Feathering Your Nest: 5 Advantages of Chicken Runs

• Considering the issues at Monsanto and other GMO companies along with growth-hormone-infused “food”, it’s no wonder people are looking at organic alternatives. The trouble with that idea is that grocery stores charge enormous amounts of money for organic foods. People know they need a better alternative, but they can’t afford it. They feel trapped and helpless. Well, we’re here to show them how they can not only afford it, but benefit from having chicken runs in their back yards.
  

  One: Nutritional Advantage

  Eggs contain every one of the nine amino acids the human body needs for its best nutrition, but are not manufactured by the body. Eggs are also high in Vitamins E and A as well as beta carotene and omega-3 fatty acids. Professional egg and chicken farms’ produce has its nutrition severely curtailed by antibiotics and growth hormones, so people are getting only about one-third of the nutrition they should be getting. Those chickens running around your back yard are giving you the Full Monty, so to speak.

  Two: Better Chickens                                      Would you be happy trapped behind walls with no fresh air and no exercise? Of course not. Neither are chickens. On professional egg and chicken farms, the fowl are not allowed to roam about and must spend hours if not always inside a box. No healthy animal can produce under those circumstances.  When you have feathered friends in the back yard, you may be very certain what goes into their feed. The chickens in your yard will contain much less fat and calories than professionally farmed chickens. Their meat will be bigger and taste better than professionally farmed fowl, too.

  Three: The Gift that Keeps Giving

  Let’s say you have a fenced back yard and can let the fowl range freely. They love to eat the bugs in gardens. When the harvest is in, chickens will chew on dead plants, seeds and bugs as they are fertilizing your garden patch for next spring. Chicken fertilizer is all natural as opposed to store-bought synthetic fertilizers. It is higher in potassium, phosphorous and nitrogen. Their scratching aerates the soil in preparation for planting in the spring. From beginning to end, you have one incredible gift wandering your back yard.

  Four: The Lesson Advantage

  Kids love animals. Imagine the lessons they will learn from watching and raising your chickens:

  
  • The feed and care of an animal teaches them how to care for themselves
  • Chickens are friendly critters, so the kids will learn social skills
  • Chickens are great in gardens, so the kids will learn how to till the earth
  • The kids will become closer to nature, a great benefit for them                                                                                                                         

  Five: The Neighborly Advantage

  Since store-bought organics are outside the price range of most people, making a deal with gardening neighbors would be of benefit to all. Offer fresh eggs or a roasting bird to neighbors in exchange for something you need in their garden. All of you will be assured of truly organic fresh food instead of questionable produce from the grocery. Everyone eats clean and healthy, which cuts down on doctor visits and the price of pills to restore the health.

  There is something to be said for getting back to nature, contact us, so we can show you how to begin.

Tips for Keeping Your Storage Shed Organized

Adding storage sheds to your property can be a wonderful way to de-clutter your home and take advantage of the space you have. However, if you're not careful, your storage shed can become the most disorganized place in your home.

According to the Message Media article, "Tips for a Tidy Shed or Garage,"

"A well-organized shed can save homeowners time and energy, as it’s easy to abandon or delay a project if you can’t find that pair of work gloves you stashed."

Most of us don't want to think about the time and money we have poured into projects that we never finished, but if you follow these suggestions for keeping your storage shed well-organized, you will find it easier to follow through on your intentions and finish your projects in one sitting.

1. Tidy Up Frequently -Ideally you should go through your storage shed once a month and put anything away that is out-of-place. By revisiting your organization on a regular basis, messes are way less likely to get out of hand. The first time you do a major organization of a cluttered storage space, you should take everything out and only put items back in the storage shed when they have a proper place.
2. Use Shelves, Hooks and Pegboards - Simple organizational tools like shelves and pegboards will help you find the things you're searching for quickly.
3. Prioritize Your Placements - Analyze what items you use the most often in your storage shed and put them in an easy to reach place near the front of the storage shed. Don't forget that you can hang items on the back of the shed doors for quick access.

If you're looking for a quality built shed that you can count on for years to come, please contact us. We would be happy to build a shed to your specifications to meet your needs.

