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Paul and Debbie Zimmerman, like many homeowners in Henderson, Texas, faced an all-too-common dilemma: where to store all their holiday decorations, seasonal items, and other belongings. Their garage attic seemed like the logical solution, but the high ceiling made it a safety hazard, and the sweltering heat threatened to damage their things. It was time for a change, and an outdoor storage shed became the clear solution. The Search for the Perfect Shed Paul envisioned a no-nonsense, functional metal shed to store his tools and equipment reliably. Debbie, however, wanted something that served a purpose and blended seamlessly with their home's style. The search led her to Ulrich Lifestyle, a renowned builder of customized storage sheds. The Ulrich Experience Ulrich Lifestyle's vast selection of shed styles instantly impressed Debbie. She found models that effortlessly matched her home's aesthetic. A visit to our Tyler location changed everything – seeing a Premier shed in person sparked a desire for even more space. Working with building designer Weston Ulrich, Debbie landed on the spacious 12x16 Elite Gardener. Customization was key. Debbie carefully selected paint colors to complement her house, added radiant barrier for Texas's scorching summers and incorporated a ramp for easy access. But the game-changer was the loft – perfect for storing those less-frequently used items. The Transformation With their Ulrich storage shed now in place, the Zimmermans made it their own. Rock skirting provided a barrier against critters, while Paul focused on the interior. He appreciated the shed's construction and excellent insulation, which kept the space comfortable year-round. Debbie was thrilled with the ease of organization. The loft became home to holiday decorations and seasonal storage boxes, while shelves neatly housed the rest. No more dangerous climbs to the garage attic! The Verdict One year later, Paul wholeheartedly declares, "We got exactly what we wanted." The Ulrich shed had transformed their storage situation, making life easier and more organized. Ulrich Lifestyle: Your Storage Solution Partner The Zimmermans' story highlights the difference a truly customized shed can make. Ulrich Lifestyle goes beyond simple storage, understanding that your shed is an extension of your home and lifestyle. Here's what sets us apart: Diverse styles to suit any home: From classic barns and rustic cabins to modern studios and charming cottages, we offer a shed style to complement any aesthetic. Your shed will blend seamlessly into your property, enhancing its overall appeal. Expert design consultations: Our experienced building designers work closely with you to understand your needs. They'll guide you through layout choices, size recommendations, and personalization options to ensure your shed perfectly aligns with your vision. Personalization options:  Whether it's paint colors, upgraded insulation, windows, lofts, shelving, or ramps, Ulrich Lifestyle allows you to tailor your shed. We want your storage solution to be as unique as you are. Quality craftsmanship: Ulrich Lifestyle sheds are built to last. We use high-quality materials, expert construction techniques, and meticulous attention to detail, delivering a structure that withstands the elements and provides years of dependable service. Summer Special: Upgrade Your Shed! Looking to create your storage space? From June 16th to 30th, we are offering up to $1,000 OFF shed upgrades, allowing you to add: Shelving: The key to a tidy, efficient workshop Lofts: Maximize vertical space for less-frequently used items Windows: Transform your shed into a bright, inviting workspace Don't miss this time-limited offer! What Will Your Shed Become? Whether you envision a clutter-free haven, a well-organized workshop, or a cozy getaway space, we can help you realize your vision. Consider what features you want to include in your new shed – the possibilities are endless! Visit our website or a location near you to start designing your dream shed. Let's tackle those storage challenges together!

Sean Salz fell in love with the Kiamichi Mountains near Honobia, Oklahoma. Years of searching found him the perfect vacation property with a gorgeous view of a spring-fed creek, pines, and mountains. Looking for housing, he explored double-wide trailers to RVs. With eighty miles to the nearest construction company, a house built onsite was prohibitively expensive. Then he found Ulrich Cabins online and loved the designs. He toured the Cleburne factory and signed for a 32×44 Moose Creek cabin the same day. With three daughters, Sean needed plenty of bathroom space. The three bedrooms easily sleep eight people. “What was so great about Ulrich is that within 10-12 weeks, we could be onsite with a fully fabricated home,” Sean says. Cabin designer Brian Pokrifcsak gave a projected build time of 14 weeks, but in 11 weeks their vacation cabin was onsite and fully functional. His family has decorated the cabin like an upscale hunting lodge with game trophies and longhorns. They spend about every other weekend at the cabin and go more often in the summer. With friends and extended family, they enjoy trail riding, fishing, hunting, swimming, kayaking, and campfires, getting away from the stress of the city. Sean spent most of the COVID-19 quarantine at the vacation cabin and improving the property. “It is far more beautiful than we expected it to turn out,” he says. “We’ve got a perfect place here.” Every detail of the process was well taken care of with Ulrich Cabins. Sean says, “We’re proud to be part of the Ulrich family.”

