Month: January 2020

Creative Shed Bar Ideas

Posted on January 30, 2020 by - ACI, Blog, Carports

When you think of a shed, you probably picture a space filled with landscaping tools, flowerpots, overflow items, etc. That kind of shed might be appealing to some people, but to others, they may see it as nothing other than a reminder of all the chores they need to finish up. If you aren’t big into gardening and would rather spend your time relaxing with a cold drink in hand, a shed bar may be right up your alley. Take a look at these creative shed bar ideas to learn more!

We sell more than just carports at American Carports, Inc. Our fully customizable structures can be designed to fit your exact needs with our Build & Price tool. Try it today!

What’s a Bar Shed?

As the name suggests, this is a shed space that you turn into a bar for your family and friends to enjoy. The specifics from that point are up to you—it could be rather minimal in design, it could be extravagant, or it could be just about anything in between. You may be able to convert your existing shed into a bar, or you might decide to build a new structure for this purpose.

The appeal of a bar shed is having a space that’s separate from your home to relax. For many people, adding a bar to their main house won’t be an option due to a lack of space, so a shed bar is a good alternative. Or, even if you do have the space, you might decide that placing your bar in a shed is a better choice so that you can make a bit more noise than you could in the house.

An Indoor-Outdoor Design

One of the most interesting ways to design your shed bar is to set it up as an indoor-outdoor combination. With this kind of design, you’ll have the bar itself on the inside–where you keep your drinks and your supplies–while you’ll have seating on the outside. Depending on the kind of shed you’re working with, the doors could open up wide to bring the inside and outside together, or you could have a pass-through like a large window.

Repurpose Everything

If you’re thinking of building a shed bar because of its affordable cost, consider finding all the supplies you need among items that are no longer in use to continue to save money. Look online for items that people are simply giving away. You might be surprised at how easy it is to find items like stools, tabletops, decorations, and more. Creating your shed bar this way will not only save money, but it will give the space a unique feel and an interesting backstory.

Include Games

The main draw of your shed bar might be the drinks, but games are a great way to encourage others to stick around awhile. Darts are a pub classic that would fit in well in this kind of space, but make sure you can set the board up in a safe spot. If you’re going with an indoor-outdoor design, you could opt for cornhole as a yard game that can be played in front of your bar. Cornhole is a good choice because the boards and bags can be stored away easily inside the shed when not in use.

Part of a Bigger Plan

It’s wise to think of your shed bar not as a standalone feature on your property, but rather as part of a larger outdoor living plan. Since your shed itself probably isn’t big enough to bring a whole party inside the space, there will be some spillover into the surrounding area in most cases. By placing your shed carefully near a patio, deck, or another gathering spot, it can become the hub of a get-together that lasts all day and into the night.

Taking It to a New Level

You could have plenty of fun with a basic shed bar that doesn’t go much beyond some stools, a bar, and some drinks kept in a cooler. However, if you want to elevate the experience, you can add modern touches that will make your shed more like a real bar. For instance, you might add plumbing so that you can have running water inside the shed, which will open up many more drink possibilities. Also, you could bring in an electrician to wire the shed for power and add even more features like lights and a TV. Of course, if you do take these kinds of steps, be sure to get the proper permits and have the work done by a licensed professional.

Order Your Shed Today!

These creative shed bar ideas are sure to make your structure the life of the party. But, while the prospect of having a shed bar on your property is certainly exciting, it isn’t going to happen on its own. The first step to make this dream a reality is to build the shed–and that’s where American Carports, Inc. can help! Use our Build & Price tool to customize every aspect of your structure and design the ideal bar space. It’s that easy to take the first step in this exciting project!

Metal vs Vinyl Shed: Pros & Cons

Posted on January 16, 2020 by - ACI, Carports

Are you thinking about adding a shed to your property? The addition of a shed can open up space in your garage that was previously occupied by tools and supplies. Or, if those tools had been living outside, getting them into a shed will protect their condition and help them last much longer. Given the modest cost of a shed, this is an investment that will pay off many times over.

Two of the main materials for building a new shed are metal and vinyl. While each of these options has som enice advantages, we think you’ll find a metal shed to be the better pick in the long run. Let’s take a look at a few of the pros and cons related to this decision.

Both Offer Low Maintenance

A “pro” for each of these options is the lack of maintenance. Both metal and vinyl sheds have very low maintenance requirements, which is surely something that you will appreciate as time goes by. When you buy your shed from a reputable supplier such as American Carports, Inc., you will receive a quality product that can largely be left alone and trusted to do its job.

