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“It’s the most wonderful time of the year.” How often do you find yourself singing those words? Probably a lot, until it’s time to UNdecorate and put away all the trimmings. Understanding how to store Christmas lights and decorations properly saves your sanity in the seasons to come. To ensure a happier holiday for next year, put away this years’ decorations with care. If you need help, here are a few ideas that will guarantee every holiday season is jolly and bright. Where to Store Christmas Decorations Where you store your Christmas decorations depends upon the space available in your home. If you have a spare room or closet, that space is ideal. But everyone isn’t so fortunate. Let’s look at the pros and cons of a few other spaces. Outdoor Storage Building—Stashing seasonal items in your backyard shed is a great idea. If you live in a modest-sized home, it gets them out of the way while not in use. However, remember to package your decorations securely (as listed below) and away from things that may spoil them, like the odor of gasoline from lawn equipment. Also, remember your outdoor storage shed isn’t climate controlled so avoid keeping items like candles there. The Attic—If you have a good-sized attic, this is the second best choice for storage. Attics are dry and seldom disturbed. No chances of your box of ornaments getting knocked over while the kids get their bikes out. However, like the outdoor shed, remember the attic gets hot in the summer and is the wrong place to store items that will melt. The Basement—Last on the list is the basement. Unless you have a climate-controlled, finished space, the basement isn’t the ideal place for storing things of value. Basements tend to be humid, which can cause mold and mildew on your belongings. If the basement is your only option, package everything in airtight containers, not cardboard boxes. How to Store Christmas Lights Winding your lights around something as you take them off the tree, keeps them from becoming a tangled heap in the bottom of a box. Before you begin, dispose of any damaged light strings or those not working properly as they pose a fire hazard. Then, before removing them from the tree, replace any burned out bulbs with new ones. Coffee Can—Cut a slit in the lid of an empty, washed coffee can. Insert the plug end of the light strand into the slit and place it on the can. Then, simply wind the lights around the can. When you get to the end, secure by tucking it back under or secure with a large rubber band. Cardboard Tube—If your wrapping tubes are sturdy enough, use them to wrap up your lights. Cut a slit at each end of the tube to secure the ends of the strand. Only wrap one strand of lights per tube to keep them from tangling. Clothes Hanger—For shorter strands of lights use a plastic clothes hanger. Twist tie the plug end of the strand to the hanger. Then, wrap the lights around from top to bottom on both sides of the hook. When you reach the end of the strand, secure it with another twist tie. Zip-Shut Bags—Wind your lights around your forearm. While holding the end of the strand in your hand, wrap it around your elbow and back up into your hand. Continue to the end of the string. Secure the resulting bundle in three places with twist ties. Place the bundle in a clear zip-shut bag and label. Special Storage for Your Christmas Ornaments Tree trimmings have a way of jumbling into a mess once confined to storage. With a little extra care at take-down, you will have a more joyous time trimming the tree next year. When possible, use clear containers. Then you can see at a glance what you’re looking for. You know those plastic boxes lettuce or produce comes in? They make great clear containers for ornaments. Store strings of beads in water bottles. Tape the end of the string to the lid to make extracting them easier. Many families have Christmas tree ornaments they cherish. Baby’s First Christmas, Christmas in Paris, or Junior’s handprint in plaster, are a few. To avoid ornaments getting crushed, scratched, or chipped, use boxes with dividers or wrap them individually before packing. Use something soft like old hosiery, socks, paper towels, or plastic grocery bags. How to Store Miscellaneous Christmas Items A clear garment bag is a perfect size for storing rolls of wrapping paper. If you keep wrapping for other occasions like birthdays or showers, hang the bag in the back of your coat closet for easy access all year long. Hang wreaths on a coat hanger, cover with a clear dry cleaner bag, and hang on the rafters of your attic or storage building. Artificial trees tend to get dirty and rumpled when not stored properly. An easy way to keep an artificial tree fresh year after year is to shrink-wrap it. Using heavy-duty plastic wrap found in any grocery store, wrap the tree from top to bottom (with limbs removed and stored separately or folded in, of course). When it’s time to unwrap next year, simply cut a slit up the wrapping with scissors or a sharp knife and it falls right off. Store taper candles wrapped in tissue paper in a paper towel roll laying flat. Always keep them in a climate controlled environment to prevent melting in the summer heat. Save yourself time next year by thoroughly labeling everything. From the boxes full of ornaments to the light strings, put a label on it. Labels make everything easier to find and easier to assemble when the most wonderful time of the year rolls around again. If you have storage needs, contact an Ulrich Lifestyle storage professional. Whether Christmas ornaments or lawn ornaments, they have the storage solutions you seek.

