Author: clickgiant

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, 5^th 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!

If you’ve done some shopping for steel buildings, you’ve probably come across the term “clear span.” The definition of a clear span is simple enough—it’s a type of building that doesn’t feature support columns in the middle of the structure. Instead, the inside is an open space from one side to the other. Read on to learn more about what a clear span is, as well as some important facts, uses, and benefits they offer.

American Carports, Inc. has a variety of steel clear spans that are affordable, durable, and ideal for storage. Use our Build & Price Tool to explore the many possibilities for your new building, and receive an instant quote!

What Makes a Clear Span Possible?

The strength of the material used to create a structure determines whether or not a clear span can be created. Some materials just don’t work for this purpose, which is why support columns are needed in the middle of the building.

A great example of this concept is a large wooden structure. A wood building like a barn will likely need multiple support columns to be structurally sound. Without those columns, the material would not be strong enough to hold up its own weight, and the entire building could come crashing down.

This is why quality metal buildings are becoming so popular. Since steel is strong enough to support a big span, the need for those support columns is eliminated, and the entire inside of the building is opened up. With so much open indoor space available, the sky is the limit for how these buildings can be used.

Common Applications

A clear span metal building can be used for just about any purpose, but some of the common reasons for building such a structure are listed below:

Agricultural Work

As mentioned above, a traditional wood barn will need supports in the middle, reducing the flexibility of what can be stored inside. If you operate a big farm that uses huge pieces of equipment, that creates a problem. Opting for a metal barn instead of wood can open up a clear span and give you the room you need to store and maintain your equipment. Also, even if you are using this barn for hay storage rather than equipment, the lack of support columns will make it much easier to maneuver in and out.

Gathering Spaces

Indoor gatherings can be held in these kinds of buildings, as the open-floor design allows for just about any kind of configuration imaginable. Occasions like parties, dances, religious services, weddings, and more are all possibilities. Plus, without supports in the way, everyone will have a great view of the event.

Athletics

Another option is to use a clear span building for athletic training or competition. In cold weather climates, it might be necessary to play and practice inside for part of the yea. However, supports in the middle of a building can make it impossible to do so. With a big clear span, many different kinds of sports can be played and practiced indoors and away from the weather.

No matter what use you have in mind, you’ll want to purchase and design your clear span building with a trusted supplier like American Carports, Inc.

A Big Selling Point

As we’ve discussed, there are several benefits of clear span buildings from a practical perspective. Without supports in the way, these buildings make it possible to engage in all kinds of activities. But that’s only part of their appeal. The other important benefit to clear span buildings will be seen when you get the bill.

Without the need for supports, the cost of a clear span building is typically much lower than a traditional building that needs those supports in place. Fewer materials are needed in the construction process, which saves money. The actual process of building the structure is streamlined, as well. In the end, you come away with a large, functional building for a much smaller price tag than some of the other options on the market.

Purchase a Clear Span from American Carports, Inc.!

Now that you know what a clear span is and some facts, uses, and benefits of them, consider purchasing one from American Carports, Inc. Whether you need to work on big projects or store large pieces of equipment, this type of structure is the perfect solution. Get started right away with our Build & Price tool to see what you can create!

If you’re like countless other people, your garage doubles as your workshop. However, making room for your projects often takes away from the parking and storage space your garage provides. To help you get the most out of your space, we’d like to present these top garage workshop ideas for 2021!

American Carports, Inc. has a variety of steel workshops and garages that are affordable, durable, and ideal for storage. Use our Build & Price Tool to explore the many possibilities for your new building, and receive an instant quote!

Upgrade Your Lighting

Few things can instantly change the way a shop looks or feels more than improved lighting. You might not even know that your current shop is dim until you bring in some new lights, and the difference can be stunning. Not only is it frustrating to work without proper lighting, but it can also be unsafe.

These days, LED lighting makes it easy and affordable to brighten your space while remaining energy efficient. Calculate the square footage of your shop and choose lights that are rated to light that much space properly. This is one area where you don’t want to skimp, as poor lighting will always prevent your shop from living up to its potential.

Pick a Spot for a Workbench

It’s hard to imagine a workshop without a workbench of some kind. The type of bench you add to your shop is going to depend on the work you intend to do, but make sure it’s solid and big enough to handle your projects. While it’s traditional to have the workbench against a wall, give some consideration to a mobile workbench that you can roll around your shop. This will give you added flexibility and you can always roll it up against the wall when not in use.

There are plenty of workbenches available to purchase if you choose to go that route, but you can always consider building your own. Many people make their workbench one of their first projects in a new workshop, as it can be a great way to get started and create something functional that you can use for years to come.

