Overhead storage in the garage?

[jellyben]

We have a pretty tall garage, and I would love to have some overhead storage installed, since we have no basement/attic storage space. Has anyone done this? Are there companies that will install it?(I am afraid if we did it ourselves it would eventually fall on our heads) Approximate costs?

Any info would be helpful!

[lmenichel]

I haven't done anything like that, but I know several people who had actual cabinets put in their garage from a cabinet company. Not sure exactly what you're looking for. Home Depot may be a good place to just start and they could probably recommend something.

[tbb113]

Karen:
I have lived in houses where there was overhead garage storage. Off the top of my head, you just need to have strong enough support beams and then you could probably lay underfloor particle board. You need to make sure though that it wouldn't interfere with your garage door opening/closing and that its strong enough to support the weight of what you want to store. I would think that this could be a DYI project assuming the support beams already exist or you are somewhat handy.

[tbb113]

I just googled it and found this http://www.stacksandstacks.com/html/4044_overhead-storage-3x3-adjustable.htm or this http://www.offthefloor.com/

Here are all the results http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=overhead+garage+storage

[Cookin4Love]

DH and I--who are the most unhandy people I know--built a storage loft in the garage at our old house. It was L-shaped, with the long edge 12' x 4' and the "L" 4x4 feet. It wasn't that hard--except trying to hoist the platforms up. We basically framed 1/2" particle board with 2x2's, nailed 2x4's into all the studs at the level we wanted the shelf to hang, and used eye hooks, washers, and chains at strategic intervals to support the front part of the shelf by connecting it to the ceiling. It was unbelievable how much it held. I kept all of our Christmas and camping stuff up there. It's really hard to describe in writing. If you think you want to do something like that, PM me and I'll give you my phone number and explain it better.

What we're thinking of doing now, in the new house, is installing one of the units Home Depot sells. They're made of a coated grid material and have the supports already attached. They sell for about $50 for a 4x4 unit. It would just be easier to install three of those than replicate what we did before. It would cost about 3 times as much, but it would be worth the convenience--I think. At any rate, it's doable and really extends storage space.

[jellyben]

Thanks for the info. Cookin, I will check out Home Depot-we can probably hande installing the units you described!

[catharine]

Yes - we recently did this. I have to say I wasn't really very enthusiastic about the idea, especially considering the expense. But now that it is done and we've cleared all of the boxes out of the closets from throughout the house I am pretty psyched. We bought these (http://www.sportys.com/acb/showdetl.cfm?&DID=10&Product_ID=1205&CATID=9) from Sporty's catalog:

http://www.sportys.com/shoptool/images/10310l.jpg

Total cost was around $1200 with shipping for the shelves. We paid the guys who were doing the drywall in the basement to install them, though you could definitely it do it yourself.

It is amazing how much additional space this adds. I am really glad we did it and highly recommend it. If you have any additional questions feel free to drop me a line.

(Edited to add that is NOT my garage - that is the catalog pic. I wish mine were so neat:) )

[jellyben]

Catharine, thanks for the info. That looks like what we are hoping to do, and I think we can handle installing ourselves. Can't wait to clean out my closets!!

[Cookin4Love]

That looks like a longer version of the Home Depot storage device. I hadn't thought of putting them on the garage door side of the garage! Good idea!