Storage Sheds – A Place for Everything and Everything in Its Place

Hurricane season has definitely hit the Charleston, SC area. And this year we have already seen our fair share of storms and high winds. If you are having a hard time keeping things dry, why not add a little extra space for protection with a storage shed? Storage sheds are an excellent way to hide lawn equipment, protect your gardening tools from rust, and also to house your children’s bikes and other outdoor toys.

Lawn Equipment

Your lawn equipment is obviously made for the great outdoors, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they should be housed outside year-round. To extend the life of your lawnmower, blower, and edger, a storage shed will keep them rust and erosion-free for the long-term. Putting them in a shed will also mean that you will always know where to find them. And you will also have a place for the gas and oil tanks to fill before you hit the lawn for a day of cleaning up.

Gardening Tools

If you are like most homeowners, the beginning of every season means a trip to Lowes or Home Depot to purchase new gardening tools. When you don’t have one central place to house your tools, they can easily get lost or left out. And during the long winter months when you can finally take a break from most of the yard work, they can rust easily and be of no use for the next season. Building a storage shed is a great way to make sure you know where to find your tools. And a storage shed will also save you money from year-to-year not having to purchase new tools seasonally.

Gardening Tools

If you are like most homeowners, the beginning of every season means a trip to Lowes or Home Depot to purchase new gardening tools. When you don’t have one central place to house your tools, they can easily get lost or left out. And during the long winter months when you can finally take a break from most of the yard work, they can rust easily and be of no use for the next season. Building a storage shed is a great way to make sure you know where to find your tools. And a storage shed will also save you money from year-to-year not having to purchase new tools seasonally.

Kids Outdoor Toys

Kids toys are endless, and although you want them to be outdoors enjoying the fresh air, all of those things can become very cumbersome and unsightly. If you have one central location, a storage shed, then the toys won’t get rusty and dirty. You can also switch them out from time to time so that the kids won’t get bored. Every time you exchange one toy for another, it will be like new again. It will also mean that your backyard will no longer be an obstacle course of kid's toys when you are trying to mow the lawn!

Extra Room

Depending on the type of storage shed you build, you can store other things around the house so that they aren’t sitting taking up room in your garage or basement. A storage shed is an excellent way to gain a little extra storage space for very little investment. And they also look nice and removed from your house so things can be out of sight and out of mind.

Storage sheds are an excellent way to have a place for everything and a way to put everything in its place. Keep your lawn equipment, garden tools, and kid's toys centrally located and protected from rain, the heat, and all the other outdoor perils of the Greater Charleston, SC area.

At Ravenel Buildings, we offer a vast number of outdoor shed choices to suit your needs. Contact us today to find the right one for you.

How to Choose the Right Carport for Your Needs

For many homeowners in the South Carolina area, building a carport is just as useful and less expensive than a garage. Carports are an excellent way to find additional storage, or even to add some entertainment space. But with so many options to choose from, what types of things do you want to look for when choosing a carport for your needs? If you are going to invest, make sure you think of all factors before you decide.

Considerations for Choosing the Right Carport

Do you Want to go to a Big Box Store or a Specialized Company?

Many people often think that doing it yourself is a less expensive and easier way to go. When it comes to carports, that is often not the case. Simply purchasing a carport is only half of the battle. A professional company that specializes in outdoor buildings can help you with the intricacies of building codes and permits. And they can also help you design a carport that will fit all of your needs. And since preparation is an important part of building a carport, they will be able guide you about what needs to be done before building it even begins.

Designing Your Carport

Carports come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and materials. The most common materials are brick, steel, and timber. When looking for a lightweight option, aluminum might be a great choice. To figure out which design works best for you, you have to first consider whether you want a stand alone carport, or if you want it built into the house. Since it will be a huge part of the aesthetics of your home, taking care to ensure that it will match the style of your house is very important to maintain curbside appeal.

Cost

For most homeowners, cost is going to be a major determinant about which carport they choose. But if you buy cheap to save money, you could end up with buyer’s remorse. A carport is something that is an investment, and you want it to last. So you have to temper quality with price to find a happy medium. Otherwise, you could end up having to replace it sooner than you hoped, which will end up costing a whole lot more.

Weather Conditions

The weather can greatly affect the integrity of your outdoor buildings. Before you decide which type of carport to invest in, consider the climate that it will have to withstand. Again, it might cost more to go with a higher quality carport that can withstand South Carolina’s heat and humidity, but in the long run, it is a much better investment to spend enough instead of too little.

Choosing Who to Buy it From

If you want your carport to last and look good, then it is important to buy it from a reputable building expert. Find a company that has been around for long enough to know their products’ ins and outs. Also, find a company that will stand behind their buildings and help guide you through the process of building a carport from start to finish.

A carport can make a great substitute for a garage to house your vehicles, tools, or even for additional entertaining space. If you are going to invest in one, however, it is best to think long and hard and not go by price alone. Finding a happy-medium between the quality and the cost will ensure that you get what you pay for, in a good way. Contact Ravenel Buildings today to help design your carport. We’ll be there from start to finish.

