Month: March 2023

Metal Building vs. Pole Barn: Which Structure is Right for You?

A metal structure on farmland with sunrise in the background and horse on the green open field.

When building a large building on your agricultural property, you have a lot of factors to consider. You want the new construction to be durable, of course, and you want it to be large and open enough to suit your needs. But, at the same time, you surely have a budget for this project and won’t be able to proceed if the price tag is too high.

With that background in place, let’s use the article below to discuss the differences between metal buildings and traditional pole barns. Each option can work as a home for animals, equipment, and supplies, but they have different advantages. Understanding this debate better will help you settle on the right pick.

And remember, if you decide that a metal building is the best option, American Steel Carports, Inc. is the right place to shop. Our Build & Price tool makes creating your order easy, and you’ll be able to fully customize the structure so you can guarantee that it will fit perfectly on your property.

Pole Barns are the Traditional Pick

Let’s make no mistake about the fact that a wooden pole barn would be the traditional option for a large agricultural building. These structures have been loved for generations for their affordable nature, flexible uses, and relative durability. A wooden pole barn can still work today, just as it has worked for many past property owners, but that doesn’t mean it’s the best pick.

It should be noted that despite their long history in the market, pole barns do come with some severe drawbacks. For one thing, quite a bit of labor is required during the construction process, so costs can rise even if the material expenses are controlled. Also, there are limitations on the slope of the ground under a pole barn, so you might have to do a lot of site prep work to make a pole barn possible. Of course, site prep is not free, so this is another element that will add to the cost of the job.

Also, there is the ongoing risk of fire that should be considered when using wood for construction. That’s particularly problematic in an application like an agricultural building where flammable materials and equipment that runs on gasoline may be stored. So while you can undoubtedly put precautions in place to limit the chances of a fire, it can never be entirely ruled out when lumber is involved.

The Move Toward Metal

Metal buildings on the market these days come out ahead of wood pole barns in every appropriate comparison category. For example, when you look at the things that aren’t so attractive about wood pole barns, you see that metal buildings address all those issues nicely.

Fire risk

First, we can start with the fire risk. Metal doesn’t burn, so you won’t have to deal with the potential of a fire destroying your building and everything inside – and putting people in danger in the process. Of course, it’s still wise to avoid fire danger in the building, but you don’t have to worry about the building being burned to the ground.

Affordability

The materials and labor needed to create a new metal building are going to be more affordable, as well. In addition, constructing a metal building takes just a fraction of the time required for a standard pole barn, so the final investment will be far less when all is said and done.

Maintenance

Plus, there is little maintenance needed on metal buildings, and critters won’t be able to come in and much on the wooden components. Not only does future maintenance require time, but it also comes with a financial cost – so avoiding the need to care for your building is yet another way that metal structures prove to be more affordable.

American Steel Has You Covered

We hope you enjoyed this blog on metal builds vs. pole barns! As you can see, there is too much to like about a metal building to consider going any other way with this project. So why “woodn’t” you go with metal?

With so many benefits and no notable drawbacks, it’s easy to see why metal buildings have become a popular pick on farms and many other types of properties. So, when you are ready to start your metal building project, contact American Steel Carports, Inc. to put the wheels in motion! And remember to explore our Build & Price tool to receive a free estimate. Again, thanks for visiting our blog; we hope to help you soon!

What Is the Cost of Building a 2-Car Detached Garage?

A man counting his money to pay for a brand new 2-car detached garage

A detached, 2-car garage is one of the most valuable additions you can make to your property. Whether you plan on using it for parking, storage, projects, or a combination of those options, you’ll love having this space available.

Of course, you probably don’t need to be convinced of the usefulness of a new garage – but you might be wondering just how much it will cost to make this project happen. So today, we’ll look at those associated costs so you can make an informed decision on how to proceed.

And remember, for affordable, durable metal detached garage structures, American Steel Carports, Inc. is the ideal partner. We have been serving customers for years, and we take pride in the extensive customizations that we offer. Start by using our Build & Price tool and receive a free estimate! If you have questions, reach out to us directly for help.

How Much Does a Detached 2-Car Garage Cost?

The range of possible prices for a detached two-car garage covers a vast spread. For example, you might secure a new building for just a couple thousand dollars, while it’s also possible for the price to rise to $10,000 and beyond. But, of course, it all depends on various factors like the building materials used, the exact size of the garage, and where it will be constructed.

Rather than looking at price averages, which isn’t very helpful regarding how much your new garage will cost, getting a quote for the project you have in mind is more effective. That’s why we make it so easy at American Steel Carports, Inc. to request a quote on our products. You can assemble a design with our Build & Price tool and then request a quote on your creation. That way, there will be no guesswork or wondering if the averages apply to you – instead, you’ll have a quote in hand, and you can decide how to proceed. Of course, expert assembly and delivery are always included in your purchase.

