Advice and Tips Archives

How to Keep the Exterior of your RV Looking Like New

Posted on April 25, 2018June 25, 2018 by Mike Bolynn

We all love the sun! It’s one of the reasons we have an RV. We want to hit the open road, so we can enjoy the beautiful weather. There’s only one problem – your RV’s exterior doesn’t love the sun as much as we do.

The sun ray’s can make your RV’s exterior look dull and chalky. It can even turn it yellow or a light brown color. It loses its luster, and can make you go from “Aaaahhhh” to “Ooooohhhh noooo…”

Depending on where you live, the level of damage can be minimal to severe. Even a minimal amount of damage can make many of us quiver. The only way to minimize the damage is to protect a RV, and these are the best ways of doing just that.

Wash It Regularly

Even if you are not driving your RV, you should wash it regularly. It’s easy for debris to land on it, and that can dull the look of the exterior and penetrate the paint.

When washing, make sure you use a wash and wax product. It should be designed to protect the finish on fiberglass exteriors.

Wax It Regularly

While you may use a wash and wax product, it’s best to wax it with an ultraviolet protectant as well. This will keep the exterior from having a chalky buildup on it.

Clean the Roof

Your RV’s roof can collect that chalky buildup that the sides do, and while it doesn’t affect the integrity of the roof, the buildup can run down along the sides of the RV. This can cause staining that isn’t easily removed.

To protect your RV from staining, you can use a rubber roof cleaner. This should remove all of the chalky buildup.

Keep It Covered

You have two options when it comes to covering your RV.

Buy a RV cover. This is a cover made out of special materials especially for RVs. Click here for more information about RV carports.
Purchase a carport. A RV carport is an excellent option when trying to protect the exterior of your RV. The sun’s rays is most powerful when it directly hit your RV from above. A carport shields rays of the sun. It’s much easier to drive your RV underneath a carport than it is to wrap it with a cover, too.

Protect your most prized possession by washing it often, waxing it regularly, cleaning the roof, and covering it with a RV cover or carport. You’ll be so glad you did when you can continue to admire your beautiful motorhome while others stand back in disappointment over how old theirs looks because they failed to protect its exterior.

Solar Carports: What They Are and Why People Love Them

Posted on April 18, 2018June 25, 2018 by Mike Bolynn

Carports are an economical option for many people. It provides shelter for vehicles, and storage for personal possessions. What most people don’t realize is that carports can have other uses, such as producing solar energy.

About Solar Carports

Solar carports are simply carports that have a roof made out of solar panels. These solar panels operate just as if they were on the roof of a house.

People decide to use solar energy because it’s clean energy. Since electricity is made using coal in many cases, and that is a non-renewable energy source, solar energy reduces the amount of coal needed to produce electricity. Solar power reduces people’s electric bills since they don’t have to use as much electricity in their home.

Why People Choose Solar Carports

People choose solar carports instead of having solar panels installed on their roof because maintenance isn’t necessary. For instance, the roof on a house must be in a good condition and undergo waterproofing. The roof needs to be able to withstand the life of the solar panels because if solar panels have to be removed and reinstalled, the expense could be high.

With a solar carport, you not only have a convenient place to have solar panels installed, but you also have the space underneath to use however you wish. Of course, many people decide to do the same with a garage. Although, if a garage is attached to the home, the roof is likely in the same condition as the home’s, which would result in the same predicament of considering the remaining longevity of the roof and waterproofing it.

Carport vs. Garage

Whether you decide on purchasing a carport vs. garage for solar panel installation depends on your specific needs and wants. Carports are great if you’re looking for coverage. People choose carports as a way to protect their vehicles and other items from falling debris and weather. Garages are enclosed, so it’s best when wanting to have a more secure place for storage or vehicles.

Since the sizes of carports vs. garages vary. Many people look to see if they can get a bigger carport for the same price as a smaller garage. Always remember that a carport is made of fewer materials, so it can be a lot less expensive than a garage of the same size. Of course, the larger the structure, the more solar panels can be installed on it, and this could mean more solar energy.

How Many Solar Panels Do You Need to Power Your Home?