You Can Never Have Too Much Storage

One of the keys to being productive in your workshop is to keep it organized. If your shop is not organized, it will be discouraging each time you head out to work on a project. Rather than getting started on your project right away, you’ll spend half your time cleaning up and trying to make space to work.

With this in mind, don’t cut any corners as you plan out the storage for your workshop. As a starting point, you could add drawers under your workbench to hold some tools and accessories. Also, consider placing a pegboard on one wall where you can hang a variety of small bins, tool holders, and much more. The more storage you have readily available, the more likely you will be to keep the space clean and ready to use.

Manage the Climate

You won’t want to go out into your workshop very often if the air is far too warm or cold to be comfortable. While you probably aren’t going to be able to climate control your workshop like you do the rest of your home, there are some changes you can make to create a more comfortable space.

For the warm months, having a fan available is an obvious starting point. Also, by including a couple of windows in the shop design, or a big roll-up door, you can improve airflow and make the space more enjoyable. In a particularly warm climate, you might want to consider a portable air conditioning unit to bring the temperature down into a reasonable range.

During the cold part of the year, you can benefit from a space heater—just be sure to keep the heater away from anything flammable and always turn it off when you aren’t using the shop. You can also cut down on the chill in your workshop by improving the insulation and sealing up any openings around doors or windows.

Design a Garage or Workshop with American Carports, Inc.!

These top garage workshop ideas for 2021 will help you make the most out of your current space. However, if you’d prefer to have a dedicated area to work on your projects, consider purchasing a metal workshop from American Carports, Inc.! With our Build & Price tool, it’s easy to see what your new structure could look like once in place on your property. We look forward to serving you!

As you get ready to add a new structure to your property, you may be trying to decide between two popular types of buildings—pole barns and metal garages. Each of these options has advantages, but only one will be right for your needs. In this post, we’d like to look closer at this debate to help you make the best decision.

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

What is a Pole Barn?

You probably don’t need much of an introduction to a metal garage, as the name pretty much speaks for itself. It’s a garage that’s detached from your main home and made of metal. Metal garages are great for many purposes, and we’ll get into those more in detail later.

But what are pole barns? Even if you’ve heard the term, you may not know what differentiates a pole barn from other types of buildings. The fundamental difference is that pole barns aren’t constructed with a traditional foundation. Instead, a series of poles are placed into the ground at specific locations to create an informal foundation. Then, as the building is constructed, those poles carry the load and hold up the structure.

Pros & Cons of Pole Barns

The main advantage of opting for pole barn construction is cost savings. Without having to worry about creating a formal foundation, you will save money. Buyers on a tight budget often look into using a pole barn out of necessity when they find that no other options are in their price range.

While the cost savings might be appealing, the lack of stability that comes with a pole barn is a major drawback that needs to be noted. There is a reason that most buildings are constructed on a normal foundation—that foundation gives the buildings the support they need to hold steady as the years go by. Pole barns are more susceptible to shifting, and a variety of problems can pop up as a result.

The Advantages of a Metal Garage

By building a detached metal garage on a standard foundation, you’ll find that there are many benefits to be enjoyed. Let’s take a look at some of the biggest selling points for metal garages:

• Durability. You can count on your metal garage to last for many years when you get it from a trusted supplier like American Carports, Inc. If you don’t want to be dealing with this project again just a couple of years down the road, go with a metal carport for impressive durability.
• Cost savings. Yes, even if you have to create a proper foundation for your metal garage, you can still complete this project for a modest price. The notable factor contributing to those savings is the speed with which a metal garage can be constructed. Thanks to a simple building process, a metal garage will go up faster than a wood building, so you can save significantly on labor as a result.
• Versatility. One of the best parts about ordering a metal garage from American Carports, Inc. is the ability to customize the garage to meet your specific needs. Think about how you would like this building to perform, and our team of experts will help make it happen. Build Your Garage.
• Minimal maintenance requirements. Not only will you save money upfront by going with a metal garage, but you can continue to save as the years go by, as well. Metal buildings made by quality suppliers require very little maintenance on an annual basis. Simply wash down your structure from time to time and it should be good to go.

As you can see, metal garages are a great choice for many applications. Whether you need a small garage for parking and a little bit of storage or a bigger space to store equipment and work on projects, a metal garage can serve you well for years.

Design a Metal Garage With American Carports, Inc.

When you understand the differences between pole barns and metal garages, it should be easy to determine which is right for you! There is so much to like about metal garages that it’s hard to imagine going with a pole barn for this project. Sure, pole barns can work in certain situations, but a metal garage will bring many more benefits and almost no notable drawbacks. Explore our Build & Price tool to customize and view all of the possibilities for your new garage!

