Month: July 2016

Stories Worth Telling: Tell Yours.

Image courtesy of moggara12 at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

 

 

 

In a small town called Montpelier, Ohio, lies a 23-acre piece of land. Its rolling prairies are covered with trees, and the lengthy grass sways to the rhythm of each passing season. White-tailed deer and red cardinals thrive on the renourished land, never seeking nor expecting, just knowing nature will never fail. It was a lovely thing, and the family thought the same ‒ so they made it their home.

 

Slashing the grasslands, but keeping the trees, the family added an A-Frame Vertical Metal Lean garage with a Roll-up and Walk-in door about a mile down from the county road. The Evergreen panels camouflaged well with the vegetation surrounding it. Inside they implanted wooden stalls for the horses and german shepherd. On the left, they added another panel parallel to the wall with doors on each side of another sheet perpendicularly installed in the center, creating two storage rooms. Fishing poles, tools, hoses, leaf blowers, and repellents were kept in one. The other huffed a puff of air every time the door was swung open, carrying a fruity scent mixed with leather. Saddles, apple wafers, blankets, and other animal care were stored in that room.

 

There was another room next to the storages ‒ except it wasn’t enclosed. Two plastic drums filled with dry dog food and horse supplement rested inside. Near the corner, slices of freshly cut straw from the home’s prosperous grasslands were piled neatly. The sink installed next to the rooms had an electric wood and meat cutter attached to its counter. A Kubota and a Kawasaki were stationed in the center of the unit where they could easily be taken out by pulling up the Roll-Up door.

 

The Lean-To attached to the carport had racks and hooks attached on each side. A wheelbarrow and four bikes hung on the racks, while the shovels dangled in between the hooks. An aqua-blue motorboat, a black motorcycle, and a yellow tractor were kept inside. From the top swayed a deer hanging scale where the men gathered after a successful night.

 

A few acres to the right stood yet another unit, except it was much smaller. What made it different was the way it was designed ‒ it was a tall carport enclosed with iron wire fence. Five beagles happily barked and jumped as their droppings filtered through the fenced base to keep a clean space. The doors were opened when they were ready to be taken out into the woods; they would jump out, ready to use their adrenaline.

 

In front of these carports, one could see a slight hill, where a two-story home stood. The base porch had a rocking bench protected by an open Standard Roof Vertical carport. During thunderstorms, rainfall steadily bounced on the metal roof until they eventually find their way to the water pipes installed in each corner. Zooming out of the home, hundreds of peach trees outlined the piece of land. Every season, they got a little thicker, and every year they sloped downward as the peaches grew bigger and juicier.

 

In the midst of the woods, behind the home and buildings, were sprawled Hunting Blinds within property lines. They stood tall and strong despite the constant climbing during every season. The window panes, which allowed for a 360° view, were low enough to feel the gentle breeze, but high enough to hide from trophies.

 

The cardinals continued to chirp around the land, and the deer would occasionally take off through the prairie. Winters were frosty but tense, summers were nourishing and windy, springs were long yet filled with the strongest of storms. Sleet would scrape off the paint from the porch, the trampoline would get blown over by winds, the trees would become parallel to the ground, the pavement would melt with the heat, but one thing did not budge.

 

The metal carports remained strong and still.

 

Nature’s pulling and pushing forces had little to no effect on these units. Perhaps it was the anatomy ‒ the way the braces and anchors were placed. Whatever the reason, it was a good thing. The Evergreen coat remained, and though the family moved down south like the seasons, the carports knew where they belonged.

 

American Steel Carports, Inc. strives to have carport stories worth telling. Let us help you write yours.

 

Versatile. Strong. Built to Last.

 

Why Are Building Permits Important?

Image courtesy of phasinphoto at FreeDigitalPhotos.net.

 

 

 

You’ve chosen. You’ve showed your family. You ordered it. You love it.

 

However, does your local government office like it too?

 

You should make sure if a permit is required for your building. The unit must follow your state’s building code in order for you to receive a permit.

 

But why are they required?

 

Building codes are a set of rules that specify minimum standards for constructed objects such as buildings and nonbuilding structures. They are to guarantee that the public and your home is protected from unpredicted accidents such as fire hazards and electrical malfunctions. If your structure met the rules, then a building permit is granted. These permits are issued by your local city’s planning department, which are needed for generally any structure added onto your home.

 

Is it a hassle to get a permit?

 

Getting permission for your structure takes a little more than you think. Although it takes more than just receiving a piece of paper, the process isn’t a difficult one. Along with turning in your application, you must submit a blueprint of your desired structure showing the sizes and setbacks from the property lines. A contractor will look over your paperwork and, if accepted, will inspect and make sure the building is complying with the code throughout construction. After your unit is complete, you will need to have an inspector sign off on your building, which then makes it legal.

 

Does it cost money?