Frank and Sharon McEachern are city dwellers who bought 500 acres in rural Paradise, TX for weekend getaways. They loved hiking and exploring, but they couldn’t host family and friends in their little “shack.” Fast forward 12 years, and the McEacherns started looking for a way to build a spacious cabin. They didn’t want to hire a traditional general contractor who would build on site, since they couldn’t be out at the property enough to ensure that the building would be built to their satisfaction. They started looking for a cabin builder who could deliver the assembled cabin to the property, already built. Sharon researched extensively, even visiting a company in Tennessee. But no one could deliver a ready-built cabin with the size the McEacherns needed. Sharon wanted three bedrooms, a spacious dining room for a large table, and a play space for the grandkids. With the help of Ulrich Cabin Design Consultant Tonya Johnson, Sharon was able to check all the boxes. We delivered the cabin to the site in two sections, and then connected them together in position. We built the porch on site after the cabin was in place. The final result was a 32×62 ft mega cabin with a full length, extra wide porch. High ceilings and a large, open concept design make for a wonderfully spacious living area. The McEacherns spend most weekends and holidays at the cabin. Sharon especially loves the view from the porch, looking out across their private lake. Sharon describes the Ulrich culture as having “A real service mentality, which I greatly respect.” Sharon loves the quality of her cabin. “It’s way above average,“ she says. “I would recommend it to my son, my daughter, you know — people you tell the truth to.”

The Pros and Cons of a Wood vs. Vinyl Pavilion You may have heard the news with our most recent pavilion blog post, but it seems pavilions everywhere have been receiving upgrades from the ‘Parks and Recreation’ variety to elegant structures that grace resorts, backyards, and businesses. Raccoons and deer still like to rub shoulders with pavilions, but since the update it’s common to see this type of building consorting with pools and homes as well. Pavilions are now the sophisticated choice equal to gazebos and pergolas, and it’s become a popular choice. You may have already decided that the pavilion is the answer for you, but just in case you’re not positive, check out our overview of the different kinds of open air buildings. What is a Pergola? What is a Pavilion? What is a Gazebo? Still want a pavilion, but not sure about whether to consider wood or vinyl? Welcome to the pros and cons of wood vs. vinyl pavilions. Below we’ve highlighted the main points to find answers quickly. Skim the pros and cons of wood vs. vinyl pavilions Will a wood or vinyl pavilion last longer? What is the maintenance schedule for wood vs. vinyl pavilion? Could the vinyl on a pavilion crack or blow off in the wind? How long will paint on a pavilion last? Will it crack or chip? Design & Style: making the choice for a wood vs. vinyl pavilion. Will a wood or vinyl pavilion last longer? It depends on the quality of the building purchased, but you should gain approximately a lifetime of use with either material. Vinyl has the pro of requiring less major maintenance, but running the chance of becoming brittle with age, or being more easily damaged by a stray rock rock thrown up by a mower. Wood can hold out against those stray rocks a little more, and even with a bit of a beating, keeps that desirable distressed look. The con for wood is that it will need a major refinish every several years, making it a bigger item on the to-do list. Takeaway: both have a lifetime of use with good maintenance, the decision is in which kind of maintenance will fit your lifestyle and schedule. What is the maintenance schedule for a wood vs. vinyl pavilion? As we mentioned vinyl takes less major care, with only a good power washing needed every 1-3 years. If this seems often to you, it may help to know this is advice tailored for locations where higher temps and humidity grow less-than-ideal amounts of mold. For example, a swampy location may need more upkeep than a dryer place set up higher. Wood is the higher maintenance material in this wood vs. vinyl relationship, but even so won’t need it often if high-quality wood and paint is used to construct the pavilion. Choosing a manufacturer that prioritizes excellent building materials may cost a little more at the outset, but will get you more return when the building lasts about 7-10 years between refinishes. Takeaway: Which maintenance schedule works for you? Do you prefer a large project less often, or periodic maintenance every 1-3 years? Could the vinyl on a pavilion crack or blow off in the wind? Vinyl is a resilient material when it is still new and only becomes more brittle with age. Even when it is older it isn’t likely to blow off in wind when installed well, though an extreme storm might damage it.  We recommend going with a manufacturer that uses the best materials for pavilions. The cost may be a little higher at first, but a quality pavilion will benefit you for much longer than an average building would. With the experience Ulrich has gained constructing pavilions, we know firsthand that when top-quality materials are selected and buildings are built with strength and durability in mind, they go easier on a bank account or schedule for the long run. How long will paint on a pavilion last? Will it crack or chip? The secret to a long-lasting building is not just in the paint, but in the heart of it, the wood. A superior wood on a pavilion compared to a pavilion built with subpar wood shows a lifetime of difference; because of this we use pressure-treated southern yellow pine on Ulrich’s pavilions for its highly moisture and rot resistant properties. Of course when one begins well, one must keep it up well with a regular schedule for upkeep, mentioned under question 2. Takeaway: we find that using the cheaper product simply won’t hold out for a lifetime use of a pavilion that has to stand up to the elements. Design & Style: making the choice for a wood vs. vinyl gazebo? This one is often considered the most confusing question, but it is actually quite straightforward. Just ask yourself these key questions: What is the current siding material on my home or business property? What is the main color scheme? Which style is going to look best: traditional, contemporary, modern, or classic? As always, Pinterest is fantastic place to start for great ideas and style inspirations. Don’t forget to create your own styleboard to figure out whether wood or vinyl will be the start to your dream pavilion. We congratulate you, and if you need extra assistance with options or questions about what works for your property, click here to contact us. Come on over, and happy shopping! Photo Credit: Park Pavilion courtesy of https://www.ofallon.mo.us/

