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Consider Doing a Pre-Winter Check on Your Portable Garage

While it may not feel much like fall yet, wintry weather isn’t far off. If you use a portable garage for your vehicle, your motorcycle or simply household items, it’s a good time to check that the unit is in good condition so it continues to protect your valuable property through the winter months.

Portable garages are great solutions for storage needs. They’re quick and easy to put up, durable, affordable, and can be located nearly anywhere on your property you require storage. With proper care, they can last for many years. If you have one already, take a moment to examine its operating condition.

What to Look for In a Portable Garage Inspection

The first thing you want to look for is how well the cover is holding up and whether it’s properly fitted. It should be tight to reduce the risk of tears. The roof should be free of debris. During the fall and winter, ensure that you remove autumn leaves and snow from your portable garage. To avoid damaging it, be sure to use soft instruments such as a dull edged broom or mop, and avoid shovels, rakes or other implements that could accidentally puncture the cover.

Engage in a Little Gentle Elbow Grease

It’s worth taking a moment to clean your portable garage before bad weather begins. To do so, use mild soap and water, and avoid anything harsh (like bleach) or abrasive cleaners, which could damage cover. During the fall and winter, remove leaves and snow from the base of your portable garage to discourage a build-up of moisture that could lead to mold and mildew, or water leaking in and damaging the items you store there.

If your portable garage is in less-than-optimal condition, you can consider replacing the cover (rather than the whole set-up).

We’ve Updated Our Look!

At Shelters of America, we’ve been in the business of offering you trusted shelters and accessories that protect your treasured assets for years. From custom color options to replacement covers and sheds, canopies and equipment storage, there’s nothing we don’t offer to bring protection to your yard.

If you’ve been on the website recently you may have noticed that we updated our look. We recently completed a total revamp of the site to make it easier to navigate and to better show the array of offerings we provide.

From better, bigger images to enhanced functionality, we’ve kept all of our customer’s needs in mind.

You can now start at the homepage and easily customize a portable garage option that meets your needs. Choose from a peak style, barn or round. Next select the length, width and height options for your specific needs.

You can also find new menu options to see and select color options for your portable shelter or reach out for a custom quote if you’re not quite sure what you need yet.

We sell ShelterLogic, a trusted brand with over 70 years of experience and a global innovator in outdoor shade and shelter products.

If you’re looking for the ultimate storage and protection, we have what you need. From protection for cars, trucks, boats, motorcycles, RVs, farm equipment and so much more!

Check out our new site!

Tips to Keep Your Portable Shelter Cool in Summer and Warm in Winter

A portable garage is an excellent storage solution, but it can be affected by outside temperatures more than a traditional garage. There are, however, several things you can do to control the temperature inside your portable shelter during both the summer and winter.

How to Keep Your Storage Shelter Cool in Summer

If you haven’t yet purchased a portable garage, you can make some decisions now to help control the interior temperature. A light-colored garage will absorb less heat than a darker-colored one. That can be a big help if you live in an area where summers get oppressively hot. You can also set up your shelter in a part of your yard that doesn’t get a lot of direct sunlight.

A fan positioned in the doorway is a simple and effective way to improve air circulation and make the inside of your portable garage more comfortable. Even if a fan doesn’t actually lower the temperature, a breeze can make it feel cooler if you need to repair a vehicle or work on some other type of project in the garage.

Clutter in a portable garage can obstruct airflow. If your storage shelter is filled with boxes, tools, or lawn and garden equipment, clear some space so a fan can do its job.

Ventilating your portable garage can also help keep it cool in the summer. Vents can improve airflow without using electricity and raising your utility bills.

How to Keep Your Portable Garage Warm in Winter

Your car will continue to give off heat long after you park it in the garage. If you use your car most days, parking it in the storage shelter when you get home can be a simple way to maintain a relatively warm inside temperature during the winter.

If you don’t store a vehicle in your garage or don’t drive it frequently enough to use it as a heat source, you can use a space heater to warm the garage, but you will have to be careful. Only use a heater when you will be in the garage. Don’t put it on or near anything combustible. Make sure the garage is well ventilated to prevent a dangerous buildup of carbon monoxide. Regularly check the heater and make sure it and an extension cord, if you use one, are in good condition.

Invest in a Portable Storage Shelter

A portable garage can be a good place to store a vehicle or other valuable belongings without spending money to build a traditional garage. With some strategic decisions and minor modifications, you can keep your portable garage comfortable in every season. Shelters of America offers portable garages in a wide range of sizes, styles, and colors to suit any need and preference. Order a portable garage today.