 

Like everything, building permits are not free. The price is based on the valuation of the structure and a permit issuance fee. Prices vary city by city. Failure to getting a permit will result possibly future costs. Although you can still apply for a building permit after your structure has already been installed, you run the risk of it not following the codes. You might have to remove the structure, be fined, or face problems when trying to sell your property. In a worst-case scenario, you might just have to alter the building to make it follow your city’s building code. Whatever the outcome may be, save yourself the money and the hassle ‒ get permission.

 

Things to Remember:

 

Keep in mind that structures are not the only things that sometimes require building permits. Improvements such as adding a room or pavement on your driveway require permission as well. Generally, projects that won’t change the purpose or make a significant alteration to your home won’t need permission. Stand-alone buildings have a lower tendency to need a building permit than those attached to your house. This is because an attached unit may affect the structural concepts of a house.

 

Don’t forget the difference between certified and noncertified structures. Engineers create certified carports to meet snow and wind loads. They are used when building permits are required and are built to meet specifications by professional engineers. It is recommended to purchase certified carports simply because they are more effective than uncertified ones.  We believe in quality over quantity, and live by it. That’s why we only sell engineer-certified buildings.

 


We understand it can be a small stress builder when it comes to getting a building permit, but it’s simpler than it seems, seeing that almost everyone has other buildings sitting on their property. You will be grateful you did it, and so will your wallet. No neighbors will be complaining and you won’t have to spend money on getting your building dismantled.

 

Not sure of your city’s building code or what to do next?

 

All it takes is a phone call to your local government authority, prior to ordering your carport to make sure it meets the building code requirements.

 

We may have the answer you need regarding local building codes. Call and ask us, we are happy to help.

 

 

Customized Steel Storage Buildings

At American Carports, not only do we offer a variety of buildings to choose from, but we also work with our valued customers in creating the metal building they envision. Customization is one of the best reasons to choose a metal building over any other type of material. If you perceive it we can achieve it. From the blueprints of the design to the welders in our shop: our diverse team can work together to create what you need. Our buildings are engineered certified and we can meet your unique specifications. You dream it, we build it! So what are you waiting for? Let’s get started today.

 

 

Take a look at this stunning customized building from one of our brilliant customers.

 

 

-30W X 51L X 11H

 

-12W X51L Lean to

 

-12 – 30”X30” windows

 

-All vertical

 

-3 – 36”x72” mobile home doors

 

-8×6 Roll-Up door

 

 

30X51 X11 LEAN TOO 12X51 (3)

A-Frame Vertical Roof, Vertical Sides, (1) 8×6 Roll-Up door, (12) 30×30 Windows

 

30X51 X11 LEAN TOO 12X51 (2)

12×51 Lean Too, (3) 36×72 mobile home doors

 

30X51 X11 LEAN TOO 12X51 (1)

 

 

 

Keeping in mind the specific purposes for your building, we will do our best to make it economically affordable while meeting your expectations. Give us a call or visit our features for more information. We will be happy to help you.

Why A Greenhouse?

As you stroll through your garden, the sun’s rays intensively shine down upon your plants. It’s been an unpredictably dry season ﹘ the soil is cracked and dry, longing for nourishment…Your produce isn’t looking too good.

 

That’s it. You decide to step up your gardening skills and invest in a greenhouse. You don’t understand what the big fuss is about but decide to give a try. Little did you know about the handful of opportunities that came with it.

 

Maybe you want to grow year round. Or perhaps you reside in bipolar weather. Whatever the situation, greenhouse gardening is effective and essential. In fact, it’s becoming a popular trend due to its beneficial advantages. Step up your gardening skills and consider creating your personal ecosystem. Below we provided some beneficial factors of these essential houses.


Why a Greenhouse?

    • A major advantage a greenhouse gives you is flexibility. Greenhouses give you the liberty to plant whatever you want ‒ whenever you want. From winter to summer, you’re the one in control.

 

    • Being able to avoid the plant-destructive seasons takes away the worry of droughts and  floods. You have the authority to adjust the temperature and humidity depending on your plant requirements. They also allow you to control the amount of light and ventilation your plants receive.

 

  • Keeping your plants outside exposes them to harsh weather conditions and pests. With no protection, their reproduction will be severely disturbed. A greenhouse will eliminate termites, and thus create an effective garden.

Fruits and vegetables are healthy and organic. They are also pretty expensive and prices have done nothing but rise. Growing, processing, and transporting makes them costly. Gardening, in general, helps you save money because it continuously produces goods. When you upgrade to a greenhouse, you can grow whatever you choose year round.


 

 

We have had used skylight panels for the sides and roof, giving us a nice viewing of the anatomy of a well-made building. Then we added windows to allow ventilation and anchors to keep it standing strong. It’s sturdy and appealing to the eye.

 

Investing in something that will save you more in the future is worth doing. Consider enhancing your garden with a greenhouse. You won’t regret it and neither will your plants.


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