Tag: custom buildings

So Many Options to Enhance Your Metal Building

Posted on October 17, 2018 by - A-Frame Vertical, ACI, Blog, Buildings, Custom, Steel Structures

American Carports takes pride in ensuring our customers’ satisfaction when purchasing metal buildings. From the moment you speak to one of our sales representatives, we want to understand your ideas and make sure they come true. No matter how complicated your building might seem, we will take care of you by meeting all of your needs and expectations once our highly skilled installers build your metal unit.

Fully vertical metal buildings offer the ultimate protection against the natural elements, allowing debris to slide off easily to give you the maintenance-free experience. Also, when a meta building is fully vertical, you can opt to add our insulation (R Value 16) for an additional price. You see? You’re not just purchasing any metal building, you’re making an investment to fully protect your belongings.

Did you know that you can also get colored screws?

Yes! If you want no sign of screws on your metal building, you can upgrade to colored screws for an additional price.

Take a look at this 26’W x 31’L x 9’H fully vertical unit with two 10’ x 8’ overhead doors, a 10’ x 8’ roll-up door, colored screws, and a 36” x 80” walk-in door:

*NOTE: Please be aware that this customer is using his own insulation. By doing this, you will void all warranties with American Carports that your building might have. *

You can customize your own metal building, too! Let one of our experts help you create that metal building that you’ve always wanted. And don’t forget to ask about our financing options. Want to see our buildings in person? Ask for your local dealer!

Your Toys Need Protection Too!

Posted on October 15, 2018 by - A-Frame Vertical, ACI, Blog, Buildings, Lifestyle, Steel Structures

Are your vehicles out in the open? What about your toys? Do you need a concrete pad for your building?

Keep all of your vehicles and toys safe with a low-cost, engineer-certified metal building that will last for many years! All of our buildings are custom-made to meet your requirements.

Each of our buildings is a live example of what American Carports is capable of. Take a look at this 26’W x 46’L x 12’H metal garage:

This metal buildings comes with three (3) 10’x10’ roll-up doors, and two (2) 36 x80” walk-in doors. What would you use this metal building for?

So, one of the most frequently asked questions from our customer is: Do I need a concrete pad for this building? The answer is NO, our buildings can be installed on normal ground or asphalt as long as the ground is leveled. However, this doesn’t apply for metal buildings wider than 30′, also known as wide spans, due to the size and the amount of material needed to keep the building sturdy. Want to know more about our wide span units? Click here for more information.

There are endless ways to create your own metal garage, and with thirteen (13) different colors to choose from, you can add your own personal touch. Give us call to speak with one of our experts! Your metal building is just one call away!

Custom Building with 5 Side Openings

Posted on October 1, 2018 by - ACI, Blog, Steel Structures

Have a project in mind? Ballin’ on a budget?

Let American Carports help you out! We offer unbeatable prices, engineer-certified structures, and a one-year workmanship warranty!

We know that our buildings are a big investment, especially when it comes to protecting your belongings. That’s why we employ the best experts in carports to help you customize your building and work around your budget.

Most of our buildings come with roll-up or walk-in doors. However, we do have customers who want their buildings to have openings only. One good example is this custom metal building recently installed:

  • 30’W x 51’L x 11’H
  • A-Frame Vertical Roof
  • 12-Gauge Galvanized Tubing
  • Horizontal Sides & Ends
  • 10′ x 10′ Roll-Up Door (front end)
  • 36″ x 80″ Frame-Out (openings)
  • 5 – 8’6″ x 9′ Frame Outs (openings)
  • Concrete Anchors (90-Mph wind warranty)

There are endless ways to customize your unit, so our team can help you build the metal building of your dreams! Remember that we can provide you with a free sketch to help you visualize your creation. Give us a call, and don’t forget to ask about our financing options.

 

*Disclaimer: Prices are subject to change at any time without notice. Please contact our sales department for our latest prices.*

Did you Know Insurance is Cheaper for a Steel Building?

Posted on September 25, 2018 by - ACI, Blog, Informative, Lifestyle

It’s true. In fact, metal structures are one of the best options for your budget in many ways. You’ll save in terms of initial costs and long-term value, but there’s also more savings below the surface. While you’ll be hard-pressed to notice the differences between your steel structure and one constructed from traditional materials, your insurance company will. Enjoy the savings that come with your building being impervious to the leading causes of property damage.

Lower Risks for Worker Injury Lead to Lower Costs During Construction

The process of putting together a steel building is notably faster than for those made with other materials. Fewer people are required for the job, too. This results in big savings not only in labor, but also in insurance coverage. Smaller crews pay less for liability insurance, and lower overhead should lend itself to a smaller price per job. The speed of construction and smaller crew size are points you can use to negotiate better pricing with your contractor.

