Tag: Versatile

What is Galvanized Steel?

Posted on September 6, 2018 by - Blog, News/Press, Product Reviews

Steel is known for its strength, formability, and versatility. Perhaps that’s why the largest consumer of steel, housing and construction, puts it the most to use everyday .  Perhaps it’s due to the fact that galvanized steel is the most durable coating there is.

 

What exactly is galvanized steel?

 

Steel is considered galvanized after it goes through the galvanization process. Steel is submerged into liquid zinc whereafter produces a tough, fortifying cover of zinc-iron alloy and zinc metal. This glaze fights moisture, making steel last for 50 years. Maybe that’s why it’s been used since 1742.

 

The first step of the galvanization process is the most important: surface preparation. Steel must be free of oils, dirt, and grease. Thus, it’s submerged in caustic acid and then rinsed with water. The next stage is called pickling, which is a process that aims to remove oxidation from the steel with hydrochloric acid. Fluxing, or diffusion soldering, is a technique that targets impurities and reduces it. If this process is not done correctly, the steel would not be coated when dipped into the zinc.

 

After the cleansing, the big step finally comes. The steel is dipped into a 850 F kettle containing 98% of pure molten zinc. How does one know the liquid is correctly proportioned? The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) has to approve its adequacy first. Then after 10 minutes or less, the steel is carefully removed from the bath. The coating occurs due to a chemical reaction between the zinc, iron, and other metals that mix in order to enhance the quality of the coat. The steel is then let to cool off by air itself or with water.

 

A process called quenching is performed to further enhance the coat. A mixture of water and other chemicals are poured into a tank, whereafter is layered onto the steel to protect during transportation and storage. This additional step is not necessary, but in some factories, the process is taken.

 

This next step consists of  inspecting the quality of the coating. At this point, it’s cooled off and dry. Multiple tests, physically and laboratory, are run in order to examine the thickness, appearance, and adherence of the coat. Ultimately, what is created is a coating so strong that combats natural factors from deteriorating it.

 

But if steel is said to be resistant to a handful of elements, why is galvanization performed?

 

Galvanizing simply further enhances the quality of steel even more, making it last for more than 50 years. The advantages are countless.

For example:

 

    • It’s tough. In fact, it’s the toughest protective cover for steel. Apart from the organic strength of steel itself, galvanizing the material makes it withstand damage from natural elements.

 

    • In addition to its guaranteed 50 year + lifespan, the touch-ups are minimal. When you purchase galvanized steel, maintaining your carport won’t be difficult. The protection it offers makes steel less prone to the damaging effects of environmental factors.

 

    • Cost efficiency is another advantage of galvanized steel. Because its durability is long, you won’t spend money on replacing or repairing.

 

    • Moisture and oxygen reacts well with the coating, reducing rust expansion from a minimal to nothing at all. The rusting that may occur, however, develops after the 50 years. Plus, the zinc covering corrodes before the steel underneath.

 

    • Unlike many protective covers, galvanized steel is scratch-resistant.

 

  • The coat also helps with the appearance of steel, leaving it with a glossy finish.

Because of its good reputation, galvanized steel is used in many other products. Those who live in steel-based homes may have galvanized roofs, and vehicles contain many parts that are steel galvanized as well.

 

Steel is one of the most beneficial and effective materials in the world. But when it surpasses the galvanizing process, it becomes even better. That’s why we only use galvanized steel. Our customers are our top priority and we want to sell the best to the best.

 

Need a quote? Contact us today; we will be happy to assist you.

53rd Annual Colusa Farm Show!

Posted on February 7, 2018 by - Blog, Promotions, Questions

It’s that time of the year again… join American Carports at the 53rd annual Colusa Farm Show! Proud to stand by our local community, we are currently in attendance at this powerful showcase. From Feb 6th to Feb 8th the Colusa Farm Show serves as an agent in bringing suppliers and farmers together from all over the world. Here, agriculturalists stay up to date in the latest technologies in farming machinery. It is American Carports’ honor to serve farmers who have sustained the nation since its very foundation.

 

 

What does American Carports have to offer? We offer premium engineer certified metal structures at an affordable price. Let’s say you just spent thousands on your newest farming toy. Providing the proper cover will protect your investment through the test of time (and weather). Just like your phone needs a case, your agricultural gear needs protection too.  We can go big or small, what’s important here is that we cover your needs. We have a team of experts equipped with knowledge regarding sizes, extra protection, styles, and custom metal buildings.

