By Metal Sheds • Metal Storage Buildings • Sheds • Storage Sheds 0 Comments

How to Level the Ground for an Outdoor Shed

Our outdoor storage sheds were designed to be easy to construct and install, and in order to make sure everything goes as smoothly as possible you need to start with a good foundation. When you are selecting the location for your shed, you should first choose a site that is already comparatively level (to minimize the amount of digging) and avoid places that often have standing water.

There are a number of ways to level the ground for your shed, and the instructions for your building will come with specific recommendations for the most effective method. In general, though, there are a couple common ways to quickly and easily create a level and reliable place for the shed.

Method One

One method involves covering the entire space under the shed with gravel. To accomplish this, you must first mark off the area for the shed and make sure it is completely square. You may also want to extend this area a few inches longer than the dimensions of the shed to avoid mud and debris splashing up onto the nice siding during a heavy rain storm.

Once you’ve settled on the proper dimensions, you can remove about four inches of dirt and grass. Try to keep the bottom surface as level as possible and then fill the entire area with crushed rock or pea gravel. Fill the base until it is even with the ground and then compact the gravel with a metal roller. Again, make sure that it is completely level and then cover the entire surface with dry sand, working it in between the rocks with a rake. Once this is finished you can lay the paving slabs, level them out with a hammer, and then you’re ready to start building the floor.

Method Two

There’s another common method that isn’t quite so involved. Once again, you begin by marking off the area with stakes and strings – making sure that it is completely square. Once this is done you can mark spots on the string for the spacer (see your instructions for the exact layout), and then place some masonry blocks along those lines.

Place the 4×4 spacers across the stones and start leveling at the highest block. Dig down beneath each block and fill the hole with pea gravel. If the spacers are still not level, you can add or remove the gravel to even it back out. Never add gravel above the hole, though, because that could let the shed shift over time. You can add more blocks if you need to make big adjustments or use a shingle as a shiv if you just need a little more contact with the spacers.

A good foundation will help you get the most out of your sheds and other outdoor storage. Always follow the recommendations in your instructions and take the time to pay attention to all the little details. Some of them may require a full, concrete foundation, while others are fine with these methods. If you’re not sure what each structure will require, talk to one of our specialists and find out more.

By Carports • Enclosed Garages • Enclosed Steel Garages • Metal Buildings • Metal Carports • Metal Garages • Metal Sheds • Metal Storage Buildings • Sheds • Steel Carports • Storage Buildings • Storage Sheds • • • • • • • • 0 Comments

10 Uses for a Steel Garages and Storage Sheds

The first thought of many people considering purchasing a steel garage or storage shed is that it can only be used to store cars or to house garden tools but we’ve made a list of 10 (and believe us there are many more) uses for a storage shed or steel garage to help open your eyes to all that a steel storage shed can be.

You can use your storage shed as a…

1.  Animal shelter

Several people use storage sheds and steel garages as a place to keep animals such as bunnies, guinea pigs, and other crated or cages animals. The sheds can be custom made with shelving units to house such animals and are convenient and close to home to care for these animals that may not be allowed in the house. Other people use large steel garages to offer outdoor animals such as dogs, cats, horses, goats or other farm animal’s protection from the extreme weather elements of rain, snow, cold and heat.

2. Place of Business

Renting and paying utilities on a place of business can be difficult for a small business just starting out but to keep your operating costs and over head low, you may want to consider using a storage shed as your place of business until you feel ready for a piece of business reality
3.  Hobby Shop

Many steel garage owners use their sheds as a place to do hobbies that there may not be room for in the home. Whether it is being used for quilting, sewing, or crafting, storage sheds are the perfect place to store all craft and hobby material as well as the best place to step away and enjoy your hobbies.

4. Game Room/Man Cave

Every man deserves a place to go hang out with his buddies and play poker, pool or just to watch the big game. Using a storage shed as a man cave and game rooms gives the man of the house a place to escape to and enjoy.

5. Workshop

Larger hobbies such as welding or wood working can take up a lot of space in a home and cause unnecessary dust and dirt. To combat this, many wives are suggesting their husbands do these hobbies out in the steel garage. This gives men a place to work that they won’t have to clean up every time they step away and keeps dust and dirt away from the house.

6. Place for Home Storage

Old couches, Christmas décor and old toys can all be stored out of the way in a dry and protected place when they are stored in a metal storage shed or garage. These storage buildings can house all the extra home items you don’t have room for, don’t need to be used at the moment and don’t want to get rid of.

7. Pool House

Storage sheds as a pool house offers a place to change for the outdoor pool can house a Jacuzzi or even just store the pool supplies out of the way but close to your outdoor pool.