Lower Risks for Damage Lead to Lower Insurance Coverage

Insurance policies fluctuate in price based on many factors, including a structure’s location, age, risk of theft or damage, and value. Whether you have a cash value or replacement policy, you’ll find your rates are less for a metal structure. Why? Put simply, metal structures cost less to replace than properties made from wood or stone, and they present a much lower risk when it comes to ordinary damages.

According to insurance leaders, the top reasons for residential damage claims are:

  • Hail
  • Heavy winds
  • Water
  • Fire
  • Ice and snow loads

In addition, the average cost for termite damage every year is $3,000 per home. Those costs may or may not impact insurance rates, depending upon the type of policy you carry.

When reviewing each of the major dangers a typical structure faces, it becomes clear that many of those risks can be managed by building with steel.

Metal Roofs Typically Enjoy Class IV level UL 2218 Impact Resistance Testing

Metal roofs typically enjoy Class IV level UL 2218 Impact Resistance testing. They have the strength and resistance to withstand hail without pocking and without the type of damage that poses a risk to other areas of your building. They also don’t lose resistance over time like other types of roofing. You can trust your metal roof to look good and perform well for decades.

American steel buildings are also designed to withstand heavy winds. We use 100% red-iron steel beams known to resist winds traveling up to 170 mph. If you live in an area especially prone to harsh conditions, we can work together to make sure your structure is reinforced against damage. You can also speak to one of our sales professionals about our previous buildings that have stood up to the very worst weather.

Our buildings are resistant to water damage, as well. Unlike wooden structures or low-grade steel beams, our materials won’t rot in excessively moist conditions. You won’t have to deal with dangerous mold taking over your structure either. And because you’re dealing with a metal roof, you’ll have fewer worries about water leaks during storms.

Steel Buildings Decrease the Risks of Fire and Natural Disaster Damage

Fire is a major worry for most home and business owners, and you should ensure you have the appropriate smoke detectors and fire extinguishers in place. Your family or employees need to have a plan to get to safety in case a fire breaks out indoors. That said, the statistics don’t lie. You’re much less likely to have a fire in a steel building, as the walls and roofing of your structure aren’t combustible. Not only does this limit your structure’s losses during a fire, but it also makes it much less likely for a fire to spread.

Finally, property owners have to deal with snow and ice. In the South, this isn’t a major concern for obvious reasons. When there is frozen precipitation, it’s rarely enough to remain on the roof, let alone to create load concerns. What about customers who want to build in other areas? Peak steel buildings are built strong enough to withstand more ice and snow than you’ll probably ever see. Even so, we do have features useful in helpful in preventing ice and snow from building up on a roof. Talk to one of our experts about these or any other special concerns.

Insurance companies understand how resistant metal buildings are to the biggest risks to homes and businesses. If your policy covers termite or other pest damage, your savings should be that much greater. In any case, knowing about these risks  and the ways steel protects against them provides you with plenty of bargaining power.

Can a Steel Building Increase my Home Value?

Posted on September 18, 2018 by - ACI, Blog, Informative, Lifestyle, News

Lately, I’ve been seeing steel buildings increase in popularity because builders can use these durable, versatile, and flexible construction solutions for every application.

Not only have homeowners utilized steel buildings for residential purposes, but also builders have made additions to their existing properties. There’s no doubt that a steel building garage will increase the value of a home, but it’s also important to note that it will help raise the overall property value. In an article in Realtor Magazine, the official magazine of the National Association of Realtors, Peggy Patenaude, an agent with Prudential Howe & Doherty Realtors in Andover, Massachusetts, says that a garage definitely increases the value of a property if it’s in a mid-level or higher price range and in a cold climate.

Moreover, if a home doesn’t have one, it may prove to be a deal breaker. According to Patenaude, “I think a two-car attached or detached garage can add $30,000 to a home’s value; a one-car attached or detached garage may increase it by $15,000 to $20,000.” The author of the Realtor Magazine article spoke with real estate investor and author Grant Cardone, as well, whose company is based in Los Angeles. In the article, he says that having a garage is especially critical in this turbulent real estate market.

Yet Cardone goes on to comment that he’ll consider buying a house as an investment if it doesn’t have a garage, as long as there’s room to add it. “It was different four years ago because there was so much less inventory,” he says. But Cardone agrees that the investment is a good one. He mentions that the “average two-car garage will return the investment two to two-and-a-half times. It doesn’t mean you have to have one with polished or painted floors and other fancy amenities, but it does have to be clean and roomy. Adding some extra square footage doesn’t cost that much more with this type of construction.”

