I have a garage project- my own home. I also have no storage, local guys charge almost $200 a month for a 10 x 10, so that isn’t an option.
There is a height restriction on garages here, and I do not yet know how lenient the village is on a variance. I am guessing that I may be able to match the height of my home, which gives me an extra foot over what is allowed.
My goal is to create storage area in my garage “attic” with a gambrel style roof using “room in attic” trusses. The local big box offers these, but the height is probably way over what I will get away with.
Any idea of the usable space that could be created with a clear span of 20′ and a maximum height of 6′ (bottom to peak)? I may be able to get away with a 7′ max height, but I’m not counting on it.
The specs from the big box is just over 10′ in total height- which would put me at 3′ over the house.
Would something like this be better if it was stick built?
I am trying for a minimum of 50# per square foot for storage.
Looking for ideas before I pay the village the fees for the permit and variance.
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'Nemo me impune lacesset'
No one will provoke me with impunity
Would a column in the middle of the garage be a deal killer?
Jon Blakemore
RappahannockINC.com Fredericksburg, VA
Yup, a column would be a deal killer.
The way to get a "real" answer is to drive over to Stock Building Supply or another local outfit that makes trusses. Tell them what you want and they will punch the numbers into the software which will generate a truss design that will work for your application. I've done this 4 times and it's always been free (until you buy the trusses!) Then you will know what the actual space gained and roof heights will be. The other option is to use TrusJoists which can span 20' and stick build the roof.
Steve.
Give Stark Truss Co Inc in Rensselaer Indiana a call ask for Craig he will be able to help you out, Tell him Bert sent ya.
(219) 866-2772
Edited 1/21/2006 4:21 pm ET by byoung0454
With an attic truss, you generally lose about 3' off the overall height for the depth of the bottom chord, the top chord, and the collar tie. So you might only end up with a 3' tall storage area if your truss is 6' tall.
I'd be glad to run a preliminary design for you if you like. But I can't do it until Monday when I get back to work. (Don't have the software on my home computer)
We might be able to tweak things around a bit to maximize your storage. But you aren't gonna be able to stand up in this thing.
Just to toss out another option or 2 that you might not have considered. -
Could you cut the wall height down on your garage in order to allow for a taller truss? If your garage walls are only 8' tall, that probably won't work. But if for some reason they're a lot taller, every inch you cut them down will raise the allowable height of your trusses.
Or maybe increase the height of the garage walls to the max you can and still get a shingle roof on the thing. (With a lower sloped roof) Then add shelves higher up on the wall for added storage.
One last option - You could use a "storage truss" instead of an attic truss. By that I mean a typical "W" truss that's designed for added storage loads on the bottom chord. If you could get the truss up to 6 or 7' tall, at least you could stand upright, if maybe bent over some.
The height of the garage walls is at just over 8' now.
My goal isn't to stand up in there- although it would be nice.
If I gained an area 10' x 30' x 3', that is a huge improvement over what I have.
The W truss might also work- depends on what kind of free area I can get.
I would rather spend the money on the trusses than funnel it to a storage place.
How about a flat roof?
A flat roof wouldn't fit the neighborhood.
Maybe if it was done like a commercial building with a mansard style around the perimeter and flat on top.
Gable ends gives me a place to put an access door for long items like an extension ladder.