Rafter storage weight

Jul 16, 2003 1 Replies

Is there some sort of rule-of-thumb as to how much weight can be stored in rafters? Presumably, one that takes rafter spacing into account.



I have finished (house) and unfinished (garage) rafters. The house is in western WA state, so earthquakes are a concern. I can use nylon netting to keep stuff from falling as long as it's nothing heavy.



Also...I put a sheet of 3/8" plywood on some of the unfinished rafters to store a pile of empty cardboard boxes. Is there any reason not to screw the plywood down onto the rafters? It keeps sliding around and dropping boxes off the sides.



Eric P.


if you talking about the 2 by 6 or 2 by 8 in wood that is horizontal to the floor, then it is Ceiling joist you are talking about.. the rafters are the boards that go up to touch the roofing material(either plywood or 1 in. sheeting)...

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