
Do you sometimes feel the need to make the most of the available space? A ceiling rack might be the best solution but the idea of putting holes in the ceiling can make anyone cringe. Ceiling rack installation is one of the best ways of increasing the storage capacity of your home or a garage.
Ceiling racks are the ideal solution for storing things you do not use frequently, such as seasonal items, camping equipment, or large tools. Although the concept of placing something massive above your head sounds like it’ll be very challenging, it is not as difficult as it seems. Here are some tips to help you mount a ceiling rack successfully without much trouble.
Selecting the Appropriate Ceiling Rack
- Size and Capacity: It is recommended that you begin by assessing the area where you want to fix the ceiling rack. Ensure that there is enough space for the rack so that it does not intrude on other items or locations. You should also consider the capacity of the rack in terms of weight to be sure it can support all the items to be stored. Overloading the rack is dangerous and can cause harm or even destruction of property. The rack should accommodate your items but not be too large for the space that you have for it. A large rack may hinder the movement of garage doors or other hanging apparatus in the ceiling.
- Material: Steel racks are considered to be very strong and sturdy structures that can be used for a long time without any problems. They are perfect for supporting massive objects and offer a long-lasting solution. However, they can be heavier and may be more difficult to install than some other types of rack. Aluminum racks are lighter and are easy to install as compared to other racks. They cannot rust and therefore can be used for areas that are moist. Aluminum is not as rigid as steel but depending on which type is selected, it can support a good amount of weight.
- Adjustability: Some of the ceiling racks found in the market have height settings that can be easily adjusted. This feature makes it possible to adjust the position of the rack depending on the height of the ceiling and the things that are to be stocked. Adjustable width may be another advantage since it helps to fit the rack in a particular space and meet various requirements. The adjustable type of racks is very flexible and can be used to meet the changing needs of the storage facility, making it a long-term investment.
Locating the Ceiling Joists
After selecting the proper rack, the next step is to determine the position of the ceiling joists. Ceiling joists are the horizontal beams that run across the ceiling area, to which you need to fasten your rack for stability. A stud finder is a useful tool that will assist you in determining the position of the joists behind your ceiling. Point the stud finder on the ceiling and slide it across until it beeps, indicating that it has located a joist.
When you find the first joist, you should mark it with a pencil. Proceed further along the ceiling until other joists are located and, if not already marked, marked appropriately. Usually, joists are arranged with intervals of 16 or 24 inches. To be sure, measure the distance between the two marked points. If the readings are similar, you have correctly located the joists.
Assemble and Mount Rack
Drill pilot holes at the marked spots and install the mounting brackets. When the brackets are firmly fastened, you can now proceed to assemble the rack. Align the assembled rack with the bracket and attach them. When you are done, load your items carefully to test their durability.
Let Us Help You Install Your Ceiling Rack
At Garage Floor Concrete Coatings, we are the premier floor coating solutions provider for commercial and residential buildings in Simi Valley, CA, and surrounding areas. We have been serving our customers for almost 2 decades and the quality of our work has not declined. If you need a ceiling rack to be installed in your home, office, or garage, look no further than us.
We will ensure that the ceiling rack is safely mounted and can last for a very long time. We ensure that the installation does not break the bank and you can rely on the quality of work done by our team. Contact us now by calling (805) 638-7181.