There never seems to be enough room for all of the things we keep in our garage. Tools, cars, and everything else in the garage seem to fill it up rather quickly. There are plenty of things you can do to save space, but most of us usually forget about the area above our garage door. When utilized correctly, this area provides the perfect storage spot for cumbersome or rarely used items.  Unless you are a carpenter or experienced tradesman we recommend you seek professional counsel for a projects like these. Poorly installed shelves can cause severe damage and injury.

Brackets or Shelves?

You’ll need to decide what you would like to do with this space.  Begin by measuring the available space above your door. If there are less than 18 inches available, your options are limited. Plastic tubs and other containers typically need 1.5 feet to be stored properly. Don’t worry though, installing ladder brackets (pictured left) is a simple project that most homeowners can do in a couple of hours. Putting the ladder up will free room on your walls for other hooks and tool brackets.

Storage shelves are perfect for rarely used items like holiday decorations or luggage. You may choose to install one large shelf, or several smaller units. Above the door and above the hood of where your cars park are the optimal spots for these shelves. Accessing this space will be a bit of a hassle, so remember to keep the most frequently used items in front. Cover your things up in the off-season with tarps and garbage bags to keep them from getting dirty.

If you do have enough room for storage shelves, read up on the installation process. This is a project for the determined and skilled do-it-yourselfer. Holes need to be drilled properly and supports should be double checked.  Be sure to consider the weight of your items before loading up the shelves. We recommend that you do not store any more than 150lbs on these shelves—that is all your ceiling framing can safely support. Remember, garage safety should always be the number one concern!

If you have any questions regarding garage doors, openers, or other maintenance issues don’t hesitate to contact Precision Door Detroit today!