Author: clickgiant

If you’ve recently fulfilled your dream of purchasing a motorcycle—or you are planning on buying one in the near future—you want to make sure you have a proper place to store it. Having a plan to keep your bike out of the elements will allow you to maintain its pristine condition for years to come. Take a look at our top motorcycle storage ideas to protect your investment!

A steel carport or garage from American Carports, Inc. is the best way to store your bike. Customize your structure with our Build & Price tool, view a 3D rendering, and get a free quote today!

Outdoor Parking

Our first idea is to park your motorcycle outside. To do this, you’ll need to purchase a motorcycle cover to protect your bike from rain, snow, and direct sunlight. While this may seem like a good idea due to its simplicity, there are a few significant disadvantages to this option.

One disadvantage is that it can be quite annoying to put the cover on every time you park, and take it off when you’re ready to go out for a ride. Secondly, while your bike will not be directly exposed to the elements, your cover will be. That means your cover will likely deteriorate, and you’ll have to replace it. Finally, even if you do cover your bike and park it outside, this option still leaves your motorcycle most vulnerable to harsh weather conditions in comparison to some of our other ideas.

Your Current Garage

Your next thought may be to park your motorcycle in your current garage. This is a better option than parking it outside, as a completely covered space will ensure your bike is fully protected from the weather. However, this option also comes with a few drawbacks as well.

If you only have a one-car garage, you will have to make the sacrifice of parking your car outside so your motorcycle can fit inside. That means your car will now be vulnerable to the elements, which can cause significant damage over time. Or, if you have a larger garage, parking your motorcycle alongside your car will take up significant space.

In both cases, your bike will also be inside of the garage likely surrounded by items like sharp tools, heavy bins, and more, which can easily cause scratches if parked too close. Plus, If your needs change down the line—as they often do—you may be left without the luxury of extra storage space that a garage provides.

Consider a Carport

One of the best storage options for your motorcycle is a steel carport from American Carports, Inc. A carport provides you with a designated area for your bike that provides significant protection from both the weather and your belongings. Plus, carports are extremely affordable structures that add significant value to your home. This is especially true when you work with a trusted supplier like American Carports, Inc., who uses high-quality, durable materials to ensure the structure will last the lifetime of your bike. Start designing your carport with our Build & Price tool today!

Build a Detached Garage

For those who enjoy working on their motorcycle, you’ll love the addition of a detached garage. You can make this space large enough to house both your bike and all the items that keep it running smoothly, such as oil, parts, tools, and more. Detached garages also provide complete coverage from the weather, whereas carports may only provide partial protection, depending on if you decide to include a wall. Plus, with a detached garage, you can lock your bike up securely each night, so you can sleep soundly knowing your investment is safe.

While a detached garage may be slightly more expensive than a carport, at American Carports, Inc., they are certainly affordable considering all of the advantages they provide. If you’d like an option that keeps your motorcycle safe from intruders and severe weather alike, go with a detached garage.

Order from American Carports, Inc.!

We hope you consider these top motorcycle storage ideas! As you can see, purchasing a custom metal structure from American Carports, Inc., is the best way to keep your investment safe. Our buildings give you all the protection you need and have the strength to last for years, all with a reasonable price tag. Plus, you can customize your structure to meet your specific needs with our Build & Price tool. Whether you choose to go with a carport or a detached garage, we look forward to assisting you!

If you have a yard, you’ll need a lawn mower to keep it tidy. No matter how you feel about mowing the lawn – some people enjoy it, while others loathe it – you’ll want to keep your mower in good condition to make this task as easy as possible. To do so, consider these outdoor lawn mower storage ideas.

Consider ordering a new, affordable steel structure from American Carports, Inc. to store your lawn mower. Use our Build & Price Tool to fully customize your structure, view a 3D rendering, and receive an instant quote!

