Storage tips for Villa's

[JohnnyM]

Can anyone give some insight regarding storage for a CYV Villa. I know there is shelving for the garage, but is that it? We were told not to store anything in the attic above the walk-in closet because it would melt. Any other suggestions? Do villa owners have similar storage problems? Thanks.

[Sidney Lanier]

Though we're in a Designer, not a CYV, we discovered a surprise worth sharing about any house, I would think, when we went through the attic after moving in. The previous owners had left some stuff up there, most of which we donated to the Relay for Life yard sale. Among the things we found there were candles, yes, regular wax candles that we would have sworn would have melted and re-hardened and be a complete mess in the attic of a FL home! In fact, they were absolutely intact! Now, we have no way of knowing how long they'd been up there, but we can say for sure that the previous owners had not been in the attic for a long time, given their health issues. We've since had installed a solar attic fan that will keep the attic even cooler (less hot?), which we highly recommend (The Solar Guys on 441), but that candles were able to survive without such help just blew us away! For what it's worth....

[JohnnyM]

Thanks Sidney, during our walk through the construction supervisor told me that the attic was just available for wiring an intercom system or the like, no storage. I mentioned an attic fan similar to the one we have here in our NJ home and he said it would not help. I really was not concerned so much about melting as I am about weight. The way he put it nothing could go up there. I was wondering if anyone else with a villa does use the attic space for boxes or storage. I guess it can also cause nail pops and cracks. Thanks SL.

[Just Susan]

Johnny, I can not attest to the quality of construction in TV houses, but having been in construction for many years I seriously doubt that you can't store things in your attic because of load bearing issues...maybe not a hot tub, but certainly some boxes.

Of course you would not want to put anything directly on the sheet rock and or insulation between the rafters, but if you put down a few pieces of plywood 1/2" - 3/4" thick on top of the rafters making a nice little storage floor you should not have a problem. If it is a problem then I would seriously question the houses ability to hold up the roof.

I can't think of a single reason why you couldn't store things up there. Heat could be a problem, but only for some things.

P.S. I'd put an attic fan up there with or with out the storage. It should help with your A/C.

If I am wrong on this issue, please someone enlighten me.

[jadebox]

I lived in a CYV for 6 years. We had pull down stairs installed and plywood placed in the attic. We put all kinds of stuff up there and did not touch most of it until we moved :). Took it all down and all was well and the attic held up fine. I had christmas candles there ( not really a good place but did not think of it)and they were OK. No fans or anything was added.

[gfmucci]

When S & S Enterprises installs an 8' attic ladder for $199, they also install 2, 4' X 8' sheets of plywood as flooring on top of the attic rafters for storage.

[Sidney Lanier]

I agree without a doubt that sensible/careful storage in the attic of ANY house should be no problem as long as (mentioned earlier in the thread) the weight is on the ceiling beams (or on plywood laid down on the ceiling beams) rather than on the sheetrock itself. I just can't imagine why the construction supervisor would have told you what he did. Is there any way you can get to that person and ask?

[SteveFromNY]

One of the options on the house we purchased was the inclusion of attic flooring and even a light in the attic of the garage. Our house has been rented thru TV property management, and as a result, we don't keep any "personal" stuff in the house, except a small storage cabinet in the garage, and the attic. We have LOTS of stuff in the attic, mostly in plastic storage bins. Every time we come to use the house it's up in the attic, take it all down, put it all back up when done.
There has been no issues with anything up there. I'd put some flooring down and start using the space. Whoever told you not to use it was wrong.

[JohnnyM]

SL his name was Mike and we will see him in June when we come back for a few weeks as he has some minor details to complete. I will tell him again about this forums remarks and see if he can clarify himself. Thanks gfmucci that sounds like a very reasonable price for the attic ladder. Thanks all for your comments I feel a little more confident about storage space now. It's great to have information from you guys (gals) who have gone through the things we rookies will face.

[pqrstar]

You can also add more storage racks in the master closet. We have readjusted the height of the hanging racks and added another row below to make a double row for hangers. Then, if the closet itself has valuted ceilings, you can add two to three extra rows of adjustable shelving above that.

[JohnnyM]

Thanks star, and yes it is vaulted. Great idea :bigthumbsup:

[another Linda]

We're in a CYV in the old section (built 1993 I think). We certainly use the attic over the garage with no trouble. Anyone ever try to create another opening to the attic through the master bedroom closet? The rafters in the attic over the garage are pretty low so you really can't get to other parts of the attic.

[JohnnyM]

That's where our attic is located. In the walk-in closet. No steps yet, need to have them put in when we get there permanently.

[njgranny]

This is a funny and true story about attic storage. Our neighbor's son went up into their attic space while the family was watching the movie, The Fly. Imagine their surprise and shock when all of a sudden two legs came through the ceiling!!!!!

He forgot to stay on the rafters.

[Frangyomory]

We have been in a court yard villa for three years and would not even consider storing in our attic.

We had the closet folks come and put shelving all around the garage and we have plenty of room for storage. We can still fit the car and golf cart but rarely put the car in because hubby has a scooter which has priority over the car.

All you need to do is add this shelving and you will be very satisfied.

Oh, we have raised/volume ceilings and that may be why we don't even try to store anything. Plus, it does get darned hot up there.

[njgranny]

I'm hoping that we won't have any extra stuff to store. :) I'm really going to try and pare down what we bring. We're not going to bring any furniture - just personal items - pictures and stuff. Going to try and go the "less is better" route - which we sure haven't followed up til now. ha, ha.

[The Great Fumar]

JohnnyM
My first house was a cyv and the first thing I did was put a pull down ladder in the garage and four sheets of plywood down for a floor.......It was recommended by my supt. I have nothing stored in my garage except a few tools , everything else is in the attic.....The cost was $199.00 and I added extra sheeting......Its wonderful to hide things you use rarely (xmas , easter, holloween.etc,) When we bought another home we did it again and couldn't get by without it ,,,,,,,,I'll bet if you took a survey of village houses that have had it done , It wouldn't surprise me if it would be around 70 %
Frankly I don't know of anyone that hasn't had it done.......
Several companys do this here as their only business and you see them parked in front of houses everwhere putting in stairways ...... If you have a new courtyard villa , get a step ladder and lift the panel up in your garage and see if theres a light bulb and switch installed on the rafters about the opening........I've never seen a villa without it...........check it out

enlightened fumar

[JohnN]

put down the plywood for flooring and to spread out the weight load and you'll have no problem, don't put incredibly heavy stuff up there

[JohnnyM]

Thanks all for the tips and info. We are just planning on storing what Fumar had mentioned, Christmas, Easter decorations and the like. I am waiting for Gfmucci's comments as he is having the steps and plywood installed also. Thanks and I will check on the light in the attic Fumar.