Category Archives: News and Updates

Questions You Must Ask Before Purchasing a Metal Carport

metal carports

Metal carports are ideal for protecting vehicles, RVs, and boats from sun, snow, rain, hail, and heat. Metal carports are an affordable option compared to other construction types.   

Metal Carports An Investment and a Protective Shelter

Carports can be used for a variety of purposes. Metal carports are perfect for residential and commercial applications and can be customized to meet your requirements. Carports are most commonly used as a protective shelter for vehicles, and they add curb appeal and increase the value of your property. There are questions to ask before purchasing a metal carport. 

Where Can the Carport be Located?

A carport functions better when installed on a flat surface. It is essential to ensure the carport site is prepared before installation to determine whether there is adequate clearance to accommodate the carport size. The carport should be located at a safe distance from power lines and in accordance with local building codes.

What is the Primary Purpose of a Carport?

It is essential to determine the primary purpose of the carport. If you require a carport for one car, then a single-car carport will be sufficient. A double or triple-car carport may be necessary if you have multiple vehicles. A taller and broader structure is needed if the carport is used for an RV. Metal carport kits are fabricated for specific space needs. Before purchasing carports for sale, it is crucial to determine the amount of space, size, and specifications.  

Do Metal Structures Require Additional Support?

Metal carports feature no trusses or beams and have minimal support requirements. Depending on your needs and local building codes, the carport can be installed directly on the ground or on concrete. If the carport is installed on the ground, ensure the area is level and has good drainage. If you have questions about the installation process, our experts will help.

Does Local Building Code Require Structure Design Certification?

Every community has building code requirements. When purchasing a carport, the local building department may require approval of your design plan.  

At Choice Metal Buildings, we offer a wide variety of carports. We can customize a steel garage or a carport to meet your specific needs and requirements and local building code requirements. 

What are Carport Materials?

Choice Metal Building carports are made with high-quality, durable galvanized steel, offering long-term protection against the elements. The steel is coated with zinc to protect against rust and corrosion. The carport is finished with durable paint, available in multiple colors.

The roof panels are available in a variety of materials, including:

  • Aluminum: Lightweight material that handles the weight of heavy snow.                                       
  • Galvanized Steel: Durable and weather resistant.
  • Polycarbonate: Excellent UV protection, available in clear or tinted options.

How Much Does a Carport Cost?

Metal carports are priced according to the carport’s specifications and the customer’s requirements. The size, shape, style, certification, and customization will affect the final cost. Metal carport labor costs less, and material prices are cheaper, making metal carports a cost-effective option. Carports are generally more affordable than wood or brick structures. Choice Metal Buildings can create custom metal carports and provide a free quote based on your requirements and budget.

Purchase Your Metal Carports from Choice Metal Buildings

Choice Metal Buildings offer high-quality, durable carports in various sizes, styles, and materials. We provide standard steel and custom carports to meet your needs. 

If you have any questions about our products or need help finding suitable metal carport kits for sale, please get in touch with us today. Our team of experts would be happy to assist you.

Top 6 Benefits of Custom Metal Building That You Won’t Find in Wood

top 6 benefits of custom metal building that you won’t find in wood

Wood has always been a popular building material found in abundance, as it is relatively inexpensive and easy to work with. However, pre-engineered steel buildings have gained a lot of preference for most commercial, industrial and warehouse settings in recent years, as it presents significant advantages over traditional wooden constructions. The agricultural industry is particularly fond of custom metal buildings for barns and other facilities. 

Why have steel buildings become so popular?

Structural Strength

Steel building components are manufactured to exact specifications and are incredibly strong. Each part of the metal frame of a pre-engineered metal building meets strict specifications on its strength and function. 

Every component used in the construction has to meet the load criteria so that the engineer can account for all the loads placed on the required structure, ensuring the structure’s capability to withstand any weather conditions or natural disasters like high winds. Because of this very reason, prefabricated metal buildings from Choice Metal Buildings have become a popular choice for many homes and businesses in Florida.

