2x 4 garage truss storage?

[bigeyes75]

I was planning on putting storage above my three car garage. I have 2x4 truss at 24" center. I was planning on putting 1/2" plywood up there and using it for light storage.

I know it is not recommended to put any weight on the 2x4's. I also know that the flooring should be 3/4" plywood.

I have been reading a lot of articles about it and it just sounds like it is a bad idea. The problem is, I need storage and that is the only logical place to put it.

I have received a lot of different answers. Some people have told me it will be fine for light weight. Others say don't do it.

Has anyone else put storage in garage attic? I guess I am just looking for a little reassurance that I will not come crashing to the ground if I go up there with some light boxes and my hunting gear?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

[fish2live]

i store box's and other light stuff in the rafters of the garage. i really don't think a couple hundred pounds spread out is a big deal. how heavy of stuff are going to store up there? an old family friend uses pullies to pull the topper off his truck and store it and he has never had any problems either.

[sparcebag]

What type truss? W,Storeage,Attic,you can use as storage. most trusses in mn are rated for snow load,and are rated 40#sq.ft.min,so if theres a LOT of snow or its wet and you have W type you could store light weights,the storage truss has a space in middle(no upright)they can handle more weight, and attic are designed as(room in)Also for your purpose 1/2 in. ply is OK 3/4 ply would be attic truss,if there storage I'd go 5/8 and you could crawl up there.1/2 in. would work for crawling around it would be spongy,I have W type 1/2 in ply and store probably 2-3 hundred lbs spread out.

[BoxMN]

I store stuff in mine with W. Have 1/2" flooring. I putup about 15 dozen decoys and some odds and ends. No problem so far. It is a bit spongy, but works fine. If it is not easy to carry up the stairs I don't put it up there.

[bigeyes75]

Not sure what you mean by VV trust? It is made out of 2x4's. It is a brand new house so how ever they make truss's for the new houses.

If you are refering to the design of the truss (VV) that is what I have.

I am not planning on putting anything really heavy up there just boxes, decoys, hunting gear.....etc.

Also, I was planning on putting some 2x4 cross bracing to tie the truss's together so, I can walk on it. Is there any problem with doing this?

[minneman]

the problem will be that your taking weight away from the trusses load rating. the more you put up there the less snow load protection you'll have.

[sparcebag]

I guess I dont understand, is it garage or house??you should need no ties they should be installed,and you have head room to walk up there?So if you put stuff up there spread the weight out.

[bigeyes75]

Sorry, it is my garage I am talking about.

[Roofer]

Trusses are made to support weight on top of them and that's it, unless they are engineered to support weight inside them. I have seen alot of garages like this and the trusses eventually weigh down and make a wavy roof. Once you start using it for storage most people just keep adding stuff.

I had one roof where the guy did woodworking. He just had some light trim in the attic. Before he knew it, there was quite a bit up there. Now the roof looks like a wavy lay potato chip.

What will the insurance company say if the roof falls in from a snow load? They will probably blame it on you for having stuff stored there.

There are alot of scenerios to give, but in the end it's just not a good idea to start doing.

However they are built to hold up sheathing or sheetrock to the ceiling. This is mainly because the weight is spread out in a large area.

[Macgyver55]

My circumstance is a bit different. I special ordered "room in the attic" style trusses so I could store things up there. The other difference is that I have a wall directly under the center of them. It gives me a very nice 38x8 room up there able to store most anything. But its true what Roofer said, "Once you start using it for storage most people just keep adding stuff" and you will........ so be careul!