Two Car Garages for the One Car Family

It can be hard to thin about a 2 car garage when you are a one car family, but the investment may be worth more than you think.

Adding a free-standing garage to your property can help increase the property value when you get ready to sell your family home, but even while you live there adding a two-car garage instead of a single car garage can be a good investment.

With a growing family at home and a home to care for, chances are you have a lot of stuff that needs to have a place to call its own. If you opt for a single car garage, before you know it, bicycles, the lawnmower, the snow blower and the patio furniture may well displace the car from its rightful place in the garage.

After a few months, it's easy to argue that the car was built to be outside in all kinds of weather, but the grill and lawnmower were meant for sunny days. Even if you just decide to put your tools around the edge of the garage, they'll soon make a single car garage an obstacle course for those walking to the car and for the driver trying to pull in or out.

One of the reasons many people consider getting a garage is to prevent the elements from having an impact on their vehicle. After all, no one likes hail damage.  But if you trade hail damage for scrapes from your children's toys, your garage is probably not doing its job.

Opting for a two car garage gives you extra space to store your lawn equipment, outdoor toys, sports equipment and more. And, when you decide you need a second car for your spouse or one of the children, the space is already available.

Contact us for help designing a two-car garage that offers you the storage space you need and still leaves room for the car.

Practical Considerations before Homeowners Add 2 Story Garages

Garages are usually an afterthought tacked onto a house, because they're a necessity. They don't often receive the same respect and enthusiasm the inside of the house gets. They are rather plain and boringly functional. Garages are handy for a lot of things: getting out of the car dry when it’s stormy outside, storing the lawn furniture in winter and the snow tires in summer, chucking the half-used cans of paint into a corner, storing the camping equipment, sports equipment and extra Girl Scout cookies you got stuck with after the sale ended. However, there are many homes not possessing such a great storage area. These homeowners have a couple tough choices to make, but first they need to know a few things before they think about adding 2 story garages to their homes.

How They Could Use the Garages

People see a gable or a small deck on a two story garage and think what a great place to rent to college students, singles or family members in need of digs. On the other hand, there are other just as great uses for such an apartment:

• Live in the apartment yourself while you save up to build your own home
• Use it as a vacation property if you own the land
• If you live in the snowbelt and own property in warmer climes, use the two story garage as a snowbird retreat
• Rent it out when you return home in the spring or summer
• Place your quilting frames, sewing apparatus and display cases in it
• Securely lock away your gun collection there when you’re not hunting
• Home offices, workshops, man-caves and she-sheds could use a place as well

Now that homeowners’ imaginations have been whetted, we’ll go a little farther and sketch a picture for them. Imagine a detached two story garage erected directly behind or a little kitty-cornered to the house. Now imagine a covered walkway between the garage and the house. Not only does it look a little Gone With the Wind-ish, but it will keep you dry as you leave the car for the house. Beside the house where the attached garage would have been had you chosen that option, picture an outdoor room. A stone fireplace holds a barbecue rack, while homemade bread rises on the hearth. The bar is next to it, while your choice of outdoor furniture holds friends whose mouths are drooling at the amazing aroma of the barbecue or the steaks. Next to the outdoor room, the kids, who are awaiting their burgers, are splashing in the pool.

Practical Considerations

Of course, to bring all these lovely pictures of two story garages off, homeowners will need to check with their county building offices. Permits, property restrictions and zoning rules might apply. Homeowners should also check with their Homeowners Associations to discover their rules and restrictions, too. Other things to check out include:

• Some towns and communities have height restrictions
• In historical districts, especially, there could be restrictions governing the appearance of the garage (it should look “colonial”, “southern plantation”, you get the idea)
• There is usually a rule concerning the percentage of a property covered with concrete patios, for instance, or asphalt driveways

When you contact us for more information, we can discuss designing the garage to look like the homeowners’ home or perhaps a style to complement the house. We think you’ll be impressed.

Storage Sheds Save You Money

Everywhere you look people are using storage sheds in trendy new ways. A simple Pinterest search will show you hundreds of ideas for transforming standard storage sheds into a personal oasis that will make your friends' and family's jaws drop. However, as exciting as the new uses for storage sheds can be, it's important to remember that using your shed simply for extra storage still makes a lot of sense.