The Problem with the Garage

At first, you might think that you’ll just store your lawn mower inside your attached garage, if you have one. That certainly can work, but there are a couple of notable drawbacks to consider:

• Takes up space. A lawn mower is likely to take up more space than you expect, depending on the model that you own. A typical lawn mower has a relatively long handle, and while that part won’t be taking up floor space, it will be in your way when trying to get to other items in the garage. Even if you can fold up the handle on your model, that will become an annoying chore you have to do each time.
• Unpleasant odor. This is an issue that some homeowners don’t anticipate – but it makes itself known as soon as you walk into the garage a couple of days after mowing the lawn. Unless you carefully cleaned off all of the grass clippings, those clippings are going to start to smell rather unpleasant as they dry.
• Inconvenient access. One other point to consider is that it might not be easy to get in and out of the attached garage with the mower, which will only add time to this chore.

Keeping Your Mower Outdoors

If you decide to cross your attached garage off the list of storage options, you might be considering just leaving it outside. You could set it off to the side of your lawn and let it live there, and you could also buy a cover to protect it from some of the elements. This is certainly a convenient way to go, since you can just park it once you are done cutting the grass. However, even if you do add a cover, it will still be outside in the cold winter months, and it will probably get wet one way or another. For the most part, parking your mower outside should only be a last resort when nothing else will work.

Adding a Storage Shed

Now we are getting into the better options that will provide you with both convenience and protection for the mower. By constructing a storage shed on your property, perhaps just behind the yard near the fence, you will have a handy storage solution that may be able to accommodate other yard tools, as well. In addition to the mower, you could also house things like shovels, rakes, gloves, and whatever else you use to keep your landscaping looking pristine.

The great thing about this kind of storage shed is that it does not need to be an expensive addition to your property. With a steel shed, for instance, you can complete the whole project for a modest investment, giving you a perfect parking spot for your mower without breaking the bank.

Design Your Shed

Detached Garage for a Bigger Space

Along the same lines as a storage shed, you could opt for another type of building separate from your house – a detached garage. This can also be a steel building, but it will be much larger and capable of far more than just storing your mower. You could set aside a spot for a mower in the new detached garage, but you could also use it for parking, storage, and more. Also, if you like to work on DIY projects, this detached garage could provide the perfect indoor space to spread out your tools and supplies so you can work properly.

Before planning out a detached garage, be sure that you have the space available on your property for such a building, and make sure that the building will comply with all local codes and regulations.

Order from American Carports, Inc. Today!

As you can see, an affordable and durable steel structure is the best outdoor lawn mower storage idea. Whether you’re planning to build a small shed or a large enclosed garage, you can customize your structure exactly to your liking with our Build & Price Tool! The team at American Carports, Inc. looks forward to serving you.

While you may love bass fishing, unfortunately, you can’t take your boat out every day. That means you’ll need somewhere to store it while not in use to help maintain its condition. Luckily, we have plenty of bass boat storage ideas for you to protect your boat, and we’ll walk through a few of the most popular choices below.

If you’d like to store your boat away from the elements, a metal carport is the best way to protect it. Customize your structure with our Build & Price tool, and get a free quote today!

The Off-Property Option

Before getting into the different ways you can store your bass boat at home, let’s first talk about the idea of storing your boat somewhere else. Specifically, using a storage facility that has boat/RV storage spots available. This approach is certainly a viable option for those who don’t have space available at home to store their boat, but it does come with some significant drawbacks, such as the following:

• Ongoing cost. When you store your boat at a storage facility, you’ll be paying that monthly fee for however long you own the boat. Investing in a storage solution on your own property comes with an upfront cost, but you’ll enjoy savings in the long run by avoiding the monthly expense.
• Your boat isn’t at home. Sure, you can go pick up the boat when you are ready to take a trip, but what about when you just want to work on the boat for a few minutes? Whether you want to clean it or make a small repair, you’ll have to head off to the storage facility to make it happen.
• Unpack every time. You won’t want to leave any of your fishing gear in the boat when you park it at a storage facility. If you store your boat at home, you might be able to keep a few things inside, especially if you park inside an enclosed and locked garage.

In the end, while off-site storage is a necessary choice for some people, it shouldn’t be your first option. If possible, storing your boat on your own property is the way to go.

Parking Outside

As another option, you could simply park your boat on an open space on your property and leave it out in the elements. With a cover placed over the boat, it would probably fare pretty well as the seasons come and go. This approach does work, but again, it has some drawbacks to consider.

