Tag: lifestyle

Get Yourself a Man Cave

Posted on December 11, 2018 by - ASI, Blog, Informative, Lifestyle, Steel Structures

According to Merriam Webster, a man cave is a room or space designed to the taste of the man of the house to be used as his personal area for hobbies and leisure activities. The popularity of man caves has increased in the steel industry. After all, having your own comfortable space that is dedicated to your most-enjoyable activities is very appealing to any man and building that space for a low price is even better!

Designing, creating, and constructing your personal man cave can be easy. Picture what you want to do inside; the dimensions of your man cave will vary based on use. Many books and magazines illustrate tips on man-cave makeovers. Videos can also give great ideas for how you can start working on your dedicated personal space. There are endless ways for you to start planning your future man cave.

You might be thinking, why should I choose a steel man cave?

We can give you a long list of reasons! However, in this case, we’re only going to outline our strongest ones:

  • Affordable. That’s right! You could build your man cave out of other materials, but the price would probably end up a bit over the top, especially if you’re on a budget. Steel buildings are affordable as well as easy and quick to install. Speaking of . . .
  • Easy and quick to install. Depending on the size that you’re looking for, a man cave might take a day or less to erect.
  • Long-Lasting. Correct! Our metal buildings are built to last. They maintain their sturdiness for many, many years.
  • After all, steel can be shaped into whatever form and size needed to create the man cave of your dreams. Steel produces buildings that are multifunctional, flexible, and practical.
  • Adds value to your property. Click here to check out our blog about how metal buildings add value to your property.
  • Our buildings are strong enough to resist whatever Mother Nature throws their way. Did we mention fire resistant? What about strong winds? Earthquakes? Termites? Lighting? Yes, yes, yes!

We have many buildings and designs for you to look at. Maybe one of them will be your future man cave. Let us remind you that all of our metal buildings are custom made. So, if you have a certain design that you really like, we can always adjust the dimensions, features, and even color preferences to exactly fit your specific needs and desires!

What’s the ideal man cave for you?

Give us a call at 866-730-9865 to get started on your future project! Let our experts help you customize your metal man cave to fulfill all of your needs and preferences! In order to ensure that we are meeting your specifications, we can provide you with a FREE sketch! Call us now! Don’t forget to ask about available financing options!

What is Steel? (And Other Questions)

Posted on November 26, 2018 by - ASI, Blog, Informative, Questions, Steel Structures

                Steel is an alloy of iron and carbon containing less than 2% carbon and 1% manganese and small amounts of silicon, phosphorus, Sulphur, and oxygen. Steel is the world’s most important engineering and construction material. It is used in every aspect of our lives; in cars and construction products, refrigerators and washing machines, cargo ships and surgical scalpels.

Steel is produced via two main routes: the blast furnace-basic oxygen furnace (BF-BOF) route and electric arc furnace (EAF) route. Variations and combinations of production routes also exist.

The key difference between the routes is the type of raw materials they consume. For the BF-BOF route, these are predominantly iron ore, coal, and recycled steel, while the EAF route produces steel using mainly recycled steel and electricity. Depending on the plant configuration and availability of recycled steel, other sources of metallic iron such as direct-reduced iron (DRI) or hot metal can also be used in the EAF route.

About 75% of steel is produced using the BF-BOF route. First, iron ores are reduced to iron, also called hot metal or pig iron. Then the iron is converted to steel in the BOF. After casting and rolling, the steel is delivered as a coil, plate, sections or bars.

Steel made in an EAF uses electricity to melt recycled steel. Additives, such as alloys, are used to adjust to the desired chemical composition. Electrical energy can be supplemented with oxygen injected into the EAF. Downstream process stages, such as casting, reheating and rolling, are similar to those found in the BF-BOF route. About 25% of steel is produced via the EAF route.

Another steelmaking technology, the open hearth furnace (OHF), makes up about 0.4% of global steel production. The OHF process is very energy intensive and is in decline owing to its environmental and economic disadvantages. Check out our publication World Steel in Figures for more information.

Most steel products remain in use for decades before they can be recycled. Therefore, there is not enough recycled steel to meet growing demand using the EAF steelmaking method alone. Demand is met through a combined use of the BF-BOF and EAF production methods.

All of these production methods can use recycled steel scrap as an input. Most new steel contains recycled steel.

Steel is not a single product. There are more than 3,500 different grades of steel with many different physical, chemical, and environmental properties.

Approximately 75% of modern steels have been developed over the past 20 years. If the Eiffel Tower were to be rebuilt today, the engineers would only need one-third of the steel that was originally used.

Modern cars are built with new steels that are stronger but up to 35% lighter than in the past.

World crude steel production reached 1,689.4 million tonnes (Mt) for the year 2017. Check out our World Steel in Figures 2018 in our online bookshop for more information.

Smart manufacturing does not just mean having a smart factory.

It is a significant transformation in the way we source raw materials, manufacture, and market our products through horizontal and vertical supply chain integration. It is a profoundly customer-focused concept. This change is not a one-step process as there are obvious challenges of trust and data security to overcome between diverse parties in the supply chain. There are a number of examples of early adopters within the steel industry; especially in vertical integration within business segments where building blocks of smart factories are being put together.