A growing portion of the population is paying a fee every single month for self-storage facility rental. It starts out simply enough, a person decides that they need a little more room, just for a little while. Eventually they will take the time to go through their belongings and weed out unnecessary items so that the extra storage is no longer necessary. Inevitably the plan to pay for self-storage for a few months turns into years. When you consider that the average monthly fee for a self-storage unit is $100, (it can be much higher in popular urban areas where space is at a premium) you can easily see that it doesn't take long for a storage shed to pay for itself. 

The only reason most people don't immediately consider a personal storage shed is that they think their storage needs will be short-lived. However, if you happen to be one of the few people who really can cut down on their extra belongings and eliminate their need for storage, then you can actually join the trend-setters that are turning their storage sheds into backyard havens. 

For information on quality, Amish-constructed storage sheds that can help you eliminate your ongoing monthly storage fee, please contact us.

From a Shed to a Play House

Recently we have been going through all of the fantastic uses of Amish-made storage sheds. This week we wanted to focus on the play house. 

When it's too hot or too cold for your children to play outside, or just as a special space that is all their own, a storage shed designed to be a playhouse is a great option. With a custom-built storage shed, you can create the play space your children need to be safe from the weather and still out of the house.

Let's face it. Kids need time to be messy, create art and be loud. It's part of being a kid. But no one can blame you for not necessarily wanting that in your living room or at the dining room table. In a storage shed playhouse, you can create an art room, block building center or doll display extraordinaire.

With the option to include heating and cooling systems, you can give your children and their friends a safe and fun place to play no matter the weather and the adults can enjoy a little more peace and quiet around the house.

Your storage shed playhouse can be custom-built to any configuration that makes sense for you and designed to look like an Old West sheriff's office or a child-sized replica of your own home. In addition, with fine Amish craftsmanship we can add built-in toy bins and shelves, so that having a place to play doesn't mean leaving a mess behind.

To design the perfect storage shed playhouse for your family, contact us. We have designs to choose from or can make it completely custom designed for you.

Amish Sheds: A Mother-In-Law Apartment

Many families are finding themselves caught in the so-called Sandwich Generation, caring for their own children and their parents as well. While having your parents or in-laws nearby to create long lasting relationships with your children and so that you can be sure they are taken care of is often something we wish we could do, many of us understand the danger of living with our parents.

Sharing a single family house with your parents or in-laws can lead to family tension and stress on your own marriage as well as between you and other loved ones. Especially after the death of one parent, the surviving parent may want to live closer to his or her children and grandchildren, but not be ready to give up living independently.

That's where an Amish shed may be the perfect solution. These custom-built out buildings can be the exact right size for an apartment for loved ones. These sheds can be built to accommodate electricity and plumbing, making a comfortable small, but independent space for your loved ones.

Since the Amish sheds are delivered to your building site completed, there are no worries about construction messing up your landscaping, but you can still provide a small home for your older loved ones to maintain their independence while being nearby.

When you contact us to design the perfect building for your space and needs, we can discuss all the features you might want. From rafter storage to bay windows, your custom designed shed can add value to your property and help keep your marriage healthy and happy.

Storage Sheds Become the Center of Creative Pop Culture Trends

It seems like the world is becoming more and more creative. Everywhere you turn someone has taken on a new amazing project and created something unbelievable out of ordinary beginnings. Now that the world has become a global society and social media has made it easier than ever to share our passions and interests, people are building on one another's creativity.

One exciting idea, executed well and shared with photos online, suddenly inspires thousands of similar projects each with their own take on what was already a creative venture.

We have seen people create incredible personal oasis's out of quality storage sheds. We suspect that what we have already seen is just the beginning and it is a lot of fun to look at our Amish-built sheds and wonder what they may one day house in the hands of a DIY genius.

According to the Daytona Beach News Journal article, "Reinvent The Shed Storage: buildings being reimagined as pubs, studios, getaways" by Melissa Kossler Dutton,

"When Morgaine Ford-Workman and Wren Workman bought a house with a backyard shed, they saw the potential for something more than storing garden tools. The couple transformed the 10-by-12-foot building into a bar to use during outdoor parties at their house in Morrisville, Pennsylvania."

