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Are you ready to add a shed to your property? With the addition of a shed, you’ll gain a new indoor space that is perfectly suited for storage, projects, or just about anything else you can imagine. But how should you create this new shed? In this post, we’re going to explore the pros and cons of buying vs building a shed to help you make your decision.

American Steel Carports, Inc. has a variety of metal shed 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!

The DIY Experience

For many people, there is a strong urge to take on a shed building project as a DIY job. But just because you can do it doesn’t make it the right decision. We encourage you to think through all of the relevant points before deciding how you will proceed.

Pros of Building Your Shed

Let’s imagine that you are going to construct your own shed. In general terms, there are a few “pros” that will be associated with this project:

• Custom design. When you build your own shed, you can customize it to meet your needs and expectations.
• Work on your own timeline. You don’t have to coordinate with a contractor or anyone else for the project, since you’ll be doing the work. Simply purchase all the materials and get started at any time.
• Satisfaction. It can be fun to build your own shed, and you may feel proud knowing you created it from the ground up all on your own.

Cons of Building Your Shed

Of course, there are also some “cons” of building your own shed:

• Longer project. Most likely, it will take you longer from start to finish when building on your own. You do get to work on your own timeline, but the completion date will be farther into the future for most people.
• Materials can be costly. Buying everything you need to build a shed can be quite expensive, especially since you will likely be building with wood. Any cost savings you enjoy by doing the work yourself are likely to be offset by how much it costs to purchase materials.
• Skills required. This is not a job that everyone will be able to handle. And, even if you do have all the skills and experience you need, you’ll also have to collect all the right tools.

Pros of Buying a Shed

Rather than donning a tool belt and getting to work, you could opt to simply purchase a shed and have it installed. Let’s look at some of the notable advantages of buying a shed:

• The project is quick. In many cases – especially when you order from American Steel Carports, Inc.—you will be able to order your shed and have it installed on a very quick timeline.
• Metal options. There are many advantages to constructing a metal shed rather than wood, but it’s hard to build a metal shed as a DIY project. When you buy your shed, you can choose metal and enjoy performance benefits like low maintenance and impressive durability.
• Affordable project. Ordering a metal shed allows you to add this indoor space to your property without busting the bank.
• Custom design. With the Build & Price tool offered by American Steel Carports, Inc., you can easily design your shed on our site to make sure it meets your specifications perfectly.

Cons of Buying a Shed

The drawbacks to buying a new shed are limited, but there are a couple of “cons” we can point out:

• Costs are upfront. When you buy a shed, you’ll pay for it all upfront. While this may not be a con to some, building a shed allows you more flexibility to purchase items as you go.
• Stock design. This is only a problem if you shop with a supplier other than American Steel Carports, Inc. Some shed suppliers require you to shop from just a few stock designs that they have available. To get a custom design while still having the shed built for you, be sure to work with us on this project!

Purchase a Shed from American Steel Carports, Inc.!

We hope these pros and cons of buying vs building a shed has helped you make your decision! If you’re ready to purchase a custom metal shed, start designing with our Build & Price tool today. If you have any questions, contact our team at American Steel Carports, Inc. for assistance.

Working from home is more popular now than ever before. Whether you work from home every day of the week or only on occasion, having a dedicated space is important. But what if you don’t have a suitable space in your house to convert into an office? If this is the case, consider looking out to your backyard. Adding a shed to use as a backyard office space will get you out of the house and provide the peace and quiet you require. Explore these backyard office shed ideas to get started!

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

A No-Frills Workspace

One option for your backyard office shed is to keep it as bare-bones as possible to simply get work done without interruption. Depending on the kind of work you do, it might be necessary to have nothing more than a table, a chair, and a laptop. Without anything to make the space more personal or inviting, you’ll be left with few distractions—so you might as well get down to work.

A Space to Relax

Maybe you are the kind of person who needs to be inspired to do your work, and you need a comfortable place to get your creative energy flowing. If that sounds like you, think of your new backyard shed as much as a living space as an office.