Custom Features Impact Price

As you would imagine, custom features in your new garage will drive the price higher, but it might be worth it to get exactly what you need. For example, if you want to upgrade to 12-gauge framing and vertical siding, the price will rise somewhat – but perhaps not as much as expected. But, again, getting a quote on the specific configuration that you had in mind is your best bet.

Other features you might want to invest in include windows or an additional door. It’s far better to ensure the first garage you order will work for your needs over the coming years vs. buying a garage you must modify later—or worse, spending more money to order a new building because the first one just isn’t getting the job done anymore.

The Metal Advantage

If you consider different options for your garage project, you’ll quickly find that building a metal structure is far more affordable than going with wood. While wood has been the traditional choice for generations, it is quickly being replaced by metal thanks to two primary advantages.

First, the materials needed to build a metal garage are more affordable, so you start with a lower initial price. Then, the savings are compounded because a metal garage is far easier to construct, meaning you’ll need to use fewer labor hours to put it into place. That means you’ll be using more affordable materials and spending less on labor, so everything adds to impressive savings that a wood structure can’t match.

As if that wasn’t enough, there is also the durability of metal to consider. Your metal garage will demand very little maintenance and can be expected to remain strong and steady for a long time. In fact, you could probably get away with doing no maintenance at all, but even just washing the garage down once in a while will keep it looking great.

American Steel Has You Covered

When you work with American Steel Carports, Inc. on this project, you can create a new 2-car garage for an affordable price without sacrificing quality. Our team would be happy to make this vision a reality, so start building today and look forward to many years of reliable service from your new building. Again, thanks for visiting our blog; we hope to help you soon!

5 of the Best Ideas for Easy Backyard Storage

Kiddo playing with his toys in the backyard

Looking at your backyard might not be your first instinct when you need storage space. More likely, you’ll start by trying to squeeze every bit of space out of your garage and closets in your home. However, for some things, the backyard can be a suitable solution if you use it to store the right stuff and devise a plan for where each item will live.

We want to help you start by presenting a few backyard storage ideas in this article. However, if you really want to elevate your backyard storage options, consider adding a new metal shed from American Steel Carports, Inc. It’s easy to create a custom shed using our Build & Price tool, and our team is always happy to help if you have questions.

#1 Productive Planters

If you like to keep fresh flowers growing in your yard throughout the spring and summer, you probably use planters for at least some of those plants. As you may know, a deep planter doesn’t need to be filled all the way to the bottom with dirt – the plants only need a fraction of that soil to establish roots and grow properly.

So, instead of wasting so much space—and making your planters so heavy—consider creating planters with storage space under the plants. Building simple planter boxes is a job without the reach of many DIYers, and you can build a box within a box to open up storage space under the plants. Even if you don’t want to make one on your own, you might be able to find similar storage planters on the market for purchase—for example, this versatile planter storage option from Lowe’s.

#2 Add an Outdoor Cabinet

For people who like to cook and eat outside, outdoor cabinets will make life much easier. Even a simple plastic cabinet you can set on the ground near where you enjoy cooking and dining will work nicely. Inside, you can store basics like napkins and placemats, a few cups and utensils, and even water bottles. This way, whenever you use your outdoor dining space, you don’t have to return to the house when you forget something. As a bonus, these items won’t take up room in your home, so the level of clutter inside will also decrease.

#3 A New Metal Shed

A metal structure is the ultimate solution for backyard storage, so we certainly couldn’t leave this one off the list. By adding a shed that fits nicely into the space you have available in your yard, you can store many of the things you need to use in the yard daily. An obvious starting point for shed storage includes garden tools, your lawnmower, pots for plants, gloves, kneeling pads, and on and on.

By working with American Steel Carports, Inc. on this project, you can perfectly customize the design to ensure it fits in the spot you had in mind. Want to add features like a window, a larger door, or maybe some insulation? No problem – we offer the flexibility to bring your vision to life.

#4 Add a Storage Bench

This idea goes along with the concept of planter boxes with storage space below the flowers. In this case, it’s a bench that doubles as a storage space. You’ll gain seating, which is always a nice benefit, and the bench’s interior will offer plenty of storage space for things you only need to access occasionally. As with the planter, you could build this or purchase one from a home improvement store, like The Home Depot.

#5 Plastic Bins for Toys

If you have kids, one of the hardest things about keeping your backyard organized and functional is gathering all of their little toys without stepping on Legos in the process. Instead, consider using small plastic bins to divide the toys into categories and keep all of them together nicely. If possible, look for containers that don’t have solid sides – many on the market are made with a grid pattern in the plastic – as this will allow anything wet to dry off nicely.

American Steel Has You Covered

You won’t be able to store everything you own in your backyard, of course, but utilizing this space for a few essential items could make a big difference. We hope the tips above are helpful as you work on getting organized, and remember to work with American Steel Carports, Inc. if you decide that a new metal backyard storage shed is the right solution. We appreciate your time!

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