Month: February 2021

Moisture Control Tips for Metal Buildings

Posted on February 22, 2021 by - ACI, Blog

Metal buildings are great. Not only do they provide significant savings up front, but they have reduced maintenance demands, endless customization options, and a quick construction timeline. With that said, nothing is perfect. Condensation can be a problem in some metal structures, so it’s worth thinking about this issue as you plan your project. Here, we’ll offer some simple moisture control tips for metal buildings!

American Carports, Inc. has a variety of steel buildings that are affordable, durable, and fully customizable. Use our Build & Price Tool to explore the many possibilities for your new structure, view a 3D rendering, and receive an instant quote!

Understanding the Issue

Before we present a few tips, let’s talk quickly about why condensation occurs in a metal building in the first place. Condensation is the result when a warm, wet mass of air comes into contact with a cool surface. So, if you have warm, moist air inside your metal building, and the walls of the metal building are cold, they will likely sweat. Fortunately, by removing one or more of the variables that can lead to condensation, you’ll break the cycle, and your building will stay dry.

Start with Insulation

Insulating your metal building is a great first step in this process. Ideally, you’ll do this right from the start when the structure is first installed. Insulation is a relatively affordable addition to your building that will both reduce the chances of condensation and make the space more comfortable.

It’s important to have your insulation properly installed. Gaps in the insulation can dramatically reduce its effectiveness, and you’re likely to wind up with condensation where those gaps occur. This is something worth getting right the first time so you don’t have to go back and address it again later.

Move the Air

Circulating the air within your building is another powerful way to reduce the occurrence of condensation. Proper air circulation can be achieved in a variety of ways. For a metal structure with a large roll-up door, for example, you may need to do nothing more than open that door for part of the day to allow fresh air flow.

Without such a big opening available, you might need some mechanical help to get the air moving. In other words, you can use a fan or two to blow the air around and keep it from getting stagnant. Running your fans periodically could go a long way toward reducing condensation, especially during times of high humidity.

Remove the Moisture

In areas that frequently have humid conditions, it may be worth investing in a device that can lower the level of moisture in the air within your building. The most effective device for this task is the aptly named dehumidifier. This machine will pull moisture out of the air within the space, and as a result, condensation will be far less likely to occur.

You can also use an air conditioner to achieve a similar result. Air conditioning lowers the humidity in an indoor space, and it also makes it more comfortable during hot weather. This makes it an appealing choice when you’re using a metal building as a workshop where you’ll spend a significant amount of time.

Addressing Underground Moisture

One sneaky way for your metal building to reach high levels of humidity is for the moisture to come up through the floor. Even if you have a concrete slab under your building, moisture can still come up through that concrete if the water is resting just below the slab. Before the slab is installed, make sure it’s placed on top of proper drainage to avoid any kind of swamp effect.

Another point to remember before you start the construction process is that the location of your building can impact how much moisture is present. If you build on a low point of your property, it’s possible that groundwater will gather in that area and you’ll have too much moisture under your foundation. Think about drainage issues in advance and pick a spot that isn’t going to give you unwanted condensation headaches later on.

A Solvable Problem

Can condensation be an issue in metal buildings? Yes. Should it stop you from ordering one for your property? Absolutely not! With some smart planning and a few basic interventions, you can reduce or eliminate condensation issues in your structure.

Work With American Carports, Inc.!

We hope these moisture control tips for metal buildings assist you. When you’re ready to design a steel structure that will serve your needs for years to come, use the Build & Price tool to view a 3D rendering and receive an instant quote. Our team is excited to serve you!

RV Cover vs Tarp vs Carport: Pros & Cons

Posted on February 16, 2021 by - ACI, Blog

If you’re an RV owner, you have a few options available to protect your RV during storage. In this article, we’d like to review the pros and cons of three potential choices: using an RV cover, tarp, or carport. By protecting your RV properly, you should be able to extend its life and get the best possible return on your investment.

American Carports, Inc. has a variety of steel RV carports that are affordable, durable, and fully customizable. Use our Build & Price Tool to explore the many possibilities for your new structure, view a 3D rendering, and receive an instant quote!

Do You Need to Cover Your RV?

Before diving into the three potential options for RV storage, we should quickly discuss why you’d want to cover your RV in the first place. After all, isn’t an RV meant to be used outside? Does it even need to be covered?

Technically, no—you don’t have to cover your RV. You could park it out in the elements and it would likely hold up to those conditions for a period of time. However, if you want to extend the life of your RV and keep it in better condition, think carefully about taking the time to cover it.