Considerations to Make When Buying a Shed

When you think of an outdoor shed, the first thing that comes to mind is a place to house your landscaping tools. But there are a ton of great uses for sheds if you are creative enough. If you are going to look for sheds for sale, it is important to know what to look for. Of course price is going to be a concern, but you shouldn’t use it as the entire basis for choosing. These are all important considerations to make when you are in the market for a storage shed.

Quality Versus Price

Most of us are guided by the budget we have, but unfortunately, you usually get what you pay for. And for storage sheds that have to put up with the harsh conditions of the great outdoors, going too cheap can be nothing short of a waste of money. It is important to temper quality with price to find the right shed for you. Higher quality sheds will not only last longer; they will keep whatever they house safer. If you go too cheap, you could end up having to replace it long before you would have if you had spent just a little more.

What Design Works Best?

Sheds can be used for all sorts of purposes. When you are looking for sheds for sale, make sure that you keep in mind what it is going to be used for. And also don’t forget about where it is going to be placed. If it is in plain view, then having something aesthetically pleasing will be important. Often, people don’t give enough thought to the design of the shed they purchase, and then have buyer’s remorse when they have to look at it day after day. It is much better to spend a little more than to go cheap and regret it!

Disguising Your Shed

You can find a high quality shed, and it will be nice, but let’s face it, there is nothing fancy about an outdoor building. When you are shopping for a shed, make sure to consider how you can disguise it with landscaping. Since shrubs and greenery can be expensive, it is best to build them into your overall budget. That way, your shed isn’t sticking out like a sore thumb once placed in your backyard.

Siding and Wall Material Choice

When it comes to sheds, there are three main options for materials, plastic, wood, and metal. Wooden sheds almost always have studded walls, like a house, that are covered with plywood siding. Upscale wooden sheds look similar to houses with roofing material and molding. Metal sheds are typically prefabricated and come with a vinyl or painted coat covering both the walls and roof. They are less upscale looking, but typically just as sturdy. When considering, just realize that although wood might look nicer, it requires a whole lot more maintenance than a metal or plastic shed. If you look around long enough, you might find a metal or plastic shed that looks just as nice. And it won’t require so much attention.

Zoning Rules and Regulations

Yes, even sheds require specific building considerations in many municipalities. If you are going to invest in a shed, make sure to check with your local ordinance rules to find one that is code. If you don’t, you could be fined. Or, even worse, you might have to remove your new shed and be out the expense altogether.

Sheds are a great way to house things. And if you get creative, they can really be an asset to your home and property value. But before you look for sheds for sale, think carefully. If you are guided by price alone, you might be disappointed in your purchase. At Ravenel Buildings, we have a vast array of different types and kinds of sheds to choose from, as well as outdoor buildings. Contact us today to discuss how we can help you find a perfect match for your needs.

Unique and Creative Uses for Metal Storage Buildings

When you think of metal storage buildings, you probably think of landscape equipment, bikes, and tools. But today’s metal storage buildings aren’t just for storage anymore. There are many other things that a storage building can house. If you are looking for a little extra space to entertain, spread out, or to call yours, these are some unique and creative uses for metal storage buildings that you might not have thought of.

Tiny Home

The newest rage around the country is tiny homes. Have you always wanted a hunting shed out in the wild? Find a little piece of the wilderness to call yours, and use a metal storage building as your hunting lodge. You and the guys don’t need much but a place to share stories, drink beer and sleep. A metal storage shed is all you need to have a home away from home. It provides just enough room and shelter that it is an upgrade from sleeping under the stars.

Looking for a Workout Space?

If you always wanted a workout room in your home, but can’t find the space, then a metal storage building is ideal. Invest in some weights, an elliptical machine, and a treadmill and you have your own personal gym. The best part is that you can escape the kids and house, but you don’t need to go any further than your backyard. And you also don't have to listen to anyone else’s “club music;” it is a gym all your own!

Crafting or Woodworking Space?

If you have always wanted a separate space for your hobbies or crafts, a metal building is a perfect getaway. Whether it is for business or pleasure, you can design a building with all that you need to make your art come alive. And since they can be both heated and cooled, you don't have to wait for the heat to surpass, or the cold to turn to warm, to get outside and engage in what you love most.

A Tiny Petting Zoo

Some farm pets are okay being outdoors, but eventually, they will need shelter. If you have always wanted a farm, but don’t have the room or a barn to house them, don’t bother building one. A metal building is a perfect place to keep your little fur babies warm and cozy whether it is too cold or too hot for them to be outdoors. Create little pens for different types of animals and enjoy your micro-farm!

Pool Room – Man/Woman Cave

Looking for a way to get away from the kids to entertain, but don’t want to hire a sitter? A metal storage building is a great place to keep a pool table, a large screen television, or a wet bar for entertaining. You won’t have to spend money on a sitter and dinner; have the crew at your house and just be right outside.

When you think of metal storage buildings, what comes to mind is usually tools and equipment housing. But they are an excellent way to find your space outside your house, while close enough to be home. Since they are fully customizable, build one to suit your needs just the way you want.

Contact Ravenel Buildings today to discuss how we can get creative and build exactly what you want, together.