RV and Boat Storage
With the winter months hastily moving in, the time has come to put away our outdoor toys. And whether your favorite toys are for playing on the land or in the water, you will need a place to house them. Unfortunately, paying monthly storage fees can be an expensive endeavor. So why not save that money by investing in a strong, reliable structure that can handle the job?
Metal carports and RV garages are fantastic options for protecting your investments from harsh UV rays. They’re adaptable, customizable, and some of the most cost-effective construction methods on the market. And whether your recreational vehicles are ‘surf’ or ‘turf,’ a steel storage building is the perfect solution.
So, if you want to extend the life of your boats, recreational vehicles, or equipment, you’re in the right place! Today, we’ll dive deeper into these incredible structures, what to look for, and how to choose the best metal RV or boat garage for your needs.
The Cost of Renting Vs. Buying a Carport
Sure, at first glance, it may seem like renting out storage space for your recreational vehicles or boats is a good investment. After all, with one monthly fee, you won’t have to worry about the safety of your valuables. However, choosing this method is, in many ways, cutting corners that will eventually cost you more in the long run.
For example, the average storage cost for an RV or boat will range from $100 to $250 a month. And while those costs may not seem like much, you’re essentially paying $3,000 yearly to house your vehicle. After ten years of ownership, that number will have grown to $30,000.
But by purchasing a metal RV carport or boat cover, an upfront investment can save you tremendously throughout ownership. You’ll also have the advantage of keeping them secure and adequately managed during the colder months.
Another benefit of purchasing a metal RV carport over renting is the customizability factor. Steel buildings are highly customizable, allowing owners to choose their building’s size, configuration, aesthetic style, and much more. And despite paying more for a rental unit, you’ll never get this level of customizability with self-storage solutions.
How to Choose the Best Carport or Garage for Your Boat and RV
If you’re unfamiliar with the process of purchasing a steel building of any kind, finding the right carport for your RV or boat might seem like a bit of a challenge. But we’re here to make sense of it all! Let’s take a quick look at some crucial things you’ll want to cover before you pull the trigger on your RV or boat carport.
1. Determine Its Primary Use
How do you plan to use your carport? Will you be housing oversized recreational vehicles, or are you storing away the family boat? A clear understanding of how you intend to utilize your structure will give you a great idea of what type of metal building you need.
2. Boat or RV Size
How large is your boat or RV? You’ll need to get a reasonable estimate of its width, length, and height to ensure that your building or carport is large enough to accommodate it. Most carports are built roughly 10′-12′ high, but if your vehicle or watercraft is larger, you may need to choose a custom-size structure.
3. Building Location
Do your RV carport plans include a structure near your home? Or will you place it somewhere else on your property? Now is the time to choose where you want your building to be installed.
4. Building Permits and Regulations
No matter where you live in the US, you can bet that local authorities will have precise rules on the building permits you’ll need before breaking ground on your structure. As such, you’ll want to work closely with these authorities to determine what regulations you must abide by.
5. Accessibility
Since you’ll be using your structure regularly, you’ll want to ensure it has ample access. This will make it easy to perform regular vehicle maintenance, and loading and unloading will be a breeze.
6. Climate Conditions in Your Area
Does your region experience extreme weather? If you live in an area that regularly sees high winds, heavy rainfall, snow accumulation, or seismic activity, you’ll want to design your building accordingly. Structures in volatile climates will likely need reinforced framing, paneling, and roofing systems to handle the weather.
7. Additional Storage
Will you want an extra section for storing equipment or valuables? If so, you’ll want to plan for it now!
8. Customization Options
One thing that sets steel structures apart from the competition is their customizability. From top to bottom, you’ll have full control to change every aspect of your building. Update the colors, paneling, roofing types, wainscoting, doors, windows, and more!
9. Future Expansions
Steel buildings are designed for easy expansion, but it doesn’t hurt to plan ahead! Take the time to determine where you’d like to build additions if it ever becomes necessary. By doing this, you can save time and money!
Why Choose a Metal Building for Your RV or Boat Storage
There are dozens of reasons why metal buildings are among the most popular construction options on the market. They’re stronger than wooden alternatives, last longer, and are far more effective at resisting the elements. But that’s only scratching the surface of why you’d want to choose a steel building over competing structure types. So let’s look at other reasons why these structures are the superior choice for protecting your RVs, boats, and vehicles.
1. Peace of Mind
It’s always better to have your most essential possessions nearby. And your RV or boat is no different. Instead of fretting over these valuables being stored across town in a facility where they can’t be properly supervised, you can rest easy knowing they’re right where you want them to be.
2. Multipurpose Structures
Part of the charm of owning an RV storage building is its ability to be used for any purpose. From home garages to workshops and even office spaces, there’s no wrong way to use these adaptable buildings!
3. Minimal Maintenance Costs
Since RV and boat carports are crafted from galvanized steel, they’re naturally resistant to many elemental hazards that can destroy wooden or concrete structures. You won’t have to worry about moisture damage, rust, mold, mildew, pests, and even fires up to 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit! And with this natural resistance, your building will need little upkeep over the years.
4. Increases Property Value
Did you know that adding a boat or RV carport to your property can increase its value? When properly permitted, permanent structures are included in property appraisals. Therefore, if you ever decide to sell, appraisers will include the value in your asking price!
5. Weather Resistance
As mentioned, steel structures are some of the most effective building types for handling Mother Nature’s wrath. They can withstand incredibly high winds, hail, rain, snow accumulation, and more! This comes down to their certification. The certification system is a standardized process that ensures these structures can handle the wind, snow, and seismic forces generated in a specific area. As a result, you can rest easy knowing your building is safe in all climates!
6. Affordable
With lumber prices constantly rising, it makes sense that steel buildings have usurped wood as the most affordable building material. In fact, steel buildings can be built at a fraction of the cost compared to stick-built structures. Not to mention that they’re far more affordable than costly monthly rentals!
Will Your Insurance Be Impacted by How You Store Your Boat or RV?
Do you carry insurance on your boat or RV? You’ll want to check with your insurance provider to learn all the stipulations for storing your vehicles. For example, some homeowner’s insurance policies won’t extend to recreation craft such as RVs or boats. These caveats may also center around your vehicle’s size. As such, you’ll need to carefully check to ensure that you won’t fall victim to insurance loopholes should your valuables become damaged.
Protect Your Boat and RV with AA Metal Buildings!
Across the US, AA Metal Buildings aims to provide quality steel structures at affordable prices. We have the expertise to deliver long-lasting carports, garages, storage sheds, and more. And we back these incredible structures up with industry-backed warranties and guarantees.
So, if you’ve been looking for an easy, affordable way to protect your recreational vehicles or boats during the winter months, call AA Metal Buildings today at +1 (877) 244-4470! Our dedicated team of building experts is waiting to assist you in designing, customizing, and realizing the steel structure of your dreams. Your metal building journey begins now. Are you ready?