Just when your outdoor storage shed arrives from the manufacturer, the unthinkable happens. A tropical storm comes through and dumps a boatload of rain on the area. Rainwater rushes downhill and through dale and into your new shed. How did this happen? If you don’t want your shed damaged, and your belongings ruined, from water damage, consider a few things before you set the building. Knowing the lay of your land, and thoroughly questioning the storage shed manufacturer’s sales professional, will arm you with the information you need to prevent becoming a flooding statistic. Storage shed location Avoid setting your shed where runoff will occur or in close proximity to bodies of water. If you set your outdoor storage building at the bottom of a hill, you can count on rainwater running down the hill and into your building. Ponds and small streams will flood during times of heavy rain. If you haven’t owned the property long enough to know, ask your neighbors how high they’ve seen the water rise. Sometimes placement requires a little extra level of protection, like installing a drainage system. If your property offers no level ground, consider laying drain pipes to channel the water away from any structure prone to flooding or water damage. A solid storage shed foundation When your property is prone to flooding, you not only want your foundation solid enough to prevent sinking but elevated enough to allow flood waters passage under your shed. Note, I said passage, not collecting. Water collecting under your storage building can cause another set of problems like mold and mosquitoes. So, making sure the ground under the shed is level, with no low spots, is important. When the manufacturer provides delivery and set-up of the building, ask what that means. If the foundation they include doesn’t elevate the building enough to keep it free from water damage, and provide enough air circulation to keep it dry, you may need to construct your own. Get what you pay for Many shed manufacturers advertise pressure treated flooring. It’s up to you to find out if that claim covers the skirting around the edge of the building, where you can see, or all the floor joists, which you cannot see. Treated lumber is made to withstand rot from water damage. All the floor joists in your outdoor building should be made from pressure treated lumber. Have added protection As an added protection, paint your storage shed with high-quality paint. At Ulrich Lifestyle, we use Sherwin Williams Duration®. This exterior acrylic latex protects your storage shed against the elements, whether cold, hot, or humid. It resists fading and peeling and provides a mildew-resistant coating. Wherever the water comes from Maybe the storm isn’t coming your way. But you still want to eliminate water damage from other sources. Lawn sprinklers, faulty guttering and downspouts, and improperly sealed windows and doors can all lead to water damage on your outdoor building. To protect it, and the valuables inside, make sure that none of these things are allowing water to touch your building. If you still have questions about protecting your shed from water damage, an Ulrich Lifestyle installation professional will be happy to speak with you.