One of the most frequently asked questions is how many solar panels you would need to make enough electricity for your home. We like the formula that Go Green Solar has for determining how many solar panels you need. Since each solar panel generates about one kilowatt hour (kWh) per month…

“Divide your average monthly usage by 30 to get your average daily kWh usage.” The number of kWh you get per day is how many solar panels you need. So, if you use 1100 kWh per month, you would need 37 solar panels because that means you use 37 kWh per day. Now, 37 solar panels is what you would need to generate all of your electricity. If you had 19 solar panels, you could generate half of your electricity, and of course, as you use fewer of them, you generate less solar energy, but still save on electricity.

Consider a solar carport if you’re looking for a way to expand your use of non-renewable energy. It’s great for the environment and can reduce your electricity bill.

How High Does a Garage Need to Be for a Large Truck?

Posted on April 11, 2018June 23, 2018 by Mike Bolynn

You have a large pickup truck that is basically your baby. You need somewhere to store it during inclement weather, so it doesn’t get damaged. We get it. We feel the same way about our trucks, so you’re not alone.

Garages for Large Pickup Trucks

Many of our customers reach out to us with questions concerning how to choose among the garages we have available. One of the most popular questions we receive is if our garages will accommodate their large pickup truck. We are proud to say that all of our garages can fit most large pickup trucks because they are 9 feet tall.

Three Garage Styles for Pickup Trucks

We offer three styles of garages to meet our customers’ needs.

The boxed eave style is our most popular garage. It features a standard garage measuring 24 x 26 x 9. This is ample room to park a large vehicle inside, and makes it easy to drive the vehicle in and out of it.

A door is an option that many customers choose, so they do not have to open the garage door each time they want to enter the garage. A window is also placed on the side for aesthetic reasons.

This particular boxed eave garage also has a carport attached to it. This means you can protect two vehicles with this structure. The carport measures 9 feet by 8 feet, which makes it perfect for small to mid-sized vehicles, or for storing a riding mower or other equipment.

Since the carport is not enclosed, some people have chosen our two car garage. The size is similar the boxed eave style shown above, but instead of the carport, there’s another enclosed garage. This makes parking two larger vehicles a breeze.

This vertical garage style does not include the carport or second garage door, but it has a lot of room to park a vehicle and store items, such as holiday decorations, landscaping tools, etc. It is also 24 x 26 x 9. It has two windows on one side and an optional door for access into the garage without opening the big door.

Measuring for Better Decision Making

If you’ve modified your truck, it may be wise to measure the height of your truck before making a purchase. You’ll want at least 5 inches of clearance when purchasing a garage for it. Once you have your measurements, you’ll have a better idea of which garages will work best. You’ll also be able to then decide on which garage style you prefer.

Contact Us for More Information on Our Garages for Large Pickup Trucks

We always want to help our customers find the garage, carport, or combo unit for their needs. If you’re having a difficult time deciding which one is best for you, contact us. We would be happy to walk you through the features of each and provide ideas on what may work best for you.

Event Planning Made Simple with Carports

Posted on April 7, 2018June 23, 2018 by Mike Bolynn

Event planning isn’t easy. There’s a lot that goes into them. Even after you’ve done everything possible to make the event a success, a hiccup like unexpected rain could ruin it all.

Tackling Weather Problems

Outdoor events are popular during the spring season. It’s warm, and the summer heat hasn’t quite hit yet.

The only problem is, “April showers bring May flowers.” Unfortunately, it’s not only April showers. It seems to rain a lot in March, April, and May. This makes outdoor event planning even more difficult.

We believe we have the best solution to weather woes in the spring – a prefabricated carport.

How Carports Save Outdoor Events

A carport is the perfect solution to rainy events. They come in many different sizes to meet the needs of your events.

These are some of the events our customers have used our prefabricated carports for:

Covering for dinners. They placed tables and chairs underneath the carport for a nice dinner. A backdrop of spring rain actually added a nice, calming atmosphere.
A safe and dry place for dancing. Many people have set up a place for a DJ, and laid flooring down for a beautiful dance floor safe from the rain.
Concerts, shows, and speaking continue with a stage setup under a carport leaving plenty of room for people to sit and enjoy.

Creativity is the only limitation when using carports for events. It’s shelter from the rain, so all you have to do is bring whatever you want to do for the event underneath it.

How can you use a carport for your events?

