When done right, adding a garage to your property can add significant value to a house. In this post, we’ll look at how much a garage might add in terms of value, and we’ll also talk about how you can ensure the garage you select meets your expectations.

First and foremost, you’ll want to work with the right company to get good results from your garage project, and that company is American Carports, Inc. We have everything you’ll need to create a beautiful new detached garage, and it all starts with our Build & Price tool. Explore customization options in that tool, and contact us directly if any questions come up.

How Much Value Does a Garage Add to a House?

Sadly, there is no way to answer this question with any kind of concrete figure. There are just too many variables involved to say that the new metal garage you add to your property will boost its value by a certain number of dollars or a certain percentage. Moreover, real estate markets are dynamic and forever changing, so what applies in one situation or circumstance simply might not be relevant in another.

But we can say this – adding a garage to your property will almost certainly have a positive impact on the home’s value. It’s hard to imagine a situation where the addition of a quality metal garage from American Carports, Inc. will lead to your property being worth less to prospective buyers. Whether that impact will be big or modest will depend on many things that are simply out of your control.

Make Sure It’s Useful

If you want to give yourself the best possible chance to enjoy a positive return on your investment when you eventually sell your new garage along with your property, you need to make sure it is going to have value to add for buyers. Generally speaking, that means making this new garage as versatile as possible. If you design it so it only really functions for your current needs, potential buyers probably won’t share those needs and they might look at the garage as more of a hassle than a benefit.

So, there is a fine line that you’ll want to walk with regard to customizing your structure. We make customization easy here at American Carports, Inc., so you can pick and choose the features you want to include in your design, along with basic elements like the footprint and height of the building. As you work on customizations, however, remember what future owners might want to do with the space and avoid doing anything too specific or limiting that might make it hard for others to use.

Consider Aesthetics

As you get started with this project, your primary aim is likely to make your property more functional. You may not currently have enough storage space for your needs, or you might want a garage where you can work on projects. It’s fine to start with the practical side of things, but aesthetics should enter the equation at some point, as well.

On the aesthetic side, you’ll want to make sure nothing about the new garage clashes or contrasts too dramatically with the existing house. You don’t have to match the paint colors perfectly – that might be nearly impossible, anyway – but you should consider how the two buildings will look together. To play it safe, consider using neutral, muted colors on your new garage so you don’t create an eyesore that prospective buyers won’t want to deal with later on.

Build Your Garage Today

You are unlikely to want to install a garage on your property purely for the sake of future resale value. Most likely, this project will be driven primarily out of the desire to have a useful garage space available for storage, projects, and more. With that said, if you create a garage with the help of American Carports, Inc., it can be useful to you in the years to come and also help you get more money in a sale. Turn to our team today to get started!

One of the great things about owning a trailer is the convenience that it can provide. Once you have the proper hitch on your vehicle, you can back up into position, attach the trailer, and be on your way. But of course, if it’s that easy for you to tow your trailer away, it would be just as easy for a thief to do the same thing.

Trailer theft is a problem that can be addressed by taking steps to make it more challenging for someone to take off with your property. This article will highlight some tips that are easy to implement to keep your trailer safer starting immediately.

But remember, among the best trailer theft prevention methods is parking your trailer within a secured garage space. By locking the door between the would-be thief and the trailer, you’ll be making it much more difficult for you to be a victim. If you’d like to add a metal garage or shed to your property for trailer storage, American Carports, Inc. is the perfect partner for that project. Explore our Build & Price tool to discover the possibilities and receive a free estimate for your project!

Understanding the Strategy

The idea behind securing your trailer is to make it as difficult as possible for a potential thief to steal the trailer from your property. That isn’t to say that you are making it impossible, as there is no 100% guarantee someone won’t try. But if you make it hard enough, the thief will likely move on to look for an easier target.

If your trailer is parked outside on your property with no theft prevention measures, any steps you take to secure it will be a big move in the right direction. Unfortunately, too many trailer owners get overwhelmed by the many security options on the market and wind up doing nothing. Don’t make that mistake – even small steps can make a big difference.

