Month: August 2019

How to Build the Perfect Garage Workshop

Posted on August 30, 2019 by - ASI, Carports

Many people dream of having a spacious garage workshop for all of their various projects and chores. They’re not as expensive as you might think! A custom metal building from American Steel Carports, Inc. can allow you to select your preferred features at an affordable cost. Explore how to build the perfect garage workshop starting with our structures!

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A Dedicated Space

The first step when determine how to build the perfect garage workshop is to set aside space that is specifically designated for your projects. It’s all too easy to allow the rest of your life to blend in with your workshop, but that is not a productive approach. Soon, your workshop space will be overrun with other items, and you’ll never get anywhere with your projects. Whether you’re able to dedicate an entire garage to workshop duty or just a portion of it, make sure your space is clearly defined from the start.

Your Workbench is the Focal Point

With your space established,turn your attention to the workbench. This is the heart of the workshop, as it is where many of your tools will live and where you’ll work. The perfect workbench is going to vary from person to person, but here are some key things to keep in mind:

  • The right height. Do you like to work standing up, or do you prefer to sit in a chair?Are you taller or shorter than the average person? Your personal situation is going to dictate the ideal height for the workbench, so be sure to place it in such a way that you can work comfortably for hours.
  • Smart storage. You’ll want to have the tools you use most often within arm’s reach. Bigger tools that are used less frequently can be stored under the bench or elsewhere. It’s hard to get things done when your work space is cluttered and messy, so creating organized storage solutions should be a top priority.
  • Room to expand. Don’t build your new workbench just barely big enough to handle your current projects. Instead, create something large enough to take on bigger jobs that you might tackle in the future.

Account for Open Space

As you get excited about the various possibilities for your workshop, don’t forget to leave some open space in the design. This blank space is important for a couple of reasons. First, it will allow you to move freely around the workshop, creating a more enjoyable experience. Also, when working on a big project that goes beyond the scope of your work bench, you can move into the open space and have all the room you need to work.

When ordering your metal workshop, think ahead. Having more space allows you room to grow, but ordering a size that’s too small can be limiting without much room to change.

Light It Up

You will need to be able to see clearly in your shop, so a detailed lighting plan is an important step. For starters, you will want to have some large, overhead lights to illuminate the whole space with the flip of a switch. From there, consider adding some smaller lights over your workbench for more direct lighting on your projects. Also, it helps to have a couple of portable lights on hand that can be moved into position wherever they’re needed.

Your Own Building

At first, you may be thinking of creating this dream workshop in the garage that is attached to your house. That can work, of course, but it might not be the best choice if you are serious about your projects. The garage may also be home to a vehicle or two, storage of overflow household items, and recreation equipment like bikes, skis, golf clubs, etc. In other words, it’s hard to find dedicated workshop space in the average garage.

So, what’s the solution? Build a separate garage, of course! That might sound like an expensive endeavor, but opting for a metal garage will make it far more affordable. Metal structures from American Steel Carports can be constructed quickly, designed specifically to suit your needs, and are durable enough to face tough weather conditions.

You can use the handy Build& Price Tool on our website or call to speak with a member of our team. Let’s get started on making this dream a reality!

Dealer Profile – Ron Clark of Texoma TNT in Witchita Falls, Texas

Posted on August 23, 2019 by - ASI, News

There is a saying in marketing that goes, “Good conversation will drive traffic”. Nothing could be truer when it comes to Ron Clark of Texoma TNT of Wichita Falls, Texas. Ron is great to talk to, then combine that with the fact that he knows the product inside and out and you have a top-notch buying experience. Ron takes great satisfaction in the fact that American Steel buildings are high quality at an affordable price and has enjoyed partnering up with them.  When I asked him why a customer should choose him, he quickly answered, “I have knowledge”. That was also the advice he had for future dealers; knowledge of product from top to bottom. He pointed out that by ordering from him you can be assured to have someone in your corner the whole time.

As a final question, I always like to ask, what concert would they want to see.  Well, Ron first responded he wouldn’t. Then, remembered the time when he was younger and drove a bunch of friends to Dallas to see a concert. Only he stayed outside in the bed of the truck listening to the music and drinking cold beer.     

We are proud to have Ron on board as a dealer for us and can assure that he will take perfect care of you.

Find Ron’s dealership information below:

TEXOMA AMERICAN STEEL

(800) 313-2046

Website: 
www.texomatnt.com

Facebook: 
https://www.facebook.com/texomatnt/

The Ultimate Carport Size Guide

Posted on August 15, 2019 by - ASI, Blog, Carports

The Ultimate Carport Size Guide

Choosing to add a carport to your property is a smart decision. After all, they’re affordable structures, serve a variety of purposes, can be constructed quickly,and will last for years if they’re high-quality. With that said, picking the right size carport can be a little difficult, as there are several factors to consider. We hope this carport size guide will help you find the size that’s perfect for your situation!

Are you ready to buy your new carport? Use our Build & Price Tool at American Steel Carports Inc. to customize your carport, view a 3-D rendering, and receive an instant quote!

It Starts with Function

The first thing to consider when trying to size your carport is what you plan to use it for. Is this going to be a structure that is used exclusively for parking,or do you have other plans in mind? Some carports owners use part of the structure for covered parking, while the rest of the space is reserved for storage, projects, etc.

If you only intend to park your vehicles under the carport, the math is pretty simple. Figure out how many vehicles you’re going to park under the carport, determine how big they are, and find the right sized carport.

For this purpose, you’ll probably be able to go with a standard size, rather than designing something custom. For instance, a traditional single carport is 12’ wide, making it perfect for typical passenger cars or trucks. To park something bigger, like an RV, you’ll not only need more width and height than what a standard carport provides—of course we have standard RV carports available as well!

Confirm Your Numbers

Before you order a carport, it’s a good idea to take measurements of the vehicles you plan to park inside. This will only take a few minutes, and it can help you to avoid an expensive mistake later on.

When your car is parked in your carport, you need to have extra space around the vehicle to get in and out. Always pad your measurements to take this into account. As mentioned above, a standard carport is 12’ wide, even though most cars and pickups are much narrower than that. That’s simply because you need the space to move about the carport with ease.

Save on Length

If you’re tight for space when planning your carport, remember that it’s better to save space in terms of the length of the structure rather than the width.You’ll always need room to get in and out of the vehicle on the sides. Plus, you need a little margin for error when parking your car, which is still available if you sacrifice length. Sure, you might not be able to walk around to the front of your parked car if you tighten up the length, but you can still keep your vehicle safely out of the elements.

Finding the Right Space

It’s one thing to know how big you need your carport to be, but it’s another thing to actually have that space available on your property. Remember, you will not only need to have a big enough footprint for the carport, but you’ll also need the extra space to enter and exit your vehicles.

Look to the Future

Do you think you might have an extra vehicle to park in the future? If so,consider buying a carport that is larger than the one you need at the moment. You on’t want to build a carport now only to have to start over to accommodate another car or a larger vehicle. Do your best to plan ahead and build something now that is going to serve you well for as long as possible.

Customize Your Carport at American Steel Carports, Inc.

We hope this carport size guide has helped you to settle on the size you need.Now, there’s only one thing left to do—place your order! When you buy from American Steel Carports, Inc., you can choose from our standard size options or completely customize your design using our Build & Price tool. If you have any questions along the way, please don’t hesitate to contact us for assistance. We look forward to serving you!

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