A Note About Mobility

Since our carports are large, stationary structures, they are not something you can simply fold up and transport anywhere you need to go for events. Tents are best for that type of event planning. However, if you have a location where you hold events regularly, carports are perfect.

Many people who have large properties where they can hold weddings, wedding showers, baby showers, and birthdays have decided to add carports to their location to help with days when events would otherwise be rained out.

Contact Us for Additional Information About Carports

We pride ourselves in being able to help people choose carports to better their lives and businesses. If you’re curious about how our products can help you, contact us. We love to discuss ways to use our products and the different carport styles we have available that will meet your needs.

We look forward to helping you achieve your goals with our vast array of carports.

How to Pick Your New Carport Color

Posted on April 4, 2018June 23, 2018 by Mike Bolynn

One of the questions we’re asked most often is, “What color carport should I get?” We understand how difficult it can be to choose colors for your carport.

You want your carport to look good on your property. If you’re visual, you probably need to see something before deciding if you like it. We’re the same way, which is why we love to show people different color combinations. This way, they know exactly what they are getting when their carport arrives for assembly.

For those who are adventurous and creative, you probably want to select your own colors. This customization makes your new carport unique to you. So you know what colors you can choose for your carport, here is some information on what we offer.

What You Need to Choose

You have to make three color decisions when you choose your carport. You will need to choose the colors for the:

Roof
Trim
Walls

You have 14 colors to choose from:

White
Pebble
Sands
Rawhide
Clay
Earth
Pewter
Quaker
Royal
Galvalume
Evergreen
Barn Red
Black
Burgundy

All of these colors are available for the roof, trim, and wall.

Playing Around with Our Carport Color Picker

We love to play around with our interactive carport color picker!

Sometimes, as we’re helping customers choose, we try to come up with as many different combinations as possible. You can do the same from the comfort of your home or office.

Try the color picker now!

All you have to do is click on the part of the carport you want to change the color of, such as the roof, trim or wall. You can then click on the color you want to make that part of the carport.

Give it a try right now. Click on ROOF COLOR and then the white. Go back to the top, click on TRIM COLOR and click on royal blue. By the way, you can see the name of the color just by mousing over each one. Finally, click on WALL COLOR and then choose a color. You will surprise yourself with this one because the whole look of the carport changes.

Contact Us When You’re Ready to Purchase a Carport

Once you’ve found the colors you like best for your carport, give us a call at 844-557-6375 or contact us here. We will get the carport style and colors you want ordered and delivered as soon as possible.

We look forward to seeing what you come up with for your carport colors. Like we mentioned above, we love the different color combinations people come up with, so share yours with us soon.

Prefabricated Barns as Economical Storage Solutions

Posted on April 2, 2018June 23, 2018 by Mike Bolynn

Farmers come to us all the time with one simple request: Help them organize and protect their farming equipment, tools and harvest.

We completely understand their situation. They may have been using a barn that has been through you know name it – hurricanes, hail, snow, sleet, wind, and decades of use. It’s likely old, battered, and not as reliable as they would like. And, it’s not just farmers that need the protection, convenience, and value a quality barn can provide.

Many homeowners need barns that not only provide protection from weather elements, but also have room to organize all of their equipment, tools, animals, and whatever else they may need to store. We’re proud to provide prefabricated barns that can do just that.

Our Prefabricated Barn Styles

We offer two barn styles to choose from:

Both of these barn styles are available in a full range of sizes, each with a different layout to meet the needs of almost anyone. Our most popular design in both styles includes a wide and tall central enclosed storage space and a carport-style area on either side, covering total dimensions of 42’ x 21’ x 12’.

The boxed eave barn provides an easy access into the barn from both ends. On either side of the barn, there is room for storage. Stalls can be installed if you’d like to house livestock. Walls and shelves can be installed for storage areas. While the entrance and exit of the barn is not enclosed, it can be with an added cost. This openness does not affect the level of protection for the items inside of the barn since the structure is so vast and able to cover vehicles, animals, equipment, etc.

This vertical barn setup is great for farmers looking for an enclosed space as well as a covering. This barn has a carport on each side of the enclosed barn space. The sections on each side are 12’ x 21’ x 8’. It’s perfect for farm equipment and vehicles. Inside of the enclosed barn, you will find ample room for storage. There’s an access door as well as a window. This is an attractive barn that is sure to beautify your property and give you more space for organization and storage of whatever you need.

