Five Questions To Ask About Storage Garages For Sale

There are a lot of things to consider when adding a storage garage to your property. Chances are, you are not an expert in storage garages and you need a little guidance. When looking at storage garages for sale, here are five things that you should ask the seller.

1. Are You The Manufacturer? Very often, companies that sell storage garages are not the actual manufacturer, they are simply a vendor. Purchasing from an authorized dealer can cost you a substantial amount more. Dealers add a premium to everything that they sell in order to cover their expenses for employees, insurance, transportation and a myriad of other expenses. When you buy from the manufacturer directly, you eliminate the middle-man, and that means saving big money. With fewer additional expenses, they can afford to offer you a better price without having to “put it on sale” to do so.
2. What Options Are Available? In order to assure that your new storage garage compliments rather than detracts from your home, you want to have options. Although the size and basic shape of the garage may suit your needs, there are other important things to consider. The style of the building, type of exterior finish, door styles and sizes, number, size and style of windows, loft space and insulation are just some of the things to consider.
3. Is Site Preparation Included? A flat, level area that has been properly prepared is extremely important for the longevity of your garage. Most times, this is not included in the price or service that is offered.If you are responsible for preparing the site, including pouring the concrete pad for the structure, you'll have to plan well in advance. As this is a very important part of the process, you may want to consider hiring a professional to do the prep work for you to assure the site is ready on time.
4. How Will It Be Delivered/Installed? Some companies will only deliver a pre-made structure to your location once you've prepared the site. This can put you in a slightly sticky position if there is not enough clearance for the truck and trailer to get in because of neighboring structures, trees or other obstacles. If this is the case for your property, a company that is able and willing to build the garage for you on-site is a better option. Often, the price will be higher due to the additional employees and work that is required.
5. Is There A Guarantee Of Quality? Good workmanship is the hallmark of a trustworthy and long-lived organization. The types of materials that are used along with the construction practices should come with a guarantee that covers defects or other issues. Carefully consider the guarantee and what it covers before making any decisions. The last thing that you want is to run into a situation where a faulty roof or inadequate framing job results in damage to your property. Get the guarantee in writing and hold them to it should you encounter a problem.
   
   

A storage garage is a major investment for your home and property and you should never settle for less than what you want and need. By asking the questions above, you'll be a step closer to finding the ultimate solution to your storage problems. If you want to learn more, contact us. We're always happy to help homeowners find the best storage garage solutions for their specific needs.

5 Double Garage Trends Coming in 2015 You Should Consider

Many of today's home designs feature street-facing double garages, which means that a high percentage of the curb appeal comes from whatever is covering that space. The latest trend is to upgrade garage doors from the typical white raised panel with ones that feature unique patterns, colors, and windows. The trends coming next year might just surprise you.

1. Bigger is better. Face it, garages are getting built bigger, wider, and taller all the time. Whether you are building or renovating, a big door makes a statement and also has the ability to accommodate whatever vehicle you wish to contain behind it. 

2. Garage doors as statement pieces. As we mentioned above, a bigger door makes it own statement, but so can smaller doors. They can actually make quite a bold statement about your house just by changing the type of door you have, choosing arched windows, or adding a coat of paint other than a standard color. Consider a door with bronzed aluminum and glass or flush steel doors in get-your-attention colors. You could upgrade your vintage look with a custom design that sets your house apart from the others.

3. Let the colors shine in 2015. Why should front doors have all the fun? They stopped being white years ago. Most color palettes are offered as a no-cost option on many different designs so why not let your garage reflect your style-- whether that be traditional sandstone, bold black, or every color in between.

4. Go with the grain. Did you know that you can get woodgrain paint in a variety of tones? Make the most of a resilient steel door by adding the beauty and strength that looks like real wood. 

5. Let technology open doors. You are aware that most doors can be opened and closed straight from your cellphone or laptop with an app? No more worrying over giving out a code or sharing keys. Most garage doors can be checked from anywhere in the world, regardless of how far from home you are. New garage door openers now include battery backup, quiet belt drives, door monitors, and side-belt installation,  guaranteeing you quick and quiet access to your garage is only a button press away.

As you can see, what 2015 will show us in garage door trends is turning what used to be an eyesore into a work of art, increasing the value of your home while making a statement of its own, and quite possibly giving you the edge on your neighborhood competition. To discuss your specific needs or to connect with a qualified agent, feel free to contact us anytime.

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.