Attic Storage Between Tresses

We specified attic trusses and ended up with a storage area in the attic that is approximately 48 long by 18 wide.

Attic storage between tresses.

Then the remaining floor space can hold big ticket items like that christmas tree you refuse to take apart. Typically this type of upgrade will run you about 2 a square foot. A regular common truss with a 24 foot span and a 10 12 roof pitch with no storage space costs 69 in my market at this time. Spread web storage trusses are engineered to have a small area to allow storage within.

Use 3 8 or 1 2 plywood if you have to lay something down and lay it perpendicular to the truss chords. So if your ceiling is unfinished you have some excess carrying capacity up there. Change the bottom chord depth to match your floor structure depth for floor 2. That means you could lay a 2 x 4 ft.

This same truss framed as a light storage truss costs just 87. Of stuff on it. As you can see we put a layer of plywood down to create a very nice storage room. The center webs are usually spread wider to allow for storage in the center of the truss.

Use common sense and do not overload the trusses. Instead of piling all of your boxes in the middle use the space between your trusses. In this case 11 7 8 will be used. The horizontal bottom chords of most garage trusses are designed to carry the weight of drywall and insulation.

On the general panel of the roof truss specification dialog. Select the roof truss and click the open object edit button. Access to attic storage if you want to use your attic on a regular basis or to store large items you may need to enlarge the access opening and install an access ladder or drop down stairs. Some roofs are framed with special storage trusses that leave an open central space suitable for storage.

Trusses can be designed to produce an open attic as shown in the picture. Scrap of plywood over the chords and set about 40 lbs. Is a safe estimate. Reducing the amount you can safely store.

This storage area is not meant for occupancy but allows for storage up to 25 pounds per square foot. Had you incorporated a full sized attic truss in your roof i ll bet you could have created a 15 wide by 30 foot long room for less than 1 350. Check the box beside attic truss.