It’s been 20 years since Marvin Baxter first started dreaming about having his own garage. We’re not talking about a traditional attached garage, jammed with Christmas decorations and dusty exercise equipment. No, we’re talking about a real man garage. Marvin wasn’t completely sure whether he was financially ready for his man garage, but he started checking out his options. We were able to put Marvin in touch with one of our recommended lenders. Marvin was delighted to find that he could take out a loan that would combine both his dream garage and his mortgage. The lender agreed to match the low interest rate Marvin had on his existing mortgage. Marvin chose the 26 x 40 ft Ulrich Two Story Carriage House with a custom 8 ft lean to. On the first floor, Marvin has enough space to park his truck, Mustang, and Harley. In one corner he has a full bathroom with a shower, in case he gets coated with grease while restoring an old car or motorcycle. He already has a car lift installed, and he hopes to add a motorcycle lift later. After Marvin retires, the upstairs area will be a woodworking shop. For now, it’s his home office. Marvin recently insulated his building with spray foam. As a result, he’s been able to keep the 950 sq ft upstairs area pretty comfortable with just a small electric heater. Marvin enjoyed working with Ulrich Garages, from the first visit at our headquarters all the way through to completion. “I would recommend Ulrich to anybody,” he says.

It’s one of the fun parts of what we do—getting to see the many different uses our clients find for our buildings. In rural rolling farmland, thousands of acres of crops stretch out as far as you can see. If you’d stand on the top of one particular hill, you’d see the bright silvery glint of massive grain bins, standing in a straight line. Beside and in front of them, large metal ag buildings hold the equipment and machinery needed to tend 6000 acres of farmland. Kay Cannon is an owner of Cannon Venture, a crop farm. She recently built a new home less than a mile from the farm’s base of operations. When she thought about moving the Christmas decorations and other storage items from her prior home, however, she didn’t like the idea of moving all that stuff into her new home. Instead, she decided to purchase a storage building and put it on the farm. Kay’s son Chris, who co-owns the farm, is a past Ulrich customer. So when Kay needed a storage building, Chris and Kay visited the Ulrich store where an Ulrich sales consultant, explained the different models. Kay decided on a 12×28 Premier Portable Ulrich Garage. With green as the base color and tan as the trim color, it fits in well with the green and tan of the other farm buildings. The garage door and oversized ramp will make it easy to get bulky items in and out of the building. I accompanied our driver Nathan and delivery assistant Burl on delivery day. The farm was about an hour’s drive from our factory. The special trailer and forklift make unloading and positioning of the building quick and easy, but there’s still quite a bit of hard work involved in leveling the building on concrete blocks. Beads of perspiration formed quickly as Burl and Nathan positioned blocks under the building’s heavy-duty floor beams. Before leaving, they set up the ramp and checked the walk door to make sure it was working correctly. From the road, you’d have to look closely over the acres of corn to spot Kay’s new Ulrich garage. The glint of the sun off of its bright galvalume steel roof might be all that you could see. Nestled close to one of the large ag buildings and sporting a similar color, it blends in well. For Kay, this will allow her to keep her storage items close to home without needing to take up any space in the backyard or obstructing her view of the cropland.

