There is no denying the fact that your garage is one of the most useful rooms in your home. However, the presence of a variety of tools and items on the garage floor can sometimes make it look disorganized. Thankfully, there are affordable solutions available in the form of garage ceiling storage racks that allow you to keep things organized in your garage.
Garage ceiling store racks are available in a wide variety of styles and configurations. That is why it is critical to do some research to find the right solution for your specific requirements. Here is a quick guide on what you need to look for when choosing storage racks for your garage.
How to Choose Garage Ceiling Storage Racks
Here is a list of some of the significant factors you should consider before buying a storage rack for your garage:
Maximum Weight Capacity
As mentioned above, many different configurations are available in the market today. Some of these models are capable of supporting only up to 150 pounds, whereas you can also find storage racks capable of supporting weight up to 600 pounds. Keep in mind that the overhead garage joists have a typical holding capacity of around 50 pounds per square feet. If you exceed this weight capacity, it will probably damage the ceiling.
The weight capacity depends a lot on the material. The beam construction also plays an essential role in the overall load capacity. For instance, C-channel beams have a higher weight capacity as compared to Z or L-beam designs.
Size
When it comes to size, you have the option of choosing between expandable and fixed-size storage. You should choose a fixed size if you already know the items you are going to store. Choose an expandable rack if you plan to add more items to the ceiling in the future.
There are storage systems that come equipped with wall mount brackets allowing you to increase the weight capacity. As far as popular sizes are concerned, most models are available in sizes up 3 x 6, 4 x 6, 3 x 8, and 4 x 8, among others.
Adjustable Height
It is recommended to buy an overhead rack with adjustable height if there is limited space in your garage. Adjustable height will allow you to raise or lower the rack as per your requirements. Most of the models available today can be adjusted in height ranging from 16 inches to 44 inches.
Safety
You want the overhead storage rack to have some safety features, the most crucial being clearance. When taking measurements, make sure you close the garage door. Make sure there is ample space for the rack, and it doesn’t intrude on the garage door operation. A safety lip of at least 2 inches is recommended to keep the stuff on the rack and prevent it from falling off.
Motorized System
You also have the option of buying a motorized system wherein you can lower or raise the rack with a simple press of a button. These types of racks are usually known as garage storage lifts and it makes loading and unloading wholly safe and comfortable.
Review of Top 8 Garage Ceiling Storage Racks
1. Fleximounts Heavy Duty Garage Storage Rack
Fleximounts is one of the leading names when it comes to storage solutions for homes. This model is a heavy-duty overhead rack that is 96 inches long and 48 inches wide with ceiling drop down ranging from 22 to 40 inches. It is available in two color options – black and white. It comes with six vertical posts and can be attached to 2 studs in the ceiling.
The rack is constructed from heavy-duty cold-rolled steel and has a load capacity of up to 600 pounds. It comes with an integrated grid design, which makes it more sturdy and stable as compared to other models. The package also includes step-by-step instructions for DIY installation. They also have a video on YouTube to help with the installation.
The design allows you to add clamps and hooks to the metal shelving. This means the Fleximount rack can also serve as your bike rack for safely storing your bicycles, which is not the case with storage racks with wood shelving. You will also get bolts and M8 screws with the product.
2. MonsterRAX 3′ x 8′ Overhead Garage Rack
This particular storage rack has dimensions of 3′ x 8,’ and it comes with a customizable ceiling drop down ranging from 24 to 45 inches. It has a patented design and is capable of holding up to 500 pounds. It also comes with a lifetime warranty.
This storage rack is made from industrial quality steel and has a powder coat finish. The product includes step-by-step instructions for DIY installation. The manufacturer also offers customer support to answer any of your queries. The ceiling brackets are 27 inches long.
Overall, it’s a well-made storage rack that offers a lot of storage space for your garage. The manufacturer claims that their rack is capable of supporting up to 1500 pounds, but most ceilings allow a load of only up to 500 pounds. Therefore, you should not put any extra weight on the unit to avoid damaging your garage ceiling.