Ease of Construction and Reduced Costs

Each component used in constructing pre-engineered metal buildings is designed to match and fit the pieces perfectly. In addition, since the design is pre-engineering, the construction crew can identify and assemble the installation quickly and without any errors. Moreover, there is no material wastage because the material delivered at the site is precisely what is needed, making steel buildings more affordable.

In comparison to wooden construction, the lumber needs to be cut and fitted on-site according to the specific dimensions of the building. Custom wood construction requires a high level of experience for the carpenter, which drives up the construction cost. In addition, there is always a danger of wastage of lumber if the measurements are not accurate.

Flexibility in Designing

The fact that steel is more robust than wood opens up possibilities for architects and engineers to be more creative with their designs. Steel can be bent and shaped into any form, making it the perfect material for curved roofs, arches, and other intricate designs. In addition, with steel in construction, you can span the entire width of a building with a single beam and place the columns on the exterior rather than the interior. The result is an open, airy, spacious, lightweight structure that would be impossible to achieve with wooden construction.

While it is true that wooden beams can span long distances, they need to be supported by heavy columns on the interior of the building. This takes away from the usable space within and can make the interior feel cramped and claustrophobic.

Durable and Minimal Ongoing Maintenance

Steel is a long-lasting material, and once installed, it requires little ongoing maintenance. In addition, it does not readily corrode and rust in the presence of moisture, making it ideal for construction in coastal areas where salt air can quickly corrode wooden structures.

Unlike steel, wood is susceptible to decay and rot when exposed to moisture and needs to be treated and stained regularly to prevent deterioration. In addition, wood can be infested by termites and other pests, which can quickly damage the structure of the building.

Wooden buildings have an economic life of 15-20 years with a lot of maintenance along the way, after which time the roof and other structural elements need to be replaced. On the other hand, pre-engineered metal buildings can last for 50-60 years with very little to no maintenance and offer a decade of stress-free use.

Eco-Friendly with Zero Wastage

Steel is a more environmentally friendly option because it is 100% recyclable. In fact, the steel used in pre-engineered metal buildings can be recycled and reused repeatedly without any loss in quality or strength. Furthermore, as mentioned earlier, custom-steel buildings are manufactured and erected as per the on-site required specifications, minimizing the wastage of any resources.

On the other hand, Wooden structures are not as environmentally friendly and non-recyclable, making steel buildings in Florida a more preferred option.

Fire Resistant-Saves Money

Apart from the fact that you save on maintenance with a metal building, you also save in case of fire. Steel is non-combustible and does not give off toxic fumes when exposed to fire as wood does. A pre-engineered metal building can easily withstand a fire for up to four hours without collapsing, while a wooden structure will most likely burn down in minutes. Many customers do not realize that using non-combustible materials in their building construction can save them money on insurance premiums.

Conclusion 

Pre-engineered metal buildings offer many advantages over wooden structures: durability, stress-free use, eco-friendly with zero wastage, and fire resistance. When you take all these factors into account, it becomes clear that Florida-certified steel buildings are a far better option for your construction needs.

Make Choice Metal Your Construction Partner

When you buy a metal building from Choice Metal Buildings, you partner with a company that understands your needs and will provide you with the best customer service. We have been in business for over 30 years, and our team of experts will help you ensure that your metal building is exactly how you need it.

So are you ready to build your carport with a professional metal carport shop? Call us today for a free quote!

Let’s Build Together For a Better Future!

Choosing The Environmentally-Friendly Option For Your Barn, Garage, or Carport

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At Choice Metal Buildings, we love the stability and strength that our steel buildings can provide for customers. However, another feature of our metal structures that we often like to mention is that our steel buildings are much more eco-friendly than other kinds of buildings made with alternative materials.

choosing the environmentally-friendly option for your barn, garage, or carport, , choice metal buildings

Want to know how? Read below to learn more about how steel buildings are the environmentally-friendly option that more and more customers are choosing.