Garage Organization Tips You Probably Haven’t Thought Of

Most homeowners think of their garage in one of 2 ways: As a place to keep the cars or somewhere to store all the junk that you don’t know what to do with.

It’s just been this way for many years for many, but today, with people like Marie Kondo and other mindfulness practices gaining ground, there’s a push to clear out our physical spaces and make room for more joy in our lives.

Getting rid of all of our things isn’t always that easy. Sometimes the boxes in the garage contain sentimental items like your child’s art projects. They’ve since gone off to college and you want to keep them to share with your grandchildren. Or, perhaps holiday decorations are kept here.

Either way, when it comes time to organizing and tidying up the area so it can be used for better things and walked through without fear of everything coming tumbling down, we’ve got some tips for you.

Here are some garage organization tips you probably haven’t thought of.

Consider Display and Layout

Thanks to the Internet, there are a plethora of research and inspiration photos to use for coming up with an idea for your garage. Clearing the clutter for goodwill requires an idea of how you’d like to use the space and what it will look like. When you’re motivated by the functionality of use of the space it will be easier to get out there and get organized.

Hang Everything

Nothing makes a room look smaller and messier than clutter all over the floor. Even if you’ve been stacking boxes around the outer perimeter of the garage floors, chances are those boxes haven’t been touched for a while. You’re not just losing valuable walking space, moisture from the ground could also be damaging items inside the box. The solution? Hang everything. Invest in shelving, get bike hooks and storage racks. Take everything and hang it up and away from the floor for an instant transformation.

Get a Portable Garage

If you’ve done all of the above and still have stuff you don’t know what to do with but aren’t ready to toss, it’s time to consider a portable garage. This is a cost-efficient option that allows you to add more storage space on your property that isn’t permanent. Just move it or take it down when it’s no longer needed.

Portable Garage Depot is your trusted resource for all-weather protection for your investments against weather elements. Our custom portable garage frames are made from powder-coated or galvanized steel tubing and the durable covers come in a variety of colors made of layered Polyethylene to stop rips from happening. We also offer a variety of surface anchors to accommodate all surface applications. SHOP NOW!

Should You Store Your Motorcycle Under a Canopy in the Summer?

While we like to think of our motorcycles when we’re out in the summer having fun riding them, we probably give less consideration to them when we’re not using them. Many people leave their motorcycles out in the summer. After all, it’s not winter…right? After all, the weather is mild.

Leaving motorcycles out in the open, however, leaves them exposed to dirt, dust, rain and UV radiation. If you care for your bike, you’ll want to protect it, even in the summer. If you don’t have space in the garage (or don’t have a garage at all), you can find portable solutions that will protect the investment you have made in your motorcycle and the enjoyment you get from it. It will also save you time having to clean your bike.

Portable canopies are a great solution for protecting motorcycles as well as ATVs from summer’s hazards. These canopies are affordable, sturdy, protective and come in a variety of colors and sizes. They blend easily into your yard and look attractive, and their bright interiors help with visibility inside. The fabric canopies are easy to assemble (so you can put them up and take them down easily or move them to another part of the yard).

During the winter when your motorcycle is in deep storage, you can use the canopy for seasonal equipment, snowblowers, furniture, household items, workshop materials or anything else you need quick access to. Alternatively, if you have no deep storage, a portable shelter can also protect your bike from damage from winter weather conditions.

In Connecticut, Portable Garage Depot is a leading provider of all manner of portable shelters for motorcycles as well as other vehicles. The shelters and their covers are easy to assemble and use thanks to an easy bolt design that allows you to assemble your shelter with minimum tools in minimal time, without compromising the strength of your new temporary motorcycle cover or shed. View our wide variety of motorcycle shelters on our web site, or call us at 800-984-7657 to discuss your motorcycle storage needs.

3 Top Features to Look for in a Portable Garage

If you’ve been shopping around for a portable garage or thinking about solutions to clean up your backyard and finally store away all those tools and equipment blocking your vision for a backyard oasis, we’re here to tell you that portable garages offer a terrific option. Not only because they create a shelter to protect your investment in these tools, but also because they can be temporary dwellings and move to a different location when needed or be taken down for different seasons.

Choosing the right portable garage for your needs will optimize the benefits you receive from your purchase. Here are the top 3 features to look for in a portable garage.