Some options to make your metal shed more comfortable would include adding a couch, soft lighting, decorations, etc. Another benefit to this method is that the shed could serve more of a purpose than just being a workspace. When you aren’t working, you or other members of the family could use it simply to relax.

Create a Walkway

You aren’t going to be motivated to get out to your backyard shed to work if you have to slog across a muddy, wet landscape each morning. When winter arrives, you might feel like just staying in the house instead of making that trip to the office shed. To counter this issue, consider building a walkway from your home to the shed. This walkway could be a simple gravel path, concrete pavers, or even wood. With a walkway in place, you can make the trip to and from the shed quickly and easily, day after day.

Emphasize Natural Light

It might be hard to focus on work for very long when you are stuck inside a dark shed. Fortunately, that doesn’t have to be the case—add windows to the shed so you can bring in plenty of natural light and make the space more comfortable. At American Steel Carports, Inc., you can easily customize the design of your structure to feature windows in the perfect spots for your needs.

Design Your Shed

Consider Your Needs

There are some features you may need in your backyard office shed that would not be standard in a shed that is going to be used simply for storage. For instance, an available power supply will likely be needed if you have to plug in items like a computer, printer, etc. Also, you might want lighting added to the space so you can work before the sun comes up or after the sun goes down.

The good news here is that the possibilities are nearly limitless for your backyard shed. You should be able to add just about whatever you need to make this a useable office. However, some of those additions might require the help of a professional, and you may need to get a permit. Something like adding power to your shed should be handled by a licensed electrician who can make sure the job is done safely and according to code.

Purchase a Metal Shed from American Steel Carports, Inc.

We hope these backyard office shed ideas have inspired you! Adding a metal shed to your property is a great way to create a backyard office space for an affordable price tag. Not only are the structures from American Steel Carports, Inc. affordable, but they are built to last. Use our Build & Price tool to explore the many possibilities for your new structure, or contact us to learn more about our products and place your order. We are excited to help get you started on this exciting project!

There are two popular options for adding affordable storage on your property—shipping containers and storage sheds. While sheds have been used for generations to store equipment and more, the idea of using shipping containers for this same purpose has gained popularity. Each of these two options can be a winner, but it’s important to consider the pros and cons of each to determine which option is right for you.

American Steel Carports, Inc. has a variety of metal shed 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 Size

Thinking about the size of your desired storage space will go a long way toward determining which of the two is best for your needs. As you might imagine, shipping containers can be rather large—they tend to range from 8-feet to 40-feet in length, are about 8-feet wide, and are approximately 8-feet tall (depending on the model). The larger ones are more common, so that may be the only option available in your area when looking to purchase a used shipping container.

If you don’t need something as large as a standard shipping container, you’ll want to look instead to a storage shed. These tend to be smaller in size, and when you order from American Steel Carports, Inc., you can customize the dimensions to fit perfectly on your property. Also, shipping containers are rectangular, but sheds can be designed with many different layouts.

Think About Aesthetics

Shipping containers aren’t designed to be pretty. They have a job to do—transporting goods safely from one place to another—and it doesn’t matter how they look along the way. Typically, they are painted a bland color and marked with the name of the shipping company. That’s fine when they are on trains or boats, but you might not like how they look in your backyard.

This is another way that metal storage sheds have an advantage over containers. The sheds we offer are available in many different colors, meaning you can nicely match the finished product to the rest of your property. You can also add nice touches like accent trim pieces and even exterior Wainscoting.

Custom Door Selection

You won’t have any choice regarding access to your shipping container. These containers come with large swinging doors on the back that are typically the same size as the container itself. If you need to move large pieces of equipment in and out, those doors might be just fine.

But what if you want to use this space for storage? Those big doors will feel like an unnecessary hassle. A custom metal shed can be fitted with the exact type of doors you need. You can add a regular walk-through door or a rollup door with dimensions to suit your requirements. Windows can also be added if you plan to spend time in the shed and would like some natural light.

