Tag: garages

Prefab Carports and Garages: Versatile Structures for Your Home

Posted on by Mike Bolynn

When you mention prefabricated carports and garages, of course, people will be quick to think that these are made just for use with cars. What may not be apparent to some people is that these ready-made-structures are actually versatile and can be used for a huge number of things. These prefabricated structures are actually ideal for use on a lot of other applications, and not just to help put a protective roof over your car.

What other uses does a prefabricated garage or carport have? Here are some ideas that you might find surprising:

Tool Shed

If you are fond of DIY and love having a full shed of tools nearby, then having your own tool shed may be a good idea. Using a prefabricated garage as a tool shed will give you a durable and reliable shed for everything that you have. Your lawn equipment, woodworking tools, and other equipment will have a safe storage facility all their own without crowding up your garage, giving your car the kind of safe space it needs, and giving you a dedicated storage area for your other stuff.

Patio Roofing

If you do not want a permanent fixture over your patio, or don’t want anything constructed in the space where your patio stands, you might want to consider using a prefab carport instead. This gives you something that is not fixed to the area and can be easily installed or taken down, should the need arise. These come in many different designs that you can choose from to suit your patio’s look.

Flea Market Pavilions

If your community or organization is planning to hold a flea market, having these carports around can prove to be very handy. You can safely sell your products from under one of these versatile prefab carports, giving you and your customers some shade from the hot sun or from the rain. These are also spacious enough to accommodate more than one stall.

Poolside Entertainment Area

For those who are fond of barbecues, having a covered yet easy-to-access area near the pool gives people who are sensitive to the rays of the sun an area where they can safely stay while still enjoying the outdoors. This can also be used to house buffet tables during special events near your pool or as a general area for people to converge under for activities.

Extra Storage Facility

If your home does not have enough storage space but your property has a lot of open space that you can use, having a prefab garage converted into a storage facility might be a good idea. This will enable you to store your old stuff and keepsakes safely without having to clutter up your home. You won’t need to rent a storage facility to keep stuff that you don’t need in. All you need is a prefabricated garage on your property where you can safely store everything.

These are just a few of the things you can do with a prefab carport and garage. The versatility of these structures allows you to customize these according to the use you want to get from these.

 

Should You Consider Polycarbonate Roofing on Metal Garages?

Posted on by Mike Bolynn

When you are building a garage for your home, or are thinking of customizing prefabricated metal garages to fit your home’s design, one of the things you need to consider is what kind of roof such a garage should have. While it is pretty easy to go with the standard metal roof that comes with these metal garages, it might be a good idea for you to look outside of the norm and to use alternative roofing materials. One roofing material that you can consider using for your metal garages is polycarbonate.

Polycarbonate is a type of plastic that is very durable and can come in a variety of colors as well as designs. Polycarbonate sheets are your best bet for garage roofs and are a great choice for when you want a durable yet lightweight roofing material. These come in two distinct types, the clear type and the foam-backed type. Clear types are not as durable as foam-backed ones but have the advantage of letting in sunlight for natural lighting within your garage. Foam-type ones, on the other hand, are not even translucent but are actually easy to install and durable, plus these offer some insulation for the garage.

Why Consider Polycarbonate for Your Metal Garages

When you are being told that a polycarbonate roof on metal garages is a good idea, you may think to yourself, why use plastic roofing on a metal structure? Well, for starters, these roofs do have some advantages to them. Here are some you might not be aware of:

Carport USLightweight and easy to install

Unless your prefabricated metal garage already has a roof, you might want to choose this type of material for it since it is light and easy to install. It won’t be difficult to lift and attach to the roof of your garage because of this quality. Also, the fact that it is light will make it easier on the structure underneath since it won’t weigh down on it.

Durable and long-lasting

Contrary to popular belief, a polycarbonate roof is not as easy to crack or break as some people think. It is actually a very durably type of plastic that is resistant to pressure, heat of the sun, impact, and even falling objects. Some companies even have a 10-year guarantee on the durability of these materials, which shows you just how durable these are.

