At American Steel Carports, Inc., we are proud to sell some of the best metal carports on the market today. When you order from us, you can count on getting a great price for a quality carport that will serve your property well for years. But why would you buy a carport in the first place? What can they be used for? Here are 10 great uses for carports—and there are plenty more!

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#1 – Parking Under Cover

We might as well get this one out of the way right off the bat, since it is one of the most obvious uses for a carport. With a carport on your property, you’ll have a good place to park your vehicles where they will be at least partially protected from the weather. This is a cost-effective parking solution for those who don’t have an enclosed garage available.

#2 – Covered Storage

You may have items that need to be stored out of the weather but don’t require fully enclosed storage. A carport would be a great option to store those items.This is common in agricultural operations, where various supplies and materials need to stay dry but would take up too much space inside a garage or barn.

#3 – Outdoor Events

Who says a carport has to be all about business? Sometimes, the best use for your carport may be to clear the cars away and use it as a covered outdoor space to entertain your guests. You could build a metal carport as a permanent entertaining space, or simply transition an existing carport into an outdoor party space from time to time.

#4 – Simplify Landscaping Chores

Tired of pulling your lawnmower and other landscaping tools out of the garage or shed each time you need to do some work? Turn to a carport. The open-sided nature of carports makes them convenient for moving your equipment in and out as necessary.

#5 – A Shaded Structure

Those who live in a warm climate may want to add a carport to their property as nothing more than a place to take refuge from the hot summer sun. Given the modest cost of a sturdy metal carport from American Steel Carports, Inc., this is an excellent way to make your outdoor space more comfortable in the summer months.

#6 – Make Your Own Power?

This is a less-conventional use for a carport, but it’s possible to add solar panels to the roof of your carport to generate your own source of power. Of course, if you are considering this option, you’ll need to work with a qualified professional to complete the project.

#7 – Enhance Your Pool Setting

One of the best things about owning your own pool is being able to cool off on hot summer days. But what about when you are out of the pool? While you take a break from swimming, you could get out of the sun thanks to a carefully placed carport.

#8 – Dine Outside Regularly

If you enjoy eating lunch or dinner outside, you may find that the weather doesn’t always cooperate with those plans. It may be too hot or too wet to practically have your meal outdoors. But that doesn’t have to be the case when you use your carport for either sun or rain protection. Add a picnic table, and you’ll have the perfect outdoor dining space.

#9 – Play Area for Children

Want to do something fun for your kids that they can utilize even when the weather isn’t great? You might not have the ability to build a traditional tree house on your property, but adding a carport that can serve as a covered play space for kids is a great alternative. This option will keep the kids out of the direct sun in the summer, and they will even be able to use it on rainy days, as well.

#10 – Use Your Imagination

There are probably thousands of other possible uses for your metal carport that we aren’t including in this list. For virtually anything that could benefit from an affordable roofed structure, a carport will be a nice solution. As you can see from the length of this list, these are versatile structures that can serve many different purposes.

Build Your Custom Carport!

If you made it all the way through this list, you have probably realized that at least a few of those points could benefit your day to day life. So why wait any longer? Get started today with the Build & Price Tool at American Steel Carports, Inc.

Build My Carport

At American Steel Carports,Inc., we actually sell more than just carports. If you take a moment to browse our site, you’ll see plenty of other structures available, including a selection of garages. While they can accomplish some of the same goals, carports and garages are different in a number of ways. We’d like to use this post to highlight those differences and help you pick out which is right for you.

Whether you’d like to add a carport or a garage to your property, use our Build & Price Tool to customize your structure, view a 3-D rendering, and receive an instant quote!

What’s the Difference?

First, let’s talk about what makes a carport different from a garage. With a carport, you’ll have a roof and maybe a partial sidewall, but the sides are mostly open on the structure. You park your vehicle, get out, and walk away in any direction that you like.

With a garage, of course, the structure is enclosed. There is typically a large, roll-up door at the front which can be opened and closed as you come and go. Although many garages are attached to homes, others are standalone structures that are placed somewhere else on the property. A garage, like a carport, can be designed to accommodate just a single vehicle, but larger designs are common as well.

