Protect Your Investments: Add a New Garage

Investments come in very different forms. Money and time are the two major forms of commitment to something that would make it an investment. Your home is one of your biggest investments, and is a primarily financial investment, although a great deal of time goes into it as well. Looking at it this way may change how you manage your home and property, both in its existing structure and in any additions that you may choose to add.

Many people look to improve on the value of their home, but are unsure of where to begin. Many times, we will look to finish a basement, add a room, or expand on what is already there. While that doesn’t hurt the value of your home, there are other things that you can choose to do that will also add to not only the overall value of your home, but also to your overall convenience and enjoyment. One thing that is increasing in popularity, and is an overall affordable option, is to add a single or double garage.

This might be a surprising suggestion, especially since many homes already have a garage, but most people find that their garage space is not sufficient. Garages turn out to be excellent storage space for things other than your car. Yard tools and equipment, bikes, extra furniture, extra sports equipment, and tools all take up residence in your only garage, leaving your car in the cold. Here are some ways you would benefit from an additional single or double-wide garage:

1. Add additional storage space. If you already have garage space attached to your home, then you will want to use that for parking your vehicles. You will want to be closer to home in the winter and when it rains, so the additional garage or two that you opt to add would be excellent storage space for all of those extra things you have accumulated over the years. Additional garage space is also ideal for all of those bicycles, toys, and equipment that is currently taking up space in your current garage.

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2. Turn it into a work area. Many people enjoy hobbies such as working on and collecting classic cars. This is a hobby that requires additional work space and storage space. Classic cars are an investment themselves, and you want to protect them as much as possible. If you drive them only in nice weather, then you know that you can’t just leave them outside in the elements. Having a double-wide garage is ideal for both storage and creating the perfect work area. Roomy enough for all of your tools and car, you will enjoy your time out in your new garage, relaxing and enjoying your hobby.

3. Select the size that is right for you. For some, a one car garage is plenty of space for their needs. It still offers sufficient room for one cat and some storage. A two-car garage is bonus space that you can grow into. If you have a motorcycle or two, yard equipment, or an extra vehicle, a double-wide garage is the best solution for you. You will have much more room to work with, and as you begin to use it, you will find that the more room the better. Ideally, you will build once and enjoy it for many years.

4. Choose the perfect style to compliment your home. In addition to selecting the size, you can further select the colors, levels, and style that best compliments the design of your home. If you are adding a garage, consider it an addition. With an addition, you would never choose a color and design that is the opposite of your home; why would you do that with a garage? Work with a company that offers a large selection of designs, colors, and styles. Do you want a second level of storage? Do you want to add windows, ramps, and shutters? You can add whatever it will take to make it the perfect add-on to your property.

If you have found that your current garage space is nowhere near enough to meet your needs, then your only solution is to add a single or double-wide garage. You will find yourself significantly more organized, and the longer life of your cars will be an indicator enough that you made the right decision.

Making Yard Work a Breeze: Adding a New Addition for Functionality

Springtime is the time to focus on your yard. New landscaping, mulching, cutting grass, weeding, and planting are on the agenda. As you begin your yard work, you find that you need all sorts of equipment and materials. There are a few things you can do to prepare for your spring and summer tasks around the house and save some money. The larger the yard, the more expensive the landscaping costs. You can track down sales as you go, and purchase all you need to get you through the year’s work. When it comes to the larger purchases, such as equipment like mowers and mulchers, you will definitely want to purchase ahead in order to benefit from the sales.

Once you have accumulated everything you need to make your yard look great, you are faced with a common problem amongst most homeowners…where do you put everything? You need to think about protecting all of your purchases from the elements, especially if you were purchasing during the winter months. Many people resort to putting everything in their garage to keep things dry and organized. This might be a possible solution for some, but ideally you should be able to park your cars in the garage without trying to share the space with all sorts of other yard equipment. If this is your situation, then you need to consider a shed as the solution to your storage needs. Here are some reasons why a shed is the perfect addition to your home and yard:

1. Additional storage capabilities. The number one reason for most people to add a shed is for the additional room it provides. The best way to stay organized is to keep everything in its place. If it is a yard tool or landscaping item, then they belong together. Having things everywhere only leads to confusion and lost items. We end up purchasing things over because we couldn’t find the original items. This becomes not only frustrating, but also very expensive. A shed allows all like items to be stored together, and leaves your cars in the garage where they belong.