Cost effective

Another advantage that you can get from using this particular material for the roof of your metal garage is that it is pretty easy on the budget. These are cheaper than other roofing options that you might have and are also long-lasting. This means that you won’t have to spend on replacements anytime soon, making these very cost effective.

It lets sunlight shine through

If you choose the translucent or transparent type for your garage roof, you get another benefit that you cannot get from other roofing types. You can get natural sunlight in your garage but without the harmful UV rays that come with it. The translucence of these materials allows for natural light to come in from the roof during the day, giving you enough light in your garage without needing to turn on electric lights.

Why Having a Car Shelter Made for Your Car is Important

Posted on by Mike Bolynn

Whether you are thinking of getting a garage for your vehicle or are contemplating setting up a carport for your car, you should keep in mind that what you are doing is a good thing. The main reason why having such a shelter made for your vehicle is always for the protection of the car. After all, exposing your ride to the elements will deteriorate it faster than it should and having a carport or garage for your car will help protect it from exposure to damaging elements.

Keeping a vehicle in a car shelter like a garage will help keep the paint from fading due to constant exposure to sunlight. It also helps keep the seats and seat covers from fading due to exposure to harmful UV rays. You also won’t need to constantly clean your vehicle since it won’t accumulate as much dust or dirt on it as would a car that is parked outside.

Keeping your car safe from deterioration and dirt is not the only reason why having a car shelter made for your car is important. There are many other reasons why this should be considered and here are some of those other reasons:

Protects you from the weather 

more-often-than-not, carports and garages are attached to the home that these are being used with. When you drive home in bad weather or in sweltering heat, having a roof over your head as you leave your vehicle to enter your home is indeed going to be very welcome. This will help keep you from getting soaked in the rain or from burned under the heat of the sun.

Gives you extra storage space 

with a prefab garage attached to your home, you don’t only get a safe storage facility for your vehicle but also extra storage space for your other stuff. You don’t want your house to be cluttered with boxes, old stuff, and knick-knacks? A garage attached to the side of your home will give you a safe place to put these things, thereby freeing your home of any clutter and making it more livable and spacious.

Keeps your car away from the eyes of possible burglars

having a garage with doors you can lock is indeed a safer and better idea since it helps keeps your car inside an enclosed space, away from the prying eyes of would-be burglars. This is a safer alternative to simply parking your car in an open driveway where anything can happen to it.

These are just a few of the reasons why a shelter for your vehicle is necessary. What kind of shelter you choose is dependent on the general purpose of your car shelter. If it is for keeping your car safe from inclement weather and the rays of the sun, a carport may suit you just fine. If you are looking to keep your vehicle as close to your home as possible and want to have extra storage space to boot, then a garage may be your best choice.

 

Protecting Your RV’s Solar Panels with a Carport

Posted on by Mike Bolynn

Solar panels are a great addition to your RV to extend your ability to travel without excessive generator use or hooking to shore power. In most cases, there are several panels that are mounted on top of the RV and provide power to a battery pack that is contained in one of the onboard storage compartments. But to get the most value for your investment you will want to be sure that you are protecting the panels when your RV is not in use. A very economical way to achieve this is with an RV carport.

Potential Causes of Damage to Solar Panels

Carport US - Rv Cover Vertical-There are several things that can decrease the efficiency of solar panels such as hard rain, dust and sap from trees or other large plants. All of these items will coat the surface of the panela and decrease the energy production. In addition, hail can actually damage the panels as could debris being blown by high winds. But none of these is an issue if you are storing the RV in a carport. The only maintenance that you will need to do when parking undercover is an occasional wash of the panels which can be done at the same time that you wash the entire RV.

Added Benefits

An RV is a big investment and one that can be damaged by long-term exposure to sunlight and other elements such as hard rain, snow and ice. But a carport will protect your RV from all of this damage. So you will be able to devote more time to enjoying your RV and less time for maintenance, washing and repairing the unit. A shaded parking area will also greatly increase the life of your RV tires as prolonged exposure to sunlight will cause tires to crack or split.