8.  At-Home Gym

Going to a gym can be time consuming and expensive but using your storage shed as a workout area allows for easy access, no travel time, no membership fees and complete work out privacy.

9.  Mediation Area

Steel garages can easily be turned into a place of relaxation and mediation that can be accessed year round. A storage shed is the perfect place to perform morning mediation, yoga and pray and also offers a secluded place to relax and study.

10. Guest House

If you need some extra space for those guests on the way, convert the steel storage shed. With a few modifications, these metal garages can transform in to a spacious temporary living quarters for visiting family and friends.

By Enclosed Steel Garages 0 Comments

Specific-Use Sheds

In the world of sheds there are many different type of sheds.  Each shed has its own specific use.  Sheds can be customized to fit your needs, they can come in all shapes and sizes. They really are the best option for storage if you have extra property. They can also be made out of any type of construction material.

Here’s a break down of each type of shed:

The Vinyl-sided sheds

The vinyl is more affordable and can look great on the outside. However it’s not really the greatest shed. Most people go with it because they like the clean look. If you’re in a very dusty area it can be easy to wash off.

Wooden Sheds

Wooden sheds can be very solid, if the right wood is used these can last for years on end. They’re called wooden because they’re made only out of wood. They can look old fashioned or just wooden. Wood can split or break over time if it’s not protected. This is where buying from the right shed company comes into play.

The best part about wood sheds is you can apply any color you want to them, they’re easily paint-able if you use the right primer and paint. Wood sheds give owners the most flexibility, that’s why they’re among the most popular sheds in the world.  The other great fact about wood sheds is they can last and they can be made out of really impressive woods, like cedar.

Plastic Sheds

Plastic sheds are more affordable than metal sheets. they usually are made out of molded plastics like polyethylene.  This type of material makes the shed light and still strong enough to stand to resist some weight. Their advantages include being rot proof and light. They will not last as long as metal sheds and if to much weight is applied they can bend.

Metal Sheds

Metal sheds are the creme of the crop. It does depend on what type of metal. If it’s a steel type metal it can last a lifetime. Metal sheds are known for their strength and their ability to last. If it’s a cheap type of metal, it can rust. There are certain types of metal sheds that can bend very easily.  If you’re in a warmer part of the country, metal sheds will always be your best option.  It does depend on what you use the shed for.

By Enclosed Steel Garages 0 Comments

NASCAR

As many of you have noticed we at Keens Building are a proud sponsor of NASCAR. The sport has become such a major interest of millions throughout the country. So if I may take a break from the norm of posting on storage sheds and metal carports I want to take a moment to acknowledge the victory of Jimmie Johnson last weekend. He claimed victory at Texas. By doing so he extended his lead in the Chase standings.

This historic run that Johnson is on includes winning the AP Male Athlete of the year, Driver of the Year four times, and tons of wins. It truly is a pleasure to be watching arguably the greatest NASCAR driver not only of our time but perhaps the greatest of all time in his prime. He is a model of consistency and has showed true professionalism as he has represented the sport as its champion year in and year out. I am not saying all of this because he is my favorite racer. I am saying this because he has become one of the greats and is a fine ambassador of the sport.

The last two years he has topped the Forbes list of most influential athletes. There are many in this country who question whether or not NASCAR is even a sport so accomplishing this feat is truly a testament to the impact Johnson is having on this country. So it’s only appropriate that I give credit where it’s due. Hats off to you Jimmie Johnson.

By Aluminum Storage Buildings • Carports • Enclosed Garages • Enclosed Steel Garages • Keen's Reputation • Metal Buildings • Metal Garages • Metal Sheds • Metal Storage Buildings • Sheds • Storage Buildings • Storage Sheds • • • • • • • • 0 Comments

Storage Shed Accessories and Features to Purchase with Your Metal Garage

Purchasing a storage shed is a wise choice and there are several uses and reasons to buy a metal storage garage. Whether for storage or used for a woodworking shop, the accessories to storage sheds are just as important. There several accessories to go inside of or customize your storage garage to fit your specific needs and we’ve created a short list of the most used customizable shed accessories.

Benches

Benches are perfect for the gardener who is storing gardening supplies in her storage shed or using it as greenhouse in the winter. Benches make good resting spots as well as storage places for smaller items like gloves and hand shoves. Benches are also nice if the garage has been converted to a man cave and requires extra seating.

Ramps

Ramps are a great addition to metal garages that are housing RVs, cars, four wheelers, and other motorized vehicles. They allow for smooth pulling into a metal storage garage and reduce the risks of injury when stepping into the shed.

