Author: clickgiant

Outdoor Hay Storage Ideas

Posted on December 16, 2020 by - Blog, Carports

Hay is an essential supply on many farms. If you want to keep your farm running smoothly, you need to have a healthy supply of hay, which means keeping it dry to avoid spoilage. Fortunately, these outdoor hay storage ideas can assist you, and many of them are quite affordable.

American Steel Carports, Inc. has a variety of steel structures that are affordable, durable, and fully customizable! Use our Build & Price Tool to explore the many possibilities for your new building, and receive an instant quote!

The Fundamentals of Hay Storage

Storing hay isn’t particularly complicated, but you’ll want to make sure you get it right. If you make any significant mistakes when storing your hay, you could waste some—or all—of the supply. That’s an expensive error if you have a lot of animals to feed.

Experience is an important piece of the puzzle when storing hay, but we can help you get started with a few simple tips:

  • Proper bundles are important. One of the first decisions you need to make is how your hay is going to be baled. From small squares up to large rounds, there are plenty of options here. The right choice for you depends mostly on the equipment you have available. It takes less time to create large round bales than smaller square versions, but you need to have sizable equipment to get the job done. Remember, you’ll not only have to create those large bales, but you will need to move them into and out of storage.
  • Protect from moisture. One way or another, you need to keep your hay dry. This is easiest done by storing your hay under a roof, where it is protected from rain and snow but can still breathe. If you aren’t able to store your hay under a roof, it needs to be covered out in the field to keep it from going bad.
  • Feed from the older supply. You’ll want to design your storage in a way that makes it possible to feed your oldest hay first. Rotating your supply rather than putting out the freshest hay for the animals each time allows you to minimize waste throughout the year.

Every farm has to experiment with different techniques to find what works best for that property. With that said, the basic keys are the same from place to place. By keeping hay dry, bundling it properly, and feeding the oldest hay first, you should be on the right track.

A Potential Danger

Hay bales are nothing more than big bundles of dry grass—meaning they are extremely flammable. In addition to keeping your hay dry so it doesn’t spoil, you’ll also need to take steps to prevent it from catching fire.

The obvious place to start here is keeping the hay away from anything that could provide a spark. Don’t store hay in a building where work is done that can produce sparks or an open flame. Also, don’t smoke or allow anyone else to smoke around your supply of hay. With such a large supply of flammable material, a hay fire can turn into a major emergency quickly.

The risk of fire is one of the many reasons to consider a metal structure for your hay storage needs. A metal agricultural building isn’t going to burn like a wood barn if there is a fire. Of course, even with a metal barn, you still want to take all precautions to prevent a fire from happening in the first place.

As Much Space as Possible

When planning your new hay storage building, remember that you want to have as much room as possible to store this material. Not only do you need room to place the hay, but your equipment should also be able to get in and out when retrieving part of the supply. In addition, you don’t want to pack it so tightly in the building that the hay can’t breathe, as poor ventilation will raise the risk of spoilage.

Work With American Steel Carports, Inc.!

We hope these outdoor hay storage ideas assist you! There is enough hard work to do on a farm as is—you don’t need to make life harder by struggling to find the storage you need. If you decide to construct a steel building on your property, you’ll be sure to have dry storage for your hay supply all year long. Get started viewing all the possibilities for your new structure with our Build & Price tool!

Do Steel Sheds Rust?

Posted on December 10, 2020 by - Blog, Carports

There is a lot to love about steel sheds. For starters, they come at a lower cost than their wooden alternatives, and they can easily be customized to suit your needs. For these reasons and many more, steel sheds have grown rapidly in popularity in recent years. However, one concern people often have about steel sheds is if they have the ability to rust. Here, we’ll take a closer look at the matter of rust on steel sheds and how you can get a long life out of your new metal building.

American Steel Carports, Inc. has a variety of steel sheds that are affordable, durable, and fully customizable. Use our Build & Price Tool to explore the many possibilities for your new structure, and receive an instant quote!

