Domain: tiger-web1.srvr.media3.us Added a 120sqft loft to my shop | Outdoor Board
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Added a 120sqft loft to my shop

Posted on 1/6/26 at 7:13 am
Posted by LSURoss
Dragon Believer
Member since Dec 2007
16513 posts
Posted on 1/6/26 at 7:13 am
Finally got around to adding a loft to my shop. Outside of the decking,brackets and screws we had the lumber on hand. Ran out of time to get the stairs built, but a ladder will do for now. The best part about this is I got to work with my Dad. Even at 70 it still amazes me the knowledge that Man has for construction.

He just knows take offs, angles, spacings from a lifetime of working with his hands.

I hope yall enjoy, and if you still have a Dad around be grateful.

Pics to come, gotta upload from my phone.















I plan on hanging the kayaks and putting some additional shelving on the sides.
This post was edited on 1/6/26 at 7:19 am
Posted by bayouteche
The Beaches of Wham Brake
Member since Nov 2012
1724 posts
Posted on 1/6/26 at 7:30 am to
Looks good!

Insulate that bad boy and make it a man cave for you & dad!
Posted by lsugrad35
Jambalaya capital of the world
Member since Feb 2007
3323 posts
Posted on 1/6/26 at 7:31 am to
Nice little shop. What size is it? I’m looking at building one myself currently. Debating on building vs. something like Tuff shed.

Enjoy the project with your dad while you can. Mine has always been so handy. Can fix and build anything. He’s now 74 and it hurts that he’s declining in this area. Working on projects with him now is dangerous. He tends to get hurt every time.
Posted by LSURoss
Dragon Believer
Member since Dec 2007
16513 posts
Posted on 1/6/26 at 7:31 am to
Currently I have no water, power or insulation. I had to get the shop built when we moved to Lake Charles.

We have a plan for water and insulation. We can do that ourselves.

We will be contracting out the power due to the shop being 250 feet from the closest power supply.
Posted by LSURoss
Dragon Believer
Member since Dec 2007
16513 posts
Posted on 1/6/26 at 7:32 am to
20x40. Now that I see the pictures blown up, it looks a lot smaller.

eta: It's a Mallet Builders special. One standard door and one 10x10 rollup
This post was edited on 1/6/26 at 7:33 am
Posted by geauxbrown
Louisiana
Member since Oct 2006
26336 posts
Posted on 1/6/26 at 9:14 am to
Brah, you just saved me. This is exactly what I’m about to attempt.

Is that a one piece beam running left to right?
This post was edited on 1/6/26 at 9:16 am
Posted by Success
Member since Sep 2015
1955 posts
Posted on 1/6/26 at 9:16 am to
I have a 24x40 shop and added a loft. My 14yo 140lb son can walk up there with all the stuff I’ve stored. I’m a little nervous to do so.

Question: those brackets you used to hold the cross beams…is there any difference in load strength to those vs 2 pocket screws in each side? May be a dumb question but I practice medicine and pretend to be handy.
Posted by Jack Daniel
Gold member
Member since Feb 2013
28912 posts
Posted on 1/6/26 at 9:40 am to
What dimension lumber for the frame? Is that standard Joist hangers?
Posted by DownshiftAndFloorIt
Here
Member since Jan 2011
71286 posts
Posted on 1/6/26 at 9:46 am to
quote:

Question: those brackets you used to hold the cross beams…is there any difference in load strength to those vs 2 pocket screws in each side? May be a dumb question but I practice medicine and pretend to be handy.


Just put the joists on top of the header and toe nail them in, that way the nails aren't doing anything except keeping the joist from falling off and all the weight is directly on the header.
Posted by GREENHEAD22
Member since Nov 2009
20646 posts
Posted on 1/6/26 at 10:14 am to
Quick hijack, what do yall think a 30x60 metal building on slab would cost? Ballpark on minimum cost, not insulated. .
This post was edited on 1/6/26 at 10:38 am
Posted by sonoma8
Member since Oct 2006
8115 posts
Posted on 1/6/26 at 10:58 am to
Pops has one being built now but its 30x40 non insulated with 2 roll up doors. With concrete his quotes were between $38k -$45k
Posted by sonoma8
Member since Oct 2006
8115 posts
Posted on 1/6/26 at 10:59 am to
What did that addition cost you roughly in material? Looking to do the same on mine
Posted by LSURoss
Dragon Believer
Member since Dec 2007
16513 posts
Posted on 1/6/26 at 11:38 am to
I had the lumber. I have $120 in this job
This post was edited on 1/6/26 at 11:46 am
Posted by sonoma8
Member since Oct 2006
8115 posts
Posted on 1/6/26 at 12:10 pm to
Question…how would one go about attaching 2x6s to a red iron frame?
Posted by BoostAddict
Member since Jun 2007
3165 posts
Posted on 1/6/26 at 1:49 pm to
quote:

Question…how would one go about attaching 2x6s to a red iron frame?



Depends on the area being supported as to size and spacing...
Typically we use Simpson Strong Tie self drilling screws or powder actuated fasteners.
Posted by LSURoss
Dragon Believer
Member since Dec 2007
16513 posts
Posted on 1/6/26 at 1:57 pm to
We didn't want to toenail screws and we also didn't want to add 2-3 additional columns across the 273" span.

We drilled 4" deck screws through the double 2x6 header into each joist. The brackets on the other side held our elevation and had 4 pre drilled toenail holes for the hoist, 4 holes into the frame and 2 hammer in steel lugs.
Posted by NASA_ISS_Tiger
Huntsville, Al via Sulphur, LA
Member since Sep 2005
8216 posts
Posted on 1/6/26 at 2:06 pm to
One more reason I miss my ole man!

He was a helluva fabricator and not bad at all with wood either. I was blessed to have built a lot of things with him.
Posted by junkfunky
Member since Jan 2011
35886 posts
Posted on 1/7/26 at 10:24 am to
quote:

We drilled 4" deck screws through the double 2x6 header into each joist.


Might want to keep an eye on those ends if that's all that's holding them up. Drilling parallel to grain is not ideal for several reasons.
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