Expert: Michael Curry - 2/4/2008

Question
QUESTION: I have a three stall garage with the third stall very commonly unfinished.  The rafters over the third stall are exposed and make up a half gable if you will against the outside wall of the second floor.  I would really like to remove the trusses and create a loft storage area.  What I am thinking is to sister up the rafters with additional 2x4's.  The rafters are 24" on center.  Then remove the trusses and place 2X6 across the 10' span, while tying them into the rafters over the bearing wall to keep them from spreading out.  They would attached to the interior wall with joist hangers.  Covering the entire deck with 3/4 flooring.  My concern is will 2x6 be sufficient or should I go larger?  Would like to use the 2x6's so I don't lose headroom in the garage.  Could go as much as a 12" on center if necessary.  I would like this to be a beefy set up that will handle most loads, like some tools, car parts as well as xmas stuff etc.  Thoughts on my plan are appreciated.  

Thank you,

ANSWER: Hi Kraig,

Cutting trusses is a big no-no. Trusses can be eliminated with proper engineering. This will make it an expensive storage area.

Remember you may want to sell at some stage and a home inspector will find your modification and ask for an engineered and approved drawings.

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QUESTION: I dont really think removing the trusses is a issue here.  One of them does not even make contact with the rafters.  Not like these hold up anything besides the roof directly over the third stall and that is small at best.  Increasing the load bearing by sistering additonal 2X4 to the existing rafters and pulling them in with 2X6's will be stronger than what exists currently anyway.  I dont think an inspector would even note the alterations if done well enought and to code.   Well thanks for the opinion, I think I will move forward with my plan.

Answer
Trusses are almost never there for looks and may be part of the main roof and buried in the garage roof area. Without engineering you will almost certainly compromise the integrity of your roof.

An engineer's report can be around $500 but the damage you may cause could be fifty times that.