I remember as a young married couple with four youngsters our garage was stuffed. We lived in what we thought would be our starter home with more children than we had planned. Not only was our home too small, we saved too many things. Can you relate? I know that in our case, something had to be done. If you, too, want to know how to organize the garage, let’s look at how it got that way in the first place. Why is my Garage so full? Before tackling the problem of an overstuffed garage, think about how it got that way in the first place. If yours is so full of things that you have only a narrow path to navigate to reach the washer and dryer in the back, it could be from one or a combination of the following: Your home is too small You have too many things You are disorganized Deciding what caused the problem in the first place takes some soul searching on your part and some conversations with family members. Home size, holding onto possessions, and organizational skills can be emotional topics to discuss. Everyone has their own opinions and points of view, so you may have to tread lightly here. Your home is too small When shopping for a new home, my husband and I were shocked to hear an elderly homeowner say that he raised seven children in the small, two-bedroom house we were looking at. On the other hand, we knew a family with 8 children that built a 10-bedroom home so each child could have his own space and dad could have a home office. Deciding how much space is right for your family is a personal decision. Just keep in mind that with every family member you add comes more belongings. You have too many things You don’t have to embrace a minimalist lifestyle to realize you have too many possessions. If your home is overrun with things, ask yourself a few questions: Are these old, outdated, or broken things? Do I have duplicates? Do my possessions bring me joy? Are these things that i use? Is this something I need? A flashlight that never works right or cassette tapes with nothing to play them on. A broken iron on the shelf over the washer. A 30-cup coffee pot covered in dust. Three pairs of gardening sneakers or 12 pie plates. A treadmill buried under boxes. These are all examples of things that are outdated, broken, duplicates, unused or not needed. Having them doesn’t make us hoarders. It just means we haven’t taken the time to take stock of what we have and organize your garage. You are disorganized If you’ve decided your home is the perfect size and you really don’t have excess possessions, then it’s time to organize your stuff. Most folks think they can’t effectively organize things because they were born messies. But according to Nealey Stapleton, a professional organizer from northern Virginia and owner of The Organizing Boutique, “Organization is a skill everyone can learn.” The trouble with a garage is that they are out-of-sight, out-of-mind for some folk, making them the perfect place to dump. “No one can see it,” said Jeremy Blachman, a New York writer. “So, it’s low on the list of priorities.” But if you want to park your car in there, or use the space for another big project, the clutter’s got to go. How to declutter your garage Have you heard the question, “How do you eat an elephant?” The answer is one bite at a time. The same is true with any project that overwhelms. The FlyLady, Marla Cilley, professional organizer and decluttering expert says, “You can do anything for 15 minutes.” In her program, she teaches her “flybabies” to tackle large projects in 15-minute intervals. Keep that in mind as we go through the following eight steps to a clutter-free garage. 8 Steps to a Clutter-Free Garage Plan. The first step to a clutter-free garage is to plan what you want to do with your space. Do you really want to park your car in there? Great! That’s what it was designed for. But maybe you want the space to create a gym with treadmill and weight bench. Or, like the McLoughlins of Missouri, to build a canoe. “My boys got a boat kit over the winter as it was their dream to build a canoe for our pond,” said Kerrie McLoughlin, homeschooling mom of five. McLoughlin and her husband gladly exchange garage space for their vehicles to provide this learning opportunity for their sons. Maybe, like Janice Cline of New York, you need the space for your lawn equipment and snow blower. “We have a mower, weed eater, snow blower, leaf blower, and power washer out there,” said Cline. “Having an outdoor storage building to put all that in would be delightful, but in the meantime, it’s got to go in the garage.” Whatever your reasons for getting the garage cleaned out, it helps to start with a plan. Be realistic. While the FlyLady may recommend tackling large projects a little at a time, maybe you don’t have the time. If you need the space to fit your brand new convertible by the time it’s delivered, you may need to make decluttering your garage a weekend project. By all means, if that’s the case, check the weather for clear skies, mark your calendar, recruit help, and get to it. And if that isn’t realistic, rent an outdoor storage building to stash everything in while you sort through it. Make an assessment. Before the work begins, make an assessment of what must stay in the garage and what must go. If you are creating that workout space, of course the treadmill stays and the lawnmower goes. Perhaps, you want to keep a workbench on the wall with some hand tools and the extra refrigerator and deep freeze. Make these decisions beforehand and create lists of what goes where. Divide and conquer. This is where the physical work begins. With each object you handle, you need to make a few decisions: keep, give away, throw away. Of course, the items to be thrown away can go right into the trash cans outside the door. Have a few cardboard boxes lined up for your giveaway items. Divide the items you want to keep according to where they are supposed to go. When you’re done working for the day, take those items to their proper home. If that home is the garage, leave that pile for the next step. Invest. A properly organized space often requires shelves, containers, racks or hooks. Now is the time to invest in those items. To free up floor space, hang bicycles on the walls. The same goes for garden tools. And the canoe? Nealey recommends a pulley system that hangs it from the ceiling. Take out the trash. When you finish for the day, take the trash to the curb. If you have hazardous waste, remember to dispose of it properly. Also, put the donations in the trunk of your car for the next trip to the thrift store. Brighten it up. Once you organize the garage, the time is right to make any repairs you’ve put off like the sticking door, broken lock, or crack in the floor. Also, if you paint the floors and walls, hang curtains at the windows, or even hang decorations on the wall, it will brighten up the space and discourage future cluttering. “Remember,” said Stapleton, “organizing is not a one-time thing. It’s a regular practice.”