Lofts

Lofts in a metal storage shed offer owners extended overhead space for more storage of items they may not use regularly. Christmas décor, old children’s toys, etc… all could be stored in overheard lofts and the storage shed protects them from the elements while providing extra space below for larger or more used items.

Windows

When storage sheds are used as play or hobby areas, some owners like to have a window to look out of or to peek in on the children at play. Windows can be installed in custom sheds and are also great in metal garages used to house large animals like livestock and horses.

Skylights

Skylights are also a custom option that is great for air circulation in the hot summers and for light in the winter months. Some owners like them for when they use their storage shed as a greenhouse to provide natural light for the plants.

Shelves

Adding a shelving unit to your shed is a great idea when the metal garage is being used for storage, as a hobby area or as a car shop. Shelves that are accessories to metal garages can be built in to prevent falling over and the ruining of other property so if you think you may want shelves, purchase them with your metal storage shed.

Work Benches

Work benches provide work areas for the gardener, mechanic, woodworker and toy train maker among many others. Adding a work bench to your metal storage shed is a smart choice if you plan on using your garage for activities that could benefit from a stable and flat working area.

Security & Temperature Control

For valuable items, being stored in a metal garage, it may be wise to get a custom accessory of security cameras. For items that are temperature sensitive, another accessory to consider is the option of temperature control.  Both of these options may be good considerations if you are using your storage garage as a play place for children. It keeps them safe from heat stroke or being too cold and allows you as a caring adult to keep an eye on them without needing to be in the shed with them.

Storage Shed Accessories

No matter your reason for owning a metal storage shed, be sure to check out the accessory options they come with so all your needs can be met.

By Haunted Buildings 0 Comments

How to Turn a Shed or Metal Building into a Haunted House!

Sheds, Storage buildings, and metal buildings, are perfect for the holidays. There are so many cool things you can do for your shed or storage building. Halloween is the perfect time of year to convert your metal building into a haunted house.

The best thing about storage buildings and metal storage buildings and even sheds, is the fact that you can store all of your holiday stuff in it!  Holiday stuff will rack up over the years, lets face it, it does.  Lets not forget that having your own shed is the best option for storage if you don’t have as much stuff. Storage buildings can be super beneficial though if you have tons of stuff. They both have many other uses.

Now, to be able to turn your shed or metal building into a haunted house, you need to use your creativity. Everyone has that incredible gift of creativity endowed within them.  The first thing to understand about Halloween is that cheesy works and sells with the kids!  Having cheesy type things on the outside will work. The downfall of cheesy type decorations is they’re not as scary. It does create the Halloween feel however.

Now if you really want to rock it for Halloween you can look at how things were done in the scary movies. There are tons of movies that have some real scary scenes that can be reflected in a building. You can go the Texas chain saw massacre route, and hang all sorts of scary stuff.

You can totally convert your metal storage building into a haunted funeral home. You can also do cool stuff like add a smoke machine with a strobe light, and then play something creepy and just pop up at kids.

If you have a barn, or a metal barn, you can even do more. Barns can be really scary!  Barns are the best because they’re bigger and they just have a history of being scary from the movies.

The thing that makes haunted houses the best is the costumes and the scary people inside of them. If you don’t have scary people, it can be boring. It’s worth having super scary people. The more real they can look that will add to the scariness.

If you create a scene that’s very real and yet very scary, it’s hard to pull off, but it would work out really well if you can.

The point is, don’t be afraid to turn your metal building or extra building into a haunted house. It’s worth the fun and time!

By Storage Sheds • • • • • 0 Comments

Is it Worth Building a Shed?

You might be shocked, but building a storage shed won’t save you that much money.  After going to a store like home depot, and buying each part, the cost is not as cheap as you think. When anyone decides to make a storage shed, the specialization is gone. A business that specializes in making sheds will know what will make a quality shed.

Now, will it save you money on making a shed? It depends, if you buy affordable or cheap wood it can. Will the shed still be nice? Maybe, it depends how good you are. If you’ve built many sheds in the past,  it might be worth it.  The amount of time to make one shed can be brutal though. Then the question will be, is making a shed worth your time? Or is it worth buying one.

The advantage of a keensbuilding shed is quality. Quality that will last the test of time. If you make your own, over time if it breaks, your investment of time and money will break with it. If it can look great and last the test of time, it might be worth it. The best part is, it’s your choice and your judgement.

Sheds are not like building little play houses. Sheds take the perfect balance, and leveling. It takes the right planning and execution. If you want a quality shed, like a keens shed, it will usually include a window, some descent insulation, and the perfect roof.