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2. Easy access. Keep your yard tools not only organized, but also handy. When we try to cram everything into small spaces, everything becomes difficult to reach. This becomes frustrating, especially if you have a limited time to do the work and you don’t want to spend it looking for your garden shears. A shed keeps all of your items in their place. Sheds are laid out so that you can see everything quickly and easily. It is up to you to keep it organized, but if you know where to begin looking and you can make it easy to get to, you are much more likely to find it. Also, as we begin to pile things on top of each other because of our limited space, we tend to damage and break things. Reduce the risk of this damage by hanging and organizing in the open space of a shed.

3. Add an attractive addition to your home. A shed is an attractive and useful addition to your property. With a number of styles, designs, and sizes to choose from, you can select the one that fits you best. Choose your colors, special features, size, and layout, and create a garden shed that meets all of your storage needs. A shed looks great on any property, giving you functionality in storage and an attractive appearance. Work with a company that has a vast selection of in-stock sheds, shed kits, and garden sheds. They will be best suited to help you select the perfect match for your property and home.

This summer is the perfect time to organize your life and add a functional shed. No matter which style you choose, decide on a size that you can grow into. You will find that there are a number of options that may seem like a good fit. You will find that the extra storage capabilities and the ease of access to all of your garden tools and equipment will make your summer more productive. You will be so glad for the extra space that you will be excited to do yard work!

 

Getting Your Garden Ready for Spring

After what seems to be one of the longest winters in a very long time, spring has finally sprung! Although there is still the occasional cold day, the weather is beginning to finally turn warmer, which means that it’s time to start thinking about your garden. The unusually cold winter has pushed back spring planting a bit; however, it’s not too early to begin the necessary preparation work. If you’re not sure where to start in preparing your garden for the upcoming planting season, don’t worry! Here are some helpful tips for preparing your garden:

Create a Compost Area 

If you don’t yet have a compost area, now is a great time to think about creating one. Although not every gardener uses it, compost is one of the best ways to keep your garden healthy and fruitful. The nutrients from the decomposed material are great for the soil in your garden.

It’s easy to create your own compost pile; simply select a flat area nearby to your garden. Then throughout the spring and summer, as you clean up your yard and flowerbeds, instead of throwing away the grass clippings and other plant waste, simply pile them on the compost area. Food waste can also be used as compost material.

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Prepare Your Soil 

Having healthy soil is the key to having a productive garden. Even before the soil totally thaws from the winter frost, there are things you can do to prepare your soil. The first thing to do is rid your garden of unwanted plants and rocks. Having soil that is too rocky is not conducive to growing strong, healthy plants. Not every rock needs to be removed; just those that are large enough to prevent your seeds from sprouting. If there are any unwanted fallen branches or dead plants on the soil, these should be removed as well.

As the weather warms up, your soil will begin to thaw, causing weeds to spring up in your soil. These weeds should be thoroughly cleared before you begin your spring planting. If there are only a few weeds, pulling them out by hand or spraying them with some weed killer will do the trick.

If your garden has been invaded by a whole army of weeds, you may consider using a rototiller to overturn the soil to rid the weeds. Even if your garden does not have many weeds, tilling can still be beneficial to the health of your garden. Having the top level of soil overturned and turning your soil into smaller particles can be great in helping your seeds grow properly into healthy plants. Turning over your soil may also bring up some hiding bug pests; be sure to eliminate these as well!

If you have a compost area already in place, now can be a great time to spread some compost on the soil to add some vital nutrients and minerals to the fresh spring soil. If this will be your first year creating a compost area and you do not yet have any decomposed material, spreading some fertilizer on the soil can work as well.

Prepare Your Gardening Tools 

Before it comes time to actually plant your garden, you want to be sure that your gardening tools are ready for planting. You don’t want to prepare for the task of planting the seeds and then realize that your hoe, shovels, and rakes are not up to par! First of all, give all of your tools a thorough cleaning. This will prevent the spread of diseases that may have accumulated on your tools over the winter. Cleaning your tools properly ensures that the diseases are not spread to your plants and do not contaminate the soil.

 

Next, be sure that your tools are sharpened. Sharpened tools will lessen the amount of work that your body has to do, and will make the tools work for you instead. Sharpening your tools will also help to maintain them, so that they last longer from year to year.