 

 

Did we mention the Colusa Farm Show has free parking and admission? So, stop on by and say hello. We’ll be happy to see you… AND American Carports has a couple of free giveaways for you too! Enter for a chance to win a Yeti Cooler (with surprise goodies inside) as well as an 18x21x7 standard carport kit with your choice of color. All of this is valued at well over $1,000 but at no cost to you. Also, our wonderful Colusa team will sell their metal display at a discounted price. Head on over to our booth for additional details and walk away with great deals.

 

 

American Carports – Versatile. Strong. Built to Last.

 

Stories Worth Telling: Tell Yours.

Posted on July 27, 2016 by - Blog

Image courtesy of moggara12 at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

 

 

 

In a small town called Montpelier, Ohio, lies a 23-acre piece of land. Its rolling prairies are covered with trees, and the lengthy grass sways to the rhythm of each passing season. White-tailed deer and red cardinals thrive on the renourished land, never seeking nor expecting, just knowing nature will never fail. It was a lovely thing, and the family thought the same ‒ so they made it their home.

 

Slashing the grasslands, but keeping the trees, the family added an A-Frame Vertical Metal Lean garage with a Roll-up and Walk-in door about a mile down from the county road. The Evergreen panels camouflaged well with the vegetation surrounding it. Inside they implanted wooden stalls for the horses and german shepherd. On the left, they added another panel parallel to the wall with doors on each side of another sheet perpendicularly installed in the center, creating two storage rooms. Fishing poles, tools, hoses, leaf blowers, and repellents were kept in one. The other huffed a puff of air every time the door was swung open, carrying a fruity scent mixed with leather. Saddles, apple wafers, blankets, and other animal care were stored in that room.

 

There was another room next to the storages ‒ except it wasn’t enclosed. Two plastic drums filled with dry dog food and horse supplement rested inside. Near the corner, slices of freshly cut straw from the home’s prosperous grasslands were piled neatly. The sink installed next to the rooms had an electric wood and meat cutter attached to its counter. A Kubota and a Kawasaki were stationed in the center of the unit where they could easily be taken out by pulling up the Roll-Up door.

 

The Lean-To attached to the carport had racks and hooks attached on each side. A wheelbarrow and four bikes hung on the racks, while the shovels dangled in between the hooks. An aqua-blue motorboat, a black motorcycle, and a yellow tractor were kept inside. From the top swayed a deer hanging scale where the men gathered after a successful night.

 

A few acres to the right stood yet another unit, except it was much smaller. What made it different was the way it was designed ‒ it was a tall carport enclosed with iron wire fence. Five beagles happily barked and jumped as their droppings filtered through the fenced base to keep a clean space. The doors were opened when they were ready to be taken out into the woods; they would jump out, ready to use their adrenaline.

 

In front of these carports, one could see a slight hill, where a two-story home stood. The base porch had a rocking bench protected by an open Standard Roof Vertical carport. During thunderstorms, rainfall steadily bounced on the metal roof until they eventually find their way to the water pipes installed in each corner. Zooming out of the home, hundreds of peach trees outlined the piece of land. Every season, they got a little thicker, and every year they sloped downward as the peaches grew bigger and juicier.

 

In the midst of the woods, behind the home and buildings, were sprawled Hunting Blinds within property lines. They stood tall and strong despite the constant climbing during every season. The window panes, which allowed for a 360° view, were low enough to feel the gentle breeze, but high enough to hide from trophies.

 

The cardinals continued to chirp around the land, and the deer would occasionally take off through the prairie. Winters were frosty but tense, summers were nourishing and windy, springs were long yet filled with the strongest of storms. Sleet would scrape off the paint from the porch, the trampoline would get blown over by winds, the trees would become parallel to the ground, the pavement would melt with the heat, but one thing did not budge.

 

The metal carports remained strong and still.

 

Nature’s pulling and pushing forces had little to no effect on these units. Perhaps it was the anatomy ‒ the way the braces and anchors were placed. Whatever the reason, it was a good thing. The Evergreen coat remained, and though the family moved down south like the seasons, the carports knew where they belonged.

 

American Steel Carports, Inc. strives to have carport stories worth telling. Let us help you write yours.

 

Versatile. Strong. Built to Last.