An RV that’s parked without a cover will take all of the punishment that Mother Nature can conjure up. Over time, all of that rain, snow, wind, and more is going to take its toll. This means your RV may not be in the best condition when it’s time to go on your next trip.

A Starting Point – Covering Your RV with a Tarp

Covering your RV with a tarp is better than doing nothing at all. As long as you use a tarp that’s in good condition and pull it tight, it will keep water off the top of the RV. That’s going to protect the materials that make up your RV’s exterior, and it should serve to extend the useful life of the rig.

But this is far from a perfect solution. First, tarps aren’t particularly durable, so you may find that leaks start to develop soon after you put this strategy into action. Also, you’ll have to go through the difficult chore of stringing up your tarp in a way that effectively covers the RV. Depending on the size of your RV and where you park, this could be a significant challenge. Using a tarp for protection is better than nothing, but you can do better.

A Custom RV Cover

There are RV covers made specifically for just about every RV model on the market. Investing in a cover for your rig is going to be a step up over a tarp, as the cover should fit around the rig nicely. This will likely keep more water out than a tarp, and it may be easier to put on and take off.

Of course, even if the cover is easier to use than a tarp, it’s still a chore. You’ll need to get up to the top of the RV to work it over the body before pulling it down the sides. There is also the task of taking it off and bundling it up to consider. Again, just as with a tarp, this is a better option than doing nothing at all, but it remains less than ideal.

Parking Under an RV Carport

Finally, we get to a solution that offers the best of both worlds. With an RV carport, you get protection from the elements and the ease of simply parking the RV and walking away. There’s nothing to fiddle with to cover up the RV. Instead, you park it in the right position under the carport and know that the weather will be kept at bay. Then, when you’re ready for your next trip, you can simply drive away without any fuss.

The ability to customize your carport is another major advantage of this setup. For instance, if you know that the weather in your area tends to blow in from one specific direction, you can add a wall on that side of your carport to better protect your RV. Plus, the affordable nature of metal carports means you won’t have to make a huge investment to bring this project to reality on your land.

Place Your Order Today!

We hope you better understand the pros and cons of using an RV cover, tarp, or carport. If you truly want to protect your vehicle, an RV carport is the way to go. Despite the modest cost of a metal carport, you’ll get excellent coverage for your trailer, 5th wheel, or motorhome. To begin this project, try our Build & Price tool to see what’s possible for your new structure, view a 3D rendering, and receive an instant quote. We’re excited to serve you!

How to Design & Build a Lean-To

Posted on February 9, 2021 by - ACI

A lean-to could be a perfect addition to your property. If you would like some extra sheltered space but you don’t have room for another building elsewhere on your land, a lean-to may be right for you! Explore how to design and build a lean-to to get started on this exciting project.

American Carports, Inc. has a variety of steel lean-tos that are affordable, durable, and fully customizable. Use our Build & Price Tool to explore the many possibilities for your new structure, view a 3D rendering, and receive an instant quote!

What is a Lean-To?

A lean-to is a structure that is added onto the side of an existing building to create a covered area. Lean-tos can be attached to the existing structure, or they can be designed to fit next to the current building with the slope of the roof leading away. While some lean-to structures are made from wood, going with metal will keep the cost of the project down while requiring minimal maintenance.

Start with a Big Picture Plan

Before you get into the details of planning your new lean-to, you need to take a step back and think about what you hope to accomplish with this project. There are a couple of common goals for lean-to projects, such as adding parking or gaining a covered area outside of an entrance. Determining what your lean-to will be used for from the start is essential if you’re going to get the design just right.

Planning for Parking

If you decide to use your new lean-to for covered parking, here are a few important factors to take into consideration:

  • Access route. You’ll need to be able to drive under the lean-to without any trouble. Plan to set up your lean-to in a spot where getting in and out with your vehicle won’t be a challenge.
  • Knowing the rules. Depending on where you live, you might need to consider zoning and building restrictions that could limit your options on this project.
  • Take measurements. Even if it looks like you’ll have enough space for this addition, be sure to measure just to confirm. Remember to account for more than just the width of the vehicle—there also needs to be enough room for you and your passengers to get in and out, as well.

Using a lean-to for covered parking is an excellent way to get your vehicle out of the rain and snow without the expense of a full garage.

Consider the Ground

You may not need a formal foundation in place for your lean-to, but you’ll have to make sure the ground is suitable for this new structure. Select a site that is reasonably level to start with so that any site prep work that you have to do will be minimal. Also, don’t choose a low spot if possible, since that area will be prone to collecting water and might reduce the usefulness of this building.