Start with Parking Requirements

When trying to decide whether you want to purchase a carport or a garage for your property, one of the first questions to ask yourself is if you’re going to be using this new structure for parking.If so, you’ll want to think about how many vehicles you need to park, how large those vehicles are, and any special needs they may have. For instance, if you are going to park an RV, you will need a tall structure because of their significant height. (Shop Steel RV Carports)

As you continue to think about parking, you will run into another important consideration in the carport vs garage debate–protection from the weather. With an open-sided carport, you get protection from above, but not so much from the sides (although partial sidewalls can be added). With a garage, you will completely enclose the vehicle when the door is shut, keeping the elements on the outside.

The right solution for your vehicles will depend on the climate in your area and the vehicles themselves.If you regularly face pounding rains and heavy snows, an enclosed garage would be quite attractive. On the other hand, those in a mild climate might not be too worried about parking in an open-sided carport throughout the year.

The Cost Factor

Your budget is always going to play a role in any purchase, and that’s certainly the case when picking a carport or a garage. As you might expect, the garage is going to cost more,because there are more materials involved in its construction. A carport is a very affordable structure, which is what draws many people in that direction in the first place.

However, before you decide that a carport is the winner because of the lower cost, remember that all of the buildings offered at American Steel Carports, Inc. are quite affordable compared to wood construction. While a garage will cost more than a carport,you might find that it still fits comfortably within your budget. To make a choice on this point, you need to get estimates for both options, so you can see exactly how they stack up. Use our Build & Price Toolnow to get an accurate estimate.

Other Uses

Parking is just the start of what you can do with a carport or a garage. For instance, you may want to build a new workshop on your property, and you need a covered space for that endeavor. For a workshop, a garage is probably going to be the right choice, as you will want protection from the elements and safe storage for your tools and supplies.

On the other hand, if you are going to use this new structure for storage, a carport may be suitable in some cases. If you’ll be storing things that don’t need to be protected fully from the elements and don’t need to be kept out of sight, a carport could be an affordable solution. Again, it’s all about tailoring your selection to the specific needs of your situation.

What Are You Waiting For?

We hope you have a better idea of whether a carport or a garage is right for you and your property. However, there is no right or wrong answer when picking between a carport and a garage, as they are both very capable structures that prove to be very useful in the right setting. No matter the structure you decide on, American Steel Carports, Inc.is ready to serve you. Start designing your structure with our Build & Price Toolnow!

The idea of a “man cave” has been around for quite some time now. Basically, the concept is to set aside a space that can be used for all of activities you enjoy, such as watching TV, playing video games, working on projects, and more. While the original concept of a man cave referred to a room within your home, there is no reason to restrict it to this space. In fact, if you want a truly incredible man cave, you might want to look to your backyard for extra space. Enjoy this guide on how to build the ultimate man cave in your backyard!

Consider ordering a new, affordable steel structure from American Steel Carports, Inc. for this exciting project! Use our Build & Price Tool to fully customize your structure, view a 3D rendering, and receive an instant quote!

Define Your Space

Before anything can be built, or even any plans can be made, you need to decide what it is you’d like to do in your man cave. Are you hoping to watch sports while enjoying a couple of beverages? Maybe you prefer to read a book, listen to your favorite music, or just relax in a quiet, peaceful place. Only you know what your ideal free time looks like, so start here before going any further.

The decisions you make about what you’ll use your man cave for will determine how this project moves forward. Do you want a TV? That’s great, but you’ll need power, and possibly access to cable. Do you just want to read? You might still need power for lighting, but you could probably use other light sources and skip the wiring altogether. If you get ahead of yourself and start building before thinking it through, the end result may not be what you wanted after all.

How Much Space do you Need?

A man cave can be a great place to relax all by yourself, or it can be a go-to spot for you and your buddies. If watching a football game with a few of your closest friends is high on your list of man cave priorities, you are going to need plenty of space. The number of people you would like to have over at one time is another important detail in the planning and construction of this structure.

