Category: Blogs

When it comes to adding room for storage or housing your vehicles from the storm, a garage is something that can add real value and equity to your home. With many options to choose from, you might be wondering if it is better to Google “metal garages near me,” or if a wooden option is a better fit. These are the pros and cons of prefab metal garages versus their wooden counterparts.

Metal Versus Wooden: What’s the Difference?

If you are considering building a detached garage to store things or to house your toys and vehicles, then you might be wondering whether metal or wooden is better. Both metal and wooden garages come with advantages and disadvantages, but the right choice for you depends on your budget, preferences, and what you intend to use it for.

The Advantages of a Metal Garage

For a two-car garage, metal garages are way more affordable than wooden ones. Typically, a metal garage costs about $14 per square foot, whereas a wooden one will cost anywhere from about $35-$65. When you add in the time for construction, wood frame garages require an architect’s drawing and many more obstacles and hurdles before building. When you purchase a metal garage, we deliver and assemble it for you. Typically, assembly can be done in one day.

Metal Garages Can Withstand the Elements

When it comes to comparing a wood versus a metal garage, metal can withstand the Southern region’s weather elements much better. Metal garages are impervious to termites; they are fire-resistant, pest-resistant, and will not rot. A metal garage also does not require maintenance like annual painting or replacing new shingles on the roof. Although it is possible for metal to degrade over time, it is much more durable than wooden alternatives, especially when it is made from galvanized steel.

Advantage of Wood Garages

One major advantage that you have with a wooden garage option is that it can be completely customized from the design to the exterior paint. The good news, though, is that metal garages over the past decade have come a long way and now offer various shapes, facades, colors, and sizes. So when it comes right down to it, metal is a more economical and convenient choice.

Old Traditions Die Hard

If you are in the market to build a garage, traditionally, wood is the clear choice. But over the past decade, metal options are making great strides to offer an affordable alternative that doesn’t sacrifice style, customization, or options. At Portable Buildings of Ravenel, we offer a number of different types of garages, sheds, and carports to suit your needs, wants, and budget. Instead of Googling “metal garages near me,” contact us today to discuss how we can add a detached garage to your home to satisfy all of your desires!

A carport is a luxury upgrade that doesn’t cost as much and isn’t nearly as much of a headache as building a garage. They help to keep your vehicles sheltered, house your lawn equipment, and sometimes can even double as entertainment space to hide from the heat. But not all carports for sale companies are the same. Before you choose, make sure to look for these factors!

Reputation

In the service and product industry, nothing speaks as loud as your reputation. Where once all you really had to go by was word of mouth, the internet has made reading reviews and ratings super easy. Before you check out carports for sale, make sure to go the extra mile to read what their previous customers have to say. When they have a pleasant exchange, they are often willing to share – and if it was unpleasant, they will sometimes want to give others a heads up!

Price

Almost all of us are somewhat guided by the price of a carport, but you should not base your decision on cost alone. In the world of carports, you get what you pay for. Cheap is not something that will get you what you want! At Portable Buildings by Ravenel, we offer cost-competitive prices, but we are not cheap. Often, cheap means that you have to sacrifice – and you don’t want to find out the hard way what that means after buying!

Knowledge

Carports sometimes require things like permits and municipality rules, which is why finding someone who is knowledgeable in your area is so critical. Not following the rules can lead to holding up your carport project – or worse, costly fines that will likely befall you after the carport company is out of the picture. Make sure that you are fully up to code to avoid any hassles and expenses down the road.

Delivery

Sometimes a carport appears to be a great deal – until it isn’t anymore. When companies don’t include delivery in their estimate, you can get sticker shock when it is finally added. As the cost of fuel increases, so does the cost of delivery. Before you assume that the estimated cost is the total without any additional fees like delivery, don’t assume that it is! We never add on any up-charges or unpleasant surprises: our estimate is our word.

If you are in the market for a carport, you might be simply Googling “carports for sale,” which is not enough. Make sure to consider several factors before deciding which company to buy your carport from. At Portable Buildings by Ravenel, we have the reputation, cost-competitive pricing, and honesty you need for your carport build or purchase to go smoothly. Contact us today to get started!

As the summer keeps heating up and not cooling down, even at night, many are wishing they had a place to take cover. A carport is not only a great place to keep your vehicle under wraps; it’s also a fantastic extra space for you to get away from the hot summer weather. Carports can be designed to house anything that you want from your big-kid toys to your mobile home, and they can also serve as an entertainment space; really, the sky’s the limit! These are just some of the creative ways to find shelter.

