Hey everyone! I'm trying to figure out the best way to create some storage space above the joists in my garage, which measures 24ft x 24ft. The joists are spaced 24 inches apart and are made of 2x4s. I'm planning to put down 3/4 inch OSB but I'm concerned that the joists might not be strong enough to handle the load. Do I need to reinforce them, and if so, what do you suggest?
2 Answers
Yeah, your trusses likely can't handle much weight on the bottom chord. They're typically rated for about 10 pounds per square foot, which is just enough for lightweight items. Reinforcing them for heavy storage isn't really feasible, so keep it light if you can.
It looks like your joists are trusses, and generally, trusses aren't designed to hold much weight on the bottom side. You might be okay with light stuff like holiday decorations, but anything heavier won't be supported well. I'd say you should avoid using them for robust storage.
Thanks for the input! Guess I’ll need to rethink my storage strategy.