Managing the Details

There are a few details you need to manage in the creation of your ultimate man cave:

• Your budget. A man cave project is going to involve both the construction of a structure and the design and installation of interior elements. Building a new structure can actually be rather affordable when you work with American Steel Carports, Inc. However, you’ll still need to be prepared for the financial side of this project.
• Permits. This is certainly not the fun part of a man cave, but permitting is an issue to stay ahead of from the start. The last thing you want is to be forced to take your man cave down because it isn’t properly permitted. Not only should you check with local authorities about building codes, but also check with your HOA for the approval procedure.
• Picking a site. You will need to select and prep a site on your property before any walls can go up or any wiring can be run. You don’t want to have to move the whole structure at any point down the line, so get this one right from the start.

The success or failure of a project like this often comes down to the little details. If you want to arrive at the finish line with a man cave you love and minimal headaches, take care of the small details as soon as possible.

Call in the Experts

Perhaps one of the best things you can do to come away with the ultimate man cave is to get help from professionals when necessary. There’s nothing wrong with handling part of the project on a DIY basis, but don’t get in over your head. This is particularly important when it comes to items like electricity and water. The modest cost of retaining a contractor for the trickier parts of the job will be more than worth it in the long run.

Order from American Steel Carports, Inc.!

Now that you know how to build the ultimate man cave in your backyard, don’t put this exciting project off any longer. If you’re ready to get to work, American Steel Carports, Inc. is prepared to help you add a steel structure to your backyard. Be sure to use our Build & Price Tool to experiment with all the different possibilities for your new space. We’d love to be part of making this project happen, so get in touch right away!

If you own an RV, you probably look forward to a summer full of exciting trips each year. While you might be able to squeeze in one or two final trips during the fall months, you’ll eventually need to store your rig for the winter. It’s important to store your RV correctly so it will be ready to hit the road as soon as warm weather returns. Take a look at how to store an RV for the winter the proper way.

Need a reliable cover for your RV? American Steel Carports, Inc. offers affordable, fully customizable steel RV carports. Shop now!

Drain It Out

To prepare your RV for winter, one of the first things you’ll need to do is drain it out. If you leave water in the system throughout the season, cold outdoor temperatures may cause it to freeze. And, when the water freezes, it will expand and potentially damage your RV.

The good news is that flushing out your water system is not a particularly difficult job. However, it will vary a bit from RV to RV, so the best thing to do is consult your owner’s manual for directions.

A General Assessment

It’s a good idea to take an overview of the condition of your RV before you park it for the winter. Over the course of the summer, you may have been so busy using the rig that you failed to notice some issues that popped up along the way. For instance, maybe a seal around one of your windows has come loose, or maybe the roof picked up some damage from a tree you passed on your way to a campsite.

It’s important to review the condition of your RV prior to the arrival of winter so you can deal with any maintenance tasks ahead of time. Problems like a loose seal or roof damage are particularly important to take care of so moisture doesn’t make its way inside when rain or snow comes down.

Cut the Power

You’ll want to disconnect your RV’s batteries before it goes into storage. Once disconnected, you can store the batteries over the winter in a cool place, such as your garage. Keeping them in the RV when temperatures drop below freezing can cause them damage, or at least shorten their lifespan. Of course, it’s important to be careful when disconnecting your batteries. Be sure to ask for help from a professional if you aren’t comfortable working with this part of your rig.

Where Will It Live?

There are two general options for parking your RV for the winter months—on your own property, or at a storage facility. Obviously, if you can park it on your property, you will be able to avoid the cost associated with storage. On the other hand, it might be in the way if you don’t have plenty of extra space available, and your homeowner’s association might have rules regarding RV parking. Plan well ahead of time on this point so you aren’t scrambling to come up with somewhere to park as winter sets in.

Cover It Up

One of the best things you can do for the long-term health of your RV is to cover it up during the winter. Keeping the RV covered will protect it from the elements, helping you to avoid—or at least limit—costly repairs later on.

Tires

For your RV tires, you can purchase tire covers at most dealers or camping stores. Place a cover over each tire to protect the rubber, and make sure your tires are inflated to an appropriate pressure before doing so. Even in the winter, UV rays can damage your tires, so investing in a set of covers is a good option.