The Basics of Rust

To prevent rust, you need to understand how it works—at least on a basic level. It is the combination of moisture, oxygen, and metal that can lead to rust, so you need to take one of those elements away to keep your new building free from corrosion. Obviously, if the building is made of steel, you can’t take that away. Also, oxygen is everywhere, so removing that from the equation probably won’t work.

So, we are left with water. If you want to prevent rust, you need to keep your shed as dry as possible. By keeping the inside of the shed dry throughout the year, you’ll limit the opportunity that rust has to form on the steel. You probably won’t be able to keep your shed completely dry at all times—it lives outside, after all—but some basic steps can limit moisture and reduce rusting.

Building on the Right Base

The surface under your shed is going to have a lot to do with the level of moisture inside the building. If you simply build the shed on bare ground, you will likely have moisture problems, and hence, potentially rust down the line. The ground always has some amount of moisture content, and that is going to lead to condensation in certain conditions.

A better choice would be to build your shed on a concrete pad. That approach will limit how much moisture is available on the floor and it should cut down significantly on the overall opportunity for rust to form.

Don’t Introduce Unnecessary Moisture

If you bring wet items into the shed and leave them to dry regularly, it stands to reason that you may end up with rust problems. One common example is parking your lawnmower in the shed while it is still covered with wet grass clippings. As those clippings dry, the water they release will be trapped inside the building, and you could be contributing to rust. Instead, clean off the mower before you park it, and you will have kept out a significant potential source of moisture.

Address Any Openings Immediately

This one might sound pretty obvious, but it’s easy to overlook if you aren’t careful. If there is a leak in the roof of your shed, that’s something you will want to address right away. Such a leak is going to allow in a lot of water during the rainy season, and you might find that rust starts to develop quickly. Not only is it important to fix any leaks to stop corrosion, but you also want to protect the condition of whatever you store inside the building.

Buy from a Quality Supplier

Rust is a far bigger problem on cheap metal sheds than it is on quality products from a respected manufacturer. If you order from American Steel Carports, for example, you will find that our 12-gauge products carry a 20-year warranty as an indication of the trust that we have in the buildings we sell. If you were to opt for a lesser product from a company that doesn’t stand behind its structures with this kind of guarantee, you may run into more rust issues in the years to come.

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Order from American Steel Carports, Inc. Today!

As you can see, steel sheds won’t rust if you take a few simple steps to prevent it. That said, the issue of rust is certainly not something that should stop you from ordering a steel structure! In fact, these buildings are incredibly durable and tend to require far less maintenance than wood structures. To explore the options we have available, get started with our Build & Price tool. We are excited to serve you!

How to Store a Gas Grill for Winter

Posted on December 2, 2020 by - Blog, Carports

Grilling has become a favorite pastime for millions of Americans. When warm weather moves in for the summer, people all over the country gear up to grill out. However, when it’s time to store your grill away for the winter, you need to protect it so it’s ready to go when warm weather rolls back around. Read on to learn how to store a gas grill for winter.

One way to keep your grill in great condition is to store it in a steel building from American Steel Carports, Inc. We offer a variety of metal sheds that are affordable, durable, and fully customizable. Use our Build & Price Tool to explore the many possibilities for your new structure, and receive an instant quote!

Clean Your Grill for Storage

The first task to check off your list is to clean the grill. You’ll want to clean the grates thoroughly to remove any leftover food particles, oils, etc. If the grates go into storage dirty, they might be pretty nasty after a few months of inactivity. Beyond the grates, wipe down all of the other surfaces with an appropriate cleaning product. Basically, the grill should be as clean as it can be before entering storage.

Address the Propane Tank

Another piece of the prep puzzle is dealing with your propane tank. Even if your grill is going to be stored inside, the propane tank should live outside. Make sure the valve is closed, disconnect the tank from the grill, and use plastic caps to cover the fittings.

Moisture is the Enemy

A big goal for your winter grill storage is to keep moisture away. Water poses the biggest risk to the health of your grill, as extended exposure to moisture could lead to rust—and that rust may render your grill unusable in time. Rusted grates are no good for cooking food, plus, rusted valves can interfere with the flow of propane. So, as you plan how you will store your grill, think first and foremost about keeping it dry. Consider the following options:

Grill Cover

The simplest solution for storing your gas grill is to place a cover over it when not in use. There are cloth covers available for nearly every grill model on the market, and they are relatively inexpensive to purchase. Using one of these covers during grilling season is a reasonable option for days when the grill isn’t in use, but they probably won’t offer the protection you need during the winter months.

