Category: Garage Storage
If you are wondering whether or not you should build or install a carport, but are not sure if they’re a good idea, consider a few basic facts.
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These structures provide extra overhead storage space to house a car or other vehicle if you don’t have a garage or if your garage is not large enough to house all of your belongings plus your vehicle(s).
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They don’t cost nearly as much as a garage to build or install.
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There are many different styles to choose from and you can go with a very basic or even a portable model costing less than a hundred dollars or you can custom build a structure that almost rivals a garage but with a few less bells and whistles.
The picture below shows imaginative use of bamboo (from Bambutec) to construct a lightweight and attractive frame over which has been attached clear corrugated plastic. It gives an idea of what you can achieve with a carport if you think outside the traditional boxes a bit.
Obviously there is no security as such with an open carport, but then again it depends on what exactly you’re trying to protect. Modern cars are so well protected with their own built-in anti-theft devices that these days car thieves often have to first break in to your house to steal the keys before they can then steal the car! A carport is designed to shelter a car from the elements and frankly it is at little more risk of being stolen from an open carport than an apparently locked garage (for more on this subject read this article on secure garage doors).
Other advantages of moving your car from the garage to a carport include (perhaps surprisingly) better protection against rust in the bodywork; a carport protects against the elements i.e. sun, rain and frost to a degree but it also provides better airflow around the car. It is well known that parking a car in a garage will ensure that any moisture on the car will sit there and over time slowly corrode the metal.
And of course, parking your vehicles under a carport means you can free up your garage for extra storage, auxilliary space to work or play in or whatever you want really. No need to make space for the car or be careful not to scratch it moving the lawnmower for instance. This additional flexibility is also likely to be reflected in the overall value of your property too.
If you are looking for a more permanent structure, then a wooden carport may be a good option for you. These blend in nicely with the existing structures of most homes, whether they are attached to the home or even if they stand alone. Also, because they are constructed from wood they can be finished to coordinate with the home’s exterior by staining or painting the wood to match. Because wood is inherently versatile and easy to work with, you can build a wooden structure in just about any size or shape you need and can add a flat roof or an angled roof, depending on your preference.
If you want something that is less expensive to erect and/or more portable because you want to be able to set it up and take it down whenever you need to (or possibly you want to be able to take it with you on the road when you travel) then you might want to consider a model made from a nylon or canvas cover instead. These covers are draped across a framework made usually from PVC or a lightweight metal such as aluminum. These portable structures will still provide ample protection but will obviously result in a rather different look and feel compared to a permanent wood carport.
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If you are wondering whether or not you should build or install a carport, but are not sure if they’re a good idea, consider a few basic facts.
These structures provide extra overhead storage space to house a car or other vehicle if you don’t have a garage or if your garage is not large [...]
If you have a business or residence that could use some extra shelter for vehicles, you can purchase a carport to provide the protection you require. There are several different designs available for carports so you will want to consider what your needs are before purchasing. The structures can be purchased as premade units or can be custom made to fit what you need. The first step is to know the size of the structure you wish to use. The premade units came in single, double and even triple widths to accommodate more than one vehicle.
You also have your choice of using wood or metal carports. The wood structures are not as easy to assemble and disassemble as the metal ones are, but the main advantage of a wooden carport to a homeowner is that it is generally more attractive.
If on the other hand looks are not a priority and you want a structure that is easy to transport you would be better off choosing a metal one. This is more advantageous for a business use such as a construction company that might want a vehicle shelter for on the job use. The metal units are also widely used as more permanent fixtures in some business structures such as businesses that have a drive-thru area.
You will also want to consider the type of posts you want to use with your Carport. If you want the unit for business as a more permanent structure you might want to choose concrete posts as they are more durable and will hold up over time. You can also use the structures to add additional parking shelter for an apartment unit that might not have any type of shelter or garage units. When installing a structure in a residential are you will need to adhere to any regulations that are enforced by the city. It would be best to find out what building restrictions there might be before choosing the size of the unit you want to construct.
Carports are a great addition to any property where you want to park a car and give it some protection from the elements, just make sure you put a little thought into your purchase so that you get one that is suitable for your needs.
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If you have a business or residence that could use some extra shelter for vehicles, you can purchase a carport to provide the protection you require. There are several different designs available for carports so you will want to consider what your needs are before purchasing. The structures can be purchased as premade units or [...]
My friend Jonas is a professional custom storage designer. No, I’m not talking IT – he doesn’t work doing RAID 5 or some other computer storage niche. I’m talking about the type of storage engineer that works with their hands, with actual pieces of wood, and power tools that get the job done and put it all together.
Now, I don’t mean to rain on his parade, but over the years, I’ve heard my share of lectures on how my garage is full of bunk storage and he could really help me fix this by installing a custom garage storage system. He’s a friend, so he’d even do it at cost.
But the truth is – well, it’s not necessary. Let me explain.
The Things You Own, End Up Owning You…
Isn’t it funny how the more you own, the more you need to buy to manage the things you own? At the same time, you also get to devote more mental energy towards organizing these things and deciding what to do with them. Does this make sense? Why do we do this to ourselves?
Yes, I have a garage. And yes, I have some things in there. But my goal isn’t to have one of these utopian garage storage systems. It’s to own only what I need!
Jonas would say he always tells customers first to get rid of everything that’s taking up space in their garage, but, the truth is, if we all did that, most of the companies making stuff designed as “garage storage tools” wouldn’t be needed anymore. Our trash is their treasure, in a round about way.
