Thinking About a Storage Unit? There Are Other Options.

Space, it's an unending issue. If you're like us, we accumulate things, and those things can sometimes take over our living spaces. Is your guest room starting to look more like a storage facility than a place for incoming guests to sleep? Have you considered renting a storage unit so you don't have to get rid of your childhood memories, well here are the five best things about choosing a garage for storage, instead.

• Renting vs. Buying: Renting a storage unit is expensive. Storage units can cost anywhere from one-hundred dollars a month up to three-hundred dollars a month or more depending on the amount of space you need. Sure, this will help you declutter your spare bedroom, but as far as we are concerned it seems like a big waste of money. In under a year on what you might be paying for your storage unit you'd be able to afford a beautifully crafted storage space for your own property. 
• Investment: Building a detached storage unit on your property can actually raise your property value. Consider it an investment that you can use. 
• Aesthetically pleasing: Property storage used to be all about function. How many times have you seen those one-toned rectangle buildings on properties and wondered what the homeowners were thinking? Thankfully that's all a thing of the past. Now you can pick the look that best suits not only your space needs but the way you want your property to look, from barn style buildings and garden sheds to modern and elegant spaces.
• Multipurpose: Not only can you extend your storage space but the possibilities are endless. Have you ever wanted a wood shop, or a place to tinker with an old car? Or are you interested in having a real home office not just your laptop on the kitchen table. With the options available on storage garages for sale there is almost no limit to what you can do, set aside half to clear out your clutter and turn the other half into the sports bar you always wished you had.
• Affordability: There are multiple financing options for you to choose from, that offer affordable options. From bank backed financing, to rent-to-own programs. If you're currently just paying the rent on a storage unit, you really can't afford not to consider a permanent storage garage instead.

 

To talk more about this, or anything else, please Contact Us. Thanks.

Why Every Man Needs One... A Man Cave

Although they might not admit to the fact, the majority of men would love to have a personal space to call their own. A place where they can put up their own decor, have a comfy chair, and be free to be their manly selves.

The lady of the house usually has dominance when it comes to design, and decoration, which is why the "man cave" is quickly becoming a very popular trend. The idea of having a retreat has many advantages to the average male. It gives them a place to spend time alone, enjoy hobbies, and watch sporting events with their male counterparts.

Psychologists say that a man cave can actually help to keep a marriage on the right track, by providing a much needed break from stressful surroundings. In a way, it's a way for married men to recreate their long lost carefree days of bachelorhood. 

Man caves are often just patched up basements or garages with harsh, fluorescent lights, and a lack of heat or air conditioning. Not the most welcoming of spaces, especially with garbage, and holiday decorations being stored nearby.

More suitable options are available, with much more thought to design, and functionality. Without spending all that much money, a prefabricated man cave can be the perfect way to build an oasis away from home, while still being within the premises.

From fancy upscale sports-themed furnishings, to just a simple recliner, and a homemade bar, your own manspace can be filled with what you love, and be an expression of who you are. If you'd like more information on man caves, please feel free to contact us.

Winterizing Your Storage Shed

Most owners wouldn't think to winterize their Storage Sheds, but taking the time to do so will increase its longevity. Whether your shed will stand idle or be used during the winter season, it is important to prepare for the harsh weather ahead. The more you do, the better your storage shed will withstand the elements and you will avoid any damage that could result. Here is a helpful check list.

Clean

Cleaning the interior is a good place to begin. Empty the shed. This makes it easier to clean away debris, cobwebs, and insect homes that may have accumulated during the summer. Prepare your summer tools for winter.

• Clean gardening hand tools. Store them in plastic totes to keep them clean and ready for spring.
• Drain water out of hoses.
• Empty gas and oil from lawn mowers, leaf blowers, and trimmers.
• Cover lawn mowers with tarp to keep off dust and moisture.
• Secure electrical cords to any electrical tools so they do not get wound around other items or get stepped on.
• Store any unused potting soil, grass seed, fertilizer, and mulch in plastic totes to keep rodents from using them for nests.
• Any item that cannot handle freezing temperatures should be stored in a heated garage or basement.
• Throw away anything you no longer need or use. Contact your local disposal company for proper removal of paint, thinners, and oil.

Inspect and Repair Interior

• After you empty the shed, inspect the walls, floors, and ceiling for weakened and damaged areas.
• Check behind and around shelving, hooks, and other wall hangings for hidden weak spots. Test wall hanging supports for durability.
• Focus on seams to make sure there is no separation or holes.
• Examine seals around windows and doors. Shrunken caulk and cracked weatherstripping will let in cold air and moisture, so it should be replaced.
• Replace any broken window panes.
• Check door hinges and openers. Give them a squirt of oil to keep them functioning smoothly in cold weather.
• Repair all damaged areas. You may consider painting the walls for an additional barrier against moisture. 
• Wet winter tools can cause water damage to shed floors. Waterproofing the floor will increase its lifespan.