1. Remember Size Matters

Before you purchase a portable garage, you’ll need to ensure you can fit everything in it, and leave some room for growth (let’s be honest you’ll probably buy another tool or two.) Packing the portable garage so full you can’t get around inside of it is the incorrect way to go about enjoying the additional storage space. Account for your current clutter and then leave room for more when selecting a size and save yourself money and hassles down the road.

2. Check Materials Constructed From

While there are a ton of portable garage options on the market – and even some available at local hardware stores, they are not all created equally. When it comes to protecting your investment in expensive tools, equipment or other items you plan to store there, think seriously about the material the portable garage is constructed from. Think polyethylene covers are a must. They keep damaging sun rays out and are durable so they won’t rip or tear easily.

3. Add the Perks Now

When going out to purchase a portable garage, you likely have an idea in your mind of what purpose you’d like it to serve. Consider the necessary additions in advance. Worried about mold and need proper ventilation or flooring? Will you be storing items that require sunlight (like plants)? Do you need electricity inside or want to go the solar route? Thinking of all of these in advance will give you a chance to purchase the extras from the start of the process.

Ready to shop for a portable garage? GO HERE.

Keep Your Portable Garage Safe from Falling Trees

A portable garage can be an excellent storage solution if you don’t have enough space in a traditional garage and don’t want to spend the time or money to build or buy a shed. Portable garages are strong and sturdy, but they can be damaged or destroyed by falling trees. Here are some ways to protect your shelter and its contents.

Choosing the Right Location for a Portable Garage

When choosing a site for a portable garage, one that is free of trees is best. If your yard is filled with trees, set up your storage shelter in an area with no overhanging limbs. Tree branches hanging over a portable garage are accidents waiting to happen. In a strong storm, a branch could snap and fall or be blown onto the roof of a storage building and cause it to collapse.

Have Your Trees Inspected and Pruned

Trees can become damaged by stress, disease, or decay, and the signs may not be immediately apparent. Leaves that fall out of season could indicate the presence of a disease. Chewing animals, insects, and mold can cause significant structural damage to trees. Problems with the root system may not be visible, but they can affect the health of an entire tree.

Hire a professional to assess the health of trees on your property. During a routine inspection, an arborist can spot tree limbs that are in danger of falling and prune them or let you know if one or more trees should be uprooted altogether. An arborist who examines your trees each year will be able to spot changes early and recommend corrective action. These may be expenses you would rather not incur, but it’s better than having a tree fall on a portable garage and severely damage an expensive car.

Check Trees after Storms

If a storm with strong winds strikes your area, take a walk around your property after it’s over and inspect the trees. If you notice any branches that are cracked and in danger of falling, they should be removed. If you can do the job safely and fairly easily yourself, do so. If the job would require climbing a ladder or using a chainsaw, pay a professional to do it so you don’t hurt yourself or inadvertently cause damage to the tree, your portable garage, or your house.

Where to Buy a Portable Garage

Portable Garage Depot offers storage shelters in an array of sizes and designs to suit any need. Whether you want to store one or more cars, lawn and garden equipment, or a boat, we have a shelter that fits the bill.

Order a portable garage today!

Tips for Storing Your RV During Usage Season

Summer is almost here, and many families will be setting out on vacation in an RV. Those trips may only last a week or two, and during the rest of the season, the RV will need to be kept in storage. Here are some tips to protect your camper when you aren’t using it.

Keep Moisture out to Prevent Mold

If moisture accumulates inside an RV in storage, it can lead to mold. The presence of mold could create a health hazard for your family and could make the RV unusable for the remainder of the summer. The best way to ventilate the interior of an RV and keep it dry is to leave the vents in the roof open while the vehicle is not being used. Don’t completely seal off the windows because if water leaks into the RV, the lack of ventilation and air circulation can lead to mold.

Keep Pests out of Your RV

Insects and rodents can enter an RV in storage through tiny holes. Once inside, they can chew through the interior, including electrical wires, which can cause major damage and may render the RV inoperable. They can also leave urine and feces, which can affect human health.

Walk around the RV and cover or screen any openings on the outside. Pay particular attention to the plumbing vents, refrigerator vents, furnace exhaust, and air intake piping. Remove any potential food sources from the RV after you return home from your trip and before you put the vehicle in storage to avoid attracting pests.

Where to Store Your RV This Summer

An RV should be stored in a secure location. A garage is ideal, but most people don’t have a space large enough for a vehicle of that size. If you don’t want to pay to keep your RV at a storage yard, you can store it on your property.