Most people only think of their backyard as a place to store lawn furniture and grills but it doesn’t have to be that way! You can create an outdoor living space that perfectly suits your lifestyle by using some simple design tips. So, whether you want a relaxing spot to read a book or a fun area for hosting parties, we’ve got you covered. Keep reading for our best tips on enhancing your living space. We will look at each of these advantages and then discuss potential considerations you need to be aware of before you commit. Build a Shed If you love to entertain, a shed can be the perfect place to host gatherings or create an additional living space that fits your lifestyle. There are a ton of possibilities for your shed, including (but not limited to!) a man cave, a she shed, an arts and craft studio, a home gym, or a workshop. Of course, a shed can be a great place to store lawn equipment and gardening supplies. If you love to garden, a shed can offer a secure environment if you frequently work with tools or other materials that need to be stored away. A shed may even help you save money by allowing you to run power-hungry appliances outside the home. Another benefit of having a shed is that it can help enhance the curb appeal of your property. Before you purchase a shed, there are a few things you should take into consideration: Purpose: What do you want to use your shed for? This will help determine the size and features you need. Cost: Shed pricing can range depending on many different factors, so having an idea of your budget as well as features you want your shed to have will help your search. Design: There are many different shed designs to choose from. Choose a style that fits the overall look of your property. Install a Pergola Do you enjoy sitting around a fire pit and having guests over? A pergola may be a good fit because it will provide shade and privacy for you and your guests. What’s more, it can add a touch of elegance to your backyard. A pergola is an overhead structure that serves as a roof over an open walkway or patio area. It can be made from wood or metal framing and covered with latticework. When choosing a pergola, you should keep a few things in mind: Materials used: A pergola can be made of wood, metal, or even plastic. If you’re looking for longevity, wood is probably the best choice. Still, metal and plastic can also last for years if properly maintained. Style: Pergolas come in many shapes and sizes; from simple to elaborate, there’s sure to be a style that fits your taste and requirements. Some popular ideas include hanging lights or plants, which instantly amplifies your pergola’s style factor. Price: They can range from affordable to expensive; depending on what you’re looking for, there’s sure to be one that fits your budget. Add a Gazebo A gazebo is an excellent option for an outdoor living space, especially if you want to enjoy your backyard no matter what the weather conditions are. It will provide you with a sheltered area to enjoy your backyard. Gazebos are not only functional but also beautiful additions to any outdoor space. These versatile structures can be used for dining, relaxing, and entertaining, or as a place to get away from the noise of everyday life. If you’re looking to add a gazebo to your backyard or patio, here are some things to consider: Your needs: Do you need a place to dine, relax or entertain? Or do you require a structure to protect you from the sun, rain, or snow? Permits: Check with your local building department to see if you require a permit to build a gazebo. Location: Where will the gazebo be located within your property? Will it block views when looking out from inside? Can it provide shade during hot weather? Install a Pavillion Whether you enjoy eating outdoors or love hosting parties, a pavilion can be a lovely spot for a gathering. A pavilion is essentially a covered structure with an open-air design. It can be built from various materials, including wood, aluminum, stone, or brick. They can provide thorough protection from the elements while creating a more intimate setting that will make your guests feel right at home. When choosing a pavilion, you will need to take the following into account: Size matters: You’ll want to pick a pavilion that comfortably fits all your guests. Roof: There are many different options available, so take your time and look around until you find one that suits your needs. Finishing touches: Don’t forget to add some finishing touches like outdoor furniture and decorations to really make your pavilion be yours. Go With a Playhouse Do you have young kids or grandkids who love to play outside? A playhouse can be a way to add fun and excitement to your backyard while also giving them their own space. One of the biggest benefits of having an outdoor play area is that it can keep even the most active kids entertained and engaged. There are many different playhouse designs, and you can even add a loft space and ladder to give your kids ample interior space to play to their hearts’ content. When choosing the right playhouse for your backyard, there are several factors to go over: Durability: You’ll want to pick a playhouse made from sturdy materials and can withstand the elements. Safety: Look for features like rounded edges and smooth surfaces to help prevent injuries. Features: With features like porches and loft spaces, your kids’ imaginations will go wild as they step into their mansion of a playhouse. Final Thoughts There are several ways to enhance your outdoor living space to fit your lifestyle. Whether you’re looking for a place to relax, entertain or just escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, there’s an option out there for you. Gazebos, sheds, pergolas, pavilions, and playhouses are just a few possibilities. So take your time, do your research and find the perfect addition for your backyard.