Other Uses

Both shipping containers and storage sheds can work nicely for storing extra items that don’t fit in your garage, barn, or anywhere else on your property. But what if you want to use this new space for more than just storage? If you would like a workshop space, for instance, you’ll need something big enough to handle your projects. Or, you might want to transform at least part of this new space into an office.

Whatever the case, a metal storage shed is going to be more flexible as a space that can serve multiple purposes. As mentioned earlier, shipping containers are rectangular, and the big ones are much longer than they are wide. That’s fine for storage, but not such much for doing other tasks, as the narrow side-to-side dimension could be a limiting factor. By custom designing your own metal shed, you can select the perfect dimensions to allow you to do whatever you’d like in the space.

Purchase a Shed from American Steel Carports, Inc.!

We hope we’ve helped you decide whether a shipping container or a storage shed is right for you! If you’d like to order a reliable metal storage shed from American Steel Carports, Inc., use our Build & Price to start designing a structure to meet your exact needs!

There are few amenities that bring summer to life more than a swimming pool. When you have a nice place to take a dip, those long, sunny summer days are a treat each time they arrive. Of course, a pool comes along with a lot of supplies, in the form of maintenance equipment, toys, and more. However, these handy pool storage sheds from American Steel Carports, Inc. can help you stay organized!

American Steel Carports, Inc. has a variety of metal shed 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!

It’s About Convenience

Could you store your pool supplies somewhere else, such as in your garage? Of course. But that garage probably isn’t anywhere near the pool, making it a major inconvenience. And, you’ll be using up valuable garage storage space that could be used for your vehicles and other possessions.

With a metal shed right next to the pool—or only a short walk away—your life as a pool owner will get much easier. Need to bring out a few maintenance supplies to care for the water and get it ready for tomorrow’s party? No problem. Need to stash away your pool toys after a day of playing? You’ll be able to toss everything inside, shut the door, and go on with your day.

Don’t Break the Bank

Owning a pool is a ton of fun—but it’s not exactly cheap. In addition to the cost of installing the pool, there are ongoing maintenance and operating costs to consider. With that in mind, adding an affordable metal storage shed is a great way to optimize your pool area without adding too much cost.

You might first think about a wood structure when you picture a shed, but metal is an attractive alternative. When comparing metal and wood sheds, you’ll enjoy significantly lower construction costs with a metal structure and fewer maintenance requirements as the years go by. Also, metal sheds are easy to customize, especially when your order from American Steel Carports, Inc. Our handy Build & Price tool allows you to adapt the design to meet your exact needs!

Design Your Shed

Make a List of Equipment and Supplies

Before you place an order for a new shed, it would be a good idea to document what will need to be stored in the shed. The last thing you want is to have your shed constructed only to find later that it is not going to be big enough for everything you’d like to store. Some items you might consider keeping in your shed include:

• Pool maintenance equipment
• Swim toys
• Patio furniture
• Landscaping equipment (leaf blower, shovels, rakes, etc.)

It’s important to remember that your storage needs may change as time goes by. So, in addition to accounting for everything you need to store now, design your shed with a little extra room that can be used down the line.

Picking the Right Site

Along with determining what is going to go in your new structure, you also need to figure out where to put the shed. On this point, you should try to strike the perfect balance in terms of distance. On the one hand, you want the shed close enough to the pool to be convenient for storage and retrieval. On the other hand, you don’t want it so close that it interferes with the use of the pool in any way.

Start by looking off to the sides of the pool for a relatively level, open space. You’ll want to set the shed back far enough to allow for plenty of room to walk around the pool. Also, wherever the shed lands, you’ll want to think about finishing the ground surface between the shed and the pool, so you don’t have to walk through grass or dirt to get there.

An Attractive Addition

If you have been putting off the idea of adding a storage shed because you are concerned about how it will look, take a moment to explore the shed options here at American Steel Carports, Inc. We think you will find our structures to be visually appealing, and you can select from a long list of colors to make sure your shed looks great with the rest of your landscaping!

Purchase a Shed from American Steel Carports, Inc.!

Enjoying your pool with family and friends is far easier if the space is organized and free from clutter. That’s why you should browse the quality pool storage sheds from American Steel Carports, Inc.! Also, be sure to explore our Build & Price tool to see the many possibilities for your new structure.