  1. They Don’t Require As Much Construction – Ordinarily when a new building goes up, it requires many workers who will have to spend days traveling to and from the construction site, operating heavy machinery, and building everything from scratch. With our steel buildings, the pre-fabricated parts make it easier and faster to get the building up without wasting any materials.
  2. They Can Lower Your Energy Bill – Steel is obviously a very strong material, but most do not realize that it is strong enough to keep in heat during colder months or cold air during the summer months. This means that you’ll have to spend less money heating or cooling your building, because the insulated layers will make it easier to maintain the desired temperature inside.
  3. They Outlast Other Building Materials – Unlike other materials like wood that rot, chip, and can become a home for insects, steel is a durable material that doesn’t require anything other than regular, simple maintenance to last for a long time.
  4. They Meet Green Codes – Because steel is a material that can be formed through much cleaner methods than others, steel buildings can meet what is commonly referred to as “green codes,” also known as standards for sustainability in cities. Therefore, they are becoming more and more popular in commercial and residential use in communities that have green construction standards.

At Choice, our team knows and loves the buildings we construct because we know that not only will they stand up to bad weather, rust, termites, and wear and tear, but they will also make less of an impact on the environment. 
Make the eco-friendly choice today for your new construction project and choose one of the steel buildings today from Choice Metal Buildings. To learn more about how you can customize your metal building, start using our Building Estimator tool or call (877) 422-1812.

How Can I Customize My Metal Garage?

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At Choice Metal Buildings, we don’t just sell garages that are tough, strong, and durable – we also sell metal garages that look great on your property! The days of plain, unsightly garages are officially a thing of the past when you choose to work with our team. 

When you are interested in one of our top-of-the-line steel garages, our friendly and knowledgeable team members will walk you through the steps of how you can customize your structure to your exact needs and specifications. But, how do you actually know what your final product will look like when it’s sitting in your yard?

With our Building Estimator, of course! This handy-dandy tool is beloved by customers who appreciate being able to see their vision come to life in real time. Plus, using the Building Estimator gives you the opportunity to test certain colors and features before fully committing to a final decision.

You can customize nearly anything for your metal garage, including:

  • Style
    • Installation Surface
    • Roof Style
  • Size
  • Sides & Ends
  • Frame Gauge
  • Screws
  • Insulation Material
  • Doors, Windows, & Frame-Outs
  • Colors
    • Trim
    • Roof
    • Gable End Wall
    • Side Wall
    • Garage Door
    • Wainscot
  • Services, Financing, & Warranty

Customize Your Steel Garage Today With Choice Metal Buildings

With Choice by your side, the options for how you can customize your metal garage are endless. We want you to be completely satisfied and pleased with your final product, which is why we are here for questions that you might run into along the way. Plus, with free delivery & installation of our metal buildings offered nationwide, we know that you’ll be happy with your decision to go with our team. 
Start customizing your dream metal garage today and contact us with any questions at (877) 422-1812. We can’t wait to help you out!

What Can A Metal Barn Be Used For?

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If you’re looking for a sturdy, reliable barn, the sheer amount of choices and options can feel overwhelming. At Choice Metal Buildings, we believe in the metal barns we customize and install for customers every day because we see firsthand the benefits and opportunities that an ordinary wood barn or pole barn cannot provide. 

what can a metal barn be used for?, , choice metal buildings

The main use that many of our satisfied customers over the years have relied on their metal barns for is farming and agriculture. After all, if you’re a farmer, you have enough on your plate to focus on rather than struggling to get by with a barn that doesn’t support your needs. Whether your steel barn needs to be able to house tractor equipment or other agricultural tools, be a safe place to store supplies, or serve as a comfortable place for your livestock to reside, the metal structures we produce are perfect for you.