Now that you’ve prepared your tools, you will need a place to store them properly. This is where our Garden Store Sheds will come in extremely handy. Our garden sheds come in many different sizes, shapes, and colors to perfectly fit the style of your yard. The sheds are small and compact enough to be constructed close to your garden for easy access. You can either pick one of our numerous designs and construct the shed yourself, or have a fully constructed shed brought to your yard; the choice is yours!

Prepping your Yard for a Shed

You’ve just bought your first (or new) prefabricated storage shed! You can wait until it’s delivered to start filling it up. But wait! There are a few things you need to do to prepare your land for the shed. Here at Stoltzfus Structures, we are happy to deliver your new prefabricated shed. Although we take care of the delivery and placement of your storage shed, we do not take care of the site preparation. We are more than happy to deliver your new shed to the exact spot you have prepared. In that case, we wanted to bring you some great tips for getting your yard prepared ahead of delivery time for your great new storage shed!

Clear Out 

The most important thing to do after you purchase a new storage shed is to decide exactly where you want it to live. You may already have a wonderful place in mind, but there are few things to think about. You want to make sure the area can support the structure. Picking a location where the ground is sloping or uneven is not recommended. A level, sturdy foundation will make all the difference in the life and longevity of your prefabricated shed. Don’t worry, prepping your land or yard will only require a bit of work.

If you don’t have any totally level areas in your yard, or have some issues with the terrain, the best option is to clear it out! Grab your friends and family to help you dig out and level off the best patch of land you can find. Be sure to remove any hidden rocks, roots, or any other natural elements of the landscape that could cause problems in the future. Be sure not to dig too deep though. You only want to go far enough into the ground in a way that creates a level base for your new garden shed.

This will probably only require getting rid of unwanted grass, rocks, roots, and more. Also, you might want to think about making use of a tiller. A tiller will easily break up the ground and create any easy way to remove patches of unwanted grass. You may even want to keep the tiller around for your spring and summer gardening projects!

 

If you worry that clearing out an area for your new garden shed to live will be too much work for you to do yourself, don’t! We have lots of great resources to help you. We are in contact with some great teams of contractors that would be happy to help. Our network of professional contactors would be happy to help you clear your land; we’ll give you recommendations on the best companies to hire! Also, if you want your shed to live on a concrete slab, the slab needs to be the exact size of the shed to ensure proper water drainage. We’ve got friends that can help with that too.

Shape Up 

Now that you’ve cleared a great space for your new garden shed to live, it’s time to start thinking about how you’re going to accent your new purchase. Do you need a fence to separate your shed from your neighbor’s house? Are you interested in adding a ramp, walkway, or some shrubbery? These are all really fun, good things to think about. Adding a ramp up to the entrance of your prefabricated shed is a great option. A ramp can help with getting lawn mowers in and out of your shed and any other machinery you want to keep inside. Also, creating a nice stone walkway completes the look of your shed. This walkway is versatile too! It’ll create a smoother, more appealing entrance leading to your garden shed.

One more thing to think about is our built-on-site sheds. Sometimes where our customers want to put a new shed isn’t the most accessible location for our delivery trucks. Our gifted craftsmen will bring all of the materials needed to build an amazing shed on the site you’ve prepared for us. No matter if you’ve prepared a wood or concrete foundation for the shed to live on, we’ll take care of the assembly. Having us build an on-site shed also allows for extra flexibility with the building itself. If you want higher walls than we could deliver on our trucks, we can do that too!

We hope this guide to preparing your land for one of our sheds was helpful. If you have any questions, visit our website or give us a call!

Pavilions Versus Pergolas

Your property can be absolutely beautiful with the right landscaping and care. Shaping the terrain and the plant life into something comfortable, attractive, and healthy takes time and effort, but it is not without its benefits. Of course, truly enjoying the nature that you have surrounded your home with can be difficult from the windows and sunroom of your home. That’s why so many homes that invest in their landscaping inevitably turn to adding a pergola or pavilion to their property – all the better to enjoy their hard work and the bounty of nature from!

What Pavilions Offer 

A pavilion is the most common structure that you will see on well cared for properties. Offering both style and sound structural integrity, a pavilion can not only match your home in terms of materials, decoration, and roofing, but it can also be a beautiful addition that perfectly accents the architecture and look of your home and property. Pavilions are especially ideal when you are in a particular warm or rainy area, yet still wish to take the time to truly enjoy your back yard. With a pavilion, you get the shade and cover that you would expect from a sound structure, but without the excess sunlight and heat, as well as getting plenty of protection from the rain and other inclement weather.

