Metal or Wood Carport? The Advantages and Disadvantages to Both

Carports are an excellent way to keep your vehicles and toys safe from inclement weather without building a garage. They can be constructed out of either metal or wood, depending on the preference of the homeowner. When it comes to comparing the two, however, metal carports offer everything that wood carports do – and a whole lot more. These are the advantages of choosing metal carports Charleston, SC construction over wooden ones.

Durability

The durability of metal carports far exceeds wood. Carports made from metal are constructed with galvanized steel that can stand up under high winds and extreme weather conditions. Wood carports are more likely to collapse when put under extreme stress, and because they are flammable, fire is also a concern of wood versus metal construction. Metal carports are also impervious to pests like termites, which are common in the South Carolina region. And they won’t rot or warp. Although some homeowners worry about rust with a metal carport, the finish on galvanized steel carports resists corrosion and is typically guaranteed for a minimum of 20 or more years.

Cost

The cost of building a metal carport pales in comparison to a wood carport. It is cheaper from the start because there is less waste when building. Metal carports come prefabricated, so there is no waste. And the small amount that is left over after construction can be recycled, which is a win-win situation for everyone.

Maintenance

Wood carports require staining or painting every season to keep the wood from rotting. That is a lot of maintenance when you compare it to metal. Also, over time, wood carport shingles will need to be repaired or replaced. A metal carport does not require maintenance, and it will hardly ever need to be repaired or have any parts replaced.

Time Considerations and Assembly

Metal carports are pre-assembled so they are ready to be put together upon delivery. They are precisely pre-cut, so all you have to do is piece them together. Most metal carports can be put together in just a couple of hours, whereas wood carports can require the labor of many days to cut and piece together. Unlike wood carports, metal carports need nothing more than a few nuts and bolts to construct, and they also don’t require an extensive skill level if you plan on doing it yourself.

When you compare metal carports to wood carports, metal wins as being the less expensive, less labor-intensive product, and it needs less maintenance. The one place where metal carports don’t always win is in aesthetics. However, metal carports are just a better fit to withstand the high winds and tumultuous storms of the South Carolina Coast! If you are interested in a metal carport, Ravenel Buildings has a wide variety of sizes and styles to choose from. We are the leading metal carports Charleston, SC builders in the industry. Contact us today to discuss how we can get your car under wraps in no time.

Should You Buy a Used Utility Shed or Go for New?

With the new year upon us, many are starting to clean up and clear out. If you are looking for extra space to house things like landscaping tools or garage overflow, then a shed is a perfect way to hide it somewhere where it is safe. There are many options when it comes to sheds; they come in many different shapes and sizes. You can also buy them new or used. So, how are you to know what you need and which will suit your needs best? These are factors to decide if you should buy utility sheds for sale that are new or used.

When you buy Used

You Won’t get to Customize

Although it is a shed and in the backyard, that doesn’t mean that it is hidden from sight. If you buy used utility sheds for sale, you’ll get it as is. That means that you can’t customize it to suit your home’s style. If you buy new, you can make it look like an addition to your home, not an afterthought. Sometimes it is better to spend a little extra to increase the equity of your home’s value than to buy an eyesore to save a couple of dollars.

You Won’t get a Warranty

When you buy used, you get what you pay for, and in this instance, that means someone else has used it. A good shed is meant to protect your stuff from outdoor elements, but there is no way to guarantee that your used shed doesn’t have some things wrong with it. If you buy new and something goes wrong, you have someone to turn to to make things right. If you buy it from someone else, you are working under the “buyer beware,” which can really sting if things go the wrong way.

You Have to Move it

If you buy a used shed, more times than not you are responsible for both moving and reassembling it in some cases. There is nothing less fun than spending your day, or even your week, moving a shed and then rebuilding it where you want in the backyard. Buying new might cost a little more, but then you have the luxury of someone delivering it and setting it up. That means you have safety knowing that it won’t be damaged in transit and that someone will be putting it together professionally for you.

You Can’t Finance it

Depending on how much you have to spend, when you buy used, it isn’t as if the person will take installments for payment. Purchasing a new shed might cost more, but if you find a company that will finance the total cost, you can pay it off monthly. For many people that means just a little bit, and to get something new over used, it is well worth it to go for fresh and new!

If you are ready to take the plunge and purchase a little extra space by investing in a shed, invest wisely. Sometimes when you try to save pennies, we end up spending dollars. A new shed will come with a guarantee, delivery, installation and sometimes financing, so what are you waiting for? Forget the phrase one man’s junk is another man’s treasure and get a real treasure by purchasing a new shed from Portable Buildings of Ravenel today.

