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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!

Standard is Not Basic

Posted on October 24, 2018 by - ASI, Blog, Buildings, Customer Builds, Steel Structures

Our triple-wide units – ranging from 26’ to 30’ in width – have been very popular this year. You can use one of these as a big garage if you have multiple vehicles or even as your own shop where you can work on your vehicles.

One of the biggest confusions we’ve seen throughout the years is that many of our customers assume that, because the width of the unit overpasses the standard size, it isn’t eligible for a Standard roof. Well, this is completely FALSE. Any unit that’s under 30’ in width has the option to go for a Standard roof, keeping in mind that our Standard roof is the most economical choice (since it’s included in the base price). However, once a unit overpasses 30’ in width, then it’s considered a Wide Span, meaning it must have a Vertical roof.

This 30’W x 51’L x 12’H Standard triple-wide unit is a great example of what we’re talking about:

  • 12’x12′ Roll-Up Door
  • Walk-In Door
  • 2 – Windows
  • L-Brackets

Although this roof option is one of the most affordable ones, it might not be the best when it comes to areas that received a large amount of snowfall every year. The reason is that snow and other natural elements will not slide off the Standard roof like on a Vertical roof, so you will have to make sure that there’s no snow building that could make the roof collapse beneath the added weight. Nevertheless, if you live in a dry area where snow is not a concern, then this might be the roof choice for you!

There are endless ways to customize your meal building – and with the help of our experts, you can find the metal building of your dreams! Call us now for a FREE estimate! And don’t forget to ask about our financing options!

Cut off Times

Posted on October 23, 2018 by - ASI, Blog, Informative, News, Steel Structures

We are entering that time of the year again when the weather starts dropping, the snow starts coming and we make our cut off dates.

What are cut off dates?

They are the time frame where we will be halting delivery on units in certain regions.

Why cut off dates?

Because although we would love to take care of customers 365 days a year, it’s highly unlikely due to the weather variables that are far beyond our control.

When do we start delivering again?

We will start up in full steam in the spring delivering and installing new units.

What states have been cut off for 2018?

October 15 – Pennsylvania, Virginia, Delaware, Maryland, West Virginia, and New Jersey.

September 27 – New York

No longer servicing Massachusetts as of 9/21/2018

November 19 – Wisconsin, Minnesota, Upper Michigan

 

We can’t wait to get started installing your buildings in the spring. Take care, everyone!

Lighting & Metal Buildings

Posted on September 27, 2018 by - A-Frame Horizontal, A-Frame Vertical, Agricultural, ASI, Barn, Blog, Buildings, Carports, Custom, Customer Builds, Garage, Informative, Lifestyle, News, Questions, RV Carports, Spotlight, Standard, Steel Structures, Workshop

Are you worried that your metal building might attract lightning? We’ve all been there. Fortunately, I’ve got good news and great news.

Here’s the deal:

The common myth is that out of all types of structures, metal buildings are the most prone to lightning strikes. In other words, metal buildings and metal roofs are basically lightning magnets. Makes sense, right?

Wrong.

A ton of other crazy myths are also still floating around—including that being outside in a lightning storm is safe as long as you’re not wearing metal jewelry and that wearing metal cleats or carrying something with metal makes you more prone to getting struck by lightning.

Also wrong.

I bet you’re thinking, “OK, but then what is lightning really attracted to?”

Long story short, lightning is not actually attracted to specific materials. Lightning can strike anything. Overall, “lightning occurs on too large of a scale to be influenced by small objects on the ground, including metal objects.”

That’s the good news.

Ready for the great news?

Because metal buildings are not especially prone to lightning strikes, you can easily take precautions to ensure that you and your steel structures are safe!

Most people know that counting the seconds between the flash of lightning and the following crash of thunder gives the approximate number of miles between you and the storm.

So, instead of worrying that lightning may have it in for you or your building, here’s what you need to know:

As it turns out, steel is not a lightning magnet! Lightning does not care about the small amount of metal that you might be wearing or carrying.

Instead, lightning is most attracted to targets that are higher off of the ground.

On the slight chance that a steel building or roof is struck by lightning, both are less likely than other types of building and roofing materials to spark a fire. A metal building and roof will usually survive a lightning strike with minimal damage.

