Garage Attic Storage
When you have things to store and not a lot of space, it can be tricky to find the room in your home to keep them in. However, there is a way to store things that you may not have considered– in your garage attic. This can help you to save money that you may have otherwise spent on a storage unit. Plus, an attic is a safe place to store your belongings, because it is often drier and out of the elements, unlike the basement or garage floor. Read on to learn how you can fix up your garage attic space and prep it for storage.
How to Use Garage Attic Storage
Test the Floor
First, you will need to evaluate the garage attic space. It can be a great storage option, but not all garage attics are able to handle the weight of the items you are storing. Walk across the floor of the garage attic and keep an eye out for spots that are weak or sagging. If you find any of these spots, you can brace them by nailing boards underneath. Be sure to use long roofing nails to keep the plywood in place.
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Label Areas
The attic can often be dark and difficult to see in, so you will want to label the different storage areas so that things are easy to find later. One way that you can do this is to label the rafters of the space with the type of items located nearby– such as “kitchen”, or “living room furniture”. Items that are used less frequently should be kept in the back, while the items that you use more often should be kept closer to the entrance of the garage attic. This of course makes the items easier to access later.
Place Shelves
Shelves can be a great way for you to add storage space to the attic, rather than just simply placing all of your items on the floor of the space. It can also be a way for you to keep your items more organized. You can easily install shelves in the garage attic by using plywood and nails, or you could purchase shelves that will fit the space once you have measured it out. Try to place the shelves underneath your windows to keep your items well lit so things are easy to find later, and to save space, too.
Use Hooks
Another way that you can make the most of your garage attic storage is to use hooks! This, like adding shelves, is a way to store extra items in the space without actually having to make the space bigger- which could be a complicated and expensive undertaking. S hooks are strong enough to hold many different items. Screw these hooks into the rafters so that you have more floor space below for heavier items, or items that you use more often and would thus need easier access to. Some of the things you could store on S hooks are bikes, scooters, or other large and unwieldy items.
Use Overhead Shelving
You can also use overhead shelving to add storage space to your garage attic. Rather than installing this kind of shelving along the walls, you will need to screw it and the braces into the rafters overhead. Be sure to pay attention to the manufacturer directions so that this is installed properly and can hold the weight of your items! When you have your overhead shelving set up, you should store items there that are lightweight and that you do not use as often as the items you keep on the attic floor.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I store things in my garage attic?
If you want to store things in your garage attic, you will need to make sure that you have an access point in the garage first. If not, you can cut an access point in yourself. Then, you are all set to begin storing items in the garage attic space. A popular way to do this is by hanging items on hooks. It is also important to make sure the garage attic is able to handle the extra weight of the items you are storing.
How do I make storage space above my garage?
If you want to add storage space above your garage, you will first need to check and make sure that the area is able to handle the additional weight– not all spaces will be able to do this. There are different ways you can make this storage space once you have confirmed this. For instance, you could install floor panels up there and just store everything on the floor, or you could hang items on hooks or put up some shelves for the items.
How do I add storage to a truss attic?
If you are trying to add storage to your attic, you will want to be cognisant of the trusses and avoid damaging or cutting into them. These are crucial to an attic and provide structure and stability to the building, so you will definitely want to avoid cutting them. What you can do to add storage is install flooring in the garage attic and build shelving in between the trusses, keeping the trusses intact. Then you can store your items on the flooring or on the shelves– or both, depending on how much you want to store!
Is it safe to put storage in attic?
The attic is a great place to store items, though you will want to make sure that it is secure and the elements or pests cannot get in and damage your items. Storing items in your attic will be safer than storing them on the floor of your basement or garage– this is because the items can be easily affected by the elements, moisture can get in, or they can be damaged from flooding. However, the attic can get hot, so if you are looking to store heat sensitive items, like photos, you should try and store them elsewhere.
