

You can make an attic suitable for storage by first assessing the space and checking if the space is structurally sound and how much weight it can hold. We would recommend consulting a professional if you are unsure about your attic space – they will be able to tell you if it’s suitable to be used as storage.

What should not be stored in an attic?



10 Items You Should Never Store In The Attic

  • Paints, cleaning products, or other toxins. …
  • Anything that is highly flammable. …
  • Delicate holiday decorations. …
  • Art is never good to store in the attic. …
  • Leather products. …
  • Cardboard boxes. …
  • Musical instruments. …
  • Anything wool (or made from natural fibers)

Is the attic too hot for storage?

You never want to store temperature-sensitive possessions like photo albums in your attic. The high heat and humidity will ruin the photos and similar items such as posters and paintings.

Are all attics usable?

Your attic floor may be strong enough to store your Christmas decorations, but that doesn’t mean it’s strong enough to support the weight of furniture and people. Don’t assume you can add walls, flooring and drywall and call it an attic expansion. Start by hiring a pro to conduct a structural analysis.

How do I know if my attic can be converted?

Roof Rafters or Trusses



Another factor that determines whether you can convert your attic is the presence of roof rafters vs. roof trusses. Traditional rafters look like triangles; trusses look like triangles with smaller triangles inside of them—the boards forming these small triangles are called chords and webs.

Is my attic safe?



Check your insulation



Warning signs indicating the need for new insulation include blackened and moldy spots, or disintegrating and gaping areas. Poor insulation can cause your attic to be too cold in the summer, which can lead to an overuse of energy due to the air conditioner overworking to cool the entire home.