A decade ago, before the popularity of sites like Pinterest transformed the internet, no one would have thought of a storage shed as a space to entertain guests, or an expansion of a home's limited recreational space, but now it's clear that the sky is the limit.

If you want to start your incredible backyard shed project with a storage shed that is built to your specifications, please contact us.

A List of Reasons You Haven't Thought Of For a Storage Shed

After a particularly snowy winter in parts of the northeast, adding out buildings to your property to avoid snow issues next winter may be on your summer agenda. Of course, that means finding the buildings that meet your needs and enhance your property value.

An Amish shed may be exactly what you are looking for. Maybe you have young children that you'd like to give a small bus stop shelter so that when the weather is rainy or cold, but school is still in session, your children are protected from the elements while they wait for the school bus.

Maybe you need a pool house with separate changing areas for male and female guests. Or, maybe you'd like a sun room that can convert into a guest room for when your other-in-law is in town.

Whatever your extra space needs, choosing an Amish shed means quality construction and a three-year warranty. More than that, it means you can customize the design of your new out building to enhance the value of your property and comply with home owners associations or the local township.

Many people hear the word shed and immediately think of a thin steel building with a wooden floor, but out buildings can be so much more! Whatever you need extra space for, from storing your tools to having a place to work on crafts, an out building lets you add more room without the hassle of remodeling or construction on your house.

Contact us to discuss what an out building means to you and what your family needs. We can custom design the space you need.

Garden Sheds: She-Shed or Man Cave?

Almost every parent out there knows that sometimes the house can be a little too small to provide mom and dad with the getaway they need. Whether mom needs a "She-Shed" for her hobbies or dad needs a "man cave" to read or watch a ballgame, an Amish-built shed can be the perfect answer.

As the trend for small spaces is on the rise, using a storage shed as a getaway is becoming more an more popular.  Since additions can be costly, many people have chosen to forgo the traditional craft room or den, we have found that our "man caves" as they are called on the website, are becoming more an more of a hit. But these "man caves" aren't just for men. We have women use them for craft rooms, painting studios, or potting sheds, as well. 

A garden shed (turned hobby shed) is a quick and customizable solution if you're looking for a little extra space out back. No longer is the shed just an outbuilding intended for tool storage or housing the car. When you look at a custom-built shed, you can opt to create an unexpected getaway for you and a guest or two.

These wood frame structures are built to your specifications and then delivered to your prepared building site, ready to handle whatever your family needs. Your imagination is the limit to what you can do with one of our prefab sheds. These buildings can be designed to have electricity and plumbing added, making them more of a little cabin in the backyard.

Of course, you can still use your garden shed as a potting shed to start flowers and vegetables for the garden. You can even use it as shelter for your backyard chickens or your dog. But, really, why not use it for a little space of your own.

To design you prefect she-shed or man cave, contact us.

Storage Sheds: Plan for Storing Your Summer Fun

In early summer many people are not thinking about where they will put the lawn furniture, mower and grill when the summer is over, but it is the perfect time to plan ahead for the fall.

A shed, built on site or brought to you complete, offers a unique way to comply with whatever requirements your community or home owners' association has for out buildings. These custom-built storage sheds can be tailored to meet your specific lot requirements and your storage needs.

For many people,  keeping the lawn furniture and basic tools dry and accessible is the most basic requirement of their storage shed. But those with an eye to increasing the value of their property or keeping the neighbors happy also want something that looks good. Functional is nice. Functional and aesthetically pleasing is better.

With a custom-built storage shed, home owners can tailor the building to their design tastes and their needs. Maybe you need easy access to the lawn mower and snow blower, with overhead storage for your children's bikes, sleds and scooters. Maybe you'd prefer a shed that can double as a potting shed for spring vegetables. With a custom design, your shed can be created specifically with your family in mind.

Another advantage of these Amish-built sheds is that they are made of wood, not pre-fabricated metal sure to rust its first winter.  Your shed can be constructed on site if you have an off the beaten path spot intend for it or it can be delivered completed and ready to go.

To start designing your custom-built storage shed, contact us with its intended purpose. From there, our designers work with you to create the storage shed you need.