And, of course, if your personal needs and desires go beyond one of these two popular designs, we’re always happy to discuss other prefabricated barn layouts, sizes, and styles. We can even handle custom prefabricated barn designs if you’d like to go that route.

Considerations for Prefabricated Barns

Customers often ask whether they need the enclosed barn with the vertical or the boxed eave roof style. We often respond with, “It depends.”

To decide which barn style is best for you, consider how you want to use it. If your goal is to protect equipment and vehicles, you may want to consider the vertical barn style. If you’re seeking storage for your harvest, farming tools, and even animal living quarters, you may want to purchase the boxed eave barn style.

We can help you with your decision making process if you have some additional questions. Contact us today at 844-557-6375 today. We have a lot of experience working with farmers and homeowners to find them exactly what they want and need.

Carport vs. Garage – Which Is Better for You?

Posted on March 27, 2018June 23, 2018 by Mike Bolynn

We receive many questions from customers. One of the most common questions we receive is carport vs. garage – which is better?

This determination is a personal one. Garages are traditionally what people choose for their home, and we’re 100% behind putting up a quality garage if that’s what’s going to work best for you. But, our main concern is that our customers get a quality structure at the right price that’s going to best accomplish their goals. And, sometimes, a garage isn’t the best option.

For an in-depth discussion of both garages and carports, read our Structure Guides

Why Carports May Be a Better Option

While a garage can be a versatile and useful structure, carports have their own advantages, and many of their benefits aren’t realized by people. Here are just a few of the reasons some people choose a carport over a garage:

Price

Carports are less expensive. Actually, a carport costs about half as much as a garage. It’s a cheap way to protect your vehicles and other items.

Regulation Free

If you build a garage, you have to worry about city regulations and fire safety during construction. This isn’t the case with carports because it’s not enclosed and can’t be considered a living space.

Faster Installation

A garage will take some time to build, but a carport could be up in a day, especially with professional installation.

Protects Vehicles

The roof of the carport protects vehicles from the weather and flying debris. You won’t have to worry about rain, snow, and hail hitting your vehicles. If you have trees around your house, you don’t have to worry about branches falling on them. In many cases, that’s all the protection a vehicle really needs. It doesn’t have to be locked inside an enclosed building.

Natural Ventilation

Vehicles stored under carports have natural ventilation. You won’t ever have to worry about humidity or mold, which could potentially be a problem in a garage.

Freedom with Location

With a garage, you have to decide where to build it. Most of the time, it will end up attached to your home unless you can have a detached garage. Some homeowners associations will not allow that. With a carport, you don’t have to worry about that unless the association restricts their construction/use. In most cases, you can choose to have the carport placed wherever you want without issue.

Decrease Clutter

The United States Department of Energy reported that 25 percent of adults with a two-car garage have so much stored in it that they don’t have room for a car. It’s not nearly as easy to clutter up a carport, so the chances of it are slim.

Added Space

If you already have a garage and use it for storage, a carport provides added space to store a vehicle. In this case, it’s not about getting a carport OR garage, but getting a carport in addition to a garage.

Carport for the Win

Most of our customers who choose a carport over a garage come back to tell us that they are happy with their decision. They didn’t have to spend a lot of money; they don’t have a cluttered garage; their vehicles, equipment, and items are protected; and they now have a structure that can be used in many ways.

If you’re considering a carport purchase, contact us. We know all there is to know about carports and would love to help you find the one that best suits your needs.

How to Make a Carport into a Storage Shed

Posted on March 22, 2018June 25, 2018 by Mike Bolynn

You want to build your own storage shed. It may be because you’re handy and enjoy a project now and then. Or, it may be because the storage sheds you find online and on display at dealers can be so expensive.

While we understand the sticker shock that comes along with storage shed shopping, we did want to give you an idea that may work out better for you. It’s still possible for you to build a shed, but not exactly what you’re thinking.

Let’s start by clarifying: what is a storage shed? A storage shed is an enclosure where you can put some of your most precious belongings. Since this area is enclosed, you don’t have to worry about the weather damaging them. For example, rain won’t come down on the items, and rust them. Wind won’t send them flying across your yard. Snow won’t pile up on everything, which could lead to rust and broken parts.