What’s In My Garage
My garage at the moment is fairly simple. I’ve got a bike. With it, there’s a garage storage bike rack. Makes sense, right! I’ve also got a DIY screen printing set up, and for this, there’s a desk and a cabinet for all my things. Other than that, I’ve got a couch and a bookshelf with a bunch of old punk rock zines and magazines. That’s it. Nothing mounted to my ceiling, nothing installed coming out of the wall, no cabinets with fancy locking mechanisms to hide some scary hazardous chemicals I wouldn’t want in here any way (and which would offer less protection than securing your garage doors in the first place). Also, nothing that might need protection from the elements which of course then gets us on to the topic of garage door insulation kits.
Keeping life simple is usually a lot easier than trying to simplify a mountain of consumerist toys that you only own because Mother Culture promotes the idea of ownership.
For me, I’ll keep my couch, my bike rack, my book shelf, my cabinet, and you can keep your garage storage systems, thank you!
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My friend Jonas is a professional custom storage designer. No, I’m not talking IT – he doesn’t work doing RAID 5 or some other computer storage niche. I’m talking about the type of storage engineer that works with their hands, with actual pieces of wood, and power tools that get the job done and put [...]
It may be hard to believe that wood carports are making such big buzz at home shows all over the nation, but they are. The world is so accustomed to steel carports that is seems rare to even talk about the possibilities of wood. However, home builders are reporting a spike in the number of homeowners interested in buying a carport who are specifically requesting to purchase a wood carport.
As a benefit, wood is a much better aesthetic fit for most contemporary houses. Wood selections come in enough varieties to find a finish that is a good match for the building material already existing on the home. Wooden carports are also more eye-catching than steel.
The wood materials also give the homeowner an opportunity for a relatively simple do-it-yourself project. It is something average homeowners can construct by themselves. If there are no instructions and you are buying all raw materials, it is even possible to download a variety of building plans from the Internet. If you have any carpentry experience, it is possible to surf the Internet for images of carport designs you like then draw up the plan yourself.
If you choose to install a wooden shelter and not a steel one or a traditional garage, it will be quite difficult to find a wood carport kit online. There are not many, but there are a few online retailers. Some of them offer pre-cut wood that you will only need to fit together and nail. Carport kits are very affordable and can decrease in price if you have the building skills to construct the shelter yourself.
One of the best reasons to opt for a wooden structure is that it is the best material for later upgrades or changes that you make to your house. You can add walls to them or add new shelves or storage bins. With so much versatility as an affordable option to a wooden garage, it is no wonder the wood materials are making such an impression at national home shows.
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It may be hard to believe that wood carports are making such big buzz at home shows all over the nation, but they are. The world is so accustomed to steel carports that is seems rare to even talk about the possibilities of wood. However, home builders are reporting a spike in the number of [...]
Garage door springs are heavy duty springs that make it possible for your garage to open and close swiftly. These powerful springs, along with cables and rollers, easily lift a door that weighs several hundred pounds. However, if these springs aren’t maintained properly, they become extremely dangerous.
Whether you have a flip-out or roller garage door, at some point you will have to repair or entirely replace the springs. Now you’ll have to decide whether you want to fix it yourself or have a licensed contractor do it for you. If you’re comfortable around tools, dangerous equipment, and can follow precise instructions, then it’s probably worth your time to repair the springs yourself and save a good amount of money. However, if you haven’t worked on your garage door or aren’t mechanically inclined, you’ll save yourself a huge headache by hiring a licensed contractor to do it for you.
You’ve probably never heard of garage door springs, or even cared about them, until right now. I know I didn’t have a clue what they were until my garage couldn’t open one morning. All you knew was that when you clicked your garage door remote, the garage opened for you and then closed for you. You didn’t think about how two springs (or a set of two springs) could lift a 400 lb. plus door, day-in and day-out. Now imagine one of those springs being damaged, and suddenly releasing when they weren’t supposed to; that has “dangerous situation” written all over it. Never, ever try to repair your garage door springs when the door is closed. That is when the springs are stretched and can release a tremendous amount of energy if you attempt to fix them.
If you’ve had your garage for awhile, and have never maintained your garage springs, you’ll probably have to replace them entirely. Your springs are incredibly dangerous because pieces of the old springs can become shrapnel projectiles and can possibly kill anyone in the garage at that time. If this is a scary thought for you, then it’s a good idea to hire a professional. They’ll be able to guarantee the work and make sure the parts are cared for properly.
Adjusting Your Springs
If you’ve maintained your garage door over the years, the first thing you’ll have to do is either tighten or loosen the springs. It’s important that you make the adjustment to the door while it’s neutral so that it doesn’t fly up or drop down while you’re repairing it. Remember, if you don’t feel comfortable doing this yourself, it’s ok to hire a contractor to do it for you.
Installing New Springs
If adjusting your springs doesn’t do the trick, you’ll have to replace them entirely. When you install your new springs, you’ll have to slowly release the tension off of the old springs first. And remember to replace both springs. It will save you from having to this again in the near future when your other spring becomes worn out.
Once you’ve replaced or repaired your garage springs, it’s important that you perform regular maintenance at least twice a year. As with any type of mechanical device that you use regularly, it will eventually wear out. To ensure that it doesn’t wear out to the point of failure, it’s important to conduct regular maintenance checks. It’s also worth bearing these maintenance issues in mind before you next think about buying garage doors. Here also are some additional tips for trouble shooting and fixing Genie garage door systems.
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Garage door springs are heavy duty springs that make it possible for your garage to open and close swiftly. These powerful springs, along with cables and rollers, easily lift a door that weighs several hundred pounds. However, if these springs aren’t maintained properly, they become extremely dangerous.
Whether you have a flip-out or roller garage door, [...]