Advantages of Amish Firewood Sheds

Perhaps you use a fireplace or wood stove to heat your home, or parts of your home, during cold months. It’s imperative to keep firewood in good, burning condition. Maybe you need a little extra storage space without taking up a lot of room or money. Amish firewood sheds are attractive, sturdy little buildings that have several advantages.

Coverage

Moist wood makes for a low heat, overly smoky, short burning fire. These fires are difficult to start, keep going, and create a fast build-up of dangerous creosote. Keeping wood covered without smothering it ensures it will remain dry and mold free. Firewood sheds protect wood from rain and snow. This means dry wood is always at the ready and your fires are as efficient as possible. You don’t have to worry about shaking off snow from the top layer of wood, or sifting through soaked pieces to find the dry ones.

Airflow

Airflow is important in a stack of firewood in order to prevent mold and rot, keep wood dry, and continue the drying process for wood that’s not quite seasoned. When firewood sits directly on the ground, the moisture has the potential to rot and mold the bottom rows. Firewood sheds keep stacks of wood off the ground. Additionally, the open front, along with proper stacking, allows air to flow around and through the firewood, adding extra protection against moisture.

Diverse Uses

It’s a good idea to fill your firewood shed in the spring so that the wood is all ready for those cold autumn and winter days. However, there are many alternative uses for firewood sheds other than storing wood. A firewood shed can also serve as a work space for activities such as gardening. It’s good for not only storing garden supplies, but also creating a planting area that is shielded from the sun or harsh breezes. Additionally, a firewood shed, meant for storing wood, houses almost anything else. You can use it for riding lawnmowers, landscaping tools, sports equipment, bicycles, patio furniture cushions and umbrellas, and so much more.

With a firewood shed, you can protect your wood from the elements year round, so that when you need a cozy fire, you’ll have one. Without taking up a lot of space, a firewood shed will serve your storage needs, be it for wood, tools, or anything else.

For more information about Amish firewood sheds, or to discuss if they’re right for your needs, pleasecontact us.

Star Gazer Garden Sheds Take Your Love of Astronomy to the Next Level

Do you get your telescope out every time Venus makes an appearance in the night sky? Do you mark meteor showers on your calendar? Are you constantly reminding people that Pluto isn't considered a planet anymore? If you love tracking the night sky, or just enjoy teaching your children about the solar system, we know of a fun way for you to invest in your passion.

You don't have to only enjoy looking at the stars on warm summer nights. If you're tired of taking a trek to an observatory every time you want to catch a cool astronomical event when it's too chilly, snowy or damp outside, there is another way. You can have a star gazer garden shed installed in your back yard.

Sky sheds offer a roll off rooftop, so you can leave all of your equipment set up and ready to go, roll the roof off when you're ready to observe the night sky, and roll it back in place when you're done. Your equipment can stay safely in place ready to go for the next time you want to enjoy the celestial wonder. 

Sky sheds are also perfect for photographers who specialize in photographing the sky. The sheds can be wired for electricity so you have outlets to power your equipment.

If you are teaching your children to love science and astronomy you can start hosting some really stellar sleepovers in your observatory shed during meteor showers. 

For more information on how an affordable garden shed can make your astronomy hobby much more fun and accessible, please contact us.

Backyard Trends: The Pub Shed, or Man Cave Shed

Want to be the talk of the neighborhood? The place where all the parents want to hang out? Look no further than your backyard storage shed. There's a new trend going around: the Pub Shed and gives you an excuse to have friends over all year long.

Many owners of pub sheds have running water and electricity along with fittings that may be found in a licensed hostelry. A selection of beers in the fridge or even on tap, a TV to watch the game, and friends to go with it...all the comforts of a traditional pub. Some go for the a stately look, while other go for simpler modern decor l

A Pub Shed is simply a storage or garden shed which has been turned into a gathering place behind your home. The great thing about a Pub Shed is the versatility. They can range from plain-Jane with tools still hanging on the walls to a great meeting place with a TV, bar and, if you're getting adventurous a tap, or an espresso machine!

You could clean out that old tool shed in the back, install drywall, French doors, windows, lights, and all your bar supplies and you've got your own version the new man-cave. 

