Author: clickgiant

Rust Preventative Measures

Posted on November 14, 2018 by - ASI, Blog, Informative, Lifestyle, Steel Structures

Depending on regions and environments, metal buildings can constantly be exposed to large amounts of oxygen and moisture, both of which are causes of oxidation and rust. Salt that’s sprayed by the big trucks in the winter to melt snow can cause major damage and accelerate the corrosion process. Rust is unattractive and will severely compromise the integrity of a structure. However, there are protective measures that you can take to prevent rust from developing that could add many years of life to your metal building, such as getting an acrylic finish and paint.

 

The best place to start is to power wash or hose down the building to remove dirt and dust.

Scrub off the existing rust with vinegar; the acid in the vinegar will eat the rust away. Remember to use a steel brush.

Using a steel brush dipped in bleach will remove the mildew.

Once your building is dry, wipe with a cloth to make sure no chalky areas remain. Once it’s clean, apply the rust-inhabiting finish. An acrylic finish will protect against rust without changing the building’s color.

You can use a paint sprayer, brush, or roller to apply the finish to the entire building. You can tape off any parts you don’t want to come into contact with the acrylic. Allow 2 hours to dry.

 

Things You Will Need:

  • Steel brush
  • Vinegar
  • Bleach
  • Power washer
  • Tack cloth
  • Painter’s tape
  • Plastic sheeting or newspapers
  • Rust-inhibiting primer or finish
  • Paint sprayer with .017 to .021 tip, brush or roller
  • Acrylic primer/basecoat
  • Acrylic house paint
  • Tips

**Our 12 gauge offers a 20-year rust-proof warranty.

You should not work in temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

37’ x 31’ x 14’/12’3” Custom Metal Unit

Posted on November 12, 2018 by - A-Frame Vertical, ASI, Blog, Buildings, Custom, Customer Builds, Informative, Spotlight, Steel Structures

Throughout the year, we’ve been talking about and posting on metal units, most of them pretty standard and nothing out of the ordinary. You will always see our typical carports, RV covers, and metal garages up to 3 bays—that is, the basics. And if we want to throw in some other units, we can show off our barns, which are similar to the main custom units due to the lean-tos. Overall, there are plenty of choices that you can add to your metal building to customize it however you want.

Now, you might be wondering, what about the pricing on a custom unit? Well, the price will depend on the number of features you want to add and how big you want your metal building to be. Remember that wider units tend to run higher, as do units taller than 12’. Let us tease you a little bit: especially when we refer to “custom” metal buildings, this might not be something that you see frequently in our website or on social media.

  • (Main Unit) 30’W x 31’L x 14’H
  • 12-Gauge Galvanized Tubing
  • Fully Vertical
  • 18’x10′ Roll-Up Door (on the side)
  • 38″x82.5″ Frame-Out
  • 2 – Windows
  • (Lean-To) 7’W x 31’L x 14’/12’3″H
  • Gable Ends

A very interesting building, huh? Is this something you’ve seen before in a metal building? If we’re being honest, this is one of the first times we’ve seen something like this. But the outcome of this project turned out to be beautiful!

So, this is just a little preview of what it is possible to do when you choose American Steel Carports as your metal building provider. There are endless ways for you to start working on your custom project. All we need from you is to help us visualize your project by getting started on a FREE custom quote. Remember that we want to work with your special needs and specifications; we will make sure to meet your expectations and help you in the process of purchasing the metal unit of your dreams. Please note that, due to the customization of this metal building, it’s best for us if you give us a call!

Let’s get you started! Call us now at (866) 730-9865 to speak with one of our experts.

 

*DISCLAIMER: Pricing varies by state. Local codes and regulations may affect pricing.

26 Gauge Upgrade

Posted on November 9, 2018 by - ASI, Blog, Informative, Questions, Steel Structures

Need the added durability for your carport or metal building? Aside from our 29-gauge (about 0.36mm thick) paneling American Steel Carports also offers an upgraded 26-gauge (about 0.48 mm thick) paneling at an additional price. 26-gauge paneling is a great option for those looking to have extra heavy-duty coverage from snowfall, ice, and hail. The extra thickness gives our customers a peace of mind during unforeseen weather. Whether it be our standard 29-gauge paneling or upgraded 26-gauge, rest assured that you will be getting the highest quality coverage at a great price! Don’t forget to ask for the various colors we offer on all our sheet panels and screws.  

Steel Buildings: What Makes Our Buildings Unique?

Posted on November 5, 2018 by - ASI, Blog, Informative, Lifestyle, Steel Structures

One of our main focus areas is the shape and condition that a building’s structure retains throughout the years. Take an old wooden barn, for example: The first thing that will jump out at you is its level of durability. We can assure you that it probably won’t look as sturdy as it did when it was first built, no matter how good it looked then. You might be thinking, “I bet they used cheap material and it will collapse at any moment.” This sad situation happens quite often with a range of building materials used today. However, there’s always a solution for everything. In this case, it’s a steel building.