Allow Room to Grow

If you design your new lean-to with dimensions just large enough for your current needs, you may come to regret that choice in the future. Remember, metal lean-tos are buildings that can last for many years. You can plan on a long life span for this structure as long as it is designed with the future in mind.

A perfect example of this situation is buying a lean-to that perfectly fits your current vehicle, only to find that you want to buy a bigger vehicle in the future. Don’t restrict yourself to the dimensions of your current car or truck when a larger lean-to would only be marginally more expensive. Get the space you need now with a little room for expansion so you don’t have to shop for a new lean-to again in the near future.

Build Your Lean-To with American Carports, Inc.

Now that you know how to design and build a lean-to, consider purchasing one from American Carports, Inc.! Whether you’re looking for a covered structure to park your car or use for additional storage, we have a building that fits any of your needs. Get started with our Build & Price tool discover what’s possible for your new building, view a 3D rendering, and receive an instate quote! If you need help along the way or have any questions, contact us for assistance. We look forward to serving you!

Types of Carports: The Ultimate Guide

Posted on February 2, 2021 by - ACI, Agricultural

Adding a carport to your property is an investment that can pay off for years to come. For a modest price, you can create a covered space that will be useful for parking, storage, and much more. But do you know what types of carports are available and which is right for your project? Use this ultimate guide to explore your options!

American Carports, Inc. has a variety of steel carports that are affordable, durable, and fully customizable. Use our Build & Price Tool to explore the many possibilities for your new building, view a 3D rendering, and receive an instant quote!

Carport Roofing

Since a carport’s main purpose is to provide shelter from conditions like rain, snow, and even sun, the roof is a hugely important piece of the puzzle. That said, it’s important to understand the various roof options available while browsing for carports:

Standard Roofing

As a basic starting point, a standard carport from American Carports, Inc. includes an angled peak and rounded edges. This standard roof shape is perfectly suitable for many uses, such as when you want a carport to provide shelter for one or two of your vehicles. If you’re on a tight budget, you’ll want to stick with this standard configuration for the roof, as it’s the most economical choice.

Custom Roofing

There are a couple of other notable options for your carport roof. For instance, an A-Frame roof design features edges that are angled rather than rounded. An A-Frame roof can have either vertical or horizontal panels, which refers to the direction that the metal roofing runs on the top of the structure:

  • Horizontal panels. A horizontal roof is what you’ll get when you order a standard carport, and you can stick with this style even if you upgrade to an A-Frame. The benefit of a horizontal roof is a lower price tag since less support structure is required to support this style of roof. Shop Now.
  • Vertical panels. Upgrading your A-Frame roof to a vertical configuration will offer a couple of benefits. This roof style makes for a stronger overall structure. Plus, it also does a better job of shedding rain and snow, especially during heavy storms. You’ll pay a bit more for this style of roof, but that investment may be worth it in the long run. Shop Now.

Carports With vs Without Walls

A standard carport does not include walls. The roof of the structure will wrap over the edge and down the sides of the carport slightly, but it will only come down a short distance. For many purposes, an open carport will work nicely. But, if you need more protection from the weather, you can add walls to one or more sides to make the building work even better for your application.

However, it’s possible to fully enclose a carport that you order from American Carports, Inc. With the building fully enclosed, it would actually be considered a garage. You can customize this type of building with roll-up doors, windows, and more. The possibilities are endless!

Specialty Carports

We also have a variety of carport designs that are specifically suited for certain tasks:

  • RV Carport. As the name suggests, this carport is intended for RV parking. It comes with particularly tall sides to accommodate large RVs. Shop Now.
  • Lean-tos. A lean-to is positioned to stand directly next to another building on your property to provide covered parking and/or storage. Shop Now.
  • Barns. These open-sided or closed buildings offer a tremendous amount of sheltered space. They may be perfect for parking your agricultural equipment or storing hay throughout the season. Shop Now.

There are many options available when it comes to creating a carport that will meet your needs. Don’t assume that carports are nothing more than a place to park a sedan or pickup. They can do that, of course, but they can also serve you in several different ways. By shopping with a reliable supplier like American Carports, Inc., you’ll have endless options at your disposal!

Work with American Carports, Inc.

Now that you know the different carport options available, consider purchasing one from American Carports, Inc.! Whether you’re looking for a covered structure to park your car or use as additional storage, we have a building that fits any of your needs. Get started with our Build & Price tool discover what’s possible for your new building, view a 3D rendering, and receive an instate quote!