The picture to the right is probably the first thing you think about when you picture a storage shed, right? Sure, this is cute and all, but do you really need to go through the expense, time and effort to build a storage shed like this one?

No.

There’s an alternative to this type of storage – a carport.

Right now, you’re likely thinking that a carport will in no way help you achieve what you need. Just hang on for a moment – we can show you that it can do exactly what you need, and so much more.

How a Carport Trumps a Traditional Storage Shed

A carport can protect your belongings because it has a roof. As long as the items remain under the roof, rain, snow and even hail can’t damage them.

What about wind? While it’s true that wind can still be an issue IF you don’t enclose the carport, doing so isn’t difficult at all.

Enclosing a Carport

An enclosed carport is possible, which then functions just like a storage shed. This is the part where you are still technically building a storage shed. This way is easier, though. Simply use a canopy or tarp.

You can either purchase a canopy specifically made for a carport, or you can use a tarp, and make it work by customizing it.

All you have to do is purchase a tarp big enough for the carport. Drape it over the carport, and then secure it to the carport with bungee cords or ropes. Make sure to pull it tight to make it completely secure. What’s great about doing it this way is that you can then remove it when the storm passes, or when you want to use the carport for something else, which brings us to another great benefit of choosing this option.

Other Carport Uses

You can use a carport in many other ways than just as a storage shed. If you decide to have a backyard event and you need a covered area, you can simply remove the items under the carport and set up tables and chairs.

On hot summer days, you can shield yourself from the sun with the carport. Set up some chairs to relax and drink something cold. When you’re done, go ahead and put the vehicle or other items you had under it.

What you also have to consider about a carport vs. a storage shed is the room you will have with it. A storage shed is usually a small enclosure, so you will likely not be able to move around it easily. With a carport, you can work on your classic car, and have plenty of “elbow” room to get all around it.

So, as you’re searching for how to build a storage shed, consider a carport instead. It could well be the better choice in the long run. Contact us today for more information on how we can help you with your decision.

Do You Need a Certified Storage Building?

Posted on March 15, 2018June 28, 2018 by Mike Bolynn

When shopping for a custom storage building, you have a lot of decisions to make. One decision is whether you need to purchase a certified storage building or one that is not certified. Some manufacturers and distributors will insist that you should always choose a certified carport, garage, or storage shed. But, in fact, it’s not always necessary.

To begin with, we’d like to share some information from our FAQ page on this topic because we’re asked about this a lot:

A prefab certified storage building has been designed by an engineer and has ratings for wind and snow load. Some local and state ordinances require that you certify any building that you construct. Some states don’t require buildings to be certified because they may not have to worry about heavy snowfalls and high winds. Certain states require that any new structure constructed be certified. Some require all structures to be inspected, while others only require that occupied structures be inspected prior to people living or working inside.

No matter what the details are in your area, the objective of the building codes is to insure safety and to protect the public.

We are able to prepare and install custom carports, RV carports, barns, sheds, and garages that meet the criteria for certification.

Please note there is no additional warranty on certified buildings. A certified building simply means the building is built to specifications and certified by a professional engineer to meet local building requirements. If you do need to certify your building, you will likely need a copy of the blueprints for the engineers to review. Please speak with our customer service representatives to learn how to get a copy of the blueprints.

Whether or not your carport or storage building needs to be certified depends on the building codes and construction regulations that apply to your property. CarportUS can supply and install certified carports, barns, garages, and RV covers as needed, or we can supply and install storage buildings where certification is not necessary.

With that basic information in mind, let’s assume a certified building is required where you would like to set up your new carport or garage. Here’s what you can expect from a CarportUS certified custom storage building:

Benefits of Choosing a Certified Storage Building

Here’s why you may want to choose a certified storage building whether your local building codes require it or not:

Permit Requirement

Many states require a permit for building. This includes building a carport or storage shed.

The only way to get a permit is to purchase a certified storage building. Certified storage buildings include blueprints that receive engineered stamped approvals. Without this, you can’t get a permit.

Durability in Weather

Even if your state doesn’t require a permit, a building designed and built to meet certified status may be built to a higher standard than non-certified designs. For instance, certified storage buildings are better able to withstand weather conditions common in the local area.