Steel buildings also utilize clear span framing, which provide open space without bulky trusses or internal columns. For many shoppers, the existence of a steel building garage is the factor that can convince them to purchase a home, so it’s almost always a valuable addition to your property. Still, that’s not always the case with buildings of traditional construction. While a brand new wooden pole barn will have good curb appeal, it can become difficult to maintain over the years. Steel doesn’t rot, warp, twist, or bend like wood does. Since wood is an organic material, over time it will decay when exposed to the elements. Do you want to replace boards or wooden components every few years? An old wooden building that hasn’t been regularly maintained actually could make your property worth less than having no structure on your property at all.

Another thing to think about: in many cases, banks, lenders, and appraisers in specific cities or counties don’t consider a pole barn a ”permanent structure” because of the lack of a foundation and the fact that the walls don’t always need to be secured to the ground with concrete or other permanent methods. Additionally, pole barns aren’t typically engineered to meet structural requirements, as they are more like an agricultural shed.

Pre-engineered metal buildings require proper foundations, which means these buildings are permanent structures. Structures with foundations, as they are considered permanent by most permitting offices and appraisers, typically help a property appreciate in value over time. Since some wooden structures and pole barns aren’t considered permanent structures, adding them won’t likely increase your property value. A steel building is engineered to stay safe, be functional, and hold its aesthetic value for decades. The steel building garage you decide to build today is going to look strikingly similar and would confer the same or more value to someone else in several decades—with little or no work from you. Even if you decide not to sell and pass your land on to a family member, you’re setting them up for future success right now. Isn’t that worth your investment?

 

Add Value to Your Property with this Workshop!

Posted on September 10, 2018 by - ACI, Blog, Customer Builds, Steel Structures

Need a new addition on your property? Want a better and bigger workshop?

Have you ever thought about having your own “man cave”? Or perhaps a workshop to work on your vehicles? If your answer to both questions is yes, it’s likely that your main concern about getting a workshop is the price. Metal buildings can range in price depending on the size and number of features added to the unit. Remember that we’re working to meet your expectations. If you’re on a budget, our experts will work with you until we design your perfect building.

So, what if you don’t have a concrete slab? Is your building going to be gone with the wind?

Our buildings don’t necessarily have to be installed on concrete slabs. Leveled surfaces like asphalt and regular ground are typically flat enough to install metal buildings. Additionally, our company offers mobile home and asphalt anchors to secure your metal building, so if you want to get our 90-mph wind warranty, we can still give it to you as long as your purchase all of the necessary anchors. However, keep in mind that any building that exceeds 30’ in width will be required to have a concrete slab.

Take a look at this beautiful metal workshop:

  • 30’W x 51’L x 12’H
  • A-Frame Vertical Roof
  • Horizontal Sides & Ends
  • 12’x12′ Roll-Up Door (front end)
  • 8’x7′ Roll-Up Door (front end)
  • 2 – Windows (one on each side)
  • 36″x72″ Walk-In Door (on the side)
  • Additional Trussing
  • Additional Hat Channels
  • Mobile Home Anchors

Disclaimer: Interior designs may vary by state or region. This metal workshop was installed in Colorado. Therefore, it was necessary to add extra trusses in order to meet local codes.

 

We’re here to help if you’re interested in the same style as the building described above, but if you want to change its dimensions, please give us a call. Let one of our experts help you customize the building of your dreams.

*Disclaimer: Prices are subject to change at any time without notice. Please contact our sales department for our latest prices.*

Weather Delays

Posted on July 10, 2018 by - Blog, News/Press, Questions

In this business, the longer it takes to complete a project, the more time it’ll be before the next one can get started. Setting back the completion date isn’t something most contractors want to do, but sometimes it’s inevitable. However, it is possible to plan for delays so that they’re less detrimental to the project and its timeline. Checking with your local building department or code enforcement for local codes can expedite the process too.

 

Setbacks are often caused by factors outside a contractor’s control. For instance, weather conditions can affect a construction timeline. Depending on the location, spring can bring rainy weather and be followed by the dry heat of summer. Fall and winter can bring cooler temperatures, snow, and ice. Each of these can be harmful to materials and machinery and can cause safety hazards to workers on site.

 

Any sort of outdoor work is made more difficult by rain, and rainy and wet conditions are a frequent reason for contractors to request additional time on a project. Rain can cause myriad problems for people working on construction. Mud can be not only a nuisance, but a safety hazard for anyone driving off a muddy site or for drivers who must share the road with an excessively muddy vehicle. But this can be avoided by using gravel or rock as a base and properly grading the land ahead of time.

 

Thunderstorms can cause even more damage to a site. And they often come with high winds that can disorganize a job site at best and destroy materials at worst. The hail that accompanies thunderstorms creates another major concern, as it has been known to dent and even break materials like sheet metal and glass.