A high-quality shed can add value and functionality to your property. Investing in wooden sheds from Ulrich will give you aesthetically-pleasing structures that enrich your lifestyle no matter how you intend to use them. If you’re looking for extra storage space or additional private rooms for your yard, you may find yourself asking, “How many sheds can I have on my property?” In most regions, there are no set limits to the number of sheds you can have on your property. Instead, restrictions typically apply to the size of the structures, their intended function, and the amount of ground they cover. Zoning laws vary depending on where you live. Chances are, you’ll have the freedom to add more than one storage shed if you have a lot of land. When you work with Ulrich, we’ll help you design the perfect shed through our proven process, and along the way, we’ll make sure you have everything you need before we deliver and install the new structure for you. Why You Might Build More Than One Shed Depending on the size of your property, you may not see the point in building multiple sheds in the same yard. However, there are a number of reasons why having more than one shed can be beneficial. A Lot of Ground to Cover If your property covers a significant amount of land, chances are, you may need more than one shed to store all of your belongings. From maintaining your lawn and garden to storing tools and other equipment, having a lot of land means investing in the space you need to protect everything you need from thieves and the elements. Different Uses Sheds aren’t just for storage. While these structures are suited for keeping your belongings safe and dry, there are a number of different ways you can use them, so adding more than one shed to your property often makes sense. We’ve seen our customers use our sheds in a variety of ways, including as: Pool storage Home offices Studios Workshops Man caves She sheds Workout rooms Mother-in-law suits And much more! Cost-Effective Expansions Rather than building onto your home, adding sheds as supplemental living spaces is a great way to make better use of your yard. At Ulrich, we offer a number of finishing options to make your new shed a comfortable place to spend time, whether you’re looking for a home office, she shed, or a guest house. What to Consider Before Building New Sheds Before you commit to buying multiple sheds, it’s important to consider the following factors. Building Permits In most cases, building smaller sheds (such as a 6×8 shed) won’t require you to obtain specific building permits. However, many areas require you to obtain permits for tall and/or wide structures. Be sure to get the proper permits before placing an order for a new shed to ensure compliance. The Ulrich team is happy to help you learn about and obtain any permits you will need to build and install a new shed. HOA Restrictions If you live in a neighborhood with a homeowners association, you may be subject to additional building restrictions. Be sure to reference the guidelines and rules of your HOA before buying a new shed. Space Availability If you have several acres of land, you will likely face little trouble in building and installing multiple sheds. However, for those with limited space, it’s important to consider how large a structure you want, the percentage of ground that structures are permitted to cover in your area, and how accessible the desired placement of your sheds will be. While we are able to deliver and install most of our structures in one piece, if you have high maneuverability concerns, the Ulrich team needs to know ahead of time so we can plan accordingly before building. Intended Use How you intend to use your sheds will also affect the preparations you need to make. If you want to use a shed as a living space, or you want to operate a business out of it, you will need to inform your local zoning department to ensure the structure is permitted and inspected properly. Start Designing Sheds for Your Property Today!

