Garage overhead storage help

Hi!

I am wanting to build some hanging overhead storage in my garage. The ceiling is already drywalled so I don't have access to the beams in the ceiling. I was thinking about screwing some 2x4's along the length of some of the beams and then using those to screw the vertical supports to. Will this work? If yes, what kind of screws should I use? How many? I was thinking of using 2x4's for the vertical supports as well. How many screws and what size would be needed to attach those? Would something like that hold a lot of weight and be secure? The beams in the ceiling are actually floor joists fr ur bnus rom above, does that make any difference?

Thanks!
Marcie

Hi Marcie welcome to the forum

It depends on the status of the beams as well as the size of your ceiling whether and how many screws you would need.

Marcie,
Your approach is sound, many "hang" a shelf from the Rafters.

As far as the quantity of screws, as Jeffie says, it depends on the condition of those Rafters. You'll need a "Stud Finder" to get a good Center for the Screws.

The more screws the stronger, and I've "Pre-Drilled" the screw holes on many occasions, just to make sure i was in solid wood, and that the screw went directly into the center of the Rafter.

You're looking at 1.5" of 2x4 & 1/2" of Sheetrock, so double that for the serew length.

A #10 or #12 diameter screw should work fine.
I've used Phillips Head just for convienience, electric drill um in.

Have a good Day !
S.W.

Another option is to build a tall floor unit along the back wall. Maybe 24" deep) It can go from the floro to the ceiling, and would only have to be fastened back to the wall a couple times.

Thank you for the suggestion. The reason that I don't want to build a floor unit is because then I wouldn't be able to park my truck in the garage. We have an F150 Supercrew and there is hardly enough length as it is! Our garage is really tall though, so a ceiling mounted unit will be perfect.

A better solution is to use 'lag bolts' to attach2'x2" unistrut angle across the joists, spreading any load over several joists. 2.5"x3/8" lag screws, with drilled 3/16 pilot holes, will each hold well over 300#. DO NOT use the low quality (we call them "'guess what" fasteners from the 'big box' hardware stores. Go to a 'real' hardware store or Graingers (graingers.com) and get high quality fasteners. After bolting the unistrut angle to the rafters, you can then bolt on vertical support angles and then horizontal members. 3/8" hex head steel bolts will each hold about 1500# in shear--so you can put heavy stuff up if you want.

Do not make the mistake of using common framing lumber or even worse 'white wood' to holdup loads. Build something that CAN hold 1000# and then put 300-500# on it without worrying.