Buy Yourself the Gift That Keeps Giving – 5 Things to Look for in a Carport Building Company

Although this year has been longer than any other in recent history, the holidays have still snuck-up on us. If you are looking for a way to treat yourself for the New Year ahead, consider investing in a carport. A carport is an excellent way to gain more space, keep things under wraps, and increase equity in your home. But don’t just Google “carports near me,” take the time to find the best builder possible by looking for these signs.

Reputation

Things have not been the same since the internet entered our lives. But the one thing that has not changed is building and establishing a reputation for your business. Before you blindly Google “carports near me” and choose the first one that pops up, consider investigating the reputation that a company has built. Although carport building might not be rocket science, it does require skill and craftsmanship to get it right.

Price

The holiday season is a time when it is okay to splurge, but that doesn’t mean that you should pay more than you have to. But it is also important to gauge price with quality. If you choose your builder on price alone, you will undoubtedly get what you pay for, and that is never a good thing. Try to choose a company by considering all the factors, not just how much they charge. Doing it right the first time is the only way to really save money.

Materials

Carports can be constructed from many different materials. The key is to find what you like aesthetically to fit the style of your home, while also being able to withstand the Southern regional weather. Whether you go with a prefabricated carport or one that you build from scratch, don’t settle on either front, you can get both without a problem if you choose the right company.

Experience

Every neighborhood and municipality has specific rules about whether you need a building permit or not. Find a company that understands what needs to be done and how things need to be handled to have things go smoothly. A company that works in your area will not only have an established reputation, they will also know what the rules are about what you need to build a carport and what the rules and regulations are.

Warranty

The best way to know that a company believes in the quality of their work is to look at their warranty or guarantee. A company that doesn’t offer any sort of confidence through either, is leaving you hanging out to dry if something goes wrong. At a minimum, your carport should come with some guarantee to cover anything that isn’t done correctly, if necessary.

As the holidays approach, it might be time to consider doing something nice for yourself. If you are tired of standing out in the rain getting groceries, having nowhere to put extra things, or you just want a little extra space to move around in, then a carport is an excellent investment to add. Before you just Google “carports near me” and choose, look for all the factors necessary to find the best builder to do it right. Contact Ravenel Builders today to discuss how we can get your carport project underway in time for the holiday season.

Top Five Things Portable Buildings are Most Useful for

As the cold weather rushes into the area, you might be rushing to find a space to store all of your landscaping equipment before things get cold and nasty outside. Although South Carolina doesn’t usually experience a lot of extreme temperatures, you don’t want all of your landscaping tools sitting outside for the entire winter season. Portable buildings are an excellent way to add a little storage space for all of your outdoor “things”. And if you find a portable buildings Charleston, SC company who is willing to think outside the box, they can also double for these five uses.

Workout Space

With COVID still looming, most people have been forced to take their workout outdoors. And that has been fine with the warm temperatures. But with cold air on the horizon, homeowners might be looking for a way to move their activities indoors. A portable building is an excellent way to carve out a little space for you to get the exercise you need in a more tepid space and environment!

Crafting Extravaganza

As the holidays approach, so does gift giving season. Why not make your own little Santa’s workshop outside of the house. Think of all the cool stuff you can find to buy time and make some really outstanding crafts for friends and family to enjoy. Although 2020 might not have been a scrapbook worthy ride, with all that is going on, it might be nice to spread good memories from years past to fill in for what was missed this year.

Workshop

All the time together has been wonderful… well maybe not all of the time. If you are looking for a place to etch out a little space away from the world for just you, a portable building is an excellent space to find that inner woodworker in you. Or, maybe you want to build furniture or find a new hobby for your woodworking skills, a portable building will allow your creative juices to flow and save the entire family from the loud machinery that is involved.

Man or Woman Cave

Speaking of a place to escape, a portable building is a great entertainment space. If you are a little weary about having guests in the house, a portable building will give you enough space for a small get together to maintain enough social distance for a glass of wine, or even to sit and watch the game with the guys. Since bar gathering and entertainment is so limited, you can use your portable space for all different types of fun times for the holidays and New Year’s ahead.

COVID certainly has made this year not as much fun as the previous ones for many people. And it has also made us homebound a whole lot more. If you are looking for a piece of space to get away and enjoy all on your own, a creative portable buildings Charleston, SC company can help you design a perfect way to find your chi without leaving home. Contact us today and let us work on adding some me-space to your world.