Steel is very friendly to the environment. It is completely recyclable, possesses great durability, and, compared to other materials, requires relatively low amounts of energy to produce. Innovative lightweight steel construction (such as in automobile and rail vehicle construction) help to save energy and resources. The steel industry has made immense efforts to limit environmental pollution in the last decades. Producing one ton of steel today requires just 40% of the energy it did in 1960. Dust emissions have been reduced by even more.

Yes, very easily. Steel’s unique magnetic properties make it an easy material to recover from the waste stream to be recycled. The properties of steel remain unchanged no matter how many times the steel is recycled. The electric arc furnace (EAF) method of steel production can use exclusively recycled steel. Steel is the world’s most recycled material.

For more information on steel recycling, check out our blog titled: Steel – the surprising recycling champion, 19 March 2018.

It is not known who produced the first steel. Since 200 BC, many cultures have produced steel in one form or another. A British inventor, Henry Bessemer, is generally credited with the invention of the first technique to mass produce steel in the mid-1850s. Steel is still produced using technology based on the Bessemer Process of blowing air through molten pig iron to oxidize the material and separate impurities.

Many elements and materials go through chemical reactions with other elements. When steel comes into contact with water and oxygen there is a chemical reaction and the steel begins to revert to its original form – iron oxide.

In most modern steel applications this problem is easily overcome by coating. Many different coating materials can be applied to steel. Paint is used to coat cars and enamel is used on refrigerators and other domestic appliances. In other cases, elements such as nickel and chromium are added to make stainless steel, which can help prevent rust.

 

Benefits of a Metal Pool Cover

Posted on November 20, 2018 by - ASI, Blog, Carports, Informative, Lifestyle, Our Specialty, Product Reviews, Steel Structures

Keep dirt and debris out of the pool.

When the leaves, nuts, etc. start falling, the pool becomes a pain to clean. A metal pool cover will keep your filter from taking in debris, therefore reducing operational costs and wear-and-tear on your pool filtration systems. Cutting down on your pool maintenance by simply keeping your pool covered will also be a huge benefit. Our metal pool cover is all you need to protect your pool year-round.

You don’t have to bother with multiple covers that are inconvenient, unsafe, or simply ineffective. Our cover is the easiest to use, with no manual labor needed to put it up or away. We build it where you want it, and you’re covered for many years to come.

By reducing evaporation, your pool cover conserves water and reduces the use of chemicals, saving you up to 70% on operating costs. With the heat kept in and dirt and debris kept out, your pool equipment will also last much longer. Our pool covers not only keep your pool cleaner, but they also reduce your maintenance costs.

Water Conservation

We found that an uncovered mid-sized pool can lose as much as 180 gallons of water a week to evaporation, taking expensive chemicals with it. American Steel’s metal pool cover will help conserve hundreds of millions of gallons of pool water each year, benefitting our most precious resource while saving money.

The average non-metal pool cover only lasts for 3 to 5 years, while a metal cover will last upwards of 10 years.

Installing a completely automatic solar cover can cost $1,000-$2,000 and more.

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.

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.

Steel or Wood for Livestock?

Posted on October 9, 2018 by - ASI, Blog, Informative, Lifestyle, Spotlight, Steel Structures

Most farmers have become used to having wooden livestock houses on their lands. They’re one of the most familiar sights on a farm. This might be because wood is the traditional building material. It’s also perceived as cheaper than other options. However, do wooden livestock houses really cost less than their steel counterparts?

The use of steel buildings for livestock houses has gained popularity. It’s becoming more common to see them used for storage—and there’s no reason they can’t be used for livestock as well. If you’re not convinced, here are a few myths about wooden farm buildings to help you understand why steel is the better choice.

 

Steel costs less overall.

Some claim that a wooden livestock house will cost less. According to them, by using wood instead of steel, they are saving money. What they’re forgetting is that the cost of having a building does not only include what you pay upfront. There’s also the ongoing maintenance to consider, which depends on the material used.

For example, with a wooden building, you will have to constantly manage the insects and pests that may be eating into the wood. You may need to replace falling walls and ceilings every so often. However, if you choose to go with steel, this isn’t going to be necessary. A steel livestock building is made of sturdy material that cannot be infested by insects and will not rot. It may seem like you’re spending more on the structure, but since it’s practically maintenance-free, you’re actually saving money.

 

You’ll have all the space you need.

Every farm owner must maximize the space available. When you use wood to build, floor space can be an issue. Poles and columns need to be placed inside the structure to support its weight. This can take up valuable space that could’ve been put to better use.

This is not an issue with a steel building. A steel livestock house doesn’t need to have any columns taking up space inside the structure. You’ll have full use of the maximum available area, with no need to plan around columns. And if you ever need even more space in the future, the building can easily be expanded.

 

A steel livestock house can add value to the farmland.

You may not be interested in selling your land, but it’s always a good idea to make it as valuable as possible. The types of structures you have on the land will greatly influence its value. If you have an old wooden livestock house, it can be viewed as becoming a burden. No one wants to take on a building they must constantly repair. If you were to appraise the property, a battered, rotting building would hurt the assessment.

On the other hand, American Steel livestock houses will be viewed as a plus. There’s no need to worry about safety, since steel does not decay over time. The structure will remain standing for decades without any issues, ready for whatever use you may have. It adds not just appraisal value, but practical and useful value as well.

If it’s time to upgrade your livestock house, the choice is clear. A steel building will meet all of your needs without the disadvantages of wood. Check out the different models that American Steel Carports has to offer to find the perfect one for you.