Snow, hail, rain, and wind are harsh on carports and barns, so you need one that has been designed to withstand the elements. When a building has been certified, it has been checked for many factors that would identify it as being able to stand against all of the conditions for the area.

Safety

Going along with durability is safety. When you buy certified storage buildings, you can rest assured the items stored underneath them will be safe. These buildings are constructed to ensure that whatever is placed under them will be protected, and peace of mind is valuable when you’re using it to safeguard your most precious possessions.

Additional Features

Certified buildings often come with extras to ensure it lasts. For instance, certified carports come with anchors similar to those used on mobile homes. This ensures the carport stays put on the ground – a very important thing if there are strong winds. Non-certified buildings may only come with braces, which wouldn’t be as effective in keeping a building put in bad storms.

Invest in the Best for a Storage Building That Lasts

Whether you end up choosing a certified or non-certified storage building, you want to be sure the product you purchase has been carefully designed and constructed to last a lifetime. Buying an non-certified carport – especially from a shady retailer – could be risky because you may end up with a poorly-made structure that may rust in a few years or easily break during bad weather conditions. Then, you will either have to repair it yourself, pay someone to repair it for you, or buy a new one.

Buying a custom prefab building is a big purchase. It’s an investment. Take time to make the right decision when it comes to the one that meets your needs.

If you have any questions or we can help you in any way, please contact us today. We pride ourselves in being experts that can help you find the best custom storage building for your needs and area.

What are the Pros and Cons of These Prefab Structure Roof Styles?

Posted on March 8, 2018June 28, 2018 by Mike Bolynn

Carports come in many shapes and sizes, but there’s one thing that customers often ask us when they are ready to purchase one: Which prefab structure roof styles are the best?

We believe that customers need to choose the carport that meets their needs the best. This means there isn’t one roof style that is better than another. They all have their pros and cons.

Prefab Structure Roof Styles: Which One Is Best?

The following are the three most popular prefab structure roof styles, and the benefits of each one. This way you can choose the one that will work for you.

The three carport roof styles we will be explaining are:

The standard carport roof does not have a steep slope. It’s wider, so not as high. This makes it perfect for locations where you have to think of height. For example, if you’re trying to fit the carport underneath a tree. You may have to choose this standard roof style over a vertical one to make it fit. The disadvantage of this roof is that you may have a harder time removing debris from it since its slope isn’t as high, so leaves, branches, and other items won’t roll off as easily.

The boxed eave carport does have a steeper slope. This means that you won’t have to worry so much about debris getting stuck on the top of it. On the other hand, a boxed eave metal roof doesn’t come over the side like it does in the standard roof style. This means the standard roof style may provide a bit more coverage, which could cut down on the wind.

This leaves us with the vertical roof style. This one is the tallest of them all and it has the steepest slope on it. It’s natural for recreational vehicles or any other tall items needing to be stored. It is manufactured with more metal than the other two because of its size, and this means that it’s pricier than the boxed eave and standard designs.

If you’re looking for the most economical carport, you may want to go with the standard roof style. You can place small to mid-sized vehicles under it, store items underneath, or use it as a canopy for days you’d like to be covered from the sun or rain.

Those looking for a bigger, more robust carport are probably going to skew toward the vertical roof style, although the boxed eave is also a good option. It’s perfect for almost all vehicles, and you have a lot of room for storage and hosting events under it.

The vertical roof is best for people looking for maximum storage space in width and height. It gives you a lot of sheltered space to do whatever you can imagine.

Allow Us to Help You with Your Purchase

We understand that purchasing a carport for the first time or getting another one can be a bit overwhelming. You don’t want to choose one that won’t meet your needs and then go through the hassle of returning it and buying another one. To help you avoid all of that, our carport specialists are here to help. We can help you choose the best roof style and size, so your carport ends up being the perfect one for you.

Creative Uses for a Carport That Will Surprise You

Posted on March 1, 2018June 23, 2018 by Mike Bolynn

It’s natural for people to see a carport and immediately think the only use for it is to store a vehicle underneath it when a garage isn’t available. That’s the sole reason carports were manufactured, hence the name CAR-ports. But, there are actually many creative uses for a carport, some of which may surprise you.

Other Uses for a Carport

Even though carports are an effective way to protect a vehicle from the elements, it’s not the only way to use them. With these creative uses for a carport, you’ll be able to get the most out of your money when you purchase one.

