Instant garages

[Bob_VT]

Is anyone using instant garages? I have been considering a double wide one from northerntool. Any opinions?

Thanks!

 

[JB]

Re: Instant garages

Do you mean those canvas over a frame things, Bob?

I have seen three destroyed by routine thunderstorms and never saw one survive a severe storm. Folks around here wont touch them anymore in favor of carport type shelters.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Instant garages

Yup. I have seen some here in VT and what we do not get in thunderstorms, we get in snow. I was considering a cheap metal carport too but I am in my doing my "homework" stage.

 

[Chief101]

Re: Instant garages

I use oneup about every other year.

 

[rottenray6402]

Re: Instant garages

HI Bob,I think there was a thread on here last fall about them. If I remember right no one endorsed the cheap ones and even the expensive ones would cave in under snow load unless you got the snow off right away. I haven't had any personal experience with them but the ones from Tractor Supply look to be better quality that Northerns.

 

[Ron G]

Re: Instant garages

Dad bought a metel garage 30x40 with a 6"concrete pad and insulated for 10,000 everthing included.i couldnt build a wood one for that.

 

[tommays]

Re: Instant garages

The ones that look like QUONSET HUTS do Ok down here with wind and rain BUT neeed the snow cleaned pretty quick

The base fabic is good about 1 year to 18 months then they leak in the rain

Buy the time you get to the sunbrella fabric you may as well build a real shed


Tommays

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Instant garages

Hey Ray FYI Tractor Supply (was there today) sells the same exact brand (shelter logic) as Northern tool. Northern still had better prices.

 

[Link]

Re: Instant garages

Hey Bob
I named myself the King of tarps..
I have two and they are comming down this summer.
Have went through one tarp on each every year.

Plus the instant garage (northern tool) you cant buy replacement canvas. They make you buy the whole thing again.

I just bought silver tarps and they work for a season

At worst I'm looking into is using panels from Lowes to screw on.
Since 98 Ive have paid far more in tarps than I would have spent on a metal one.

my .02

 

[JustMrWill]

Re: Instant garages

I have the single (not rated for snow) one from BJ's. I got spare canvas from a co-worker who had bought one and didn't secure it down (I got it free after fishing it from his neighbors pool..seems they make GREAT kites!). My canvas is about shot and will be replacing with fiberglass roof sheets (you know..like the ones you see on sheds/shacks etc). I am constantly draining off the rain and I had to rig up some cross supports (2" pvc pipe) to help the water/snow not to pool and collapse it. All in all...it has lasted almost 3 years...it is on it's last legs..but it was worth the $179 dollars I spent.

I would recommend it if you are looking for a cheap short term shelter...if this is going to be a permenant structure...build a car-port or better.

-JMW

 

[JustMrWill]

Re: Instant garages

Oh..almost forgot...you chan click on my project link and see some pictures with it in them...the frame is "pretty strong"..it is what was holding up the top deck for the boat in the later pictures.

-JMW

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Instant garages

I have changed my direction after reading a bit. I have decided to get a steel building and enclose 3 sides. This will outlast any tarp and it takes the snow loads. I can even get a color to match ot compliment the house. I figure abot a 18-20 wide x 26 deep will do the trick and leave the floor as crushed gravel. Gravel floors don't crack or heave with the frost.

 

[CN Spots]

Re: Instant garages

I've got an 18x21 steel carport that I paid $800 for. I added the sides myself as having them do it would have raised the price A LOT. The initial price is a bargin but they get you with the extras. A bunch of boys from waaay down South put that thing up in less than 30 minutes! It'd have taken me a week.

The anchoring system they use is pretty lame (piece of rebar hammered into the ground) so you'll want to improve on that if you don't build it on a slab.

This was one of the few things that I've spent a bunch of money on that I didn't feel sick about later.8)

spots

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Instant garages

Yes, I have been informed that the workers are very fluent in spanish and they work fast!

 

[CN Spots]

Re: Instant garages

8)