One of the problems with a grill cover is that they are open on the bottom. So, after rain or snow, the moisture on the ground can evaporate up under the cover and into the grill. This isn’t as bad as leaving the grill uncovered out in the rain, but it’s still a moist environment that can lead to rust.

Under a Roof

While a grill cover is better than nothing, the best way to keep your grill safe in the winter is to place it under a roof. With a roof over the grill, the area around the grill will stay dry and there will be far less opportunity for rust to develop throughout the offseason. Here are three roof options that could serve as excellent grill storage locations:

  • Metal carport. Your grill would still technically be outside when stored under a carport, but it would be nicely protected from the rain and snow. One plus about using a carport is that it will be easy to bring the grill out when you are ready to use it. For example, if you get a nice stretch of warmer winter weather and want to use your grill once or twice, it will be easy to retrieve. Shop Now.
  • Storage shed. Many grill owners use their backyard shed as a storage option during the winter. You probably aren’t using your shed as much in the winter, since there isn’t as much yard work to do, so parking the grill here could be a nice option. Shop Now.
  • Metal garage. If you have room on your property to add a metal garage, this would be a great place to store your grill—along with using the space for many other purposes. Metal garages are surprisingly affordable compared to their wooden counterparts and can be constructed on a short timeline. Shop Now.

Work With American Steel Carports, Inc.!

It’s important to know how to store a gas grill for winter. The best way to protect it from the elements is by keeping it in a steel structure from American Steel Carports, Inc.! Get started today by exploring our Build & Price Tool, and feel free to contact us with any questions you have along the way!

Red Iron vs Galvanized Steel Buildings

Posted on November 25, 2020 by - Blog, Carports

Adding a new building to your property is a big decision. Not only is there a financial investment involved, but this is one of those decisions that is not easy to reverse. Once the building is up, you won’t want to take it down anytime soon. So, it’s worth doing your research to get this right on the first try.

In this article, we are going to discuss two of the primary options on the market today for new buildings—red iron and galvanized steel buildings. Each option has its benefits, and they are both quite popular for commercial and residential properties. In this post, we’ll discuss the pros and cons of each, so you can make the best decision for your needs.

How to Store a Riding Lawn Mower for Winter

Posted on November 17, 2020 by - Blog, Carports

Owning a riding lawn mower can be a huge time saver. If you have a big yard on your property, cutting the grass with a riding mower instead of a push model is a great upgrade. However, every growing season comes to an end, and when summer and fall give way to winter, you’ll want to have a storage plan in place for this piece of equipment. Here, we’ll show you how to store a riding lawn mower for winter to ensure it stays in top shape.

American Steel Carports, Inc. has a variety of metal garage and carport options that are affordable, durable, and fully customizable. Use our Build & Price Tool to explore the many possibilities for your new structure, and receive an instant quote!

Consider the Engine

A good starting point for your winter storage plans is to think about the engine in your riding lawn mower. The mower will likely be sitting for several months without running the engine, so you need to take some steps in advance to avoid long-term damage. While you should always consult your owner’s manual for instructions specific to your model, here are some general steps to consider for the winterization process:

  • Run it out of gas. While you still have some gas in the tank, add a fuel stabilizer product to help prepare the engine for winter. Then, use up that gas on the last mowing job of the year, so the tank is empty when the mower goes into storage.
  • Change the oil. This is something you should be doing regularly anyway, but it’s particularly important prior to winter. Storing your lawn mower with old oil will cause buildup and deposits to sit for months. This is also a good time to add a clean oil filter.
  • Take out the battery. Be careful when performing this last task. If you remove your battery before putting the mower in storage, you should be able to preserve it and use it again next spring. If the battery is left connected, it’s likely to drain down and may not be functional when you are ready to mow.