Greenhouse for Gardeners

Gardeners will love this one. The frame of the carport is perfect for turning it into a greenhouse. All you have to do is cover the front and back of the carport with a tarp to enclose it. Some people have gone as far as making a screen door, and then attaching it to the tarp.

Patio Canopy

Typical patio canopies often need to be replaced annually or for better models, two years. This can be quite an expense, not to mention the effort in choosing a replacement one, and then setting it up again. It’s much easier and cost effective to use a carport.

With so many styles available, you can find one that looks lovely on your patio. The bonuses are you’ll save money over time, it can cover large spaces, and you won’t have to worry about putting canopies together every couple of years.

Energy Source

Are you looking for a way to generate electricity for your home, so you can cut down on the cost of your electric bills? Use a carport. All you have to do is install solar panels on the top of a metal carport.

Utility Shed

Sometimes you need a full size storage shed to store all of your landscaping equipment and other items. But, sometimes a carport can be just what you need because it covers all of your belongings to protect them from rain, snow, and even a lot of wind. If you want complete coverage, consider placing a tarp on each side of the carport.

Park Shade

Managers of parks and recreation departments will love this one. Carports can be perfect for shade and during rainy event days. Picnic tables can be set up underneath one for people to have a lunch out of the hot, blistering sun. Events can occur underneath it when they would otherwise be rained out.

Contact Us for More Uses for a Carport

We specialize in all types of carports. While we can help you decide which one is best for your vehicle, we can also help you come up with creative uses for a carport. We’ve had people come in looking for carports for weddings, funerals, tent sales, and so much more.

When you’re looking for an economical way to shield you or your belongings from the elements, carports usually can do the job. Contact us now for more information.

Choosing the Right Fabric RV Cover

Posted on February 23, 2018June 23, 2018 by Mike Bolynn

While a sturdy metal RV carport is going to do a lot to protect your pride and joy, it’s not the end-all-be-all of RV protection. You’ll also want to consider buying a quality fabric RV cover.

Imagine walking up to your RV excited after a cold winter ready to take it on the open road. You open the door, take a step inside, and nearly have a heart attack.

Why?

It’s ruined. There’s an overwhelming smell of mildew. The floors have puddles and the edges are lifting. The furniture has mold on it. Bugs are crawling all over the cabinets, counters, and you may have heard a rat scurrying across the floor behind you.

This is a nightmare.

The damage could cost you thousands of dollars, and the time it takes for it to get cleaned up could be weeks.

Don’t ever let this happen to you. A quality fabric RV cover can save you from this horrific situation. It can keep the bugs and rodents out, and it can keep rain, snow, and wind from damaging the outside of it and seeping inside.

About Fabric RV Covers

Fabric RV covers are made from polypropylene and polyester. The tops of the covers are usually triple lined for added protection. Good quality ones are treated, so it is water and UV resistant. The material is breathable though because any moisture that does get on the inside of the cover must dry as quickly as possible, or it will mildew.

Custom made RV covers have vents on them and fit the RV much tighter. These covers will attach to the bottom of the vehicle, and many of them have a zippered part for access to the door. While many people believe that the heavier a cover is, the better it is, that is incorrect. Actually, lighter covers are made from better material and come with the added benefit of being easier to handle and store.

Choosing a Fabric RV Cover

As you’re shopping for fabric RV covers, you will need some information.

Type of RV: A cover must be designed to mold to the shape of the vehicle. This is why it’s imperative you know the type you have and purchase a cover designed for it.

Size: If you purchase a RV cover that is too small, you won’t be able to protect all of it leaving it at risk for damage. Buying one that is too big means it will be loose and may not protect it fully. Knowing the size will ensure you get one that fits perfectly.

Climate: You need to choose material that will protect your RV from the environment it is while you’re not using it. If you’re keeping your RV outside, you need a cover that is resistant to water, wind, and the sun. RVs that are kept inside in storage units need covers that are specifically made to detract dust.

Buying the Right RV Cover

Now you understand what you need to know when choosing the perfect fabric RV cover. As a recap, you need to know the type and size of your RV, and what you need to protect it from to select the right material.

Once you have a fabric RV cover picked out, contact us to choose an RV carport for added protection from the weather. We’re happy to help.