Car covers have come a long way from their humble beginnings as simple open sided shelters. Buyers now have numerous options in almost every aspect of car covers from size to functionality. For this reason, it’s important for a buyer to assess several issues prior to making a purchase.

They are:

* Intended use – Car covers are extremely versatile, providing shelter, storage, and other capabilities. They can be used as boat slip covers, as winter shelter for farm animals and additional space for either an office or a home, making it essential to define potential uses. The intended uses will then determine the size, type of structure, and whether any customization work is necessary. Customization work can include insulation, storage shelving, wiring for electricity, etc. Other contingencies should be considered as well, such as local weather conditions. Typically severe conditions, for example, might indicate for an enclosed car cover made of steel as opposed to a lighter material such as aluminum to bear heavy snow loads or to stand up against high winds.

* The budget – Metal car covers are a very cost effective alternative to other options for shelter, storage, and room additions. Budget constraints can determine whether a structure will be made of wood or a less expensive option such as metal. The budget can also determine the amount of customization that can be done on the car cover.

* The need for portability – Portable car covers can serve many purposes including provision of shade at outdoor events, covering walkways, and sheltering livestock. Metal and aluminum car covers are usually easy to take apart and re-assemble but the difference in weights could be a deciding factor. A buyer should be certain that the heavier weight of a metal car cover is manageable; otherwise an aluminum car cover will be the better choice.

* Going it alone – The basic car cover versions offer simple assembly, even with some addition of custom features. Assembly naturally becomes more complicated when features such as electrical wiring, insulation, and temperature controls are added. Many car cover providers offer free installation with the purchase so if the assembly of the structure starts looking complicated going with a company that will do the installation as a part of the deal can save a lot of aggravation and money. Car covers come in a variety of sizes and cover a multiple of uses. By assessing these issues first, buyers can ensure that they’re buying the best solution for their needs.

As our economy continues to struggle, property crime is on the rise, and law enforcement officials in many cities say they’re seeing thieves stake out residential garages, carports and storage buildings during the day, then return to rob them by night. Carport Empire offers several tips on warding off thieves from your property.

Be sure to lock all doors and windows of your enclosed garages and storage buildings. If you have an open unit, such as an open carport, vehicle cover, bus cover or boat cover, keep it well lit. All of our buildings and covers can be outfitted with electricity. Plus, solar or battery operated lights are available at any hardware store. Install lights on the exteriors of your units, or keep interior lights on. Thieves will think someone is inside and pass your property by. Also consider placing small solar path lights along the walkways leading up to your garage, carport or storage building. A well lit path is not one that a robber wants to take. Some also suggest leaving a radio or small television set on inside, making would-be thieves believe that someone is nearby.

Installing a video camera or mock video camera on the exterior of your garage, carport or storage building also helps fend off ne’er do wells. Video footage means evidence.

There are lots of ways to protect your Carport Empire garage, carport or storage building. Check with your local law enforcement authorities for additional tips and any recent news of thefts in your area.

At carport Empire we offer much more than your everyday carport. We offer the ability to customize your carport to fit your needs. Whether you are looking for a car cover or car canopy, a pole-barn or pole-building, garages, storage buildings, and pump houses, or if you are just looking for a car-port that fits your style. All of our residential carports and our commercial carports are great for protecting your investments from cars and trucks to boats, RVs and trailers from harsh weather conditions and damaging UV rays. Contact us and ask us about any deals or specials that we are currently running for any of our carports.

Whether you have a personal travel bus or a fleet of sleek, shining corporate tour buses, these vehicles represent a major financial investment. Protect that investment with a high quality bus canopy, bus cover or bus garage. Parking your bus under a steel bus canopy or bus cover or inside a bus garage from Carport Empire protects it from the affects of the sun, wind, snow and rain, preventing  extensive damage to the rubber and fiberglass components of your vehicle. And, it can help keep your bus’ or motorhome’s interior cooler during the hot summer months by shielding it from the sun.

In choosing the right bus canopy, bus cover or bus garage, be sure to specify your vehicle’s length and height. Don’t forget to calculate clearance of air conditioner units and other items mounted on the roof of your bus. Carport Empire offers open bus canopies and bus covers with widths from 12 feet up to 40 feet. The length of your bus canopy, bus cover or enclosed bus garage is unlimited and can be customized for single port, double port and triple port bus canopies, covers and enclosed garages.

For the best possible protection, your bus canopy, cover or garage can be certified, which means they’re engineered to withstand heavy snow loads and wind speeds of 110 mph, 130 mph and 150 mph. Certification also ensures that your bus cover, canopy or garage will meet any city, county and state regulations specific to your area. Carport Empire operates in all 48 contiguous states and our professional installers know exactly what to look for in local permitting requirements to guarantee that you will be in compliance.