Clean the Mower Completely

Mowing the lawn is a messy task. Not only are you cutting countless blades of grass that are tossed around in the process, but there is also dirt, mud, weeds, and more to consider. So, at the end of a long summer and fall, your mower is probably going to be pretty dirty.

Even if you’ve been cleaning the mower a little bit during the year, you’ll want to perform a thorough cleaning before storing the mower away. Any grass you leave on the mower is going to get nasty after a while and will stink up the area where you have parked the machine. Also, the finish of the mower and the condition of the blades could be harmed if left uncleaned.

Park It Inside

If at all possible, you will want to park your riding lawn mower inside for the winter. Keeping the mower completely out of the elements is the best way to ensure it stays in top shape. Without indoor storage, the rain, snow, and wind that come through in the winter months will take a toll.

Adding a metal storage building to your property can be a great option for a riding mower. American Steel Carports, Inc. offers custom buildings, so you can design anything from a basic metal shed to a large steel garage. Metal buildings are an affordable and convenient way to establish protected storage for your mower and any other equipment that you might need to keep out of the winter elements.

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Think About the Tires

The tires on your riding lawn mower could develop flat spots if parked in the same place all winter long. This happens as a result of the tire pressure slowly decreasing, and the rubber getting a little harder in the cool weather. There are a couple of potential solutions to this problem:

  • Slightly overinflate the tires. Starting with a bit more pressure than normal in the tires can help you avoid flat spot issues.
  • Move the mower occasionally. If you have time during the winter for this quick task, you could simply move the mower a few inches every once in a while. Just moving it slightly will be enough to change which part of the tire is supporting the weight of the machine.

Work With American Steel Carports, Inc.!

Now that you know how to store a riding lawn mower for winter, keep it protected with a metal structure from American Steel Carports, Inc. Get started today by exploring our Build & Price tool, and feel free to contact us with any questions you have along the way!

How to Store a Motorcycle for Winter

Posted on November 10, 2020 by - Carports

There are few experiences quite like riding a motorcycle on a beautiful summer day. But as summer gives way to fall and then winter, it may become too cold to continue taking your bike out. If this is the case, it’s important to learn how to store your motorcycle for the winter to ensure it stays in top condition.

American Steel Carports, Inc. has a variety of metal garage and carport options that are affordable, durable, and fully customizable. Use our Build & Price Tool to explore the many possibilities for your new structure, and receive an instant quote!

Start with a Thorough Cleaning

You want your bike to look like it just rolled off the showroom floor when you park it for the winter. Giving the motorcycle a proper cleaning before it goes into storage serves a couple of purposes. First, it will look great when you’re ready to ride again, which will be a nice bonus as compared to having to clean a dirty bike before you can take a trip.

More importantly, cleaning the bike will protect its finish and various external components. Leaving dirt and grime on the motorcycle all winter long can cause the finish to deteriorate—and some of that damage might be permanent. It won’t take long to clean the bike, and you will be greatly rewarded for your efforts.

Address the Fuel and Oil

Even though your motorcycle’s engine won’t be running during the winter, you still need to think about both the fuel and the oil. Specifically, the fuel tank should be filled, and the oil should be changed.

Be sure to fill the fuel tank up completely to limit the amount of moisture that develops inside the tank. Water mixing with your fuel is bad news, so keeping the tank at maximum capacity will protect against an unwanted reaction. You’ll also want to be sure to add a stabilizer product according to the manufacturer’s directions.

For the oil, changing it right before storing the bike will remove the deposits and gunk that have accumulated in the old oil. Some oils are meant for winter, so find one of those specially-designed products for best results.

Decide on Your Storage Location

If at all possible, you don’t want to leave your motorcycle completely exposed to the elements during the winter months. Between cold weather and precipitation, winter conditions are not friendly to a motorcycle. At a bare minimum, you could invest in a bike cover to provide the motorcycle with some basic protection. However, putting a roof over the bike is going to lead to far better results.

Adding a structure to your property for motorcycle storage is the best way to keep it safe in the winter, and it’s probably not as expensive as you think. With a metal carport or garage from American Steel Carports, Inc., you can give your bike the roof it deserves without spending a huge sum. While a full garage will provide more protection than a carport from harsh conditions, either option is going to go a long way toward helping your bike make it through the winter in good shape.