You may want to simply wash the outside of your shed from time to time depending on where it’s located, but that’s about it. The only other maintenance point to keep in mind is that you’ll want to check for signs of animals on occasion, just to make sure no little critters are taking up residence in your shed.

A Security Advantage

It’s an unfortunate reality that you need to consider security when buying your next shed. You want to keep everything inside of the shed safe, which means keeping unwanted people outwith a secure lock and a door that is tough to pry open. On this point, you are likely to find much more success with a metal shed, as the structure of the shed is stronger and will put up a better fight against a burglar. Most vinyl sheds do have a spot on the front door for a lock, but that might not be enough to prevent tampering.

Vinyl Shed Assembly Issues

In some cases, you might find that it is difficult to properly assemble a new vinyl shed without creating some gaps and spaces. Even when these kinds of sheds are produced by good companies,there are still tolerance variances in the manufacturing process that can lead to difficulty with proper assembly. This is simply the nature of the material, and it’s something that buyers of vinyl sheds will need to deal with.

On the other hand, you can expect your metal shed to fit together tightly right from the start. It is easier for manufacturers to cut metal panels to the perfect dimensions, so the end result is a shed that is free from annoying gaps that compromise how it functions.

Hot Weather Trouble

Yet another point that allows metal sheds to stand out above vinyl sheds is the way they are able to handle hot conditions. Yes, a metal shed is going to get warm when sitting out in the sun, but the structure itself will not be affected. That stands in contrast to a vinyl shed, which actually may warp. If you live in a climate where hot days area common occurrence in the summer, a vinyl shed probably is not going to be the right pick for you.

The Look

While beauty is always in the eye of the beholder, most would agree that a quality metal shed has a visual advantage over a vinyl shed of a similar shape and size. If you pick the right colors for your metal shed using our Build & Price Tool,it can blend naturally into your landscape without taking anything away from the other design choices you’ve made on your property. It’s hard to accomplish the same thing with a vinyl shed, so you may always feel that it stands out like a sore thumb.

Order Your New Shed Today!

We hope you consider the pros and cons of metal and vinyl sheds before deciding which structure is best for your property. Another note to keep in mind is that American Carports, Inc. offers fully customizable metal structures. Whether you want to build a small metal shed or a much larger building, you can create your perfect structure with our Build & Price Tool. Plus, thanks to the durable nature of our products, you can expect a shed ordered from American Carports, Inc. to stand strong on your property for years to come. Let’s get started on this project today!

Top Benefits of a Detached Garage

Posted on January 7, 2020 by - ACI, Carports

Having access to a garage on your property can make life a little easier. Garages are great for many things, including vehicle parking, storage, workshops, and more. And, depending on the size and design of your garage, there is little limit to what can be accomplished within.

But is there really much difference between an attached and a detached garage? An attached garage is part of the main structure on the property, while a detached garage is a separate building that stands on its own. Although there are pros and cons to both, we’d like to highlight some of the top benefits of a detached garage.

An affordable metal garage from American Carports, Inc. is a great investment for your property. Use our Build & Price Tool to fully customize your carport, view a 3D rendering, and receive an instant quote!

Pick the Perfect Spot

With an attached garage, you are locked in on the location of that garage. It is connected to your home, so you aren’t going to be able to move it to a spot that would be more desirable or more convenient. Of course, that’s not the case with a detached garage, as you can place it anywhere that you would like on your property (as long as you conform to local codes and restrictions).

For instance, if you plan to park in this detached garage, you can place it in a spot that will be convenient to access from the street. Or, if it will be used to store equipment that you use on your property, you can put it in the right spot for that application. Most likely, if you are thinking about a detached garage, you already have a location in mind that will be perfect for your needs.

Open Up Design Possibilities

If you are in the process of building a new home and are trying to settle on a design, you’ll have many more options at your disposal if you commit to a detached garage rather than including the garage in the home’s layout. In many cases, the only viable vehicle access to the house is from the front, meaning the garage has to be in the front as well. This look may not appeal to many home buyers or builders since the garage takes up so much of the front of the home.

Remove the Noise

Another potential issue with an attached garage is the noise that may be generated when working on projects. If you plan to do anything noisy in your garage–such as working on vehicles or using power tools and machines–all the sounds you produce might become a nuisance for those in the house. This issue could wind up limiting how often you use your garage, since you won’t want to bother people in the house who are trying to sleep, eat, study, etc. Having your workshop in a detached garage space will take the noise away from the house and should eliminate this problem altogether.