Inspect and Repair Exterior

• Inspect the exterior for holes and weak spots.
• Examine the roof for weak areas and leaks.
• Reattach curled back shingles with asphalt roof cement.
• Replace torn, rotten, or missing shingles.
• Clean out gutters and downspouts.
• Reinforce loose boards and replace rusted nails.
• Trim away overhanging tree branches as they can cause problems when weighed down by snow and ice.
• If painting, rent a power washer to remove peeling paint. This will save you time and energy so you won't have to scrape. Allow at least 2 days for the shed to dry before painting.

Using your shed during the winter? Move all summer items to the farthest end of the shed. Keep winter tools such as snow blowers, shovels, ice scrapers, electrical chargers, and salt, sand, or grit in easy reach near the door. You may wish to use your shed during the winter for hobbies or other projects. In this case, you should insulate and add a heating source to keep warm.

Winterizing you storage shed may seem like a lot of work, but it will pay off when spring arrives and your shed and belongings are safe and undamaged. For more information contact us.

Detached Garages: New Trends in Automatic Door Openers

Owners of both attached and detached garages can benefit from an automatic garage door opener. Openers are convenient and new trends in the manufacturing of these devices are making them more efficient, safer, and Eco-friendly. 

Direct Current (D/C) motor automatic garage door openers are currently gaining popularity primarily because they are ultra-quiet. This is important for owners of homes with attached garages as the unit cannot be heard inside the house. Owners of detached garages which have second story apartments or work spaces also like its silence. D/C openers are manufactured using fewer parts than other openers so there is less to break down over time, which invariably saves you money. Vibration is practically nonexistent resulting in reduced wear and tear on the doors. Most of the D/C openers have speed variations that can raise garage doors as much as 12 inches per second. D/C openers are strong enough to lift heavy, insulated doors and wooden single, double, and sectional doors that have absorbed the extra weight of moisture from rain and snow. These units are also reliable and energy efficient.

Alternate Current (A/C) motor automatic garage door openers are considered to be the best opener by the garage door industry. They are driven by a steel reinforced belt which is virtually silent and maintenance free. The A/C motor automatic garage door openers are more expensive than chain and screw openers, however, for heavy use they are worth the cost. Their rugged reliability and optimal performance guarantees your garage door will open regardless of the weather.

Security is an important issue, especially for detached garage owners who have their buildings situated far back on their property. Whether you keep tools, gardening equipment, sporting equipment, recreational vehicles, or restored cars in your detached garage, you want to know they are secure from theft. Vacation lock down insures your possessions will remain safely behind your garage door. This feature also works on your remote, so if your car is broken into or stolen, the thief is deterred from opening your garage doors. Have you ever left home and couldn't remember if you closed your garage door? Have you been in a hurry and couldn't wait for the door to close before you left? You can have peace of mind with high-tech remotes that let you know if your garage door is opened or closed. Safety goes one step further with state-of-the-art remotes that send a new code to the unit with every use, so the code cannot be duplicated for unauthorized entry. 

Other new trends in automatic garage door openers include:

• Repair alert.
• Remote light with time delay.
• Audio and visual warnings that door is about to close.
• Units mount on wall or ceiling.
• Controls have become larger, illuminated, and are clearly marked.
• Wireless, keyless entry allows you to program your own 4-digit pin number and can control up to 3 different garage doors.
• Automatic battery backups.

Wireless technology improvements let you connect your Smartphone to monitor and control your garage door opener. The opener will even turn your home lights on and off. Through your Smartphone you can receive email or text alerts on the status of your garage door and home lighting. 

With all the new security features of modern automatic garage door openers you can feel assured that your detached garage is well protected. Let us assist you in choosing the right doors for your detached garage. Contact us for the latest styles available.

How To Shed Your Shed

Your trusty backyard shed has been through the ringer since it was built 20+ years ago. Between the weather and the kids, you're not really sure how it is still standing. But you have decided it is finally time to move on, and you are ready to replace it with a sturdy and more modern model. You could make it a hefty DIY project, but without the proper knowledge, tools, and resources to dismantle and haul away the debris you could end up really hurting yourself. 

There are many factors that go into determining the cost to remove a storage shed from your property. 

Depending on the company you use, they could charge by the hour or by the square foot. 

Determining factors include:

>What condition the shed is in. 

>What materials the shed is made of.

>How easily accessible the shed is for the demolition as well as the haul away. 

>If the shed needs to be detached from a concrete slab.

>If there is any electrical wiring that needs to be disconnected.

>If your area requires any demolition permits.

A simple 10x7 shed could run you $500-$700 for the total demolition and haul away. That's without any hiccups.

So you can not do it by yourself, and the estimates you are getting just seem too outrageous. You do have a third option. Since you are replacing your old shed with a new one, go with a company like Stoltzfus Structures that has a trade-in program. You purchase your new shed from them, they remove your old one, and then install your new one.  

You do have options when it's time to replace your old backyard shed. We know that not only the work, but also the cost, can be a burden. Contact us today to discover solution to having a perfect new shed.