 

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Two Other Important Points

If you’ve created a storage space for your bike, topped off the fuel, changed the oil, and given it a good wash, you’ll be almost ready for winter. There are, however, two other points you’ll want to keep in mind—the tires and the battery. Here’s what you need to do:

Tires

If parked in one place all winter long, the tires on your bike may develop flat spots. This happens because the air pressure in the tires will slowly dwindle over the winter, especially in cold climates. As the pressure drops, the bottom of the tire will flatten out.

One simple solution is to overinflate the tires a bit at the start of the winter, and then move the bike from time to time (even just a few inches). As a better option, leave the motorcycle on a stand to take all pressure off the tires during the storage months.

Battery

In the same way your tires will bleed air pressure through the winter, your battery will also slowly lose its charge. It’s quite likely that the bike won’t start in the spring as a result of the battery losing its juice. To avoid that frustration, take the battery off the bike while it’s in storage. You can use a trickle charger to keep the battery in good condition until you’re ready to hook it back up.

Work With American Steel Carports, Inc.!

It’s important to learn how to store your motorcycle for the winter to ensure it stays in top condition! American Steel Carports, Inc. can help you reach that goal. Use one of our carports or garages to protect your bike and keep it out of the elements. Get started with our Build & Price tool to see what is possible for your new structure!

How to Store a Car for Winter

Posted on November 4, 2020 by - Carports

If you own a car that only hits the roads during good weather conditions, you may need to store it through the winter season. With proper storage, you can maintain the vehicle’s condition so it’s ready to roll when spring arrives. Here, we’ll explore how to store a car for winter the right way.

American Steel Carports, Inc. has a variety of metal garage and carport options that are affordable, durable, and fully customizable. Use our Build & Price Tool to explore the many possibilities for your new structure, and receive an instant quote!

Settle on a Parking Spot

Leaving your vehicle exposed all winter long probably isn’t an appealing option. That said, it’s important to find some sort of protected storage area to keep it parked. Fortunately, there are several possibilities, including the following:

  • Attached garage. A garage attached to your home would be great winter storage for your car. This is an extremely convenient choice, but there are some downsides. First, you won’t be able to use the garage for the vehicles you drive every day. Also, you might want to use your garage for other purposes, such as a workshop or storage space, so you’d be giving up that option.
  • Off-site storage. Another option is to rent a space in a facility that is meant for vehicle storage. Your car will be completely protected from the elements in this kind of facility, but you’ll have to pay a monthly rental bill for the spot. Renting a storage space can significantly increase your cost of ownership on the vehicle.
  • Carport. A metal carport can be a perfect solution for winter storage in mild climates. If you live somewhere with relatively calm winter weather, a carport will put a roof over your vehicle without the added cost of a full garage. Also, during the summer months when you’re using the car, you can keep parking under the carport to prevent sun damage.
  • Detached garage. Perhaps the ideal solution for winter car storage is a detached metal garage on your property. This option keeps the car out of your main garage but still allows it to be fully protected from the elements. A detached garage is particularly desirable in a tough winter climate where rain, snow, and wind are common.

If you have room on your property, adding a metal structure–either a carport or a garage–is the ideal solution for your storage needs. View what’s possible for a new metal structure with our Build & Price Tool!

Wash Before Storage

It’s important to give your car a thorough wash before tucking it away into storage. Anything left on the vehicle for the next few months could wind up leaving a stain that you may not be able to remove later. By washing it properly before storage, the car will look great when you are ready to drive it again.

Oil and Gas Considerations

In addition to washing your car, you’ll also want to change the oil and fill up the gas tank. Fresh oil is smart because it flushes out the old oil which can contain contaminants and lead to buildup. By filling the tank with gas, you help prevent unwanted moisture accumulation. Add an appropriate fuel stabilizer to the tank to fight back against potential gum buildup during the off-season.