 

Pavilions see most of their use either alongside a pool or as a great location for entertaining guests and family. As far as a pool is concerned, you don’t always want to lie out on your towel in between dips; sometimes you want to relax on a nice chair or bench, in the shade and out of the sun, comfortably chatting away or just taking a brief nap. A pavilion is perfect for exactly that – an escape from the pool and the sun, a nice in-between spot for you and your guests!

Speaking of guests, if you are planning to host a party, a barbecue, or just a picnic of sorts, a pavilion is a great place to do so! With its own tables, chairs, and decorations, the pavilion is the perfect place to host such events. With the considerable space that a pavilion offers, you can also fit a grill and other cooking supplies and apparatuses! Indeed, pavilions are the go-to location for barbecue aficionados!

What Pergolas Offer 

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Pergolas offer a different experience. Substantially smaller and without the solid roof that pavilions offer, pergolas offer some shade and a small space to sit at, drink, eat, and relax, without being a large, shaded structure of the sort that a pavilion often is. The Pergola is great for any outdoor space, and often makes a great location for romantic dates and dinners, especially alongside a pond or pool while surrounded by trees and shrubberies.

Pergolas come in a variety of styles, from artisan-style pergolas to more rustic-looking pergolas. They come in many different materials, from wood to vinyl to more, all depending on your particular aesthetic, as well as whether or not you plan to build it yourself using a pergola kit! Regardless of the style that you want to have your pergola use, there is surely a kit for you. Many pergola owners choose to grow plants very near the structure, with vines slowly – or more often, quickly! – climbing their way up the wood and entwining themselves into the latticework and intersections of the pergola. This creates an even more “ivied” look that makes the pergola a great private location for small, intimate gatherings.

Making the Choice 

When choosing between the pergola and the pavilion, the main thing to consider is what kind of use you are going to get out of it. If you want to host large gatherings of friends or family, then a pavilion is almost certainly for you. It has the space and shade for nice, long, big gatherings that amount to parties and dinners and lunches and generally just lazing around with friends. On the other hand, a pergola is perfect for private use by individuals who value their privacy and “alone time.” Give how classically romantic they appear, it is no wonder that so many couples enjoy pergolas on their properties – nothing is quite so romantic as an evening surrounded by nature and fine craftsmanship, after all!

When is a Garage Not Just a Garage?

Your garage is, ostensibly, there to house your car and protect it from the elements. Mother nature can be unkind in all seasons, after all, and if you want to preserve the paint job – not to mention the general health of your vehicle – it helps to give it some shelter. Plus, by housing it in the garage, you help it to stay warm in colder seasons, meaning that you spend less time warming the vehicle up before driving off into the snowy roads.

Beyond driving, you probably use your garage to store things that you will never see again. Junk is the most common occupant of a garage, to the point that some garages never even have vehicles in them – just stuff, and then more stuff. As common as this is, garage owners are denying themselves the many different uses of a garage. In fact, your garage can be transformed into a private space that can be used for just about any hobby or activity you can think of – if only you can see your way to clearing it out and adding the furniture and other details needed to turn your garage into your own private paradise.

Here We Are Now, Entertain Us 

First, it’s important to consider just how private your garage is. If you’re living in a full household with your family, it can be hard to find a space that is just for you, but like everyone else on the planet, you need a little privacy. Having some space to relax and forget your troubles, not to mention pursue hobbies and interests that you could easily be distracted from by your family, is a great idea for the modern man. Thus, the birth of the “man cave” – a space you make your own.

A man cave is a “guy’s area,” the tree fort for the discerning adult. Comfortable armchairs, a leather couch, a big screen television, surround sound multimedia, a refrigerator for beer and completely unhealthy but criminally delicious food, and more are all a part of the man cave. These tend to be customized to suit your particular interests; if you’re a car guy, some equipment for working on automobiles – or even just automobile paraphernalia – may be around. If you’re more of a music guy, instruments and records may be meticulously cared for and organized, ready for play.

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A game room is another option for the more entertainment-minded man. The den of the last few generations was all about machines and workshops, but today’s modern man grew up with video games as a primary source of entertainment, and just because you grew up doesn’t mean you grew out of gaming! Massive monitors, powerful consoles and computer rigs, seating that is ideal for gaming alone and with friends, and lighting that complements your gaming experience is all a great idea for the game room garage.