In fact, a properly grounded metal building actually creates a more secure way for lightning to travel. Should your metal roof or building be grounded? The answer is a definite yes!

Why a Metal Roof?

Posted on September 25, 2018 by - A-Frame Horizontal, A-Frame Vertical, Agricultural, ASI, Barn, Blog, Buildings, Carports, Custom, Customer Builds, Garage, RV Carports, Standard, Steel Structures, Workshop

Metal roof systems have always been known for their long lives, but exactly how long they last has been a subject of debate.

According to a 2014 study conducted by the Metal Construction Association and the Zinc Aluminum Coaters Association, the projected service life for GALVALUME® standing-seam roof systems is a minimum of 60 years. This is the longest service life of any commonly used roof system on the market. Interestingly, this was calculated using a conservative estimate of the expected lifespan of the butyl sealant used in laps, flashings, and penetrations. In a 2015 study, the National Coil Coating Association reviewed data on pre-painted PVDF fluoropolymer metal panels subjected to exposure testing in South Florida. They concluded it was reasonable to project a minimum service life of 40 years for these.

As with any roofing material, proper design, detailing, installation, and maintenance are critical to achieving the best performance and service life. However, all roof systems, including metal ones, eventually need to be replaced or re-covered. What happens then?

As a roofing professional, building owners will turn to you for advice on whether to replace or re-cover their existing metal roof systems. When considering the re-cover option, there are several elements to keep in mind to maximize the longevity of the new roof system.

Replace vs. Re-cover

There are two types of metal roof system: structural and nonstructural. Structural systems’ panel profiles can generally carry significant wind and snow loads over framing members spaced at intervals up to 5 feet. Structural panels are typically characterized by significant rib dimensions to provide the necessary strength, and they are used in metal building system applications. Nonstructural metal roof systems require a structural deck or substrate to support the new roof and loads. This article focuses on structural systems because these are more common.

According to the Metal Building Manufacturers Association’s historical shipment data, there are billions of square feet of structural metal roofing currently on buildings that are more than 40 years old.

The advantage of replacing a roof system is that it allows vinyl-faced insulation, which may have deteriorated over time, to be removed and replaced. However, this can present some challenges, as the process also exposes the building and its contents to the elements, and this exposure can be prolonged if other structural elements must be added.

The advantage of re-covering a roof is that the original materials can remain in place to protect the interior during installation of the new materials, allowing the building’s normal operations to continue. Re-covering takes full advantage of the existing insulation with the option of easily adding more, increasing the building’s energy efficiency. Keeping the original roof system in place also provides a safer work surface than open framing for the workers installing the new system. In addition, re-covering reduces landfill waste and the need for a large laydown area for temporary storage of old roofing materials. All these factors can lead to a lower cost for re-covering than for replacement.

Many conventional roof systems have inherent excess capacity because their structural systems are not amenable to optimization. However, metal roof and metal building systems can be highly optimized for design load requirements so that materials can be used more efficiently. Because of this, the materials used during a re-cover installation must be lightweight (less than 3 pounds per square foot) so structural modifications are not needed or are kept to a minimum to carry the added roofing materials.

 

  1. Lee Shoemaker, Ph.D., P.E., is director of research and engineering for the Metal Building Manufacturers Association;

Vincent E. Sagan, P.E., is senior staff engineer for the Metal Building Manufacturers Association;

Your Custom Workshop

Posted on September 24, 2018 by - ASI, Blog, Garage, Lifestyle, Steel Structures, Workshop

Need a workshop where you can work on your vehicles? Want to add your own personal touch or your own features? If the answer is yes, then you’ve come to the right place! With 20 years in the industry, American Steel Carports knows exactly how to customize and install metal buildings to provide you with a great experience!

All year round, your vehicles are subject to natural elements that wear them down. Throughout the summer, the beating sun bleaches their color. During the winter, they are hit with cold snaps, harsh winds, and heavy snowfall. Our steel buildings are perfect for handling adverse weather conditions, and our goal is to provide you with a strong building that will last for many years.

Customization is key to the ideal metal building. The color, size, and additional features that we offer play an important role for our customers. Remember that all of our metal buildings can be customized according to your needs and preferences. Did you know that we can also do frame-outs (openings)? As we discussed in our previous blog (click here to read it), you can always add on to your metal building, including different types of windows, walk-in doors, roll-up doors, etc. The only drawback of this is that any warranty your metal building has will be voided.