There are many reasons to want a shed in your backyard. Whether it’s for storing tools, working on projects, or something else entirely, this structure needs to be built in just the right spot. Along with the design of the shed itself, the location of this new structure will largely determine how functional it is and how often it’s used. With this post, we’d like to help you choose exactly where to put a shed in your backyard.

American Steel Carports, Inc. has a variety of metal shed 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!

Follow the Rules

It is possible that there are some rules in place that will determine where on your property a shed can be placed. These rules may come in the form of setbacks from the property line established by local authorities, or they may be related to your HOA. Whatever the case, seek information on the rules first so you don’t pick out a spot only to find out later that it won’t be allowed.

The Purpose of Your Shed

The location you choose for the shed and the uses you have in mind for it will go hand in hand. For instance, if you are building a shed to use as a craft space or even an office, you’ll want to make sure it’s easy to access and relatively near your home. On the other hand, a shed that is mostly for storage and will only be used occasionally can be placed farther away.

Be Practical for Construction

Building a metal shed is a pretty easy task, especially when you team with an experienced company like American Steel Carports, Inc. With that said, the site prep and construction process can become more difficult if you pick a challenging section of your property. Some possible challenges include big slopes, low areas that collect water, and rocky ground. There are often ways to work around these difficulties successfully, but the project will not be as easy as with a flat, clear piece of land.

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Consider Design

Even if your shed is more for practical purposes, you’ll still want to make sure it looks good wherever it lands. If it will be mostly out of sight from the outdoor living areas around your home, you probably don’t need to think too much about things like color and other finishes. However, if your shed will be easily seen by yourself and your guests, think about making it part of the overall design. Pick an appropriate color scheme for the exterior and do some landscaping around the building to help blend it in nicely.

Design Your Shed

Appropriate Access

If you can’t get in and out of your shed, there isn’t any point in building the shed in the first place. The type of access you establish for your shed will depend on its purpose. Here are a couple of examples:

• Riding lawnmower. For those with a big lawn, a riding lawnmower is a near necessity. Parking the mower in a shed is a nice idea, but you’ll need to have easy access from the grass and a ramp to get in and out without any trouble.
• Office. Metal sheds can make great detached offices by offering some valuable peace and quiet away from the house itself. If your shed is actually going to be an office, you won’t want to walk through mud or even wet grass on the way to get some work done. Locate your shed somewhere easy to reach from the house and consider adding a finished walk that will take you right to the door.
• Potting shed. Do you love to garden? A potting shed would make a great addition to your yard, as it provides a protected place to do your work and get plants started. For access to this type of shed, there are a couple of points to keep in mind. First, it should be relatively close to your garden, so you don’t have to carry plants and supplies back and forth. Also, include a wide door in the design of your shed so you can bring things in and out without any trouble.

Purchase a Metal Shed from American Steel Carports, Inc.

We hope you better understand where to put a shed in your backyard. With that ideal location identified, you can then work with American Steel Carports, Inc. to design the perfect shed for your needs. Our Build & Price tool is an easy and exciting way to get started. If you have any questions along the way, contact us for assistance.

Gone are the days when wood was your only option for building a new shed. Now, there are plenty of materials that can be put to use for this type of building, with metal and vinyl being two popular choices. But which is better? In this article, we’ll examine the pros and cons of each material to help you decide which is right for your project.

American Steel Carports, Inc. has a variety of metal shed 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!

An Edge on Wood

Before we get too far into directly comparing metal and vinyl, we can see that both of these options have a nice advantage over wood. Each is going to resist issues caused by rot and insects, which is not something that can be said for wood buildings. Also, the construction timeline of a wood shed tends to exceed these two, so the overall cost of your project will be higher in most cases. While wood might be a traditional choice and some may prefer the look, there are plenty of advantages to favoring metal or vinyl.