Remove Unpleasant Aromas

Depending on what you plan to do in the garage, it might be nice to work in a detached space so that you can keep any unwanted smells away from the house. For example, painting can put fumes in the air that are not only unpleasant to smell, but also unhealthy. You might not want the smells that come from working on vehicles – such as rubber and oil – to make their way into your house either.

Design the Space Perfectly

By ordering a detached garage building from American Carports, Inc., you’ll be able to customize the space to suit exactly what you have in mind. This could be anything from a single-car garage space to a huge four-car design. Where an attached garage is limited by the design of the house, a detached garage is only limited by the space you have available and your budget for the project. With the right garage, you won’t have to hold back on your projects anymore – the sky is the limit!

Order Your Detached Garage Today!

These are the top benefits of a detached garage. If you’re ready to commit to this option, American Carports,Inc. makes it easier than ever to add a detached garage to your property. By opting for a metal garage, you can keep the cost of this project down and speedup the timeline for completion. Not only that, but our buildings are fully customizable in terms of size and features, so you can create a finished product that is perfect for your needs. Use our Build and Pricetool to design the ideal structure for your property!

Key Benefits of Keeping Your Car in a Garage

Posted on January 7, 2020 by - ACI, Carports

For car owners, there are two basic options for where you can park—outside, or in a garage. However, some people may not have indoor parking, but the option to add a metal garage structure to your property is an affordable choice that provides your car with covered protection. But, is this option worth it? Are there enough benefits to parking inside to justify the addition of a new building? Let’s take a closer look at the key benefits of keeping your car in a garage.

An affordable metal garage from American Carports, Inc. is a great investment for your property. Use our Build& Price Tool to fully customize your carport, view a 3D rendering, and receive an instant quote!

Protect the Condition of Your Vehicle

This is likely the most important point of all, so it’s a good place to start. When you park inside night after night, you protect your vehicle from the elements. Just about anything that Mother Nature brings to your area could potentially damage your car, including the blazing sun, pouring rains, freezing temperatures, piles of snow, and more. You’ll feel good going to bed at night knowing your vehicle is tucked away safely in the garage.

One of the tricky things about this point is that the wear and tear from being parked outside isn’t going to show itself in any sudden, obvious ways–at least, not in most cases. Rather, it will be the cumulative effect of the weather beating down on your vehicle that could potentially shorten its lifespan. If you’d like to get the longest possible life out of your car, parking in a garage is the way to go.

A More Comfortable Experience

No matter where you live, there are sure to be times of the year when getting in and out of your vehicle is an uncomfortable experience if you park outside. For instance, if you live in a hot part of the country, getting into your vehicle late in the afternoon in the middle of the summer will not be fun. Everything will be scorching hot, and you will probably break into a sweat even before the air conditioner has a chance to do its job. If you were parked in a garage, though, this wouldn’t be a problem. The car may still be a bit warm, but it would be out of the direct sun, so sitting down behind the wheel wouldn’t be such an unpleasant task.

The story is much the same in the middle of winter in a cold climate. In fact, it might be even worse. If you walk out of the door to head for work long before the sun is going to rise,your car is going to be absolutely frigid. There may be snow or ice to clear off the windshield, and you’ll be chilled to the core while waiting for the heater to get going. Your mornings would be far more enjoyable if you could just open the garage door, start the engine, and be on your way.

Maintenance and Upkeep

If you are the type of car owner who likes to manage some maintenance tasks on your own, like changing the oil or swapping out air filters, it will be nice to have your vehicle in a garage. This is because you’ll have a controlled, weather-protected space in which to work,and the floor should be relatively level. As long as you keep your garage clean enough to move around the vehicle with ease while working on it, this will be a nice space to get your tasks completed.

Also, being inside is a nice environment for cleaning your car from time to time. It’s a good idea to go through your vehicle periodically to remove garbage, vacuum the carpets, wipe down the dash,etc. You don’t have to be parked in a garage to do these jobs, but it will make it a little easier to be closer to your equipment. It always feels good to sit down in your vehicle for a long drive and find that your surroundings are clean and tidy, so get into the habit of periodic cleanings while parked in your new garage.

Enclosed Metal Garages from American Carports, Inc.

Now that we have established the key benefits of keeping your car in a garage, the next step is an easy one–contact American Carports, Inc. to order your new structure. We offer complete customization with our Build & Price Tool, so you can create a steel garage that is going to fit on your property and serve your needs perfectly. We are excited to assist you!