At American Carports, Inc., we are proud to offer our customers a variety of metal structures, including carports, garages, workshops, barns, agricultural buildings, and more. But what’s the best metal structure for your needs? With so many options to choose from, making a confident buying decision can be a bit tricky. In this article, we’ll highlight some of the strengths and weaknesses of our various building types. Armed with valuable information, you should find that picking out the right model is pretty simple.

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

Ask Yourself Two Questions

Your answers to the following two questions will help you determine what kind of structure you require:

• How much space do I have available? You can only work with the space you have available, so there is no use considering buildings that won’t fit. As a starting point in your search for the right metal structure, establish limits for the dimensions of this new building. Also, in addition to length and width measurement, determine how you will access the structure. By knowing how big the building can be and where it will sit, you’ll have a much easier time making the rest of your decisions moving forward.
• What is the purpose of this building? You aren’t just building a new metal structure for fun. There must be some underlying purpose in mind for this project, so define that purpose clearly from the start. For a carport, it could be as simple as creating a dry place to park your car or pickup truck. On the other hand, a large garage could serve as a storage facility, workshop, and/or parking area.

Spend some time with these two questions before you make any choices regarding your new building. With clear answers in mind, everything else should start to come together nicely.

Types of Metal Buildings

It’s important to understand the types of buildings we offer at American Carports, Inc. to make an informed decision. Of course, if you have any questions about any of these styles, feel free to contact us directly for help! Explore our inventory of metal structures, below:

Carport

A carport is a metal structure that features a roof but does not usually have walls (although walls can be added depending on your needs). The main advantage of a carport is that it’s an affordable way to create covered parking on your property. As a downside, you won’t have full protection from the weather, as the wind could blow rain or snow under the covered area.

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Garage

A detached metal garage can offer parking just like a carport, but its enclosed design means it offers other benefits, as well. Since it will be dry inside, you can use the space for storage, or you might use it to work on projects. As far as versatility is concerned, it’s hard to beat a quality metal garage.

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Workshops

The line between a garage and a workshop can be blurry, but a workshop is typically designed for a specific type of work rather than general use. For instance, your workshop might have extra-tall doors so you can roll big machines in and out. Whatever the intended use may be, you can custom design your workshop so that it serves you perfectly.

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Barns and Agricultural Buildings

Barns used to be almost exclusively made from wood. That is no longer the case, and many landowners are turning to metal for its lower cost and countless performance advantages. A metal barn is typically a large structure with at least one big access door.

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Lean-To

A lean-to is similar to a carport, but it is positioned such that it stands right next to another building on your property. If you don’t have covered parking near your home, you could add a lean-to next to a porch to create a dry space.

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Consider the Future

Building a new metal structure is not something you do with only the short-term in mind. Rather, this is a project that should serve you well for many years to come. So, as you select a type of structure, remember that your needs may change as the years roll by.

For instance, you might think that a carport is all you need right now, but is that going to be true in five years? If the flexibility of a metal garage may serve you better in the future, you could go in that direction now, so you are ready for changes later on.

Work With American Carports, Inc.

We hope we’ve helped you determine the best metal structure for your needs. No matter which model you pick, you can rest assured that ordering from American Carports, Inc. will be a great experience. Our products are manufactured to lofty quality standards, and our customer service makes the process quick and easy. Try our Build & Price tool if you’d like to see what customizations are possible, and contact us if you have any questions along the way. Thank you for considering American Carports, Inc.!

A new carport will make a great addition to your land, as it will provide you with a dry place to park or store various items. But what size carport do you need? With endless options available, it can be hard to settle on the best dimensions for your space. However, in this article, we’d like to help you make this important decision. By thinking carefully about a couple of key factors, you should be able to decide on dimensions rather quickly and confidently.

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

Start by Looking at Your Land

The only place to start with this process is by looking at the space you have available for this new building. It doesn’t matter if you have dreams of building a huge carport for your collection of vehicles—if you don’t have the space available for that kind of structure, it isn’t going to work. So, as you evaluate your property and think about the size of your carport, keep the following points in mind:

• Access. Most likely, you are going to want to drive in and out of the carport throughout the year, so keep access in mind as you make your plans. If it would be hard to reach the carport with your car, or hard to back out when you want to leave, that site might not be suitable.
• Level land. You don’t have to start with a perfectly level site, but trying to build this project on the side of a hill would be more trouble than it’s worth.

Most likely, you’ll quickly find a spot on your property that is the obvious landing spot for the carport. Once you figure out where it’s going to go, take some measurements to determine how much space you have available. You won’t necessarily want to fill up that entire space, but these measurements will give you limits that you can work with as you finalize your plans.