When C. B. Leos retired, he moved to a 175-acre ranch to raise crops, Black Angus cattle, and a few longhorns for looks. The Leoses love the outdoors and wanted a cabin retreat to enjoy time outdoors with family. In a secluded area among giant live oaks, they cleared a spot overlooking a stock tank filled with catfish and brim. Then they shopped for a cabin shell to finish in a rustic style and as wide as could be manufactured. C. B. says, “Ulrich Barn Builders had quality buildings, good service, friendly people. We looked into the way their buildings were made and we decided that’s the building we wanted.” The Ulrich sales associate guided the Leoses in choosing a 16×32 Pro Lofted Cabin Shell. C.B. was happily surprised that Ulrich beat their projected delivery date by almost two weeks. “My experience with Ulrich has been super. Everything has been done in a timely manner and in a very courteous, non-pushy atmosphere,” he says. When the cabin arrived, C. B. measured the interior. He was impressed by how precisely square it was, even after its 80-mile ride down the highway and across pastures to its destination. Below the chair rail and on the ceiling, the Leoses used rustic tin from an old hunting cabin on their property, with wood from the old cabin to line the top part of the walls. They wired the cabin to a generator and hung antlers over the porch. When the grandchildren come for the night, they enjoy hearing coyotes and foxes barking, watching wildlife, and eating outdoors. Their Ulrich cabin is filling with memories as the whole Leos family enjoys the outdoors—and each other—there.

After Richard Wright and his wife purchased a home, they needed a garage for their cars, as well as additional storage space. In Richard’s case, however, it’s not just any old car. Richard restores and races classic Jaguars. When Richard looked online for a company to build his garage, he was impressed by Ulrich’s five-star reviews. He worked with Ulrich Sales Consultant Dustin Young and Construction Manager Brian Seaman to design a three-car garage that would match his home. Richard liked the 2 Story Carriage House model. The second story loft is a spacious, open area for storage. While we typically don’t install windows on the front side of the loft, we customized his building to include a total of eight large windows, letting in lots of light and allowing nearly 360-degree views of the property. Richard’s house is a ranch style home, so Richard deliberately positioned the garage to show above the roofline of his home from the street, adding visual interest. Richard has enjoyed working with the Ulrich staff. “Everybody’s friendly — everybody’s got a smile,” he says. “Just a great bunch of people to do business with. I would certainly do this again.”

When Jim and Jodie Sands inherited a 140-acre deer ranch in Fredricksburg, Texas, from Jodie’s father, they searched for a cozy cabin or house to put on the land. Finding a contractor was difficult and costly. The Ulrich Cabins website impressed Jim with their easily customizable designs. He knew if Jodie toured the factory, she would see an Ulrich cabin was the perfect fit. They designed their cozy cabin the day of the tour. Doing “the design work within an afternoon was pretty amazing,” Jodie says. They chose a 16×48 Homestead cabin with a vaulted ceiling and many windows to make it feel spacious. For the cabin site, the Sands chose the side of a hill so they could enjoy the view. The Ulrich team was well able to handle the tall pier system the hill required. The delivery was a jovial family event, despite slogging through a muddy pasture. Jodie loved that having the cabin built indoors meant it stayed clean and free from spiders and creatures. At delivery, it was move-in ready. An added courtyard provides a windbreak and keeps their dog contained and safe from wildlife. Jim comes out weekly to care for the deer. “The coziness of this cabin makes me feel like I could live here permanently,” he says. For Jodie, their Ulrich cabin is “cute as a button. It’s a really happy place.” Now the Sands enjoy more quality time together, and childhood friends and extended family love to visit the ranch. Working with Ulrich, Jim says, “We got our quality cabin that we dreamed about.”