Other customers we have served have had alternative plans for their steel buildings, including using the metal barn as a horse barn, greenhouse, or even additional storage to keep recreational equipment like four-wheelers and dirt bikes. With our sound structures, the possibilities for how to utilize it are endless.

Customize A Metal Barn That Will Stand The Test Of Time

Unlike a wood barn or pole barn that can succumb to environmental conditions and wear, a metal barn will last through the most inclement weather and be a refuge for your personal or farming equipment. 

With the superior hardware, stronger metal tubing, and corrosion resistance that each of Choice Metal Buildings’ steel barns are built with and tested for, you can feel confident that your structure will stand up to whatever is thrown at it. Plus, fire, rust, and termites don’t stand a chance against the building’s stuff steel.

To make it even easier to imagine your dream metal barn on your property, try using our building estimator tool to customize the style, colors, and additional features you’d like your barn to have. When you feel satisfied with your product, submit it for a quote or contact our team to learn more about our industry-leading warranty. We can’t wait to help you craft the metal barn of your dreams!

Installing Your Metal Building

Your custom metal building from Choice Metal will be delivered on a purpose-built trailer by trained installers who will consult with you to ensure that the direction and orientation of the building is correct and location is level.

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Once the base rails are laid out and leveled, the anchoring begins. 32-inch spikes are installed plus wind augers are available as an upgrade.

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The legs are then attached to the bows and raised to begin building the frame, and the frame is secured to the base rail.

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Once the frame is up, the installers will make sure the entire building is square and plumb before attaching the panels. Adding the first roof panel centered is the first and most important step, then the remaining pieces will follow.

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With only the frame and piece of sheet metal, it can easily hold the weight of a full grown man.

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Finally the building is complete. The customization is completely up to you, open, closed, partially enclosed or fully enclosed. The possibilities are endless and very affordable.

How to Level Your Ground

Step 1: Stake out the ground or work area you need to level.

Measure the ground. Make certain all sides are equal in proportion, creating a square or rectangular-shaped workspace. Spray fluorescent orange paint on the ground at each of the corners to mark where your stakes will go. Use a hammer or sledgehammer to drive 1 stake into each of the corners marked with orange paint. Tie the end of string to the first stake and walk to the second stake. Wrap the string around the second stake and then the third and fourth stakes. Tie the string off when you get back to the first stake. This will give you a good visual of your work area.

Step 2: Level the prepared ground.

Use a shovel to remove excess soil from hills, inclines, or other high areas to bring the ground closer to level. Dump or shovel soil over lower areas in your staked-out area. Spread the soil, working it evenly over the ground with bow rake.

Step 3: Check the ground to be sure it is level.

Drive one post into the ground on either side of your work area. Tie a string a couple of inches above the ground and between the 2 posts. Pull the string tight before you tie it off. Hang a string level in the center of your line. Read the level. If the ground is not quite level, add soil to the low areas, rake and then re-check the level.

Understanding Building Height

When determining the required height for your building, it is important to know what the nominal dimensions mean in the building size description. Let’s say you have an RV that is exactly 11 feet, 10 inches in height: how do you know how tall an RV shelter to build? Would a structure advertised as 12 feet tall be enough?

Building Heights Explained

If a building is described as 10 feet tall, this is referring the inside side wall height, or what we call the “leg height,” Simply put, leg height is the shortest point of the top of building. The center height, or “peak height” is the tallest point of the building, which will vary depending on the width and roof pitch of the building.

Putting Our Understanding to Work

Back to our RV shelter. Let’s say an RV shelter is advertised as 18 feet wide x 36 feet long x 12 feet tall, using our regular standard roof style. The leg height and/or side wall height is 12 feet tall. If the roof pitch is 3:12, the roof line will rise 3 inches in height for every 1 foot in width, so the peak height will be approximately 2 feet taller than the leg height. This makes the highest point of the RV shelter 14 feet tall, plenty of space to park your RV safely.