Fire Concerns

If fires are a particular concern in your area, you can feel good about either metal or vinyl when planning your shed build. Vinyl sheds are fire retardant, and metal sheds are not going to catch on fire due to the basic composition of the structure. There are still threats to worry about when you use these materials for a new shed, but you can put fire worries low on your list.

Need a Big Shed?

There are plenty of smaller shed options available in both metal and vinyl construction. However, if you need a large shed added to your property, metal may be the better option. As an affordable building material that requires minimal structure as part of its design, you can erect a big metal building for a modest investment. If you’ve been putting off the big shed project you’ve had in the back of your mind because you fear it will cost too much, take a closer look at a metal building from a supplier like American Steel Carports, Inc.

Build Your Shed

What About Customization?

You might be able to find a pre-designed shed that will suit your needs, whether you decide to go with vinyl or metal. Unfortunately, that plan isn’t going to work for everyone, as some projects call for a custom solution that is suited perfectly to both the space available and the intended use of the shed. If you need something custom, you’ll probably want to look into metal structures. For instance, we offer a Build & Price tool which allows you to easily customize nearly every element of your shed before placing an order. Rather than trying to make something work that isn’t quite right for you, it will be possible to get precisely what you desire.

Maintenance Tasks

It’s always important to think about maintenance when adding a new building to your property. To make sure you get the most return on your investment, you’ll need to care for your building as the months and years go by. With metal and vinyl, the news is good on this front—there just isn’t much to do. Each can be easily cleaned with some water and a gentle brush, and you’ll want to look inside regularly to make sure no critters have taken up residence. Otherwise, these are both low maintenance buildings that can be expected to serve you well for many years to come.

Metal Delivers Strength

One of the selling points of a metal shed that may be a bit lacking with vinyl is the overall strength of the structure. A metal shed, when constructed by a reputable supplier, can be expected to deliver excellent strength for an affordable price. That strength will help it stand up to whatever elements Mother Nature may decide to deliver. Quality vinyl sheds can also offer solid performance and durability, but perhaps not to the level of a top-quality metal product.

Purchase a Metal Shed from American Steel Carports, Inc.

We hope these pros and cons to metal and vinyl sheds have assisted you. If you’re ready to see what a metal shed can add to your property, use our Build & Price tool to start designing a structure that fits your exact needs!

One of the most common uses for a shed is the storage of items that don’t fit in the house or garage. But what if you don’t necessarily need more storage? Here, we’ll explore seven creative backyard shed ideas to demonstrate the other exciting ways you can put this structure to use on your property!

American Steel Carports, Inc. has a variety of metal shed 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!

An Office Outside the Home

With more people working from home than ever before, it has become necessary to get creative when looking for a comfortable office space. If you don’t have a room in your house that is suitable for such a role, consider using a backyard shed. Not only does this provide a cheap alternative to adding a new room to your house, but it also has the advantage of being detached for some peace and quiet.

There are a couple of important considerations to keep in mind if you go in this direction. First, you will need to have power supplied to your shed so you can run a computer, lights, and more. Also, you will want to think about how you can secure the shed at night. You might not feel the need to lock up a shed that only contains some garden tools, but the story is different when it houses expensive pieces of technology.

Potting Shed

At first, this might sound like just another term for a garden storage shed, but the idea here is a little different. This is not just going to be a place to stash your shovels, rakes, and more (although some of those things will live here). Instead, it is going to be designed as a working space where you can pot plants and get them ready for the garden. Think about adding a small table on one side where you can work, along with some storage for your pots, soil, and hand tools. A big part of enjoying the gardening experience comes down to being organized, and a dedicated potting shed can help you reach that goal.

Home Gym

Just as with a home office, it can be hard to find space in your house for a gym. The garage is a natural choice for setting up a workout area, but you may have yours filled with cars and other storage. Fortunately, a metal backyard shed can work just as well for housing a home gym. All you really need to get started is your shed and some basic equipment, but you can choose to add features like lighting and even plumbing if you want to elevate the experience.