Have you ever come home from a long day at work and not feel the peace you expected? The first thing to meet you as you came up the drive was a bicycle laying in the grass—which needed cut—and an overflowing garage. Inside, dishes filled the sink, shoes lay strewn about the entryway, and toys decorated the living room floor. Follow these 10 simple steps to organize your life. Studies show that cluttered spaces cause depression, anxiety, and lack of focus. And all of this steals our peace.“Dealing with clutter and living a more organized life,” said Nealey Stapleton, a professional organizer from northern Virginia and owner of The Organizing Boutique, “is super important for our health, both mental and physical.” Multiple items in our visual space keep us from focusing on what is important to us, she said. “And the embarrassment and shame, not wanting to have people over, causes us to isolate ourselves from friends and family.” If this describes you or someone you know, there is hope. Stapleton shared the following 10 ways to organize your life. And the best part? They’re amazingly simple. Organize your life by giving everything a home You’ve heard the adage, “A place for everything and everything in its place.” That statement holds a lot of truth when it comes to living an organized life. Knowing where something belongs makes the task of cleaning so much easier. Every home has its “hot spots” or places where things collect. Likely, at your home, the table just inside the door is a hot spot, as is the top of the dryer, the coffee table, and the nightstand. Professional organizers agree that if you clear these horizontal surfaces daily, by returning items to their proper place, your home will stay tidier. One in, one out While the first rule to controlling clutter in your home is to stop adding to it. It might sound unreasonable when you come home from the mall with bags of clothes and home furnishings that you couldn’t pass up. After all, who can resist a buy-one-get-one sale at the department store? If this sounds like you, adopt the one in, one out rule. Every time you buy a new shirt, take a shirt out of the closet and give it away. Each time you buy a new book, take a book off the shelf to give away. When you buy a new coffee mug, get rid of one in the cupboard. This process is critical when it comes to making room for the things that really matter. Have a specified bag/box for donations When you remove that shirt from the closet or coffee mug from the cupboard, you need a designated place to put it. “I keep a bag in my closet for donations,” said Stapleton. “When it is full, I tie it shut and take it to the thrift store.” A box or bin next to your back door for other items you want to give away keeps them all in one place and prevents them from getting put back in circulation. Get things off the ground If you despair over cleaning your floors because there are too many piles to pick up before you can sweep, get your belongings off the floor. If you have to clean the yard each week before mowing, get your kids’ things off the ground. Storing your family’s belongings off the ground or floor not only gives your place a picked-up look all the time but makes it easier to maintain. Use turntables One of Stapleton’s favorite tools to organize your life with is the turntable. Also called a Lazy Susan, she uses one in her refrigerator for the barbeque sauces her husband loves to have on hand. They are great for spices, vitamin or medicine bottles, and in the bathroom, too. Stacking plastic drawers These little organizers are great for sorting and storing everything from makeup in the bathroom to dog treats in the kitchen to hardware in the garage. “Get the stacking variety,” suggested Stapleton, “so you can reconfigure them to fit your space.” Wall organizers If you want to keep bicycles and sporting equipment off the lawn, use wall organizers in your outdoor storage building. Making sure you have the hooks anchored properly to hold the weight of the items, everything from baseball bats and fishing poles to bicycles and kayaks can be stored on the wall. If your child can’t lift his bike up to the hooks, use a rack in the driveway or beside the garage to stand the bike upright. Make it easy If your child has to climb up to reach a shelf and remove a bin to retrieve an item he uses regularly, chances are it won’t be put away. Stapleton recommends mesh bins for balls and play equipment used regularly. You can see through them and they keep everything from being strewn around the yard, mud room, or another storage area. Use clear bins Plastic storage containers come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. Stapleton prefers clear. “The clear bins let you see what is inside without having to open it,” she said. “And use the lids,” she added, “to protect what’s inside.” Have a system to organize by I used to use a system with index cards to organize my life. When I packed a box to put in the storage building or garage, I labeled it with a letter of the alphabet. Each box had a corresponding card with that letter. On the card, I wrote a list of what was inside the box, and where I stored it. I kept the cards in alphabetical order in a box made for filing index cards. When I wanted to find something, like size 2T boys clothes, for example, I’d look in the box of index cards for a card that listed 2T boys clothes. When I found it, I could see that those clothes were in box G stored on the top shelf of the garage. Today, there are many apps that can replace your box of cards. I like Trello. And with most apps, when you want to find something you just type it in the search bar—no need to thumb through a hundred cards. Having a system in place for cleaning is important, too. Begin by creating a master list of cleaning jobs—everything from washing windows and cleaning gutters to mopping floors and doing laundry. Then, sort the tasks by frequency—yearly, quarterly, monthly, and weekly. For instance, cleaning the gutters might go on your quarterly list and mopping the floors on your weekly list. Now, plug each task into the appropriate day of your calendar. Keeping with the same examples, you might have cleaning the gutters on March 1, June 1, September 1, and December 1 and mopping the floors every Saturday. It may not come natural. According to Stapleton, even though some folks seem to be born organized, for the rest of us organization can be a learned behavior. “A lot of clients call me and are hopeless,” she said. “It’s never hopeless. You can learn this.”