 

There’s more that goes into making a shed compared to what it looks like. Especially if you want a shed that locks really well.  Sheds are amazing when it comes to storing things and saving money. If you want to learn more about what goes into a shed, feel free to contact us! We would love to talk!

By Carports • Enclosed Steel Garages • Keen's Buildings 0 Comments

Should You Build a Carport or a Garage?

Carports and garages both offer protection for your vehicle from harsh elements throughout the year, whether you live in an area that is hit with heavy snow every year or the lack of trees in your neighbourhood leaves it open to excess sun damage. With either option, your car will receive some of the protection it needs, you won’t have to scrape iced windows before leaving the house, and it can even add some value to your property.

The question is, then, which one is better for your situation? Many people might automatically assume that the garage is the better choice in most instances, but that isn’t necessarily always true. There are definitely some advantages to both, so you just have to decide which one fits your situation better.

The Advantages of an Enclosed Garage

Any time you are working with an enclosed structure, there will be a number of inherent advantage. Obviously, something that has all four walls and a roof will offer even more protection from the elements than a carport, but it will also offer an added degree of security for anything you want to store inside it. The ability to lock the doors and windows means you can do more than just park your car there.

These walls also make the structure more stable, so a garage is likely to stand up to harsh weather conditions for longer. If you’re looking for an addition to the home where you can keep your car or other valuable possessions, and plan to be in the home for a while, this may be the best option for you.

Carport Benefits

A carport, on the other hand, is going to be a more affordable option than a fully enclosed garage. With the quality steel and engineering that goes into these structures, though, they are still extremely durable and can stand up to serious weather conditions.

A carport is also a more versatile option. Since it’s more of an “installation” than it is a “construction project,” it can be set up without any major excavation of the land. And if the location turns out to be not quite right, you can always adjust its positioning without a lot of work. It’s also important to note that without these structures require a lot less maintenance than a garage, and with our range of designs, you can find something that will go perfectly with your home.

By Enclosed Steel Garages • Keen's Reputation • • • 0 Comments

The Keens Way: Satisfying Customers

Customer service can be one of the most difficult areas of business. At Keens we like to get everything right the first time.  It’s important that our customers really understand their needs as well. We recommend a few things before you come in or contact a Keens employee.

Here’s a list of questions:

-What are you looking to cover or store? Is this going to be for a car, two cars, or lawn mowing equipment. It’s vital that you know exactly everything you want to cover.

-What are the sizes of everything you want stored or covered?

-Will you want walking space in your storage shed? Do you think that you will need a big door to get everything in? A metal storage garage might be perfect.

-Do you have any vision of your carport or garage or whatever it may be? Can you draw it before you come in? Anything to help give a keens building rep. a clearer vision will help.

– For the location of the shed or building, where will you want it? Is this going to be a tight squeeze right next to your house? Will you be in an area that will be exposed to a lot of water? The more knowledge and information better.

 

The Bottom line is, it’s important that you understand your needs and wants. Once you fully understand your needs and wants, it’s then important to be able to find every way possible to best communicate that with KeensBuildings.com. At this point our rep will find the most affordable option for your that will fit your needs.

When your needs are met, we then have another satisfied customer. That’s our ultimate goal for every person that comes to our site, or through our store.

By Carports For Sale • • • • 0 Comments

Where to Buy Carports For Sale

Over the years, it has been known that buying a car can be more affordable when you purchase it used and not from a dealer. This can be true, however carports are completely different.  Cars are not like carports. If a person buys a used carport, they will notice that a carport  can easily be bent, if it’s taken out of one area and transported to another area.  Used carports aren’t worth the time and the energy. They can gain rust real quick. The only carports that are designed to move around are portable carports. However, it’s best that a portable carport is just moved around your home.

When going to a business to buy a carport, there are specific things you want to make sure of. First, do they have a specialization in carports? If carports are just a side product, chances are the carport will be cheap and not worth your invest. The best carports for sale are usually at places that specialize in carports only. For example, there are motor home dealerships that sell rv motor home covers, they usually aren’t the best and they don’t have much for variety. The best rv motor home covers are sold buy places like Keensbuildings, who specialize in motor home covers. You can tell we specialize in rv motor home covers, because we know our products very well and we offer a strong variety.

If a place that sells carports doesn’t have a strong variety of carports, there’s a chance you’re not going to make the best decision. It’s vital to have enough options placed in front of you for carports, so you pick the one that fits your needs.

Another great idea is to really look at the businesses reputation. Many carport places have bad reputations. With the internet and social media these days, you can have a very clear idea on who’s the best and who’s not. That’s Keens Buildings is so big on treating every customer with respect and being honest with each and every deal. We don’t like to make our customers mad. It helps with our reputation big time and we want to keep it that way.