As you start the search for the company to design your metal garage, there are a few things to keep in mind. These tips will ensure that you get a metal garage that provides what you need while eliminating cost surprises along the way.

Do not:

* Allow yourself to be rushed – Sales pitches that rush you into a decision or offer you a “last on the lot” metal garage are more likely to benefit the sales person than you.

* Go with the lowest bid just because it’s the lowest bid – There aren’t any metal garage companies that aren’t in it for a profit. The lowest bid on your metal garage just means that it will be constructed with the cheapest and possibly lowest quality materials available.

* Cut Corners – Your metal garage will be around for a long time and will prove to be a great investment. Trying to cut corners usually ends with an unsatisfactory result which you’ll probably want to change later, at greater expense. Get the building you want and if it costs a little bit more, it will be worth it in the long run.

Do:

* Look closely at deals that are too good to be true – When you get bids on similar metal garages that are thousands of dollars apart, Take a look to see what’s really being offered. There is a good chance the low ball offer isn’t going to be anything thing like what you’re expecting.

* Make sure your metal garage meets local building codes – Prior to signing your contract, get in touch with your local building officials once you have your metal garage specifications from your supplier.  Make sure that the specifications on load bearing for snow and ice, ability to withstand wind speeds, and other requirements meet the local building codes. If changes have to be made later to meet local codes, they will drive your project costs up. You can avoid these extra charges by verifying that your metal garages meet all local building code specifications.

* Get everything in writing and verify the details – Some manufacturers may push to get started prior to the signing of the contract. This tactic can be accompanied by a cancellation fee so watch out. Starting work on a metal garage prior to specs being agreed upon rarely works out in the buyer’s favor.

Carport Empire delivers a great customer experience along with their customized metal garages, carports, barns and more. To speak with a metal garage specialist about the perfect solution for you,  call (800) 985 7678.

Meeting the necessary certification, zoning requirements, and building codes for steel garages is often seen by homeowners as a major barrier to getting the type of structure they want.  While getting required permits and approvals can take some time, getting steel garages put in place usually follows a similar path regardless of the city or municipality in which you live. The process can be divided into two steps:

* The first is to learn your local zoning restrictions concerning the installation of steel garages. Generally speaking, set backs from adjoining property lines and the street will be defined. Another issue will likely concern the distance of the steel garage from the house or other structures on the property. If the planned structure is connected to the home or within a specified distance, fireproofing requirements may have to be met. This aspect isn’t a problem for steel garages due to their high resistance to fire.

* The second step for steel garages is the creation of the building plan. Many manufacturers keep databases of local building codes and certification requirements which can prove to be a huge help in getting the necessary approvals. Certification requirements typically cover the rated snow and ice loads as well as the capacity of the structure to withstand heavy winds. Depending on the specifics of the location of the steel garage, certification can also be required for flooding and seismic activity. These certifications are stamped with an engineer’s approval and then only need to be submitted with the other applications and documentation required by the local zoning board or planning committee.

Prior to signing the contract for steel garages of any type, you should make sure that your structure passes all local building requirements. Making any necessary changes with the manufacturer at this stage will prove to be much easier and less expensive than being forced to alter plans or the building at a later date.

Plan on paying some fees for your permitting process. These fees can range upward from $25 for a permit application with other fees required as the process rolls along. Tight budgets at the municipal level have led to increases in these fees in some places. Keep in mind that whatever you’re paying for your permitting process, it will be a small fraction of what it will cost should you get caught with an unapproved structure after it’s built.

The team at Carport Empire makes the approval process for steel garages as simple as possible. For more information on navigating your local permitting process,  call (800) 985 7678.

Going green is no longer a tagline for the trendsetters, it’s an accepted and expected way of life and it can easily be incorporated into building and outfitting your new metal carport, metal garage or metal utility building.

Simply by choosing a metal structure, you’ve already made a great green choice. Metal construction requires no harmful chemicals such as resin, adhesive, wood treatments or pesticides commonly used in traditional wood frame construction. Metal is highly resistant to water, mold and mildew which can emit harmful toxin into the air you and your family breathe. Metal and steel building elements also are 100% recyclable at the end of a structure’s usable life. And Carport Empire’s metal carports, metal garages and metal utility buildings are built to last – particularly if they’re certified, meaning that they’re engineered to withstand heavy snow loads and high wind speeds.

Metal enclosed carports, enclosed garages and steel utility buildings are easy to insulate, which can help conserve energy, further control moisture and resist pest invasions. Reflective insulation is made with aluminum foil, which is completely nontoxic. Foam board and spray foam insulation contains no HCFCs, VOCs or Formaldehyde and does not settle or give off gasses over time, as do some other sealant products. It completely seals your structure, keeping outdoor pollutants and allergens out, which makes for a healthier hangout space – an important consideration if your enclosed carport, garage or utility building will be used for a children’s playroom, workshop, office or the like.

Lighting your open carport or the exterior of your enclosed garage or metal building can be achieved with solar light fixtures or compact fluorescent bulbs. Motion sensor lights help save energy and money because they’re only on when someone is in or near the structure. If your carport, garage or utility building has a window, use a blackout curtain to help keep out sunlight and heat. And if you’re structure houses your water heater, wrap the heater in an insulating blanket to help contain heat.

To learn more about metal carports, garages and buildings and their eco-friendly attributes, contact Carport Empire at 1-800-985-7678.

Are you an up-and-coming professional music producer? Got a teenage future rock star in the house? Or is Dad aching to relive his own garage band glory days? Whether for professional use or just for fun, you can turn your enclosed metal carport, metal garage or metal building into a working music studio with a few simple soundproofing tricks.

If you’re a frazzled parent who just wants the noise kids call “music” these days to go away, you’ll want to make sure that the enclosed carport, garage or utility building where your teen and his friends will practice is soundproofed from the inside, so you can enjoy your home and garden in peace. If your carport, garage or building is being outfitted as a recording studio you want to keep exterior noises from entering your recording space. It’s important to know which soundproofing method does what. Here’s a quick rundown:

•    Sound Isolation creates a sound barrier between your recording space and any adjacent areas. This typically is achieved by using heavy materials to block exterior noise from coming into your studio.

•    Sound Absorption materials improve sound quality by reducing or controlling echo and reverberation.

•    Sound Diffusion materials distribute sound evenly throughout your space and prevent dead spots, allowing for proper mixing of your recordings.

A top sound controlling method with multiple non-noise related benefits is insulating your metal carport, metal garage or metal building. Fiberglass, foam board and reflective insulation all have noise reducing capabilities, particularly if several layers are installed. Cover your insulation with a sound absorbent drywall product like QuietRock, a drywall/fiber-cement sandwich with a sound-absorbing layer of visco-elastic polymer. If your structure has any small gaps, holes or cracks, seal them with foam board insulation, which can be sprayed either across the entire wall or used to fill in gaps where other insulation types can’t cover.

Cover the walls and windows of your enclosed steel carport, steel garage or steel building with heavy soundproofing blankets, made of insulation with a quilted cover. These are the same blankets you often see in furniture moving trucks and on freight elevators and they can absorb up to 60 percent of the noise in any room. Walls and ceilings of your carport also can be covered with acoustic panels or studio foam – that’s the egg carton-like pieces that you often see in images of recording studios and radio station broadcast rooms.

Floors and doors also are a consideration. Carpet the floor of your carport, garage or utility building, adding a sound-reducing carpet underlayment beneath it. This will help reduce the sound of footsteps and falling objects. Add an acoustic panel to your carport’s metal door, or invest in a soundproofing or sound isolation kit for your metal door or garage door.