Finding the Right On-Site Storage for Landscaping Equipment and Supplies

Finding the Right On-Site Storage for Landscaping Equipment and Supplies
October 30, 2020

Whether you run your own landscaping business full-time or you just mow a few lawns on the side, a place to store your landscaping equipment and supplies is a must.
Properly storing landscaping equipment is as critical as correctly maintaining it to keeping your operation running smoothly. Landscaping equipment storage is a year-round issue and keeping it safe while it’s being stored is even more challenging.
For business owners who work out of their homes, there’s an additional hurdle that comes with the storage of landscaping equipment. Keeping trucks, trailers, and mulch piles out in the open on your property can lead to complaints from neighbors. At the same time, the monthly cost to rent an offsite garage or space at a storage facility can add up and cut into your profits.
Both fabric and metal storage buildings are perfect solutions for landscaping equipment storage. Not only are they an affordable investment for your business, these outdoor storage buildings are great for keeping all your landscaping equipment organized and out of your neighbors’ sight.

What is a Fabric Storage Building?


A fabric storage building is meant to be temporary or semi-permanent and does not have a foundation. There are a few ways that temporary fabric buildings differ from permanent structures. For example, while a permanent building would normally consist of bricks, concrete, and lumber, a fabric building typically uses lighter-weight materials. Fabric buildings have sturdy steel frames durable polyester or PVC tarp covers.
Fabric buildings may be temporary, portable shelters are built to last. Some fabric buildings are even wind and snow load rated*, which means they are ready to take on tough weather. Also, while they should always be anchored for safety’s sake**, fabric buildings do not need to be built atop a concrete slab or a wall foundation.
Often, since they are considered temporary buildings, fabric buildings don’t require zoning permits or need to meet certain local building codes***. These structures provide heavy-duty protection, storage space, and more for a wide range of landscaping equipment storage needs.

ShelterTube

FRAME MATERIAL: 2 in. 15-gauge industrial grade square tube frame with black premium powder coat finish

COVER WEIGHT: Standard (9 oz.), Heavy Duty (14.5 oz.), or Ultra Duty (21.5 oz.)

ROOF STYLES: Peak

SIZE RANGE: The 12 ft. wide shelters can be ordered up to 100 ft. long.

ShelterCoat

FRAME MATERIAL: Constructed of heavy duty 1-5/8 in. diameter steel with a premium powder coat finish.

COVER WEIGHT: Standard (9 oz.), Heavy Duty (14.5 oz.), or Ultra Duty (21.5 oz.)

ROOF STYLES: Peak, Round, or Barn

SIZE RANGE: From 10 ft. to 28 ft. wide and from 8 ft. to 100 ft. long.

ShelterTech

FRAME MATERIAL: Made with top-quality steel that undergoes a hot dipped galvanization process.

COVER WEIGHT: Heavy Duty (14.5 oz.), or Ultra Duty (21.5 oz.)

ROOF STYLES: Peak, Round, or Barn

SIZE RANGE: From 12 ft. to 30 ft. wide and from 20 ft. to 100 ft. long.




What is a Metal Storage Building?



A metal storage building is a completely enclosed structure with walls, roofing, and a doorway or entrance. Most metal storage buildings can be classified as sheds or garages: you enter a shed by either a sliding or swing door, while a garage has a roll-up door in the front and a sliding or swing door on the side.

Metal storage buildings have galvanized steel frames, trusses, walls, and roofs. The steel used to make most metal buildings is treated to resist rust and corrosion, and the outer walls are usually finished with a scratch-resistant paint. Metal storage buildings are excellent for year-round storage of landscaping equipment.

Unlike fabric storage buildings, metal storage buildings are designed to stay put. They can be anchored to a concrete slab or to a cinderblock foundation. Since they are designed to be permanent structures, you may need to seek zoning permits and building permits before you erect one***.

Arrow Elite Steel Storage Shed

SIZE: 8 ft. x 6 ft.

ACCESS: Double Swing Doors

HEIGHT: 8 ft.

MATERIAL: PermaPlate Steel

Oakbrook Steel Storage Shed

SIZE: 10 ft. x 14 ft.

ACCESS: Sliding Front Doors

HEIGHT: 7 ft.

MATERIAL: Galvanized Steel

Murryhill Steel Storag Building

SIZE: Varying widths from 12 ft. or 14 ft.; varying lengths from 10 ft. to 31 ft.

ACCESS: Sliding side doors and an extra-wide roll-up front door

HEIGHT: 9.5 ft.