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Or you could have an affordable professionally built shed fully assembled and delivered right to your backyard. Want to revamp your current shed? Make it your next family DIY project! If this is a family affair, add a freezer for some ice cream to sweeten the deal. You know what? That sounds good to me, too!

So what are you waiting for? You pick the beverages to stock, you set your own closing time, and when it's closing time you can retire about 20 ft. from your house. Sounds like a win/win to us.. Contact us to learn about your options and to find out soon yo can have your very own backyard Pub Shed.

Why Amish Construction Just Makes Sense For Sheds

When you decide to improve your home with a shed to increase your storage or add to the enjoyment of your favorite hobbies, you are investing in your quality of life.

You have plenty of options when it comes to sheds. You can certainly find a pre-built modular style shed, or you can buy an Amish shed, built by hand, with materials that are made to last. With an Amish built shed you can expect heirloom quality, using traditional construction methods that  have stood the test of time.

If you are considering an Amish shed, there are a few things you will want to look for before finalizing a shed purchase.

• Do they offer a written guarantee? A company that builds quality sheds should stand behind their work.
• Will they allow you to come see the construction process firsthand?  Even if you don't actually want to see your shed being built, it's nice to know the option exists, because it shows the company you are buying a shed from has nothing to hide.
• How long have they been in business? You should try to find a company that has been in business for at least 20 years. A long history in business means that satisfied customers have been referring friends and family members which is helping grow the business.

Stoltzfus Structures employees between 30 and 40 Amish carpenters to make our sheds the way they have been made in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania for centuries. Please contact us to find out why our sheds are the best in the business.

Transform Your Shed: 4 Updates You Never Thought Of

As a rule sheds are used for backyard storage, But what if your shed could do so much more? Here are four ways you haven't thought of yet... or at least we hope not! 

1. Grow a Green Roof! 

That's right, a green roof. Those waterproof shingles can come in handy. First, be sure that your shed can hold the load of some extra soil on top. After that you are going to want to put down an additional waterproof layer for extra security and build a frame, so you have a place to hold your soil. Next, add in some potting soil and start planting! Here's a reference that walks you through the process. Some recommend using alpines and other hardy plants that don't need much water.Succulents would be another great option, if you don't live in an area that gets rain everyday! Photo Credit:

2. Add a Murphy Table Outside- Picture This on Your Shed.

Murphy beds, tables and benches have become very popular lately. If you haven't seen/heard of them, a Murphy bed/bench/table is a structure that is attached to a wall that can either extend down, as bed/bench/table, or fold up to save space. We thought this would work especially well in a garden setting. If your shed is already filled, but you would like a little bit of space to pot in the garden, this quick project will give you the best of both worlds! Attach the frame to an exterior wall of your shed when it is down you can use it to pot. When you have it up it's out of the way! Take a look here for instructions and the supplies you need.  And use your imagination. The ones on their site are not in your garden. Adjust the width, accordingly. Photo Credit: Pinterest

Pro-tip: Take it one step further by painting it when it is in the upright position. That way you'll have the extra value of some artwork in your backyard!

3. Find Yourself a Tip-Out Bin

This is a quickie, but a goodie. Find a tip-out bin to keep your potting soil in for easy access. Keep it right inside of the door to keep away the elements and the unwanted bugs!

4. The Green House Effect

With the reminder of Earth Day still on our minds let's keep planting! Create an easy green house on the side of your shed. Pick up some lumber, 2 hinges and a couple of old windows at your local vintage store. Grab your circle saw and get to work. Build out your back frame, first. If you would like more than one level be sure to angle your side pieces at a downward pitch to accommodate for levels within the green house. After the frame has been built out then attach your hinges along with your windows and you're good to go! You can start growing just as spring is ramping up! Want a visual? Check out this blog post that explains it very well! 

So, now that you see all the neat ways to make your shed work for you it's probably time to get one, or if you already have one, to get a new one. Check out all of our newest sheds and the Stoltzfus Classics you love here! Have questions on your shed, or want to trade your old one in? Give us a call! 