Lock Up These Two Key Components

To secure your trailer, two primary areas should grab most of your attention – the hitch and the wheels. So let’s discuss each of those below.

The hitch

Without access to the hitch, a thief will be stuck in their tracks and be forced to move on. So, adding a hitch lock is a logical first step for trailer security. These products come in various shapes, sizes, and prices, so you can shop around for one that fits your needs. Even a basic model is better than nothing, as you’ll be putting a barrier between the hitch socket and whatever vehicle the thief was planning on using to tow the trailer away.

The wheels

Just as the trailer isn’t going anywhere if the thief can’t access the hitch, it also won’t go anywhere if the wheels won’t turn. Wheel locks are another accessory you might want to pick up and install on your trailer when it isn’t in use. Between a lock on one of the wheels and a lock on the hitch, a thief would have to work hard to succeed.

Both items discussed above are relatively small and can be stored away easily while using the trailer. But, of course, you’ll need to keep the keys close at hand so you can remove the locks when the time comes to put the trailer in motion again.

Parking Indoors Has Many Benefits

We already mentioned that parking your trailer inside of a garage is one of the best security steps you can take for your trailer. If you park the trailer inside a locked garage and then add a lock on the hitch or wheel, you’ll have a setup that most criminals will pass up to look for an easier target.

It should be noted, however, that having indoor parking for your trailer is not just about security. That might start out as your primary motivation, but you’ll soon realize that parking inside protects your trailer from the weather and gives you a place to perform maintenance comfortably. Depending on the design of your garage or shed, you might also be able to use it for storage purposes, aside from just trailer parking.

American Carports Has You Covered

We hope you enjoyed this guide on trailer theft prevention. While no single system or method is perfect when it comes to theft prevention, your best bet is to layer a few different techniques to make it as hard as possible for your trailer to be stolen.

And remember, if you’d like to add a metal garage or shed to your property for trailer storage, American Carports, Inc. is the perfect partner for that project. Explore our Build & Price tool to discover the possibilities, and contact our team if you have any questions along the way. Again, thank you for visiting our blog, and we hope to help you soon!

Even the largest RVs come with limited storage space on board. As you start loading up the rig with clothes, cooking gear, food, recreational equipment, and more, that space will disappear quickly. So, it’s always important to save space where you can, making the most of every last square inch. Of course, you’ll get better at the skill of packing your RV strategically as you gain experience, but we’d like to help by offering some creative tips below. Read on to discover seven of the best camper storage ideas!

#1 Utilize Bins

Keeping your things in plastic bins or totes is one of the best ways to tame the packing beast. When you use containers, you can easily stack things that otherwise wouldn’t work well for stacking. Also, you can purchase containers of various sizes to fit every little nook and cranny you have available in your RV. Consider looking for bins with locking lids so you don’t have to worry about the tops popping off in transit. Also, clear containers make it easier to find what you are looking for quickly, so that’s another appealing feature.

#2 Store in the Shower

While shower storage might seem odd at first, it makes a lot of sense when you think about it. Unlike the shower in your home, you probably don’t use the shower in your RV all that often, and when you do use it, you are just rinsing off quickly. So why not put some things in there for storage that can easily be pulled out of the way? A few of the bins we mentioned above would be perfect candidates for storage in the shower space.

#3 Collapsible Trash Container

You certainly need a place to put your trash in the RV, but a regular trashcan may take up more space than you have to spare. Try using a collapsible container instead that you can set up while you are on your trip but can quickly be emptied and folded away when in transit from one place to another.

#4 Look for Shoe Solutions

You might find that you want to take a variety of types of shoes with you on RV trips, especially if you are exploring the outdoors. Many shoe storage options on the market are designed specifically for RVs, including hangers with slots for several pairs. These products are typically cheap and can be found on Amazon.

#5 Sticky Hooks

Add hanging hooks to your RV that stick onto the wall and can be pulled down anytime without leaving residue behind. These are a great way to hang towels in your bath or kitchen area or create a spot to leave the keys. Since these hooks are so affordable and easy to install, you might find yourself coming up with countless ways to use them.