Many materials can offer you a high-quality building, but how can you be so sure about their workmanship and durability? We’re going to break it down for you based on nothing but facts about steel buildings.

Steel buildings offer one of the most durable and versatile solutions tailored to your specific needs. We’ve engineered our steel buildings to withstand harsh conditions and protect your belongings from the outdoors. They come in a residential style, and they can increase the value of your property just from the added protection they provide!

Durability and Versatility

All of our metal buildings come with a one-year workmanship warranty, and when you decide to upgrade to our 12-gauge galvanized tubing, we will throw in our 20-year limited warranty on rust-through of the framing. Plus, the shape of all our buildings can be modified to create a unique design. Whether you’re looking for a simple carport, a metal barn, a garage, or even your own workshop, we will make sure to satisfy all of your needs. Ranging from 10’ to 80’ wide, up to 20’ in height, and with no limit on length, there’s a wide variety of sizes to fit any needs.

Engineer-Designed

Our steel buildings are built with the strongest metals and are engineer-designed to withstand any type of inclement weather that nature might throw at them. Live in a windy city? Fear not—we offer a 90-mph wind warranty package for those windy areas, and we can certify your metal buildings for higher winds if you want.

What about constant snow?

Most of our buildings are certified for 30 lbs. psf ground, but don’t think we can’t build them to handle heavier snow loads. Our engineers can certify your unit for higher snow loads as well!

Styles

Your metal building will depend highly on your roof style. We offer 3 different roof styles (click here to learn more). You can give your steel building a unique touch, too, with 13 different colors to choose from at no additional price.

Whatever your building needs, a steel building can fulfill them. When you opt for a metal building, you’ll know you have found a budget-friendly solution to all your building needs—one that will last a lifetime without issues. For more information about construction and materials, contact us.

Get Yourself Started with a Free Quote

Posted on November 5, 2018 by - A-Frame Vertical, ASI, Blog, Buildings, Customer Builds, Garage, Lifestyle, Steel Structures

If you’re looking for an affordable, sturdy, and durable solution to the problem of your vehicles sitting outside your garage, your belongings lying exposed to the weather, or your farm equipment and heavy machinery being covered in rain or snow, you probably already know that it isn’t cheap to replace them, or even to get them fixed. Why not invest in a metal structure that will keep all your property safe from the elements, that will stand strong against the wind and snow, all for an affordable price? That’s what American Steel Carports is here for: to change the game when it comes to protecting your valuables.

In a project of any size, sticking to the budget is key to not overspending. Lucky for you, when you work with steel buildings, you have the advantage of using the most cost-effective building materials and methods available. These metal buildings are ideal for residential properties and are easily customized to fit to any property size and needs.

Take a look at this 22′W × 31′L × 8′H building.

  • A-Frame Vertical Roof
  • 14-Guage Galvanized Tubing
  • (2) 9’x7′ Roll-Up Doors
  • Walk-In Door
  • Window
  • 6’x7′ Roll-Up Door (side)

All our metal buildings are custom made. In this case, our customer wanted a metal garage strong enough to provide protection for their vehicles.

If you’re looking for something similar, or maybe something bigger, you can definitely get started by calling today to speak with one of our sales representatives for a FREE quote! We will work with you until we find the perfect metal building for your needs. And we can always provide a free sketch along with your quote to help you visualize your project to the fullest. Don’t forget to ask about our financing options. We are now offering rent-to-own in all our service areas.

Getting rid of Your Stuff can be Hard. We can Help.

Posted on October 31, 2018 by - ASI, Blog, Informative, Lifestyle, Questions, Steel Structures

There are many reasons you could need storage, but one you may not have thought about is how clutter affects our lives. I recently read a report on how too much clutter can cause stress and anxiety, can create feelings of guilt (“I should start being more organized”) and can also lead one to feel embarrassed, especially when others drop by our homes or workspaces unexpectedly. As a psychologist and expert on the subject, Sherrie Bourg Carter explains in Psychology Today, “Messy homes and workspaces leave us feeling anxious, helpless, and overwhelmed. Yet, rarely is clutter recognized as a significant source of stress in our lives.”

Downsizing is another reason people would need storage. There is a national trend of people leaving larger houses for much smaller and more economic ones. The reasons vary, but most say they want to cash out equity to fund retirement, cut living costs with a smaller residence, or even move to a new location, possibly a rental.

According to HousingWire.com: “In fact, three out of four Baby Boomers answered they would downsize their home to lower ongoing costs and for the benefit from the equity. Another 67% said they would be willing to move to a less expensive location.”

So where does everything go when you don’t want to throw it away?