Self-Improvement 

Of course, your newly outfitted garage doesn’t have to be all about sitting on your butt, swilling beers (or whatever your beverage of choice may be!), and generally being fat and happy. You could also convert your garage into a home gym; in fact, this is a great way to save space in your garage so that it can be used for parking cars and other general garage-type activities while still making it your own space, as workout equipment is easy to pack up and store when not in use. A home gym is affordable and can be quite safe so long as you make sure to build and equip it correctly, and always work out with a friend or a family member. When your gym is just ten steps away, you won’t have an excuse not to exercise!

A home office is another great use for your garage. With adequate insulation and the right furniture, you can create a business-like atmosphere that makes working from home or being self-employed all the more affordable and comfortable, while giving you the peace, quiet, and privacy you need to get the job done.

Ultimately, the only limit on what your garage can be is your imagination – and your needs! Whether you’re looking for a space in which to have a good time or a space where you can focus on improving yourself and your life, your garage is a surprisingly great place to get it done!

Reclaiming Your Garage

When you bought – or even built! – your home, you had plans. You were going to keep your entire home clutter free, with everything having a place and all other unnecessary junk tossed, donated, sold, or given to friends and family. Better yet, you weren’t going to let your garage become just another storage shed, one where you can’t park your car or do much more than walk inside, consider cleaning and organizing everything, and then give up because the job has simply gone beyond you.

Yet inevitably, your garage has become exactly that. The thought of trying to find something in that mess fills you with dread, but you aren’t quite willing to let anyone else clean it for you. After all, your garage is your man cave, your private space, and you don’t like anyone messing with your stuff – even if it could use some messing-with. As such, the job of clearing out your garage to make it suitable for leisure and privacy is up to you. Fortunately, it isn’t nearly as difficult as you might think – so long as you take the time to plan ahead, and set goals for yourself!

A Plan of Attack 

First, plan to set aside a whole weekend for the project. Tell your friends you aren’t available, make sure you don’t make any engagements with your partner, and if you have kids, get them out of the house! If you have a television show you like to watch, set up the DVR, because this weekend is all about you and your garage. Yes, trying to do everything at once can be intimidating, but the truth is that you aren’t going to spend the next 48 hours on the garage; it’s really only a few hours, spaced out over two days. You’ll take frequent breaks, and in the end you’ll be happier for it.

Next, purchase some solid-shelving units. Whatever you decide to keep from your garage, you will want to be able to organize and store it quickly and easily. No more piles! Get plastic containers for the shelving unit so that things can easily be stored there.

Finally, you’ll need three large containers for the actual cleaning process. One container is for trash – anything that can be thrown away. The next container is for donating; everything that ends up in that container goes to a charitable organization, and everyone will be better off for it. Finally, the last container is for “action items.” Action items are things you borrowed and need to return, things that need repairing, and things that should go elsewhere in your home beyond your garage.

The Real Work Begins 

Now it’s time to actually clean the garage. The first thing you have to do is empty the garage – entirely. Everything from the tiniest nail to the largest equipment should be taken out of the garage and put onto the driveway. (Obviously, you want to do this on a weekend when good weather is forecasted.) Sort your belongings into their designated containers; it is important to stay as organized as possible at this stage of the garage cleaning.

With your garage emptied out, you can begin to clean the garage itself. You may be surprised at just how dirty the garage has gotten over the years; grim, dust, dirt, and other detritus can build up under all of your stuff, making it an allergenic nightmare. Use a broom, then use a vacuum, then use a mop, then let it dry and start the process all over again! The floors, the windows, the walls, the ceiling – everything needs a good workover.

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With the garage hygienically clean, you can make it organizationally neat and tidy by installing your storage units. Shelves, drawers, whatever you may need. This is a good time to make changes to your garage to make it more amenable to your purposes; maybe you want a man cave for yourself, or a workshop. At this point, you’re free to do as you please to the garage’s layout and design.

Once you’ve rearranged your garage, you can begin filtering everything back inside. Whatever didn’t end up in a donation/trash/actionable item container can go back to the garage. Make certain, however, that you were very strict in what actually goes back in and what doesn’t need to be donated, moved elsewhere, or thrown away! Weakness now will only lead to more garage-cleaning later, which means more lost weekends. With your garage clean and organized, you can start to use it as the haven and private space you always meant it to be!