The Body

For the body of the RV, you will have a couple of options. You can purchase a cover for this job, although it will be more expensive than the tire covers. The RV cover is strapped in place and provides a nice protective barrier during the cold winter months.

Alternatively, if you are storing on your property, you could go with a carport. By choosing to use an RV carport, you’ll have an affordable structure that puts a roof over your RV’s head all winter long. Not only will this improve your winter storage situation, but it will also give you a protected place to park throughout the rest of the year when the rig is not in use.

Protect Your RV with a Carport

If you know how to store your RV for the winter the right way, it will be ready to go when warmer months roll around. To provide your RV with a safe home for the long, cold season ahead, order an RV carport from American Steel Carports, Inc. You may find that one of our standard sizes fits your RV perfectly, or you can create a custom solution with our Build & Price tool. Either way, the end result will be protection from rain, snow, and debris, leaving your RV in great condition for next summer’s adventures. We hope to serve you soon!

If you already have a metal carport on your property, you know how functional they can be. No matter what you use it for, they are certainly valuable, affordable covered spaces. But what if you’ve placed it in the wrong spot? Is it possible to move a metal carport to a better location on your property–or an entirely different property? It is, in fact, possible, so we’d like to show you exactly how to move a metal carport.

If moving your carport is too much of a hassle, you may want to consider ordering a new, affordable carport from American Steel Carports, Inc. Use our Build & Price tool to fully customize your structure, view a 3D rendering, and receive an instant quote!

Start with Timing

Before we get into the details of how to move a metal carport, the first step is to schedule a time to do the job. You don’t want to be fighting the weather in addition to the challenge of this project. Pick a nice time of year when comfortable temperatures and dry weather are likely. While it’s not impossible to complete this kind of project in less-than-ideal conditions, you may wind up with unnecessary headaches along the way.

Two Ways to Move a Carport

Your two basic options when moving a carport are to 1. move it all in one piece or 2. take it apart and reconstruct it in its new home. There are pros and cons to each of these options, so let’s take a closer look:

Moving It In One Piece

The obvious advantage here is that you don’t have to take the entire structure apart only to put it back together again later. That will save you plenty of time and energy, which is a huge plus. However, there are also some serious drawbacks. The primary disadvantage is that you won’t be able to go far with the carport in one piece. This plan only works if you are going a short distance, and even then, it can be challenging. Depending on the size of your carport, it may not be feasible to move it safely as one unit. In addition, even if you can manage to move it with the help of some friends, you will still need to be careful not to damage it along the way.

Taking It Apart

For most situations, this will be the method that is required. Yes, it is going to be more work to disassemble and reassemble, but this approach reduces the risk of damage and allows you to travel further. Of course, you still need to exercise great care when performing this work.

More to Consider

With the timing set and your two options for moving a carport available, there are a few additional items to take note of before you begin:

How Far Are You Going?

The next step is to think about how far you need the carport to travel. As mentioned above, if you’re moving it to an entirely new property, there will be no choice but to take it completely apart and rebuild it at the new site. On the other hand, if you only want to shift it a short distance on the same property–maybe just a matter of feet–it’s possible to do so while keeping it in one piece.

The Issue of Anchors

It’s possible that your current carport is anchored to the ground for stability. That doesn’t mean that you can’t move it, but you will need to take the extra step of removing those anchors. Don’t be surprised by this hurdle on the day that you plan to do the move. Plan ahead and figure out exactly what will be needed to remove the anchors and free the structure.

Check Zoning Restrictions

You also don’t want to make the mistake of assuming that you can put your carport in its new spot without first checking zoning matters. A quick call to the relevant local authority should help you clear this up if you have any doubts. It’s better to check ahead of time than have to move your carport yet again if you find out you’ve placed it in an impermissible location.

A Job for a Pro?

Sometimes, moving your old carport is simply not worth the effort. If you would like to purchase a new metal carport, experiment with our Build & Price Tool at American Steel Carports, Inc. to create the perfect storage space. We are excited to serve you!

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!

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!