For one thing, you’ll need to put the cover on each time, and the condition of that cover will likely deteriorate pretty quickly as a result of being exposed to the elements so regularly. That means you’ll have to replace the cover at some point, and you might get tired of taking it on and off. Also, even with a cover on the boat, it will still be exposed to more of the elements than with some of the other options we have listed below. If you’d like to keep your boat in the best possible condition, parking outside should only be your choice when no other options are viable. 

Add a Carport to Your Property

If you’d like to store your boat under cover without making a big financial investment, go with a metal carport. These are affordable structures that offer protection from elements like rain and snow. You can even add a wall to one side if you would like to protect against the prevailing wind.

With this approach, you may still decide to put your boat’s cover on when it is parked for long periods of time, but that cover won’t have to do nearly as much work. The roof of the carport will offer the bulk of the protection, and your boat should remain in nice condition well into the future as a result.

A Detached, Enclosed Garage

This is the ultimate bass boat storage option. Building a metal garage that is detached from your home will provide your boat its own place to live. You won’t need to put the cover on when it is parked, since the boat is inside. Also, if you lock up the garage, you may feel comfortable leaving some of your fishing equipment in the boat. With this approach, there will be very little standing in your way each time you want to head to the local lake – just hook up your hitch and be on your way.

Order from American Carports, Inc. Today!

Out of all of the bass boat storage ideas, a metal structure from American Carports, Inc. is the best option. Whether you go with a simple carport or an enclosed detached garage, you’ll have a great place to park your boat between fishing trips. Not only do our structures make for an excellent storage solution, but they are also affordable and can be constructed quickly. Customize your new structure today!

Create a Carport

If you own an RV or camper, you know one thing to be true—your rig spends a lot of time in storage. Sure, you’d love to be out exploring the countryside more often, but real life tends to get in the way. Even if you spend a few weeks per year on trips, you’ll still be storing your RV more often than not. That said, having a good storage plan in place can make RV life more convenient, and it can help keep your RV in better condition for years to come. Take a look at these RV and camper storage ideas to get started.

Need a reliable cover for your RV? American Carports, Inc. offers affordable, fully customizable metal RV carports. Shop now!

Don’t Make These Mistakes

To get started, we are going to highlight a few mistakes that you’ll want to avoid when storing your RV or camper:

• Leaving the windows open. If you get back from a trip on a beautiful summer day, you might have the windows open in the RV while you are cleaning it out and getting it ready to be stored for a while. That’s great – just don’t forget to close them when you are done. Leaving the windows open will invite water inside, and that’s never good news.
• Forgetting perishable food. You might be able to leave a few staples in the RV, such as canned goods, but you’ll want to take almost everything else out when it comes to your food supply. Leaving perishable items behind can make for an unwelcome surprise before your next trip, and you may even attract some critters (if they can find a way in).
• Not locking the door. Even if your RV or camper is parked on your property, you can’t assume it will always be safe. Get in the habit of locking the door while it is stored so no one is able to easily let themselves in.

Park in a Covered Spot

Establishing a covered parking spot for your RV will go a long way toward protecting its condition. While RVs are designed to be exposed to the elements, leaving them out in the weather all year long is just asking for premature deterioration. If you can add a metal RV carport to your property, you’ll have an affordable solution that will keep your RV out of the weather and in great condition for upcoming trips.

Keep the Curtains Up

Hopefully, you will be able to keep any unwanted moisture out of your RV while it is stored. That’s the goal, but real life isn’t always so kind. Keep the curtains up in your RV while it is parked so sunlight can get in during the day. If there are some damp spots, the sunlight may prevent the development of mold. Of course, in addition to leaving the curtains up, it’s also a good idea to check in on the RV from time to time to make sure it’s staying dry inside.

Think Like a Rodent

As you get ready for a long period of storage, take a careful look around the exterior of your RV and seek out spots that might let little critters inside. Remember, small rodents and other animals can often squeeze through very tight spaces, so even the smallest crack could be an issue. Seal the rig up to the best of your ability to keep rodents out and to prevent yourself from finding an unwanted surprise when spring rolls around.