An Organized Garage: 3 Simple Steps

Your garage gets cluttered sometimes. With the warm weather coming, here's an easy guide for a quick clean to increase the space and decrease the clutter!

First things, first...set aside 2 hours (this may take more or less time depending on how much clutter you have). It generally won't take any longer than that, but in case you are a slow mover we didn't want you to be disappointed! Second: back your car/cars out, so we can get started!

1. Get Seasonal Items Outside

If you store any large seasonal items like a grill, deck furniture, umbrellas or lawn gnomes, etc. in your garage get them out where they belong. It is getting warm and you're going to want to have easy access when you're wife wants you to fire up the grill! 

*PRO-TIP: Be sure to take a hose and clean these items off before you use them. They can gather up a good deal of dirt over the winter months. 

2. Shape Up or Ship Out

Once you have the seasonal stuff out of the way, take a look to see if there are any other items you have that may have seen better days. For instance, get rid of rusty yard tools that don't work, sports gear that hasn't been used in years or even broken pots. The long and short of it: clean out junk!  If it's still useful place it in the back for your truck for donation and if not... you know what to do!

3. Clean House... Or Garage

Now that everything is out of the way we can get to the easy part. If you're in colder climates salt from the winter gathers along with pine needles and other various kinds of floor debris. So, take a broom and sweep up that floor! You are going to be amazed at how much of a difference a clean garage floor makes. Plus, you have so much more space to work with! 

Warning: Only do this once a year. Your wife might get the wrong impression!

Don't have a garage to clean out? We can help you with that and you can skip these three steps. Check out our latest garages!

28x24 2 Story Carriage Style Garage

Garden Sheds Add Organization To Your Favorite Hobbies

Your hobbies make your life enjoyable. They add purpose and beauty to your day, and they give you something to pour your passion into, unfortunately if you're not careful, the tools and equipment you need to pursue your favorite hobby can overflow into your living spaces, making your house feel cluttered, disorganized and frustrating. Adding a little extra storage space to your home with a garden shed is an affordable, addition to your home that will improve your quality of life, without impacting the structure of your house.

Organization is key when it comes to pursuing your hobby without giving in to an avalanche of miscellaneous supplies in your home. One, great way to keep the chaos in check is to build a beautiful garden shed. Garden sheds are, of course, the perfect place to store all of your gardening tools and supplies, but they don't have to be limited to just gardening equipment. You could store your ice fishing equipment, hunting supplies, camping gear, crafting materials or any other hobby supply in an affordable and modern garden shed. You can fill your shed with shelving, hooks, and all kinds of modifications to make it the perfect space to store items.

If your idea of a garden shed is a neglected hut in the back yard, then you are in for a big surprise. Garden sheds are a great place to store items you love and need, but that you don't need access to every day. Plus you might be surprised how many adorable ways there are to showcase your garden shed. It can quickly become the most attractive part of your home. A quick search for "garden shed" on Pinterest will bring up a lot of photos that will stir up your creativity and inspire you. One simple project that can add beauty and charm to your garden shed is to create window boxes for your shed to grow flowers in.

Boat Shed, Maryland

For more information on quality garden shed construction that will beautify and add value to your home, please contact us. Our sheds are Amish built and have a three year warranty!

Storage Shed Decisions: Always Start with Size

If you're thinking of putting a storage shed in your back yard, you might be amazed to know how many options you have. If you've just seen the generic sheds outside big box stores you might not realize how customized and beautiful your shed can be. The options are so plentiful, they could start to feel a little overwhelming, but if you take your time and make one decision at a time you will soon have a shed that perfectly meets your needs and matches your sense of style.

First you will want to consider the size of your shed. You can have a shed built on site, which means that you can choose from a small shed around 6 x 8 feet to a very large shed around 14 x 40 feet and there are size options for everything in between.

You will want a shed large enough to store everything you had in mind, plus a little extra space for any new lawn or sport items you might add to your collection in the coming years.

However, you do not want a storage shed so large that it overshadows your yard. After all, your personal recreation space is very important, and part of the reason for getting a storage shed was to have a place to store all the stuff that was cluttering up your yard and keeping you from enjoying it in the first place.

To see our options for quality sheds with an incredibly warranty, please contact us. We will help walk you through every decision.