If you’re looking for more storage space in your garage, you likely haven’t considered the dead space over the garage door.
When the door slides up, there’s clearance there and space that isn’t being utilized to its full potential. You can create a sliding storage system for the space.
Available Space
The first step is determining how much room you have above the garage door when it’s opened. If you have 10 inches of clearance, you’ll need to find bins that are 8 inches deep or less.
This will give you room for the sliding system you’ll need. If you don’t have enough room over the garage door, you can still install this system on the ceiling of the garage since it’s often unused space.
Containers
You’ll need to purchase containers with rims that can hold the weight of the container since you’ll be sliding the bins into place over the garage door.
Make sure the bins are going to be at least a foot or two away from any light fixtures and the door’s springs.
Materials List
- Two 2x4x8
- A half sheet of 4′ x 8′ of 3/4″ plywood
- One 1 x 2 x 8′ stop strip of pine
- Sixteen 1/4″ x 3 – 1/2″ washers and lag screws
- A box each of 2″ and 3″ wood screws
- Six plastic totes of the size needed for the space
For the bottom flanges cut the 3/4 inch plywood into two 3 inch wide strips. Center them on each 2 x 4 and glue them as well as screw them into place. Every 10 inches, use a 2 inch wood screw.
Cut the plywood into 5 inch top flanges. To complete the carriages that will hold the bins, flip each 2 x 4 over and add the 5 inch wide plywood to the wood. Glue and screw them into place.
Garage Door
Be sure to be careful to not damage the garage door while handling the materials. If you do damage the door, you should call a garage repair company near you. A professional repair person can assess the damage and give you a quote.
Find Studs
With a stud finder, locate the ceiling joists and use a snap chalk to mark the lines. Using the 3 inch screws, put the carriage into the ceiling temporarily and check the fit of the bins with nothing in them.
You’ll want to be sure they are installed the correct distance apart.
Once you’ve tested the fit, drill 3/16 inch pilot holes into the top flanges to hold the carriage. As you drive the lag screws into the carriage, remove the temporary screws.
There should be 4 lag screws in each carriage to hold them sturdy.
Using a 1 x 2, create a stop that will keep the bins from flying out of the other end of the carriage. Use the middle carriage as the center for the stop.
The carriages should be sturdy and ready for the bins. Make sure you’re not overfilling the bins. Stay within the weight recommendations for the lip of the containers.
You don’t want them to break and come crashing down on someone’s head or the windshield of your vehicle.
