Vertical Storage vs. Ceiling Storage: Which One Works Best for Me?

Do you have a limited garage space yet too much stuff to store? Well, you are not alone in this struggle. You may have tried many storage solutions and even made some DIY projects to solve the problem. However, you are not satisfied with any of the storage that you have installed and tried. And so, you are back to square one. Upon research, which many have sworn by, the top two storage solutions that many garage owners trusts are vertical and ceiling storage solutions. But what is the difference between the two aside from the type of installment? We will break it down for you. And hopefully, it will clear up some confusion and help you choose which one will suit you best and your garage space.

Vertical Storage

Walls, walls, and walls define a vertical storage. You can install a wall shelf, garage storage cabinet, slatwall hooks on open wall space. What’s good in installing a vertical storage is that you can easily locate anything you need at one glance. That is if you also apply a better organization such as labeling individual bins and boxes. It is also good for storing everyday items because it is easier to reach and identify without having to use a ladder and take everything out the box by box. However, the downside of installing a vertical storage is that there should be enough wall space in your garage. When we say enough, we mean that there are no hindrances such as walls sharing the space with windows and doors, or even blocking the door when opened. This poses danger especially if there is an emergency like fire buildup.

We Recommend: Fleximounts WRC24B Corner 2-Pack 2′ X 4′ Wall Shelving

The price is $179.99. The Fleximounts Corner 2-Pack 2’ x 4’ Wall Shelving WRC24B is one such reliable top storage solution. You can save a great amount of space in the garage by using the corner walls to install the wall shelf. Moreover, it offers flexible installation as you can use the WRC24B either as a corner shelf or a two-pack wall shelf. It is also compatible and suited for either wood studs or concrete walls. It is made of powder-coated steel, which is responsible for its heavy-duty and sturdy performance. Each shelf can carry a maximum weight of 220 lbs without it being wobbly, so you are assured of the safety of the items stored on it and you do not need to worry about falling objects cluttering your garage. Additionally, its one-piece grid design for easier assembly makes it more stable compared to others with multi-piece assembly available in the market. Assembling and installing this wall shelf will be a breeze as it is designed for easy one-person installation. In the package, all the hardware that you need is already included, as well as the installation template that helps with the mounting of holes, and the bubble level that helps get perfect horizontal location. Moreover, the Fleximounts WRC24B Wall Shelving storage space offers additional storage options. The storage can easily be expanded with the Fleximounts GRH1/GRH1B hooks or GRH2/GRH2B hooks. You can use the hooks to store bikes, tools, cleaning materials, and more.

Ceiling Storage

By every sense of the term, naturally, a ceiling storage makes use of the empty ceiling space. When all your items are safely and neatly put away and stored up high, it frees up the garage floor space. There is no more eyesore from the clutter lying around the garage space. What is even better is that you can finally move around freely for your garage activities or open up the area for your vehicles. That extra area is a much-needed breathing space in your garage. However, since the ceiling storage is up high, most would need a ladder to access the stored items. And that could mean putting much effort in taking out and putting back your stuff, which may be detrimental to your physical health. And another thing to consider is the height of your ceiling. There should still be an ample head space once it is installed.

We Recommend: Fleximounts GL44B Lift 4′ X 4′ Overhead Garage Storage Rack

The price is $259.99. Using overhead garage storage racks eases the problem of overstoring on the valuable floor space of the garage. When things are carefully tucked away on the ceiling compartments, the ground will open up for your vehicles and activities that you will be doing inside the garage. However, the only downside is carrying the boxes onto the ceiling storage and eventually putting them down when you need something. This poses a danger to you as you might accidentally fall over to the ground due to the weight of the items lifted. In fact, 500,000 people are treated every year for ladder-related injuries and 50% of which are all ladder-related accidents due to individuals carrying items as they climbed, according to AAOS. Fortunately, Fleximounts offers the Lift 4′ X 4′ Overhead Garage Storage Rack GL44B. This storage lift removes the need for a ladder or any heavy lifting, protecting you from potential accidents. It can be raised and lowered by a crank or power drill for a smooth and effortless operation. And it eases access to your items that are high above the garage floor without using a ladder. It can lift a maximum of 108 inches vertically and can carry a maximum weight of 300 lbs. The storage lift has a safe and secure mechanism–a specially designed safety lock prevents any movement when not in use. Use the winding pole to pull out the safety lock on the gearbox, then push back in to lock after use. Moreover, the rack is made of heavy-duty steel cables, which secure the rack in place. The GL44B also boasts flexibility when it comes to compatibility with angled ceilings because of its adjustable length steel cable. Additionally, it is universally compatible with different ceiling joists of both wood joists and concrete ceilings–12”, 16”, and 24” ceiling joist spacing. However, it is not fit for metal joists. Aside from its storage capacities, the Lift 4′ X 4′ Overhead Garage Storage Rack GL44B is designed for multiple uses such as lifting hardtop, car top carrier, kayak with straps, and many more.