Garage storage solutions

 

Use that space above the garage door for extra storage. Clearance of 400mm is needed to fit a ceiling shelf and standard plastic bins, although the shelf height can adjust to fit anywhere. The only limitation is weight. This 1800 x 1200mm shelf is designed to hold about 50kg, stored over eight containers measuring 400 x 600 x 300mm.

 

PLAN THE SHELVES by determining which way the joists run, then plan to hang one shelf support from three adjacent joists. These are 600mm apart but, if yours are spaced at 450mm, skip one intermediate joist or have shorter bins. If you intend to store loose items (not in bins), add 140 x 19mm sides to prevent things falling off.

 

Measure from the ceiling to the top of the raised garage door. Subtract 25mm to determine the height of the sides. Build three identical shelf supports (see Diagram 1) and attach the angled brackets.

 

Find the centre of the joists, align side supports, pre-drill and screw each into the centre of the joists using M6 x 50mm coachscrews. TIP To find the joist centre use a studfinder or drill a series of small holes to find edges of the joists behind the plasterboard.

 

Cut a 1800 x 1200mm rectangle from a sheet of 9mm plywood to be used as the shelf base. Attach the plywood to the shelf supports with 30mm x 8g screws.