A Haven from the Storm

If there is one thing that everyone hates about grocery shopping, it is getting the groceries into the house – especially when it is raining. For those who don’t have a garage to park in to carry the packages inside, a carport is an excellent way to keep dry during summer showers. If you build your carport as a shield that leads to your entryway or back door, you can make it from the car to the kitchen without getting drenched. It won’t ease all of the hassles that come with unloading groceries, but at least you won’t get soaked!

Outdoor Entertainment

A carport not only is a great place to house your car; it makes for the perfect shelter to house your next get-together. When the heat of the day settles or is in full swing, no one wants to stand in the sun – it’s like standing in the desert. A carport can supply some overhead shelter, and if you want to get really creative, you can line the exterior with lights and a mister to cool everyone while the temperatures soar!

Keep Your Gardening Equipment and Tools From Rusting

If you live in the South and have a front and/or backyard, you know that things can grow out of control pretty quickly. Most of us have the tools that we need to cut back the jungle foliage that can start to invade our spaces. But if they’re left outside, all of those tools and equipment can begin to rust and once they do, they are virtually useless. Reserve a little area of your carport to store your landscaping equipment and keep it safe. That way, when you do need it, it will be in working order instead of rusted and ready to be thrown out!

Carports Are Great Boat Storage!

If you are lucky enough to have a boat, you want to have a place to keep it nice! A carport isn’t just for a car; it’s an ideal place to hide your weekend warrior or entertainment vehicles. Whether it is a golf cart, boat, or jet ski, you have invested enough to want to keep that investment safe! Building a carport will give you lots of extra room.

As we continue through the summer, the extreme temperatures are starting to take their toll. Almost everyone is looking for a bit of shelter from the hot sun! A carport is not only a great way to keep your vehicles safe from the beating down of the sun; they are also an excellent way for you to find a little haven from the storm, to entertain, or protect your investments. At Portable Buildings of Ravenel, we custom build carports to suit your needs. Contact us today to discuss how we can create a little space for you to hide from the heat!

Just because something bears a name, that name doesn’t necessarily define it! When it comes to utility sheds, they can serve all sorts of purposes. Instead of building a garage to house all of your stuff or clearing it out for entertaining, a utility shed can be your go-to for extra space and to enjoy your backyard spaces more. These are just a few of the more creative plans that you can use this summer and beyond.

A Haven from the Sun

It was just three short decades ago that tanning was all the rage. Sadly, we know better nowadays. If you are tired of sitting in the hot sun, slathered in sunscreen, why not make your utility shed the perfect place for your summer siesta? Throw an afternoon soiree in the garden without having to really sit in the garden. Mix up some cocktails while you are at it and have a sun-day fun-day any day. Hey, it’s summer – live it up before the cold weather returns!

Workout Hideout

If you can’t find a way to carve out a place inside the house for your workout, a utility shed is an excellent double for a weight room. All you need is a little space for weights, a mat, and to hang a mirror on the wall, and you have your private place to clear your head and find your chi. Yoga is best done in the serenity of your own space, so be the zen master of your utility shed domain. Add some candles, incense, and leave the chaos of your house behind!

Garden Shed

If you are a gardener, a utility shed is a perfect place to pot your plants and create your growing magic. You don’t have to worry about where to store everything or piece it all together. Just hang some hooks, fill the space with all that you need to fertilize and nourish, and it can be your own secret garden shed. Being out in the hot summer sun can dissuade even the greenest thumb, but making a place to be more comfortable will help you create the garden you desire without punishment.

A Perfect Reading Nook

For the novelist or reader of novels, a utility shed can be a perfect space to sit and reflect on your favorite works of art. With the kids home from school for the summer, finding a place to decompress and focus can be problematic. Set up a reading chair or an office so that you can get some peace away from the home for a bit. You deserve to hide out once in a while, so find your own private Idaho in a space that is designed for whatever you want to get done!

Not everything is defined by what we choose to call it. A utility shed doesn’t have to be all about utility. It is the perfect way to find some reading time away from the chaos of your home, be inspired to let the inner gardener out, or find your chi away from the bustle of your home. At Portable Buildings by Ravenel, we would love to design your perfect place amongst the summer noise. Contact us today and let’s get started creating a utility shed that you can really use!