Consider the Condition of Your Tires

This tip doesn’t apply to campers, but it is important for any RV that has tires, such as a motorhome or trailer. When you store the rig for a long period of time, that period of inactivity can be hard on your tires. RV tires are expensive to replace, so it’s in your best interest to care for them while in storage.

For starters, check the air pressure and make sure there is plenty of air in the tires before you leave it parked (the air pressure might be a bit low after a long trip). Also, try to move the vehicle from time to time during the storage period to alter which portion of the tire is resting on the ground. Finally, do what you can to keep the tires out of direct sunlight, as the UV rays are hard on the rubber. If needed, you can purchase tire covers to help guard against sun damage.

Order a Metal Carport from American Carports, Inc.

A metal RV carport is one of the top RV and camper storage ideas to provide your vehicle with the shelter it deserves. Keeping the rain, snow, and sun off your RV while it is stored will help preserve its condition and should cut down on maintenance requirements down the road. Plus, with American Carports, Inc., you can customize your RV carport exactly to your liking with our Build & Price tool so that it meets your exact needs. We look forward to serving you!

If you use firewood frequently through the winter months, you’ll need a place to store it so that it stays safe and dry. Those who use a wood-burning fireplace as their main source of heat during the cold part of the year will use a significant amount of wood, so having a spacious storage option is desirable. Here, we’d like to highlight some helpful and effective firewood storage ideas that should make it easier for you to keep your firewood organized and ready to burn.

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!

Separate but Close

Storing firewood is a tricky task because you want to keep it close to your home for convenience, but not too close. Big piles of wood tend to attract a variety of critters, so you don’t want to store the wood right next to your house. Rather, it would be better to store it in a separate structure that is close enough to the house to still be convenient on those cold winter mornings.

A small metal outbuilding like a storage shed or carport is a perfect solution to this problem. These kinds of buildings are affordable to construct, can be placed in a variety of locations, and require very little in terms of maintenance. Also, by going with a metal building, you won’t have to worry about those critters doing any damage to the structure itself. The size of the building you select will depend on how much wood you need to store, of course, but this idea can work for a variety of needs.

It’s All About the Stack

There is an art to stacking firewood, so it’s beneficial for you to learn a little about the best methods to handle this task. Piling up your firewood in a messy heap in the middle of the floor is just asking for trouble. This causes the wood on the bottom to stay wet, and it gives small animals endless places to hide.

The right way to stack firewood is to give each piece as much room to breathe as possible. You want the wood to be dry when it comes time to burn it, and wood needs air circulation if it is going to dry out. Another key point is to make sure you resist the temptation to stack your pile too high without the right support. A tall stack of firewood could turn into a serious safety risk if it tips over at the wrong time. Consider using a firewood rack to keep your wood organized and in place.

Limit Other Uses

It might be tempting to get multiple uses out of your firewood storage building by adding other items to the space. However, it’s best to avoid this temptation and keep the area clear instead. There are a couple of problems with storing other things near your firewood, and the first is simple convenience. If you pile up other items in the space, it’s going to be hard to access the wood when you need it. Also, a pile of firewood is a potential fire hazard, so you don’t want to collect it next to anything that could be flammable or contribute to the ignition of a dangerous fire.

Only Bring in What You Need

On a winter day when the weather is good, you might be tempted to pull a weeks-worth of wood off of your pile and bring it into the house. That would save you work later on, but it would also come with some significant downsides. In addition to cluttering up your house, you’d certainly be bringing plenty of new guests in with you–and most of them have eight legs. Spiders love woodpiles, and some will come in with each load. By bringing in a big pile that is going to sit for a few days, those spiders will have a chance to dispense to various parts of your home.

The other concern with bringing in so much wood is that the wood won’t be able to dry out properly while inside. If you have green wood, that wood needs to dry in an environment that is not as warm and humid as your house. Leave it outside in covered storage until it’s ready to be used.

Work with American Carports, Inc. Today!

We hope these effective firewood storage ideas assist you! If you decide to add a new structure to your property to keep your firewood out of the elements, American Carports, Inc. would be happy to serve you. Our metal structures are a perfect choice for firewood storage, as they are affordable, durable, and can be installed quickly. Start customizing your structure with our Build & Price tool to get started!

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!