When Carolyn Tandy moved to her home in Cleburne, Texas, her backyard was a blank slate. She needed a garden shed for the gardening equipment she would use to create the beautiful, fruitful space she dreamed of. When Ulrich Barns was recommended to Carolyn by a landscaping service she visited the retail store at Cleburne.  She liked the buildings she saw and the warm Ulrich welcome.  “Everybody was very easy to talk to, pleasant, accommodating, timely, and organized.” Carolyn says. Carolyn wanted a certain size and look for her garden shed. Design consultants at Ulrich helped her look at various models. When they found the 8×12 Garden Cottage shed, “it was the perfect size. It had the look that I liked,” Carolyn says, with its cream and brown exterior, carriage doors, shutters, and window box. After the shed was delivered, Carolyn installed a work bench and peg board to organize her tools and supplies. She had wood skirting added, as well as a curving flagstone path leading to the double doors. With vines in the window box and a sign over the door, she calls it her she shed. Two years later her backyard has fourteen fruit trees and five garden boxes. She added shrubs, flower beds, and a magnolia tree. Carolyn loves harvesting the wholesome fruits and vegetables grown in her own backyard. With her Ulrich garden shed nestled in its corner, her barren backyard has gone from a blank slate to a gardener’s dream come true.

Brian Macomber’s garage in Fort Worth, Texas was overflowing. He needed a storage shed and was inspired by a guard shack on his commute. He wanted a custom shed that looked like a rustic stone building in Europe. Because he already had a concrete slab in place, Brian needed a shed to fit the slab. He turned to Ulrich Barns for a uniquely customized shed, starting with a 10×14 Elite Craftsman. The Ulrich team built it without siding to allow Brian to cap it with stone later. He had a hundred-year-old door, period windows, and an arched window he wanted to use, and Ulrich carefully worked those features into the shed design. After his custom shed was built, Brian used Oklahoma flagstone to finish the exterior. With his dad’s advice, he angled the building so it is integrated into the landscape around his pool, with a view out over the water. While he uses the shed only for storage, it could be finished out as a cabana. Eventually Brian plans to add an open, cedar dormer to protect the antique door. He’ll be adding wiring and cabinets as well. “I enjoy the look, that it ties in with the pool,” Brian says. It’s “not just a building stuck in the corner.” The concrete slab had waited for a number of years, and Brian’s heavy work schedule was keeping him from building a shed. Without Ulrich, he says, “I don’t think I would even have the building up now if I didn’t have them go ahead and give me the structure that I needed to do the stone and continue with the project.”

John and Kristen Colvin were shopping for a backyard building last summer. At the time, they had recently moved and were looking for a potting shed. Kristen has a knack for growing exotic plants, so she needed a place to keep her potting supplies, as well as a place to put her tender plants during the winter. The Colvins wanted a potting shed that would truly be an asset to their home. They chose a cabin shell because they wanted their potting shed to have a cottage feel to it. Their home already had some cedar accents, so the cedar lap siding was an easy choice. With the help of their Ulrich sales consultant, they designed the interior to include a workbench, shelving, and pegboard. Here’s the shed at Ulrich headquarters before delivery. The Colvins did a tremendous of job of showcasing their potting shed. Notice the stone steps and skirting, as well as plants that are properly scaled to the size of the potting shed. “A lot of our guests call it the Hobbit House,” says Kristen. In addition to blocking the street, they wanted the potting shed to feel like it was in a forest. On a scale of ‘1-10’, the Colvins rated the Ulrich experience as ‘10’. “Your company made it so easy,” says Kristen. In choosing a shed, they liked the large selection of models to choose from, as well as the ability to customize the layout. On the day of delivery, wet ground conditions made delivery very difficult. The Colvins were impressed with the Ulrich driver’s persistence and accuracy. “He was awesome,” says John. The Colvins have been recommending Ulrich to their friends. Thank you, John and Kristen, for letting us share your story!