Protect Your Entire Investment

An RV is a great way to enjoy travelling and solar panels can make your travel even more affordable. So it only makes sense to protect all of your investment in your RV and solar panels with an RV carport. There are numerous sizes and shapes available as well as custom designed carports. And the cost is far less than building a complete RV garage. Enjoy the benefits of covered parking at a fraction of the cost of a garage addition so that you have more to invest in your travel budget.

The Best Solution for Storage and Vehicle Coverage: The Combo Carport

Posted on by Mike Bolynn

Having a garage is a feature that many homeowners take for granted until they move to a home that does not include a garage. Most assume that they will add a garage and create the storage and covered parking that they have grown accustomed to. But then they discover the cost of adding an attached garage and the idea is quickly scrapped. Most of these homeowners are then turning to the combo carport to meet their need for storage and covered parking at a reasonable cost.

Two Car Covered Parking

The 420 square foot covered parking area of the combo carport is large enough to accommodate two vehicles. The roof is also high enough to allow space for parking SUV’s or pickup trucks. This will keep two vehicles protected from the damage of prolonged exposure to sunlight as well as snow and ice in the winter. The steel frame structure is warrantied for 20 years against rust and the roof panels are warrantied for 10 years. This means you are getting a long-term solution for your covered parking needs.

Storage Shed

Having protected storage in a carport wasn’t always an option. But the combo carport offers great storage just like an attached garage but for only a fraction of the cost. This unit boasts 200 square feet of secure storage space. That is enough for a lawn mower and other yard tools, a motorcycle or any other items that you want to keep protected and secured. And the 8-foot-wide door makes it easy to access your storage space. You can also access the space through the walk-in door which is located in the carport so that you are protected from rain or snow. And the two windows provide a great amount of light when you are working in the storage area.

Many Benefits

Having a detached combo carport offers you the ability to locate your parking and storage anywhere on your property that is convenient for you, rather than right next to your home. This can be a big benefit for reducing noise when working in the carport or storage area as well as a safety feature. You never need to worry about toxic exhaust fumes from a vehicle entering your home as you would with an attached garage. And now the combo carport offers the additional secure storage that old style carports were lacking. This new dual-purpose unit meet all of your needs and the cost is far more reasonable than an addition to your home.

Carports for Boat Storage and Protection

Posted on by Mike Bolynn

A boat is a great way to enjoy nature and relax out on the water. But paying for a place to store your boat can take some of the fun out of the experience. But don’t let a small garage or no garage at all stop you from enjoying all of the perks of owning a boat. A very cost effective solution for boat storage is a carport.

More Than Just a Parking Space

Boats are a major investment and even though they are designed to be in the water, it is not recommended that you leave your boat exposed to the elements when it is not in use. The sun and the water that make boating fun can also ruin your fun. Sun breaks down the wax and waterproofing on the hull of your boat as well as damaging the interior finishes. Water, while ok to tool around in, is not good for the interior of your boat so you need to protect your boat from the rain, snow and hail.

A Workshop for Maintenance

Every boat is going to need some tender loving care from time to time. And no one wants to be standing in the hot sun when it is time to wash, wax or make repairs to their boat. But a carport offers you a nice shaded area to work on your boat as well as a great place to perform the winterization tasks such as adding fuel stabilizer and flushing the cooling system.

Money Saving Benefits

Paying to store your boat at a remote location can become expensive and it is also a bit of a risk. You never know who will have access to your boat and how well it is being secured and protected. Having a carport at your home lets you rest assured that your boat is safely tucked away for the winter or any time that you are not using it. And in addition, you can store items such as life jackets, fishing equipment, water skis and all of your other boating equipment right in the carport with your boat. Some models even offer a fully enclosed storage area at the end of the carport so you can lock away any valuable gear.

Having a boat is certain to be more fun when you can store it and work on it in the shade of your own carport. And the cost is far less than the cost of adding additional garage space to your home.