Think About the Tires

Keeping a car parked in one place for several months is not good for the tires. There are some options to mitigate the effects of long-term parking, such as the following:

  • Jack it up. To avoid flat spots on your tires, think about jacking up the car to keep the tires off the ground entirely.
  • Add more air. If you don’t want to keep the car on jacks, put a little extra air in the tires when the car goes into storage. That air pressure is going to drop a bit over the winter, but hopefully, there will still be enough to ward off any flat spotting issues.
  • Don’t use the parking brake. Locking your parking brake into position and leaving it for months on end could leave you with problems in the spring. Specifically, you might not be able to get the brakes to release after leaving them for so long. To make sure the car doesn’t roll away while stored, use blocks in front or behind a couple of tires.

Work With American Steel Carports, Inc.!

Learning how to store a car for winter is easy! As long as you secure a protected parking spot before the bad weather arrives and take a few other small steps, your vehicle will be in good shape. To see what kinds of structures are possible when working with American Steel Carports, Inc., try our Build & Price tool right away. Our metal buildings will provide the storage your car needs for the cold season ahead!

Animal & Livestock Feed Storage Tips

Posted on October 29, 2020 by - Carports

Caring for animals is a huge responsibility. Whether you’re a full-time farmer, a dedicated homesteader, or just someone who loves keeping animals on your property, managing feed is an important job. Improper storage can not only lead to a waste of resources but can also leave you scrambling for a way to provide for your animals. Here, we’ll explore a few simple animal and livestock feed storage tips to assist you.

American Steel Carports, Inc. has a variety of metal structures that are affordable, durable, and perfect for storage. Use our Build & Price Tool to explore the many possibilities for your new structure, and receive an instant quote!

Know the Enemy

Before you can properly plan your feed storage methods, it’s important to understand what you’re up against. What is it that threatens to ruin your feed, anyway? While there are plenty of potential threats, there are three that stand out:

  • Moisture. If your supply of animal feed gets wet, it will quickly be ruined, and you will need to dip into your budget to replace what was lost.
  • Heat. If your feed gets too hot during the middle of a scorching summer, unwanted organic growth can occur—and again, the feed will be ruined.
  • Pests. Critters are always looking for food, and the supply that is meant for your animals is an easy target. Whatever those unwanted pests are able to eat is going to be lost, as well as what might be damaged if they are living in the storage area.

Start with the Right Structure

Without a doubt, the best thing you can do for your animal and livestock feed storage needs is to have a building on your property that is suited for this task. Steel barns, carports, and other agricultural buildings work perfectly for many reasons. First of all, these buildings are affordable compared to other options, so they are viable for a range of buyers. Also, when you work with American Steel Carports, Inc. to build your structure, you can use our Build & Price tool to customize the design.

Having a quality storage facility is key because it takes care of so many of your concerns all at once. For instance, if you build a metal barn to store feed, you will have a dry place to keep your feed. There will be no need to worry about rain or snow causing problems with the feed you have stored. Likewise, the feed will be out of the sun and should stay cool enough to avoid unwanted growth. Also, if you have a door on your barn and you keep it closed tightly when the space is not actively in use, you’ll be able to keep many pests away from your food supply.

Store in Secure Containers

When possible, store your animal feed in containers that are fitted with tight lids. This is another step that will keep moisture away, so you can avoid damage from rain if you store in a carport that has open sides. Also, even if you work to keep pests away, it’s likely that some little critters will manage to get near the food—but a tight-fitting lid can keep them at bay. Consider using this solution when storing relatively small quantities of feed, as it might not be feasible for a large supply.

Buy an Appropriate Quantity

Speaking of a large supply, it’s important to only buy as much feed as you can use before the expiration date arrives. Everything has a useful lifespan, and overbuying means you will wind up wasting some of your purchase even if you store the product perfectly.

In addition to buying the right quantities of feed, remember to rotate your supply wisely. By using the older feed first, rather than the feed you just purchased, you can work through the supply without letting any of it get too close to the expiration date. This is another benefit of having a large, secure metal building on your property. With plenty of indoor space to work with, you can more easily rotate your feed without running out of room.

Work With American Steel Carports, Inc.