Take a look at this fully vertical 26’W x 43’L x 12’H metal workshop:

This building comes with two (2) 12’ x 10’ roll-up doors (on the side), two (2) walk-in doors (on the side), and eight (8) custom window frame outs.

Want something similar to this workshop? Contact us now and let one of our experts help you customize that metal workshop that you’ve been looking for! Remember that delivery and installation are included in the price! Call us now! Your future metal building can be just one call away.

History of Barns

Posted on September 20, 2018 by - A-Frame Horizontal, A-Frame Vertical, Agricultural, ASI, Barn, Custom, Informative, Steel Structures

Since the days of Thomas Jefferson, the barn has been a staple image in the American consciousness.  These structures represent tradition and security and encourage feelings of closeness to the lands that house them as well as the communities that build them. Over the centuries, the barn has remained an iconic feature of farms everywhere. Although the world of agriculture has changed and evolved into a multimillion-dollar business, the barn still serves the same purpose.

Then

Barns were added onto the land when farmers needed housing for livestock or storage for grain and crops. Materials for these structures were usually made out of timbers from the trees on the farms. Using mortise and tenon joints, woodworkers would join these pieces of timber by connecting them at 90-degree angles. Although this construction process was simple, it was also quite durable and strong.

After the mid to late 19th century, timber buildings were replaced by “truss-framed” or “plank-framed” barns. The invention of steam-powered sawmills allowed farmers to affordably buy dimensional lumber. The joints for this type of lumber were connected with bolts or machine-cut nails.

When people think about these old historic barns, they often think of structures covered with red paint. Historians have theorized that this color choice was popular because it was the cheapest and most readily available, which was due to the fact that the ferric oxide needed to create red paint was similarly inexpensive and common. The downside of this type of barn was that the combination of lumber, flammable paint, and hay-filled interiors caused fires that were almost always considered total losses to the farms.

Now

Traditional wooden barns are still constructed all over the world; however, steel has quickly become the material of choice. There are several reasons why this type of building has grown increasingly popular over the years.

Steel barns provide the option of easily adding additional space as your farm continues to grow.

Steel barns are built to withstand the forces of nature: snow, rain, wind, fire, and even earthquakes.

Steel barns eliminate the problem of wood-eating pests such as termites.

Steel barns do not require the costly maintenance necessary for preserving traditional wooden structures. Additionally, the construction materials are less expensive than traditional wood, making steel barns the most cost-effective option.

Whether you love the nostalgia of the traditional American barn or the beauty and strength of a steel agricultural building, this great country has the history for both. From the seaside farms in the East Hamptons to the organic ones in California, these buildings will always be part of our great American history.

The Right Protection for the Right Price

Posted on September 12, 2018 by - ASI, Blog, Steel Structures, Workshop

Triple-wide units offer the space to store your equipment, create your own workshop, or protect multiple vehicles from harsh weather. And did you know that customization plays a big role in most of the buildings we sell? Unlike other materials, steel can be shaped however you like, offering you protection, durability, and versatility.

Did you know we offer skylights?

Our skylights can provide natural lighting inside of your metal building. Although windows can be used for the same purpose, some of our customers prefer skylights.

Take this 30’W x 51’L x 12’H fully vertical metal building:

  • A-Frame Vertical
  • Vertical Sides & Ends
  • 3 – 10×10 Roll-Up Doors (side)
  • 36×80 Walk-In Door (side)
  • 3 – 3×8 Skylights
  • Concrete Anchors w/ L-Brackets

Please be aware that skylights can be installed on vertical roofs ONLY.

Did you know we offer insulation?

American Steel Carports offers insulation that provides your metal unit with a thermal, radiation, and vapor barrier (R Value 16). This means that you’ll have a cool, dry structure in the summer and a warm, dry structure in the winter. Insulation can also be applied to vertical siding units.

This metal building might be the largest size in our flyers, but don’t let that trick you. If you’re looking for something wider, larger, or even taller, we can help you make it happen! Contact us now and let one of our sales representatives help you find and customize the perfect metal building for you needs! Don’t forget to ask about our financing options or click here for more information.