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.

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.

You Won't Ever Believe What "Amish Built" Really Means!

It means we build great sheds that last... and we get up early to get them out.  

We use a variety of time-honored methods in constructing new buildings. For example, use a timber-frame technique in which beams are assembled using wooden pegs, or mortise and tenon joints, which have been used successfully by woodworkers for centuries. These methods result in very durable, long-lasting structures that are designed to last for decades.

Another advantage to using more traditional methods of building is the elimination of planned obsolescence. Planned obsolescence involves the development of products in such a way that they deteriorate or become obsolete over time. This process ensures consumers purchase new goods much sooner than they would have otherwise. 

We don't think creating a product only to become obsolete is a good way to do business. So, we make sure to only use the highest quality products and knowledgeable craftsmen to build your shed, garage, or chicken coop to last. 

We have had customers that have had a shed they built with us for over 20 years! We have even had structures withhold hurricanes! That's the kind of quality we like to stand by. 

We Get Up Early

We are up early to get to work. You can come by our office at 7:30 and the guys will already be working on the structures we are building for the next shipment. We've been constructing structures for 40 years, now! We wan to be sure that our structures stay intact for future generations. Rest assured, your structure has been constructed to the highest possible standards.

As you can see, there are plenty of advantages to Amish built sheds. To see some of the latest styles we have available, contact us.

Shed Styles and What They Can Do For You

When most people think of garden sheds, they tend to think of simple structures with four walls and a roof and nothing more. The truth is that garden sheds come in many different styles, which is why we would like to provide information about some of the most common ones.

• Quaker shed- Is sloped on one side, with the eaves normally being higher in the front, allowing for placement against a fence or the exterior wall of your home. Pent sheds are ideal for use as potting sheds or paint lockers.

• Dutch barn and mini-barn-These sheds are named because they somewhat resemble a larger barn, and tend to have double doors that also open halfway. They are also characterized by their gambrel roofs, which allow for added storage space in the loft of the building. These storage sheds make perfect workshops or homes for small animals.

• Dormer- Are characterized by their dormers in the roof that are typically placed between two windows on the lower level. Cape Cod sheds look like miniature versions of similar-styled houses, and make excellent workshops.

• Hywall-These sheds have a relatively high profile that is characterized by a roof that is  higher than usual on the sides. These sheds are ideal for storing garden tools and lawn equipment.

• Garden Elite-Designed to look like rustic cabins or small houses, these cottage-style sheds may even contain many of the same features a home does such as window boxes or transoms
  
  
  . These sheds are great for use as a home office, guest quarters or entertaining space.

These are just a few of the different styles of garden shed that are available. To see some of the latest ones, contact us.

The Best Shed... Metal, Plastic or Wood?

If you are feeling a bit cautious about storage garages for sale, maybe you should be. 

What do you do when you run out of storage in your own home? As with any body that has more stuff than room, your options for getting more storage space are limited to adding on to your current house, which is an expense that most of us can't afford, renting a storage unit, which means that only being able to access your stuff whenever they are open and finally a storage shed which you can place on your own property. You're thinking about a storage shed and don't know where to start. There are so many choices out there and so many manufacturers but what is the right storage shed for your needs?

Now for some, adding on to their own homes means that they can build it up any way they want, it might not be just for storage. Extra rooms, a play area, a new bedroom or TV room. Building an addition to your house means planning, paying for permits, getting permission from a HOA (if there is one) and time. Renting a storage space means trusting someone else to look after your own stuff, as well as, having to take time from your busy schedule to run over to the storage facility, hoping that the item or items you're looking for are still there. Building or placing your own storage shed gives you the best of both worlds. You can access your storage anytime you want, build it any way you like and you can choose any style available. Storage sheds afford the home owner several options that they can exercise.

Metal Sheds

These are made from thin sheet metal panels, generally galvanized steel, aluminum or corrugated iron. Attached to a metal frame, metal sheds are good for long-term installations. Useful when fire, rot and pests are a concern. Metal can rust and corrode if you are using non galvanized steel. If you are planning on installing a metal shed, care should be taken when using a concrete floor. Concrete flooring is corrosive and can cause damage to panels that touch it. To over come this, use treated lumber on top of a concrete pad to keep the damage to a minimum.

Plastic Sheds

These are made from PVC and are less expensive than metal sheds. Easily constructed with plastic molded sides and roofs attached to a metal frame, the sheds are less susceptible to dent, weather rot and pests, requiring little to no maintenance and don't have to be maintained with a preservative to keep the rot out. Plastic sheds are also easy to expand, adding lights, sky lights, windows, extra storage and other accessories as you need. You need to also add in a floor such as concrete or wood and it needs to be purchased separately.