 

Spring’s showers might dry up when the summer months come around, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t any more risks for the work site. Hot and dry weather brings its own set of problems. Extreme heat can cause health problems to workers, and if they seek relief by removing protections like hard hats and safety glasses, they could put themselves at risk of injury.

 

Autumn and winter bring cold weather that can have a negative impact as well. The equipment finance advisor noted that mortar and grout can be most affected by cold weather. When they get too cold, they cannot properly absorb moisture, and this makes them weaker and less resistant to water.

 

Cold weather affects workers too. They need to wear additional layers when working outdoors, and these layers restrict their movement and their ability to handle items carefully. Muscles and joints are also less flexible when cold, which could put workers at greater risk of injury.

 

Inclement weather can’t be avoided or prevented. In most cases, though, it can be predicted with fair accuracy. If you know that your site is at risk of any of these adverse weather conditions, take precautions to protect your equipment, materials, site, and workers

 

Mobile Mini also provides mobile offices. These can be used as a places for contractors to store important information about the site, or as a refuge for employees to escape the hot sun or the cold air.

Warranties That Make The Grade

Posted on July 5, 2018 by - Blog, News/Press, Questions

Have you ever heard those scary stories from a neighbor or friend about a carport structure collapsing or even completely blowing away? This sure can be intimidating. There are many ways, however, for you to protect your structure and ensure that it is “built to last.”

 

American Carports certifies all of its steel structures and offers a one-year, four-season workmanship warranty* on your steel buildings. Unbelievably, that is just the standard warranty. Pretty great, huh? Our engineers have a plan in place to certify all of your building needs. From basic carports to our triple-wide steel warehouses, be assured that we can offer you the best warranties available and assist you with any information that you need.

 

Did you know that, when you upgrade your building’s frame from our standard 2.5”, 14-gauge galvanized steel to our 2¼”, 12-gauge steel material, your one-year standard warranty will be combined with a 20-year limited warranty** on frame rusting? That sounds expensive, you say. American Carports, however, offers its customers the best of the best at a price that still meets most budgets. Our 12-gauge price options vary depending on the unit’s size and, in most cases, are very similar in cost. Be sure to compare the differences when placing your order.

 

Do you get a lot of snow? No worries—American Carports has you covered. For heavier snow-load capacities, customers can purchase additional truss and bracing. You also have the ability to choose from a variety of roof options, such as the A-frame vertical or the A-frame horizontal. Our engineers know just what it takes to ensure that your unit has the proper snow load to meet your city code.

 

They don’t call Chicago the windy city for nothing. For those customers who live in high-wind areas, American Carports offers several anchoring options, including (but not limited to) mobile home, asphalt, and cement anchors. No matter where you are located, be sure to ask about our 90 mph wind warranty.*** Our sales team will help you to determine which type of anchoring system you need. Is your area not very windy at all? Still, you don’t want to be blown away! American Carports will hold it down, as all of our units come with our standard rebar anchors at no additional charge.

 

Needless to say, American Carports makes the grade, scoring 100% when it comes to offering its customers the quality and protection that they deserve. Be sure to explore all of your warranty options with one of our educated sales reps. At American Carports, your visions are unbounded and will surely be “built to last.”

 

Check our Features Page for more information on our Warranties

 

*Four-season workmanship warranty: American Carports warrants for a period of 1 year from the date of complete installation against defects in workmanship, assuming normal user care and maintenance. See contract for more details.

**12-gauge tubing: 2-1/4” 20-year limited warranty on rust throughout framing, assuming normal user care and maintenance. See contract for more details.

***90 mph wind warranty: Valid with a qualifying anchoring system. See contract for more details.

Colonial/Wainscot Style for your Metal Building

Posted on June 21, 2018 by - Blog, News/Press, Product Reviews, Questions

Do you like to be colorful? Would you like your carport to have a residential look with additional colors? Then let American Carports do the trick for you.

 

Did you know that you can have two colors on your horizontal siding carport at no additional charge? Many of our customers have chosen to go with this specific style called colonial or wainscot style. Choosing to go with contrasting or complimentary colors on your structure makes the building look unique while adding your own personal touch, and with thirteen (13) different colors for you to mix and match, you can easily make your vision into a reality.

 

*Note: We also offer colonial/wainscot on vertical buildings. However, there will be additional fees depending on the size of the end and the sides.* 

 

Wonder how a multi-color metal building looks like? Here are a few examples from customers just like you, giving you a little taste of what we can do to your metal building:

 

 

Beautiful, isn’t it? With a very relevant style, and all customization.

 

We’re here to help, if you have any questions feel free to give us a call, one of our team members will be more than happy to assist you. Don’t forget to visit our features for more information. Our main goal is to meet your expectations and give you the most pleasant experience when purchasing a metal carport.

 

Need more ideas? Check out our Blog section for new buildings every week from real customers. Give us a call if you have any questions.