#6 Keep Your Food Gathered

Earlier, we discussed using plastic bins for your various items, but you can also take the same approach for the food that goes with you on each trip. First, buy some shallow plastic containers that don’t need lids that will fit nicely in the pantry area of your RV. Then, each time you get ready for a trip, fill up those containers with the foods you want to take, and everything will be organized and under control when you arrive at your destination.

#7 Bring Fewer Things

Okay – so this last one isn’t a trick to get more out of your storage space, but rather a reminder that you probably don’t need to bring everything you planned on packing. Things will often go unused during a trip, so pay attention to the items that never seem to get used as the trips add up. Once you notice that certain things are never needed, leave them behind on future trips and open up some space for easier packing or other items you might enjoy.

The Perfect Home for Your RV

We hope the seven camper storage ideas above have motivated you to work on properly packing up your camper for your next trip! Once you implement some of these tips, along with your own unique solutions, you’ll be amazed at how much can fit on an RV without making it feel crowded or cluttered.

And, when your RV isn’t out on the road exploring new places, make sure it remains in good condition at home by parking it under a structure from American Carports, Inc. Explore our Build & Price tool to experiment with different features and configurations. And always, you are welcome to contact us at any time if you have any questions along the way! Thank you for visiting our blog, and we hope to help you soon!

For the average homeowner, a mower is one of the trickiest things to store effectively. There are a couple of different problems that you’ll encounter when looking for a storage spot for this tool – the shape and the mess. A mower is quite long from front to back when you consider the length of the handle, and when you have finished mowing the yard, the blade and housing will be covered in a mat of grass. With all of that said, parking your mower outside isn’t a great solution, either. It’s a little bit unsightly, and the condition of the mower may quickly degrade when left out in the elements.

This article explores some of the best push mower storage ideas for 2023 to make your life a bit easier. And remember, if that solution involves a new metal structure on your property, American Carports, Inc. is the easy choice for such a project. Explore our Build & Price tool to customize your new shed or detached garage. If you have any questions, our team is always happy to help!

#1 Build a Shed

Without a doubt, the best place to store a push mower is in a shed in your yard. The advantages to this approach are many, including the following:

Convenient access

The yard is where you use your mower, so it only makes sense that you would want to store it in the same place. Then, when you are ready to mow the lawn, you can simply open the shed, pull out the mower, and get to work. When the job is finished, you tuck it away and close the door. This simplicity will make the whole chore of mowing the lawn feel far less of a hassle than it might be currently.

Space for other things

Your mower will only be one of many landscaping tools and supplies you can keep in this shed. Once you have it all set up, your shed will be a one-stop shop for everything you need to take care of your yard and have it look great all year round.

Contain the mess

Most of the tools you use to care for your property, including the mower, will be rather messy after you use them. Sure, you’ll want to clean them off before putting them away, but you don’t want to go through a full cleaning ritual every time. By having a shed that is dedicated to the storage of landscaping equipment, you can allow it to get a bit dirty without a worry.

If you add a shed to your property, look for a convenient spot that is also off to the side and out of the way. Depending on the shape and size of your lot, the side of the house tends to work well. That way, you won’t have to look right at the shed when you step out the back door, but it will be close at hand and ready to use when needed.

#2 Park It in the Garage

If a shed is not a suitable option, consider parking your lawnmower in the garage while it is not in use. For most people, the garage is a space that serves many different purposes, including the storage of various types of items. By keeping a spot on the side of the garage open for mower parking, you can roll up the door and push it in when the yard work is done for the day.

One problem you might experience with this plan is the smell that a lawnmower can produce. Unless you get all of the grass off the mower after each use, some grass will dry on the mower – and drying grass tends to smell pretty bad. So, if you like to use your garage for other things and don’t want it to stink, carefully cleaning the mower deck will be required.

#3 Buy a Cover

Finally, you could leave your mower outside with a fabric cover to keep the rain away. While a cover is the least effective option discussed in this article, it’s still better than nothing. On the plus side, these covers are affordable, so you won’t have to spend much money to add at least a little protection to your mower as it sits near the house, waiting for the next mowing day to arrive.