Wooden sheds

Wood sheds are a more natural, aesthetically pleasing shed. Stronger and more durable than vinyl or metal sheds, wood sheds need more maintenance than wood or vinyl. Rot, mildew, mold, split wood and other issues can cause problems with the wood shed if it is not treated and maintained consistently. Because wood is such an easy product to work with, adding accessories such as windows, trim, and extra storage is a little easier with wood sheds than metal or vinyl because you can use readily available tools and materials and wood is a renewable resource.

What it comes down to is this. What are your needs for storage? Do you require a large amount? Does it need to have a car port attached or do you just want to store a few things away for the holidays or special times of year? May be you just add a small unit to your yard so you can park your lawnmower and put gardening tools away. Some sheds require building permits because of their size, make sure that you have all the permits and permissions necessary to build a storage shed on your property.

To talk more about this, or anything else, as always, give us a call!  Call Us.

The Dangers of Burning Wet Wood and Why You Need A Firewood Shed

Burning wood can be a cheap and efficient way to heat your home if done correctly, but burning wood that has not been properly dried and stored can be dangerous to your home, your family's health, and you wallet. There are numerous dangers involved in burning wet wood, listed below are a few of the top issues.

Burning Wet Wood Contributes to Chimney Fires

When wood is burned it releases hydrocarbon gases. Once heated to around 1100 degrees F, the gases mix with air and catch fire. When the fire in your fireplace smolders, unburned gases condense and deposit in the flue where they harden and turn to creosote. A cold flue and wet wood encourage this condensation. If this creosote catches fire, it can burn with so much intensity that the mortar will crumble and balls of flaming creosote will shoot out of the top of the chimney. In severe cases, the masonry in the chimney can expand with such force that sections of the chimney will blow out and explode into the home. 

Burning Wet Wood Can Create Health Problems

Burning wet wood creates far more smoke than burning wood that has been properly dried. Fine particles in the smoke enter your lungs and can cause heart and breathing problems. Children and older adults are most at risk. In fact, studies have shown that people who heat their homes with wood have more breathing problems than people who do not. Children in wood burning homes are also more likely to exhibit lung and breathing problems. 

Burning Wet Wood Actually Costs More Than Properly Dried Wood

When you add a wet piece of wood to your fire, the water in the wood turns to steam as it heats up. This steam mixes with the exhaust gas and extinguishes the secondary burn. This effect will actually cut your heat output by up to 50%. The result is you are forced to use more wood in an attempt to heat your home comfortably.

Burning wet wood is dangerous to your health and home. Wood should be stored for at least six months or ideally a year to be dry enough to burn properly. Dry wood creates a hotter fire with less work and less wood. The best way to properly dry wood is to use a firewood shed. A shed allows you to keep your wood dry and allows a large enough place to store cut firewood for at least six months. 

To find a firewood shed that is both useful and attractive, contact us. Our friendly staff will help you choose a shed that will keep your firewood dry and allow for maximum fireplace efficiency.

How do Prefab Garages stack up to Green Certification?

Yes, there really is a way to make sure you're doing the greenest thing for the environment even if all you need is a shed for your backyard.  When considering storage garages for sale in today's diverse prefab garage market, remember to think about how your garage could contribute to a cleaner lifestyle.  

The issue of caring for our environment concerns all of us, whether considering a small shed or a roomy double garage for cars and more.  It's more important than ever to consider what kind of environmental impact our actions have on the world we live in.

Recently the Green Parking Council published an article about new certification levels for garage structures: 

"Green Garage Certification is the world’s only rating system defining and recognizing sustainable practices in parking structure management, programming, design, and technology.
An industry-driven, field-tested road map for high-performance new and existing parking garages, Green Garage Certification recognizes forward-thinking facilities shaping the transportation network of tomorrow.
Built through the collaboration of over 200 professionals from the parking, real estate, technology and sustainability worlds, Green Garage Certification promotes a holistic approach to garage performance and sustainability and encourages the adoption of emerging smart parking and intelligent transportation tools."

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has green building advice on their website, including this information on choosing a greener garage door:

"Garage doors containing recycled content are available on the market, including ones made of composite wood or steel. Insulated garage doors are also widely available, which can help keep your garage and any adjacent rooms warmer in the winter, and improve the energy efficiency of your home. For homes in warmer climates, consider a perforated garage door, which allows ventilation and light inside the garage, while providing security and privacy."

The Amish tradition of hand built structures and gardening was a green industry long before it became evident in today's fast paced world how necessary green building practices are to assist the creation of a sustainable and healthy environment.  

We've been keeping the garage and shed building business in Lancaster County as green as possible since 1975.  Community is important to us and we keep the well-being and safety of our neighbors first.  We were quick to response in 2012, when Hurricane Sandy caused damage and destruction throughout the East Coast. We got a number of calls saying that our structures were some of the only ones still standing! For more information on the methods and materials used in we use, contact 

us here .