Are your kids leaving the house? Every year, 20 million kids enrolled in college, with a large amount of them leaving home. Therein lies the issue. We spend a long time creating and collecting memories, and it can be hard to just discard of these items when the kids leave home.

With American Steel, you don’t have to. American Steel makes buildings that are Strong, Versatile, and Built to Last.

Get the peace of mind, make your life less complicated, or secure those memories that mean so much. Give us a call at (866) 730-9865 or check us out online at americansteeleinc.com.

Let’s Get You What You’re Looking For

Posted on October 31, 2018 by - ASI, Blog, Buildings, Informative, Lifestyle, Steel Structures

“There’s no need for expensive additional features. All I want is something to protect my toys. I just want to store my equipment. Maybe a window would be okay…” If this is your scenario, then let me tell you that you’re not alone. A lot of our customers prefer a simple sturdy building where they can store all of their belongings or park their vehicles without the need for any of the additional features that we offer. This is completely understandable, although you should remember to get any additional features you might eventually need. If protection and sturdiness is all you’re looking for, however, then American Steel Carports will provide you with the right metal building for you at the right price!

Take a look at this 18’W x 21’L x 8’H fully vertical metal building:

 

All vertical siding allows natural elements to slide off from the roof without the need for constant maintenance. Keep in mind that vertical siding also allows you to add insulation. This customer decided to add (3) windows, (1) walk-in door, and (1) 9’ x 7’ overhead door.

A simple design with good features and options like the metal buildings described can be a great choice that might interest you in the future. Remember that all of our metal buildings can be customized per your needs and likes. If you’re not really sure what kind of building is the right one for you, then give us a call and let one of our experts help you find the metal building that best suits your needs. Don’t forget to ask for your local dealer.

Know Your Needs

Posted on October 29, 2018 by - A-Frame Vertical, ASI, Blog, Buildings, Customer Builds, Lifestyle, Steel Structures

Part of the process of acquiring your metal building is knowing the type of surface where the unit will be installed. Most of our customers prefer to have their buildings installed on concrete slabs. These aren’t required for all the buildings we offer, unless you’re want something wider than 30 feet; leveled ground may be another option. We also know how much concrete can cost, and that’s why our concrete anchors are INCLUDED in your order. That means you’ll also get our 90-mph wind warranty, because you’ll have the anchors needed for it.

Of course, many of our customers are creative when designing their concrete slab. We’ve seen customers add various kinds of ramps for their vehicles, which is pretty nice if you ask us. Remember, your metal building will be built to meet your special needs.

This 24′W × 41′L × 10′H metal garage is a great example of customization a metal building and all the options you might want to consider:

  • (2) 10’x8′ Roll-Up Doors
  • Walk-In Door (36″x80″)
  • (8) Windows

The windows, in this case, are an affordable option for illumination; this building comes with eight of them. If you like the design and dimensions of this building but you’re not really feeling the colors, there’s absolutely no need to stick with the same ones. We offer thirteen colors for you to choose from at no extra cost.

Have a different idea? Perhaps you’re looking to make your building taller, for your bigger toys? Then talk to us! Give us a call at 866-730-9865 and get your personalized quote today for FREE! Want to see our buildings in person? Call us now and ask for your local dealer. We’re now offering rent-to-own in all our service areas too. Talk to one of our experts and get your order started!

Generic vs. Specific Plans & Calculations:

Posted on October 25, 2018 by - ASI, Blog, Informative, Lifestyle, Spotlight, Steel Structures

So you’ve decided on the perfect carport/metal building and you’re ready to place an order. What should you do next? American Steel Carports recommends that ALL customers or future customers get familiar with their city codes. You wouldn’t want to install a building only to have it tagged for noncompliance or for not pulling a permit. Although not all cities and counties require permitting, you should always check to be 100% sure that your building will be allowed. Sometimes the requirements are simple (being a certain distance from a fence or a certain size). Some permitting could require you to meet wind or snow loads, though.

The following will explain the types of plans/drawings that some counties or cities might require before installation:

Generic Plans are available for certain areas and certain sizes of buildings (ask your sales rep. to see if your building qualifies) at no additional cost. Generic plans are specific to width size only and will not state the name or address of the installation. These plans can be requested after the order is placed and take 7-10 business days to be sent out AFTER the order is received.

Site-Specific Plans are made per order at an additional cost. These plans include the name and address of installation for your future building as well as snow and wind requirements and info on how the material is installed and its construction elements. Specific plans must be paid for when the order is placed. They take between 10-14 business days to be sent out AFTER the order is received. Specific plans can be requested (but are not always required) with our Calculations, which also come at an additional cost. Calculations include the stress and strains or forces and displacements of your metal structure. Specific plans can be requested on their own, but Calculations can only be requested as an addition to Specific Plans.

Make sure you ask for or purchase the correct set when placing your order.