If you're looking into purchasing a custom designed shed or shelter for your vehicles, it could be worth looking into building a carport instead. These installations can offer a lot to your home, as well as add value to your property. Here are some of the key improvements a carport can provide to your home. 

Protection from the weather

Looking after the integrity of your vehicles is important. If you have no room to build a garage, creating a carport is just as effective at providing the cover needed to protect your car. Whether this be shading from sun to prevent paint fade, or looking after your car from heavy rain during the winter months, there are a number of reasons why you'd want to cover your vehicle. 

Extension of your home

One of the brilliant bonuses of installing a carport in your residence is that you can use it as an extension of your home during the summer. What this means is that the hot weather will be no match for your shaded, outdoor area. Simply set up a few chairs and tables to instantly create a great space for you and your family to spend time, outside but under the shade. 

Save time 

Carports also tend to be faster to build than a garage. If you're looking for a fast solution to your residential problems, looking into the creation of a carport could be the best step to take. There are a number of different designs to choose from, giving you the opportunity to find something that suits the overall aesthetic of your home. 

Get in touch with the team at Shed Boss to discuss the options available to you and begin working towards the development of your own carport today. 

Building a custom designed garage is definitely a good move to make if you're interested in creating a safe space to store your car. After all, this is what garages are most often built for in residential settings. However, this doesn't mean it's the only use that a garage can be used for. Here are some interesting ideas for using a new shed to your best advantage. 

Man cave

It's a cliche that the garage is considered a masculine area. However, one awesome use for a garage outside of storing your vehicles is to convert it into a space for men and their friends to hang out without disrupting the peace of the home. 

These things are easy enough to create. Most simply need a rug, some chairs, a television and fridge for refreshments. Creating your own area to spend time in is a fantastic way to use the space afforded by a custom designed garage. 

Home gym

Working out and getting sweaty isn't necessarily something you want in your home. But utilising an outdoor space like the garage to set up your own home gym could be a brilliant use of the space. Setting up a basic weight system and a treadmill instantly gives you the means to maintain a healthy lifestyle. 

Bedroom conversion

This is a great option for those with older children looking to have an increased degree of privacy, but who are too young to move out of home yet. Simply think of your custom designed garage as a small granny flat. 

The only thing to consider with this is the number of power outlets in the room. Bedrooms often have multiple electronic devices – especially in this day and age – so making sure the garage has enough for your child will help maintain peace and order in the long run. 

Like anywhere around your house, your custom designed shed could be home to a number of different things that could hurt or harm anyone going into the area. Minimising the threats throughout your home and garage is the best way to help stop people from getting hurt. However, the main difference between prepping a commercial shed and a residential one is that children could be coming and going more frequently, which means ensuring hazards are well out of arm's reach. 

Garage doors

For example, even the main entrance to a custom designed shed could be dangerous for unattended children. To ensure your door is secure, take a close look at all the nuts and bolts involved to make sure they're tight and secure. Furthermore, make sure all the garage door wheels and tracks are adjusted and aligned properly. Also be sure to provide adequate lubrication where needed.

Many problems with these occur when they begin to stop working as smoothly as normal and people begin pushing or pulling them harder than necessary. Avoid these situations from happening by tending to regular maintenance towards creating a shed that works like clockwork. 

Poisonous substances

Often sheds are used in residential areas as an alternative storage place for things like gasoline and pesticides - the types of things you don't want lying around inside your home for people to stumble across. 

If you're going to be storing these kinds of substances in the garage, make sure you put them in specifically designed storage places that are up and out of reach from wandering young hands. Or perhaps putting them under lock and key could be another option. Regardless, taking steps towards protecting your children should be one of the first things done following the construction of your new shed. 

If you're interested in ways to help increase the value of your home, it could be worth looking into making additions to your existing property. While some people may think installing a deck or extra bathroom could be the way to go, one thing that many houses these days are missing is a custom designed garage. While many have built-in ones, sometimes creating a separate space from your home is the way to go. 

What are some of the benefits of a custom designed garage?

One thing to remember is that a new installation like a garage will only add value if done correctly. In fact, shoddy work can actually detract from the value of your home. So ensure you get in contact with a professional to discuss the options available to you and be willing to have a say during the development stage. After all, you'll be looking to create the perfect garage to complement the style of your home. 

However, creating a wonderful space in your property can offer buyers something different and new. Ensure you make the garage large enough to be used for a number of different purposes. You don't know what potential buyers will want to use the garage for – whether it be for vehicles, storage or converted into another living space. 

Take this into account when planning with the builders. Discuss the chances of reducing space limitations – such as built-in storage areas – in order to leave the garage an open canvas for future homeowners. 

Furthermore, think about your property's location. If you live in a busy, crowded area, chances are there is often competition for parking spots in the region. However, offering an off-the-road solution can help entice buyers to consider your property, especially if their vehicle will be safe, protected and guaranteed a spot. 

With winter well and truly here, Australia is being given it's fair share of wet weather. This could lead to a number of water-related complications, especially in states prone to flooding like Queensland. If you've recently invested in a custom designed shed, taking steps to prevent water damage from occurring to your new installation should be high on your list of winter preparation priorities. 

Placing your shed in the right place

A lot of prevention comes from choosing the right location for your shed to be constructed. For example, placing the installation at the bottom of a hill is typically not a good idea due to the tendency for water to run down slopes and gather at the bottom. Therefore, choosing a slightly elevated piece of land could be a brilliant way to avoid these complications in the long term. 

If this isn't possible, creating your own elevation by placing a concrete slab on the ground before commencing construction could create a good degree of height for the shed to be built, which will help prevent water from seeping into the shed. 

Install a separate drainage system

Another way to avoid internal water damage in your new shed is to create an independent drainage system around the outside of your shed. This will help to collect any bodies of water and get them funneled away from the shed without getting larger and causing damage to the installation. 

Have reserve options available

In the instance where the flooding is going to be inevitable, it's good to have a system installed to help prevent major damage to your property. Having a cache of sandbags put aside for these situations – especially in flood-prone states – will allow you to take early action and prepare the shed for the brunt of the force. 

While the winter chills may be cutting through to the bone right now, remember summer is just around the corner. The days of warm weather and shining sun are on the horizon. Making the most of the great times ahead can be aided by considering investment in a custom built patio at your home. Become the ultimate entertainment pad by creating a space where long lunches can drift into late night revelry. 

Shed Boss offers a number of different options for those considering this approach. Making the most of your backyard and outdoor opportunities is the name of the game, with a patio offering the ultimate in satisfaction. Giving you the option to shelter yourself from the sun's rays while still feeling the cool summer breeze will make your backyard feel like paradise. 

The custom design means Shed Boss' experts can tailor the project specifically to your needs and property requirements, giving you the last say in customisation and allowing you to create a fantastic accompaniment to your home. Give your family and friends a stylish outdoor entertainment area to enjoy throughout the year, investing in your future as an entertainer in the long term. 

Furthermore, if the day comes when you decide to move on and sell your home, installing a patio is a great way to help increase the value of your overall property. Simply take care of the patio as you would any other part of your home and look forward to a boost in asking price when it comes to putting your real estate up on the market. 

If you're interested in this prospect, get in contact with the team at Shed Boss to discuss the options open to you. Getting construction underway in the coming months means you can have your new patio entertainment-ready for summer in no time!