Backyard Bar

If you are waiting for the idea on our list that is simply more fun than the rest, look no further. Turning your backyard shed into a private bar for family and friends is easier than you might think. The key to executing this idea is to think about your design when using our Build & Price tool. You’ll likely want relatively open access on one side of the bar, while also having enough space inside to add some storage. Location is also an important point if you will be using your shed as a hangout. You won’t want to place it in a hard-to-reach area of your property—instead, keep it near the high traffic areas so it will be easy to use and fun for all.

Crafting

Do you love taking on new DIY crafting projects? If you seem to always be making something new—but your home turns into a mess each time you do—try turning a backyard shed into a crafting space. The design of this space is going to depend on the kinds of crafts you love to create. You’ll probably need power regardless, and you might want a large table and some storage if you have a significant collection of supplies.

Kids Play Space

For those with kids, a backyard shed is a perfect opportunity to give them a space to call their own. One of the great things about this idea is that it can evolve as the kids get older. The features you include when they are quite young can be removed and replaced with items suitable for an older kid as the years go by. Ask your kids for input to create a space that they will love.

A Pool House

This last idea comes with one important caveat – you need to have a pool! If you do have a pool in your backyard, adding a “pool house” will help you manage everything that comes along with pool ownership. You could use this as nothing more than a storage space, or you could keep your supplies elsewhere and turn your shed into a hangout space for those who need a break from the water.

Purchase a Metal Shed from American Steel Carports, Inc.

We hope these creative backyard shed ideas have provided you with some inspiration for your new structure! Your imagination is the only limit when it comes to what can be accomplished with a backyard shed from American Steel Carports, Inc. Start designing your shed today with our Build & Price Tool, and receive an instant quote!

When planning to build a new shed, you’ll have plenty of decisions to make. In addition to choices like size, location, and design, you’ll also need to pick an appropriate building material. In this post, we’ll explore the pros and cons of the two most popular kinds of structures on the market today—metal and wood sheds.

American Steel Carports, Inc. has a variety of metal shed 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!

Setting Aside Tradition

To make the best choice for your needs, it’s important to set aside tradition and look at this issue from a neutral point of view. Yes, wooden sheds were built for many years before metal was a viable option—but that doesn’t mean you should automatically opt for wood as the default winner. Instead, look at the pros and cons of each material and how those points line up with the requirements of your project.

Starting with Cost

When it comes to your budget, a metal shed is going to be more affordable than a wooden alternative. There are a couple of reasons for this lower cost. First, metal sheds can be created using fewer materials overall as compared to wood, which will help keep the price down. Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, metal sheds are easier to build. That means a shorter project timeline and reduced labor costs. If you are primarily concerned with keeping the cost of your new shed as low as possible, using metal is an easy decision.

Looking Ahead to Maintenance

Anytime you add a new structure to your property, you need to think about the maintenance requirements that will come with the building. While maintenance doesn’t cost you anything upfront, it’s important to keep in mind, because it is a cost that will continue to impact your budget for years down the line.

Again, we see a decided advantage here to opting for metal. There just isn’t much that needs to be done to a metal shed from a maintenance perspective, which is not true for wood. Buying a good metal shed from a reliable supplier like American Steel Carports, Inc. will leave you with a lengthy warranty and the comfort that comes from knowing very little maintenance needs to be performed year in and year out.

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Risk of Fire

This is a particularly important point if you live in a hot climate where long summers can significantly raise the risk of fire. Since metal doesn’t burn, you won’t have to worry about a fire affecting your shed. Wood, of course, is at great risk of being involved in a fire given the right conditions, so extra care will need to be taken to prevent such an event.

Considering Aesthetics

Anytime you talk about the way something looks, you are inevitably going to get into personal, subjective territory. It’s impossible to make a blanket statement saying that one type of shed looks better than another, because that is a personal choice. What’s important here, however, is to note that metal sheds have come a long way from their early days. If you are picturing cheap, flimsy-looking buildings that will take away from the look of your property as a whole, think again. Modern metal sheds can be ordered in many different colors and provide an appearance that you will be happy to display.

