I want to put some 4×8 siding on an attached garage ceiling. Company rep says it’s OK, but I do have a good bit of blocking to install to meet the perimeter nailing schedule. I plan on gluing each sheet and nailing to framing with ring-shank galvys. My gut tells me I don’t need screws, but I want some opinions from you guys here. Besides manufacturer says screws void the warranty.
The ceiling is a 21×28 area, 2×4 joists spanning the short distance. They’re going to use the space above for storage, laying down a plywood deck up there. Should I begin to push that they beef up the framing? Thinking about the 21 foot 2×4 spans make me nervous. Oh yeah, the two foot centers aren’t calming my nerves, either.
Advice?
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How do we sleep while our beds are burning?
Replies
Yes, Do Not Stand inside the Garge while doing this work!
Seriously , you have nowhere near , as in not even close to, big enough joists to support that ceiling, never mind adding a floor load above it. Unless the dimensions you gave are in inches not feet.
Hire an Engineer to calculate what you need to do to support what it is you want to do .
Thanks dovetail. I think an engineer would be a good idea.
How do we dance while our world keeps turning?
How do we sleep while our beds are burning?
A few pics of the guilty ceiling. I know jack squat about roof framing, but someone really smart designed this and maybe they designed it to take a ceiling. Though it doesn't look like it.
How do we dance while our world keeps turning?
How do we sleep while our beds are burning?
What I am seeing are engineered manufactured roof trusses, standard construction technique.
Most trusses( but not all !!) will have been designed to take the weight of a finished ceiling applied to the underside of the lower chord. (The lower chord is the 2 x4 that is at the lowest point of the truss. Each part of a truss is a "chord" or "web" and is named by it's location) )
Unless the trusses were specifically manufactured to carry the added weight of a floor and storage weight they should not have any floor built above the lower chords. There is a significant risk of structural failure.
If possible look closely at the trusses and see if you can find a manufacturers stamp on them ( "AAA Truss co." or something for example)
If so call them and discuss what it is you want to do. Failing at finding a name you are back to calling a structural engineer once again unless you can track down the original builder either thru the owners or your local building dept.
Good Luck
thanks, dovetail. The homeowner is getting me the manafacturer's name. If he can't find it I'll look for the stamp.
I really appreciate your input.
How do we dance while our world keeps turning?
How do we sleep while our beds are burning?