I've got a single car garage in a block of four across from my house. They've got a peaked roof, so there's plenty of space for a loft.

Mine is one of the middle ones and the partition walls are made from what I would call cinder-blocks. Quite crumbly, concrete jobbies, and I imagine they're hollow inside. (apologies for terminology, I'm originally from Cyprus).

Now I want to run beams across 2/3rds of the garage to have a loft to store bulky things (step-ladder access).

I can buy some 4x2 timber, that's not a problem. However, how do I mount them to the walls? I was thinking of getting a bracket that the beams sit in, and they go into the wall with 4 bolts. Could use some M10 anchors?

My only concern is the fact that the concrete blocks may be somewhat fragile as they are hollow, and so it might not be a good idea to drill anything bigger than a 6mm hole for hooks etc.

Anybody got any suggestions? I want to avoid having a frame going down to the ground (i.e. a piece of 2x2/4x2 wood standing vertical on which the beams sit) as that eats into the already miniscule width of the garage.

Cheers
Pavs

These would be OK. You can get them from Wickes or B&Q.
They hang from the top of the wall, only need pinning on, the joist itself stops them moving

Ah. That's a problem. The block walls go all the way up to the top of the peak, there's nothing to hang off without drilling into the wall.

And I don't want to run beams lengthways as that means they have to be like 5.5m long (and therefore fairly springy I'd imagine!)

Cut into the wall at mortar line, fit bracket into cut You can use a 4" angry grinder with masonry blade, if you are careful, or a plugging cold chisel.
Here

[Edited on 23-7-10 by 40inches]

You, sir, are a genius.

May I add, at the open edge of the new platform double up the 2X4's and use a 4" hanger. Adds a little more weight carrying and safety if you forget how much stuff you have up there.

quote:

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Originally posted by Canada EH!
May I add, at the open edge of the new platform double up the 2X4's and use a 4" hanger. Adds a little more weight carrying and safety if you forget how much stuff you have up there.

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There is a guy in last months Complete Kitcar who built himself a similar storage area. He made his from second hand scaffolding which is a lot quicker and easier - costs you 4 inches of width around the side uprights.

Might be a tad more expensive than 4x2's but you can take it with you or adjust it as you wish.

quote:

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Originally posted by 40inches
These would be OK. You can get them from Wickes or B&Q.
They hang from the top of the wall, only need pinning on, the joist itself stops them moving

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Okay, having looked up the terminology in somewhat confusing detail.. it appears breeze block is the more appropriate term.

My only concern of drilling into it is if I put 2/4 holes in proximity in it, it's crumbly nature will mean that it'll crack between them and the whole bloody garage would fall down

I don't know whether those joist brackets would bend as a 3mm slot cutout in the wall will mean they're a tight fit and won't be able to bend upwards?

Any ideas on how far I should space the supports? Ideally looking to be able to put some MDF/ply flooring on there (not for walking/dancing, but just to be able to crawl around getting useless junk in and out).

Cheers lads,

Pavs

Those joist hangers are VERY strong, they will not bend. Our lost conversion uses them, and I have some that hold an 8x2 beam used to lift engines out. No problems at all.

As to flooring, for cheapness 18mm chipboard is ideal, maybe the green water resistant one in case of leaks, not a lot extra. MDF too bendy, ply great but megabucks unless you can acquire some cheaply from a building site (they often use it to build temp enclosures, so a site that is being dismantled may be a good place to try)

If you are intending to put anything meaningful up there then 400mm centres is good.