The Risk of Critters

Your shed will not be alone outside on your property. There are always critters around, from tiny insects to furry friends like mice, rats, raccoons, and more. Since wood is an organic material, it will tend to attract critters—and some may even snack on the wood itself. This is obviously not the case with metal. Not only will the critters on your property not be able to eat the metal, but it won’t tend to draw them in like wood. Instead of having to periodically have animals removed from your shed, start by choosing a material that won’t attract them in the first place.

Purchase a Metal Shed from American Steel Carports, Inc.

As you can see from the pros and cons, a metal shed is truly a better choice than a wood shed. If you’re ready to start designing a new metal shed for your property, check out our Build & Price Tool to customize your shed, view a 3-D rendering and receive an instant quote!

In order to have hay available all year long, you’ll need to store it in a dry, safe place. Losing hay due to improper storage is an expensive mistake that you simply can’t afford to make—that’s why we’ve created a list of the best hay storage ideas. Explore your top options below!

At American Steel Carports, Inc., we offer a selection of affordable metal structures that are perfect for hay storage and other items. Design your structure with our Build & Price Tool, view a 3D rendering, and receive an instant quote!

Three Key Considerations

Before you can make any decisions on where you will store your hay, you need to keep three key points in mind:

• Flammability. Always remember the safety aspect of storing hay on your property. Hay is highly flammable as it dries out—especially during the middle of a hot summer—so it should not be stored near items that could be dangerous in a fire, such as tanks of gasoline. While wood barns have traditionally been used for hay storage, they are sure to be a casualty if a fire breaks out. On the other hand, metal structures like those offered by American Steel Carports, Inc. are not flammable and can work to reduce your overall risk.
• Size of the bales. How large are your hay bales going to be once they’re bundled? The answer to this question depends on the size of your farm and the capabilities of your equipment. If you’re going to be storing large bales that weigh 1,000 pounds or more, your storage building will need a big enough door for heavy-duty equipment to come and go. On the other hand, small square bales are light enough to be loaded and unloaded by hand.
• The right location. Before selecting a new storage building, look around your property to determine where that building will live. The ideal spot will be on higher ground to stay away from flooding issues after heavy rains. It should also be easily accessed by your vehicles so that retrieving bales doesn’t become an unnecessary hassle.

Water is the Enemy

Your main goal when storing hay is to keep it dry. That starts by keeping it under a roof, such as a metal carport or farm shed. With the hay protected from above, you then need to think about how to keep water away from below.

There is always some amount of water in or on the ground, and it can seep into the hay, which destroys the lower bales. To avoid this outcome, keep the hay just slightly above ground level. You can build a simple platform using materials you may already have on your property, such as old tires or wood pallets.

Create a Storage System

You’ll want to use your oldest hay first when pulling a bale out of your storage building. With that in mind, make life easier on yourself by placing the new bales in the back so the bales in the front will be the old ones.

In addition, as you design and order your new hay storage structure, keep this system in mind when placing the doors. For instance, if you have a large garage door on both sides of the new metal barn, it will be easy to put new bales in on one side and pull old bales from the other.

Think About Weather Patterns

As you place your hay in storage or plan the construction of a new building, you’ll want to think about how the weather behaves in your area. This is particularly important when the bales won’t be stored completely indoors, even if they do have a roof for protection. A metal carport makes for a nice storage facility, but it may be open on the sides and exposed to some rain or snow.

If that’s the case, use tarps to protect the hay from the elements. A quality tarp that’s free from holes and tied down firmly will do an excellent job of blocking out unwanted water.

A Long-Term Investment

Producing quality hay is an expensive endeavor. Growing, harvesting, and storing your hay requires both time and money, so you want to preserve as much of it as possible. When you purchase a sturdy metal structure from American Steel Carports, Inc., you’ll be investing in the long-term well-being of your farm. Keeping your hay inside and dry should dramatically reduce how much is wasted as compared to storing the hay outside.

Purchase a Metal Structure from American Steel Carports, Inc.

We hope you consider these hay storage ideas! To get started creating your new metal structure, explore our many customizable options with our Build & Price. If you have any questions about our products, give us a call right away for assistance. We look forward to serving you!