A portable shelter is a good alternative to a traditional garage. It can be set up on a level surface and can protect your RV from rain, wind, rodents, and insects so it will be in excellent condition the next time you decide to take a family trip this summer.

Shelters of America offers portable garages in a wide range of sizes and styles to suit virtually every need. We even have shelters that are large enough to accommodate an RV. Our portable storage buildings have steel support frames and polyethylene covers to protect vehicles from the elements. Order a portable garage from Shelters of America today to keep your RV safe.

Motorcycle Buying and Storing Tips

Cruising the open road on a motorcycle offers a thrilling sense of freedom. If you are thinking about buying a motorcycle, be sure to do your research and make a careful decision. Once you bring it home, store your bike in a secure place to protect it from damage and theft.

Things to Do before Buying a Motorcycle

Before you can purchase a motorcycle, or even test ride one, you will need to get a motorcycle endorsement on your driver’s license. Take classes to learn how to operate a bike safely and pass the test.

Think carefully about the type of motorcycle you want. Research various manufacturers and read reviews from riders. Consider the weight, engine, and size of different bikes and think about what would be right for you based on your stature and experience level.

How to Choose and Buy the Right Motorcycle

After you have an idea of what type of bike you want, visit a dealership. You might find that a motorcycle you researched is perfect for you, or you might decide after test riding it and talking to a salesperson that a different model is actually more suitable. Be open-minded, but don’t get pressured into making the wrong decision.

Once you have decided which motorcycle you want to buy, you will need to discuss financing. The more money you put down, the less you will have to borrow, and the lower your monthly payments will be. Before you commit to a purchase and a loan, do the math to make sure you would still be able to afford your other bills, as well as motorcycle maintenance, and live comfortably.

In order to purchase and register a motorcycle, you will need to obtain insurance. Request quotes from several companies to get the best rates. Make sure you have high enough liability limits to cover you in the event of a serious accident. Your lender will probably also require you to obtain comprehensive and collision coverage.

How to Protect Your Motorcycle

After you bring your motorcycle home, you will naturally want to keep it safe from theft and damage. Keep it covered to shield it from the elements. You can use wheel locks, rotor locks, and a GPS tracker to protect it from thieves.

A locked garage is the best place to store a motorcycle, but not everyone has a garage available. If you don’t, a portable garage is a good option to protect your motorcycle from rain, snow, blowing debris, and animals. Portable Garage Depot offers storage shelters in a variety of sizes and designs to suit every need. Look through our selection and place your order today.

3 Components to Check Before Boating This Spring

Ah Spring: not too hot, and not too cold. You know what that means? It’s the perfect time of year for boating! As eager as we all are to get our boats out on the water again, it’s important that we get all of our ducks in a row first. Don’t worry, it won’t take that long. You just have to check these 3 major components.

1. The Fuel System, Belts, Cables & Hoses

The goal here is to check for leaks, damages, and parts that need to be replaced. For the fuel system, pay special attention to the hoses, connection, and tank surfaces. If the fuel hose is soft, brittle, or cracked, then it needs to be replaced. When inspecting belts, remember that they should fit tightly around pulleys. If you notice a loose grip or black residue, then you’ve found a red flag. Naturally, you should be on the lookout for corrosion of any kind. If the outer jacked of the throttle, shift, or steering controls are corroded, then do not take your boat out on the water until these issues are resolved.

2. The Electric System

Before embarking on your first Spring voyage, do yourself a favor and make sure that your battery is fully charged. For added peace of mind, get it tested to ensure that it can hold a charge on its own. Like the belts and cables, you should also check all electrical components for corrosion too. For continued maintenance, clean your electrical terminals with a wire brush often.

3. Propellers & Hulls

Damaged propellers can cause damage to your drive train. One tell-tale sign of a damaged propeller is odd instances of vibration. If you recall moments of vibration during your last outing, then you should check your propeller now. Obviously you’ll want to check for cracks and dings, but you should also make sure that it is secured properly. You should inspect hulls in a similar fashion. For longevity, clean the hull, deck, and topside with an environmentally safe cleaning solution. Lastly, remember to make sure the drain plug is secured before blasting off.

Have You Considered Portable Shelters For Your Boat?

Portable Garage Depot offers portable boat shelters in a variety of sizes. Our shelters are designed to protect your investment from the elements. Even if you pay to dock it somewhere for the spring, having one of these for the winter could be a lifesaver. Check out our collection of boat shelters now!