How Many Cars?

If you are going to use this new carport for parking – as opposed to another use such as outdoor storage – you will need to think about how many cars are going to live in this space.

For a carport that is only going to serve a single vehicle, a 12’ wide carport should work nicely. That will be enough space to park and open the doors on both sides of the vehicle. If you move up to a double carport to park two cars, you’ll need something that is at least 18’ wide, if not larger. With American Carports, Inc., you can keep expanding the size of your carport design until you create a building that will serve your parking needs.

Other Important Considerations

As you know, vehicles come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. The size of the vehicles you own, or the size of the vehicles you plan to purchase in the future, will impact the size of the carport you select. For instance, a buyer who owns a couple of small sedans will not need as much space as someone who owns big trucks.

Remember to factor the height of your new carport into the equation, as well as the width. A standard passenger car or pickup truck will fit under virtually all carports, but you might need to add height to your structure if you own something tall like an RV. When in doubt, give yourself a little room to work with to make sure the carport is going to serve you properly well into the future. Adding a foot or two of height to the structure is only a modest upgrade in terms of investment, but it will make the carport more versatile.

Order Your New Carport Today!

Now that you have some direction for your carport sizing decision, the next step is to use our Build & Price tool to see what you can create. Or, if you’re still wondering what size carport you need, simply contact us for assistance. Either way, you’re only a few easy steps from an affordable, durable, attractive carport landing on your property. We’re excited to serve you!

It’s easy to understand the appeal of a carport. After a quick installation process, you will have a covered space on your property that you can use for a variety of purposes. But how much do they cost? Fortunately, metal carports are surprisingly affordable, which is one of the many reasons they’re so popular. If you’re considering adding this structure to your property, be sure to use this metal carport cost guide.

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

Understanding the Variables

There are a lot of variables to consider when determining the final price of your metal carport. As with any product, you can stick with a basic model for a relatively low price, or you can include additional features for a bigger investment. At American Carports, Inc., all of our carports are fully customizable—meaning you can keep the cost down with few features or spend more to get exactly what you want.

The list below highlights some of the main variables involved in determining the cost of your new carport:

• The size of your carport will have a lot to do with the final price tag. As your carport gets bigger, the cost is going to go up, as more materials will be needed to create the structure. Also, a bigger carport is more likely to have other added features that will drive the price up. Fortunately, even a big carport is likely to be far more affordable than a similar structure built out of wood.
• Metal gauge. At American Carports, Inc. we offer two different metal gauges for our carports: 12-gauge and 14-gauge. Since 12-gauge metal is thicker, it will be slightly more expensive. Of course, that thicker metal also creates a more rugged, durable product, so many of our buyers find that the investment is worth it in the long run.
• Roof style. There are two general roof styles for metal carports: horizontal and vertical. A horizontal roof runs from front to back on the top of the carport, while a vertical roof has the panels run up and down from the side to the peak. A vertical roof will do a better job of shedding water, but it will be costlier.

Other factors will come into play in the pricing of your carport, such as your geographic location, but the above three are a good starting point.

Some Basic Numbers

Although we can’t offer you a specific price for your next carport because of the many variables discussed above, we can say that it is possible to get a new metal carport for around $1,000. Even if you opt for a bigger model with some added features, you’ll still find the cost to be quite manageable.

It’s important to remember that the cost to purchase the carport itself is only part of the equation. There is also the cost of site prep to consider, which is another reason to opt for metal over wood. With a wood building, you’ll likely need a much more formal foundation before you construct the carport. Metal carports require less foundation and can help keep costs down in this area, as well.

Maintenance Costs

Another important point regarding the cost of carports has to do with maintenance. Not only do you need to spend money to build a carport, but there is also ongoing maintenance to consider and the costs that come with it.

Owners of metal carports will appreciate the minimal maintenance they require. Other than a periodic washing to free it from built-up dirt and debris, you won’t need to do much to care for your carport. A wooden carport, on the other hand, comes with a variety of maintenance needs that can significantly add up cost-wise over the years. So, as you consider the cost of purchasing your metal carport, you won’t have to worry about spending much down the line to keep it in top condition.

Purchase a Metal Carport from American Carports, Inc.!

We hope this metal carport cost guide assists you. If you’ve decided that a metal carport fits your budget and is perfect for your needs, browse our available options from American Carports, Inc. We have a long track record of delivering quality steel structures to our many customers. If you’d like to see what’s possible with a custom design, try out this Build & Price tool at your convenience. We are excited to serve you!