MATERIAL: Steel

Everest Steel Garage

SIZE: 12 ft. wide; varying lengths from 10 ft. to 100 ft.

ACCESS: Side entry swing door and a front entry roll-up door

HEIGHT: 10 ft.

MATERIAL: Galvalume Steel

How do Sheds and Garages Differ?


Garages and storage sheds are similar types of structures. Both are outdoor storage buildings that landscapers can use to store equipment. However, garages and storage sheds are not one size fits all solutions. Also, while these outdoor storage units serve different purposes, they have features that are similar.
Metal and fabric sheds are small buildings used for storage and are usually positioned in a backyard or side yard of a residential property. Storage sheds can be used to store lawn mowers and landscaping equipment, as well as other tools of the trade that need protection from the elements.
In general, a metal storage shed has one or two pad-lockable front doors that either slide open or swing open to provide access to your landscaping equipment. A fabric storage shed usually has a zippered front door panel.
Metal and fabric garages can also be used to store a variety of landscaping equipment. However, they are also larger structures that are additionally designed to store landscaping trucks and trailers.
Like a tarp shed, fabric garages have a zippered front door. Some tarp garages also include a zippered back door for easy drive-through capability. A metal garage has a traditional roll-up front door for vehicle access, and a secured rear door for easy access to stored items.
Garages generally offer more headroom, which makes it easier to move around and stack items than you can in a shed. It’s also easier to back a trailer or a ride-on mower into a garage than you can most sheds.

Which Building is Best for Your Business’s Landscaping Equipment Needs?


Now that you know how fabric storage buildings and metal storage buildings are different from each other, you’ll want to know which type best fits your needs. The biggest things to consider are the size of your property, the scope of your business, and the type of landscaping equipment you need to store.

Storage for the Side Hustle


If you’re doing landscaping as a side hustle, then your backyard storage needs may be low. You could probably keep your mowers, trimmers, and other landscaping equipment in an outside storage shed, and protect your trailer from the elements in a portable garage.
But what sort of outdoor storage sheds would work best for your backyard aesthetic? If you live in neighborhood with an HOA, you may want a metal shed like one from Arrow Storage Products that will blend in with your house.
If neighbors are not a factor, then a backyard storage shed like a tarp shed is an excellent choice for protecting your landscaping equipment. Also, temporary garages like ShelterLogic garages are tremendous for storing vehicles and larger equipment such as trailers, and snowplows on your property.

Storage for the Career Landscaper


If you’re made landscaping your full-time livelihood and have numerous accounts, then you need even more heavy-duty portable garages and storage sheds for your backyard or business property.
A commercial storage unit such as the ShelterTech SP Series building can be configured to store all your landscaping equipment, trailers, and trucks under one roof. Depending on how you set it up, there may even be room to include an office area or break area inside.
A metal storage building like the SOJAG Everest steel garage is great for sheltering off-season equipment. Metal garages are also great for trucks and other equipment that you need daily access too.
In addition, portable garages make great shelters for landscaping supplies such as mulch, paving stones, gravel, and road salt for plowing. When mounted atop a concrete or cinder block foundation, a tarp garage can be used to keep these supplies dry and safely stored. Just back your truck up to the covered bay and load up on the landscaping supplies you need for the job.

Choose the Landscape Equipment Storage Solution That’s Best for You


Now you’ve learned the differences between fabric and metal storage buildings and sheds and garages. Which means you’re well on your way to choosing the right structure for your landscaping equipment storage needs.
Whether you own an extremely busy landscaping firm, or you just do a few lawns on the side, the purchase of a storage structure can be an expensive investment. However, it’s not something that has to be paid-in-full before you set it up on your property.
To learn more about fabric and metal storage buildings and see what options ShelterLogic Group has to offer, please click the button below.
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* Wind and snow loads given are for reference only and assume a securely anchored frame according to local building codes and ordinances. These have been calculated using combined snow and wind load provisions in accordance with ASCE 7-05. These calculations are based on an unoccupied, fully enclosed building. Local building code requirements vary by location; conformance to local codes is the responsibility of the purchaser. Also, Sheltertech SP Series need to be anchored properly for the wind and snow load rating to be valid. ** We always recommend a properly anchored structure. Please reference your manual for anchoring best practices or check out our anchor guide. *** Before you buy a fabric building or a metal building, we recommend you check with your local zoning department to see if you need a permit or other permissions to erect one on your property.
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