We hope these animal and livestock feed storage tips assist you. Ready to get started planning your own metal structure for storage? American Steel Carports, Inc. is the perfect partner for this project. Explore our Build & Price tool to see the countless possibilities for your new structure!

How to Store a Classic Car

Posted on October 21, 2020 by - Carports

Storage is an important consideration for any classic car owner. To preserve the condition of your vehicle for years to come, it needs to be stored in a safe and protected location. Without proper storage, engine trouble could be right around the corner, and you could run into rust issues, as well. Read on to learn how to store a classic car!

American Steel Carports, Inc. has a variety of metal garage and carport options that are affordable, durable, and fully customizable. Use our Build & Price Tool to explore the many possibilities for your new structure, and receive an instant quote!

Parking in the Driveway

The easiest storage option for your classic car is simply to park in your driveway (or on the street, if you don’t have a driveway). This option provides plenty of convenience, but it will not do anything to protect the condition of your car moving forward.

Your vehicle will be exposed to all of the elements when parked outside. In cold and wet climates, that means rain and snow may lead to rust on the car’s frame. Or, if you live in a warm and dry environment, the persistent power of the sun can damage your paint, fade the interior, and more. Using a car cover can help mitigate some of these issues, but then you face the hassle of taking the cover on and off each time you want to go for a drive.

Renting Storage Space

As an upgrade over parking outside, you could choose to rent a storage space where you can park your vehicle. There are plenty of options available in most cities for automobile storage, and this option would obviously be a big upgrade in terms of protection. With the car parked inside, it will be protected from the elements and should remain in better condition over the long run.

The issue with this storage method is cost. You will get a bill for your storage space month after month, with no end in sight. As a result, storing your classic car in a rented space is going to significantly increase your overall cost of ownership. Investing in classic cars can be a costly endeavor anyway—adding an offsite storage bill to the tab may be too much to ask. Also, the vehicle will be in storage and not on your property, so this method also makes it harder to use and work on your car.

Building a Carport or Garage

In many ways, this option blends the best features of the first two methods we discussed. By building storage on your property, your vehicle will always be close at hand and convenient to use while also being protected from the elements.

This option is not free, of course, as you will have to spend money on the construction of your new storage building. But that is a one-time cost, unlike the monthly rental expense of storing your car in a facility. Metal structures like the ones offered by American Steel Carports, Inc. require very little maintenance over the long run, making this an affordable way to keep your car out of the weather.

Picking between a carport and a garage is a fairly easy choice. Those who live in warm climates with minimal precipitation will be served nicely by a carport. The roof of the carport will block the harmful rays from the sun, and there won’t be much moisture around to cause issues like rust.

On the other hand, classic car owners in colder and wetter climates will want to look toward a full metal garage. With true indoor parking available, the car can stay away from wind, rain, snow, and anything else that may threaten to harm its condition. Using a carport in a cold and wet climate will certainly be better than nothing, but it won’t match up to the protection provided by a garage.

Other Storage Concerns

Once you have parking sorted out, there are a few other items to consider when storing your vehicle to protect its condition:

  • Jack it up. When your vehicle is going to be parked for a long period of time without moving, consider using jacks to take stress off the wheels and tires. It’s common for classic cars to develop flat spots on the tires after they have been parked for an extended time in the same spot. Jacking the car up slightly will avoid this outcome.
  • Prep the engine for cold weather. Many classic car owners park their vehicles through the winter months to keep them away from bad weather conditions. If that is your plan, be sure to prepare the vehicle by filling the tank with gas and adding a fuel stabilizer. Also, an oil change right before winter storage can help protect the condition of the vehicle’s internal components.
  • Take out the battery. One other smart step for extended storage is to remove the battery and store it safely. If left inside the vehicle, your battery will slowly drain as the months go by, and it will likely be dead when you are ready to drive again.

Work With American Steel Carports, Inc.!

We hope you now know how to store a classic car. Keep in mind that a metal structure from American Steel Carports, Inc. is a great solution for an affordable carport or garage. You can customize your own building using our Build & Price tool, or you are welcome to reach out to us for assistance. With a durable metal carport or garage protecting your classic car, there should be many miles of memorable driving in your future!