3. HyLoft 00720 Overhead Storage System
Hyloft overhead storage systems are made from high-quality steel that comes with a white powder coat finish. This specific model is capable of holding up to 150 pounds. The height is adjustable, ranging from 16 to 28 inches. The package includes the necessary hardware for DIY installation.
The company also offers various other configurations with a storage capacity of up to 600 pounds. You can always combine multiple units to create a more significant contiguous storage area. It has an open grill design, which means you can quickly see everything stored on the rack. It also comes with a lifetime warranty, and DIY installation should take around 15 minutes.
4. BigBear Heavy Duty Storage Rack
This overhead storage rack has dimensions of 4 x 8 feet, and it comes with adjustable height that can be adjusted from 24 to 36 inches. It is a very high-quality storage rack that is capable of supporting up to 1000 pounds of weight.
It is essential to mention here that the shelving is not part of the shipped product, which means you will have to visit the local hardware store for shelving. This product comes with installation instructions, which means you have even a slight experience in assembling stuff, you’ll find it easy to install. The most significant advantage of this storage rack is its lower price for the kind of quality you get with this much storage space.
5. HyLoft 00540 Overhead Storage System
The difference between this and the other HyLoft storage rack listed above is storage weight capacity. This model is capable of holding up to 250 pounds of weight. It is made from high-quality steel, which has a white powder coat finish. In addition, it offers a total storage space of more than 30 cubic feet providing enough space for storing your coolers, luggage, and seasonal decorations, among other things.
The dimensions are 45 x 45 inches, and height is adjustable, ranging from 17 inches to 28 inches. The package includes the necessary hardware for DIY installation. The manufacturer recommends using long screws to make sure that the rack remains stable and does not move once you put boxes on it.
6. MonsterRAX 4″ x 8″ overhead storage
This particular model from MonsterRax has dimensions of 96 inches in length and 48 inches in width, which means you can store more items on it. The height is adjustable, ranging from 12 inches to 45 inches, that in itself is a great feature. The length of the bracket that attaches to the ceiling is 27 inches. It is made from industrial-strength steel with a durable powder coat finish.
The ceiling bracket design is patented. One thing I like about MonsterRax is their limited lifetime warranties, that alone tells you how much they believe in their product. It is capable of holding up to 600 pounds and comes in a color they choose to call Hammer’s tone. The package comes with all the necessary bolts and screws required for easy DIY installation. There is also a safety lip around the entire structure which ensures that nothing slips off the rack.
7. SafeRacks Heavy Duty Overhead Storage Rack
This overhead storage rack has dimensions of 4′ x 8,’ and it is capable of holding up to 600 pounds. These ceilings drop down ranges from 18 to 33 inches. The whole structure is made from industrial strength metal and has a powder coat finish. These design improvements do not only make it look good but also make it sturdier.
It has a patented design and comes with a lifetime assurance. DIY installation instructions are also provided with the package by the manufacturer. Installation is quite easy and shouldn’t take too long. The manufacturer also offers accessory hooks that you can buy separately. These hooks can be attached to the rack for hanging bicycles and other stuff.
8. Monkey Bars Overhead Ceiling Rack
This model has dimensions of 3′ x 8′, and it comes with an adjustable height ranging from 26 to 44 inches. It has an overall load capacity of 750 pounds. The structure has a 2 inches high safety lip, which keeps the items securely on the rack.
All the necessary nuts and bolts that are essential for the DIY installation are included in the package. The package also contains the drill bit required for pre-drilling holes making the installation extremely easy for you. You can always combine multiple units to create a more significant contiguous storage area. This feature makes the Monkey Bars storage rack a great option for those who wish to expand the storage in the near future.
Conclusion
Overall, there is a wide variety of garage ceiling storage racks available in the market with several configurations and load capacity. Some of the highest-rated models are listed above to make your choice easier. You should go through the buying guide, as mentioned above, to choose the right storage rack that satisfies all your needs and fits within your budget.