American Carports Has You Covered

We hope you enjoyed this blog on the best push mower storage ideas for 2023! Don’t let another summer go by with push mower storage being a source of frustration on your property. Instead, turn to American Carports, Inc. to add a quality, durable metal shed that can act as a comfortable home for your mower and many other landscaping tools.

Explore our Build & Price tool to get started today. Thank you for stopping by our blog; we hope to help you soon!

Having a shed on your property is a great way to add convenient storage space that may be just steps from your home. This is far more appealing than renting a storage unit somewhere around town, which would require you to get in the car every time you wanted something – not to mention the ongoing monthly expense of the rental.

While you might think first about using a shed to store things like a lawnmower and other landscaping tools, the potential of this space is far greater. In fact, you might even be able to use your shed to store clothes, as long as you have the right plan for doing so successfully.

Step #1: Know Your Enemies

Properly storing your clothes in a shed comes down to knowing what threats those clothes will face while in storage. If you understand the risks, you can pick a storage method to keep trouble at bay and ensure your clothes remain in good condition until you are ready to use them again. With that in mind, let’s look at the three primary threats you’ll need to mitigate when storing your clothes in a shed.

Moisture

You don’t want your clothes to get wet while in storage. They should be completely dry when you put them into storage, and you should pack them up to ensure they stay dry day after day. If the garments get wet, you will likely face mold problems, which would ruin the affected clothes, and you’d have no choice but to throw them out. Any adequate clothes storage strategy is going to prioritize keeping moisture away. Wait until clothes have cooled after using a dryer because sometimes, the heat can make us mistake clothes for being dry when they aren’t!

Critters

If you have a shed in your yard, a few little critters will likely come poking around occasionally. And, if those critters make their way into the shed, they’ll probably look for food or a place to hide out and be comfortable. Your clothing would make a cozy bed, so it is an ideal target for any critters who make it inside. Good clothes storage adds a layer of defense between your clothes and the critters so that no damage occurs, and you won’t be in for an unwelcome surprise later on.

Direct sunlight

Direct sunlight can also threaten clothes for sheds with a window or sheds where the front door is open frequently. The sun’s power can degrade the condition of your garments and cause them to fade from their true color.

How to Store Clothes in a Shed

So, knowing the three threats above, what is the right solution for clothes storage in a shed? Black plastic storage totes are the way to go. With a firmly-attached lid, these totes will address all the issues we’ve highlighted. A good tote is going to lock out any moisture that is in the air, it will keep critters from getting in, and the black color will block the sun’s rays and prevent UV damage. As a bonus, these totes are easy to stack, and you should be able to pack many clothing items in a relatively small shed.

Other Storage Possibilities

Unless you have a lot of clothes to store, there will probably be room left in your shed for some other things. If you want to move different items from your house out into the shed for storage, keep these tips in mind.

Furniture

Many of the same risks for clothes apply to furniture, so protect it with plastic before putting it into the shed. Of course, you won’t be able to fit furniture into a bin, but you can use large rolls of stretch wrap to cover each item and limit the risk of damage.

Mattresses

You’ll need a rather large shed to store a mattress, but if you have that kind of space available, look into the possibility of getting a mattress storage bag to keep it in good condition. One thing you’ll want to avoid is stacking up anything else on top of the mattress – that kind of ongoing pressure on the bed will leave it far less supportive when you are ready to use it again.

Mirrors

As one of the trickiest items to store safely, you must pack mirrors carefully to avoid breaking them in the shed. As a starting point, run some tape across the mirror diagonally, and then wrap the whole thing in bubble wrap to limit the chances of breakage. Finally, use cardboard over the bubble wrap to cover the corners and place the mirror in a spot that is unlikely to be disturbed.

American Carports Has You Covered

While most of your clothes are sure to continue living in your closet, having an extra space like a shed for seasonal items or things you don’t wear very often is a nice bonus. Work with American Carports, Inc. today to create a versatile shed solution for all your storage needs.

At American Carports, Inc., we offer fully-customizable, affordable sheds built to withstand the test of time. Get started with our Build & Price tool, and don’t hesitate to get in touch if you need assistance. We hope to work with you soon!