Lumber Rack - Cinder Block
How wise is it to build a lumber rack on a cinder block wall?
I will not be storing a great amount of lumber, but there will be a fair amount of weight. I will be using metal beams that extend from floor to sealing and the supports will also be metal. Also should I drill into the block itself or the concrete joints? It's a wall in my basement that is about 55 years old and currently has no cracks at all.
Tapcons are very strong...even in cinderblock
I have two sets of racks that are attached to cinder block walls (not concrete block). One is a John Sterling Corp rack, the other is Rubbermaid from Lowes. Both are good, but the John Sterling is a little beefier.
The steel supports go all the way to the floor. They are attached to the cinderblock with tapcon screws. The screws do not go into the mortar...but, instead, the block itself.
Also, both systems offer an upper rail hanger that you can attach to the rim joist or 2-by sill plate. The rail hanger can also overlap the top cinderblock with a 2x4 attached with lag screws. Please see the computer pic of how mine is attached below...
-Jeff :)
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y84/Beff2/shelf.jpg
Hanger brackets are the best way to mount shelving standards
Wilbur,
On the first storage rack: The wall supports (or 'standards') are 24" apart. Each support has a hole to accommodate a screw every 12" vertically. Since my supports go all the way to the floor, and they also hang from the top cinderblock/sill plate (as shown in the above pic), I used a tapcon screw on every other hole...or 24" apart vertically.
My second rack, does not go all the way to the floor. It still hangs from the top cinderblock/sill plate like the first rack, so... I used every screw hole (12" apart). But this probably wasn't necessary.
Again, the top hanger rail is the key to maximum support. However, tapcon screws are extremely strong in both shearing force and pullout. I would not hesitate to rely on tapcons alone.
Most heavier duty rack systems offer a hanger rail. See linky: http://johnsterling.com/fmtrackinstall.htm
John Sterling Corp also offers individual hangers. See linky: http://johnsterling.com/fastmounthook.htm
-Jeff :)
What if the wood rack does touch concrete block?
Would pressure treated wood be used in a basement or garage for this?