HyLoft 540 45-Inch-by-45-Inch Overhead Storage System, White
by Hyloft
|
List Price: Our Price: $54.97 You Save: $35.02 (39%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Category: Tools See more product details |
|---|
Tools and Hardware Reviews of HyLoft 540 45-Inch-by-45-Inch Overhead Storage System, White
Customer Review: Great storage solution
Summary: 5 Stars
I've installed six of these Hyloft overhead shelves already and I think they're great. They gave me a lot of storage space in areas of my garage which would have never been used anyway.
Here are some installation tips that I picked up along the way.
Key items to have before starting:
- good stud finder
- corded or powerful cordless drill (my old 9.6V cordless drill was too weak)
- 7/16" Nutsetter (so that you can use your drill for the large lag screws)
- small 7/64" drill bit and 4 wood screws (instead of sinker nails)
Installation tips:
- use a good stud finder to find the joists. Then plan which joists should be used and how far away from the garage wall to place the shelves. I put some 1.5' away from the wall so that I could access both sides of the shelves. I put some others about 0.5' from the wall so that I could use the extra space as "overflow" for large boxes and also so that I could clean behind the shelves.
- Important: instead of using the provided sinker nails and trying to pound them above your head while not hitting the bracket, drill a hole first to make sure a joist is really there (stud finders can be misleading) and that no nail plate or other obstacle is there just beyond the drywall. Then use wood screws instead of the provided sinker nails. Don't drill in any of the large lag screws until you've confirmed placement for all four brackets. Trust me, this will save you a lot of frustration.
- if joining two shelves together, use the included plastic tie straps to join the shelves between the two units before fastening the shelves among the same unit (with the small screws).
- fasten all screws loosely (except the ones for the brackets) until everything is assembled and fitting together nicely, then tighten them.
The hardest part of the installation by far is determining the locations for the brackets and installing them. I would allocate about 2-3 hours from opening the box, completing the installation, to cleaning up.
One other thing to keep in mind is that there are different colors for the shelves. Some stores sell the white ones, while others sell the black/gray ones. Keep this in mind if you want your shelves to be color coordinated.
Hope that helps.
Customer Review: Great solution for unused space
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a great storage solution that allows you to turn wasted garage space into a useful long term storage area. I have five of these shelves.
I'll echo what the other reviewers have mentioned. The installation is about as easy as you'll find. There is nothing complicated.
Finding the joists is the hardest part and a good studfinder is essential.
Here are some tips:
1) If you want to install several units in a row, think about which wall is best. The installation instructions tell you not to put more than two shelves per joist, so your row of hanging shelves needs to be installed across (perpendicular) to the joists-- not running in the same direction. This means that only two walls in the garage are suitable for a row of shelves. Even if you only want to install one or two units now, you may want to expand in the future.
2) A good quality cordless drill makes the installation much easier. If you don't own one already--- buy, borrow, or rent one. You'll be glad you did.
3) The kit comes with nails. You are instructed to nail the ceiling bracket in place before drilling and securing with the lag screws.
Swinging a hammer straight up over your head without hitting your hand or knocking a hole in the ceiling is pretty tough. Save those nails for some other project. Get some wood screws with heads big enough to hold the bracket. Mark the hole position, drill a pilot hole, then install the bracket using your drill and a wood screw. Screws are easier, safer, and will serve the same purpose.
4) Two long lag screws are be installed on each bracket. It is tiring to use a socket wrench overhead to screw them into the ceiling. Make it easy by using your cordless drill and a DEWALT DW2542 3/8-Inch Socket Adapter with the appropriate socket.
All in all, this is a great product.
Customer Review: some installation hints
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought and installed two of these. Installation was very straightforward, and I would just offer a few suggestions.
When attaching the horizontal cross bar to the bottom of the vertical supports, I would reverse the position of the bolt - instead of having the head up and the nut underneath, put the head on the bottom and the nut on top. It looks more finished, and is less likely to snag something from underneath.
Second, when putting the 3 grids on top of the cross bars, pay attention to the grid orientation. I installed mine so the grid wires that run length-wise are all facing up, to achieve a consistent look, and to possibly make it easier to slide boxes across. (Actually, I didn't do this on the first one, because I wasn't thinking about it, but it occurred to me when I installed the second one. Maybe I'll go back and change the first one.)
Third, they give you 4 small bolts, nuts and washers to use to attach the three grid sections together. I ended up using 2 larger washers with each bolt, one against the head of the bolt, and one next to the nut. This lets you tighten up the bolts a bit more, with less likelihood of damaging the white powdercoat on the grids. Just don't use washers that are too big, or they will stick above the grid, making bumps in the "floor".
I think using the nails to hold the ceiling brackets in place is a matter of preference - for me, it was just as easy to mark the holes with a pencil, move the bracket out of the way to drill them, and then install the lag screws to hold the bracket in place.
If you have an impact driver, its the perfect tool to screw the lag screws in. I've used a ratcheting socket wrench in the past, and it was a lot more effort and took much longer.
I'm very satisfied with these units - they're perfect for a smaller garage, and go up pretty easily if you're moderately handy. The white color has a cleaner look than the previous hammertone gray.
Customer Review: Best solution I could find!
Summary: 5 Stars
I went into this looking for two things: 1, add extra storage to my home; and 2, be able to install by myself. The HyLoft 540 was the answer to both.
When I moved into my new townhome I quickly realized that my family and I had more stuff than space and adding storage to my garage seemed like an easy answer. My problem? I can barely hammer a nail to a wall (slight exaggeration, but nearly true). After more than a month of research I decided on the HyLoft system and I will never look back!
I purchased two sets to I could have a side-by-side system. When it arrived the directions were clear and to the point. ANYONE can understand them. In all, it took me about an hour start to finish to install them both. It was mentioned in a previous review that they can swing a bit. Yes, this is true. But it took me about 5 minutes more to install 2 L-brackets to secure them to the wall. No swinging anymore. Plus, each set came with materials to tie the separate pieces together to create a seamless overhead storage system.
The only con I have is that I was hoping to have a bit more height to store things. The packaging makes it seem like you can store two large containers stacked, but I just didn't find this possible. Maybe with two smaller storage tubs, but one is about all you'll get. Small complaint, I just re-packed a few tubs and everything fits.
If you're looking for a great, easy-to-install system that is incredibly versatile, look no further!
Customer Review: Have installed about 10 of these so far in 2 houses and love them!
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a great storage system. Although I have never been able to line them up like the picture they show, mainly due to studs being placed further apart then what is necessary. Also I would not want to since the struts would get in the way of loading and unloading. I have installed so many of these I have gotten pretty fast but not in 30 minutes like another posted suggested. Maybe I am too much a perfectionist but it takes me about 2 hours per loft. The hardest part is finding the studs, the studfinder is not always accurate and getting the screws centered on the stud can be a challenge. I tap nails into the drywall and if I hit wood the nail sticks, you can drill also which is much quieter and faster but its harder to be sure you have hit the stud until you tap a nail into what you think is wood. Once all the brackets are all installed it is a breeze. I make sure everything is tight and the drilled holes are filled with puddy and painted. I then do the hang, I weigh about 210 lbs and I hang with all my weight on the loft to make sure it holds, they always have, just grab the reinforced bars not the smaller mesh. I am half way thru installing in my new 2 car garage, when finished I will have 9 45x45 Hylofts and 4 Hyloft Jr's (Wow thats like $700, but totally worth it). I will not have to even touch the attic. Pretty amazing since normally this space is totally wasted in most garages. Much easier, faster, and stronger than building your own storage. 2 Thumbs way up.