Spring has sprung! But April is just the beginning of scorching summer temperatures for many parts of the US. If you're a homeowner with a trusty shed, you might be worried about the impact of heat on your stored belongings. Fear not! Upgrading your shed with a radiant barrier can be a game-changer, offering a cool, comfortable space for your treasures. What is a Radiant Barrier and How Does it Work? Imagine a shiny shield reflecting sunlight away from your house. That's what a radiant barrier does for your shed. Made from reflective materials like aluminum foil or metalized polyester, it's installed on the roof or walls (or both!) and acts as a heat shield. Here's the science: radiant heat from the sun strikes the barrier, gets reflected outwards, and voila - your shed stays cooler! Benefits of Radiant Barriers in Custom Storage Sheds Enhanced Temperature Regulation One of the standout benefits of using radiant barriers in your shed is the improved temperature regulation. These barriers can significantly reduce temperature fluctuations inside by reflecting the sun's radiant heat away from your shed. This is particularly beneficial during the warmer months of April and beyond when temperatures rise. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, radiant barriers can reduce cooling costs by 5% to 10% in warm climates. Protection for Sensitive Items Custom storage sheds often house sensitive items that can be adversely affected by extreme temperatures or humidity. Whether it's essential documents, wood furniture, or electronic equipment, a radiant barrier provides an extra layer of protection, keeping the internal environment of your shed more stable and safe for these items. Energy Efficiency Radiant barriers offer an energy-efficient option for those looking to add an eco-friendly touch to their storage solutions. By reducing the need for artificial cooling in your shed, you're not only saving on energy costs but also contributing to a reduction in the overall energy consumption. This is a win-win for both your wallet and the environment. Increased Property Value Incorporating advanced features like radiant barriers into your custom storage sheds can also increase the overall value of your property. Potential homebuyers appreciate the added functionality and energy efficiency these barriers provide, making it a smart investment for the future. Radiant Barriers as an Extra Layer Radiant barriers also create an additional air gap between your siding and the shed's interior. This air pocket acts as a further barrier, slowing the natural transfer of heat in both directions. This means better temperature regulation, keeping your shed cooler in the summer. Double Win: Perfect for Mini-Splits and Comfort Planning to install a mini-split system or window unit in your shed? A radiant barrier is your best friend. By reducing the radiant heat gain, the AC unit won't have to work as hard to maintain a comfortable temperature. This translates to energy savings and more consistent climate control for your shed-turned-hobby space or office shed. Custom Storage Sheds with Radiant Barrier: A Perfect Match The beauty of custom storage sheds is the ability to personalize them for your needs. When designing your dream shed, consider a radiant barrier as an add-on. Ulrich offers radiant barriers as an optional feature, allowing you to create a climate-controlled space for your belongings. We understand the importance of climate control in sheds, so we've partnered with LP Building Solutions, a leader in innovative building materials, to offer custom storage sheds featuring radiant barrier options. LP Building Solutions offers a range of radiant barrier products, including LP TechShield Radiant Barrier Roof Sheathing. This material reflects radiant heat, helping keep your shed cooler in the summer. When incorporated into your Ulrich shed design, it becomes an integral part of your shed's climate control system. Ready to Beat the Heat with a Radiant Barrier? Don't let the summer sun turn your shed into a furnace! Contact us today and explore the benefits of incorporating LP Building Solutions' radiant barrier technology into your custom shed design. We'll help you create a cool, comfortable, and functional space for all your summer needs!

It’s every homeowner’s dream to have a place to relax and enjoy life, but sometimes, you must adjust your living space to accommodate your lifestyle. That was exactly what Patrick McGreevy did when he purchased a house and land in Brock, Texas. He knew that with his daughter commuting from college, they needed more garage space for her car. However, that meant sacrificing space for the zero-turn mower and workshop. A Perfect Match: Blending In with the Backyard Poolscape One of Patrick’s critical requirements for his new garage was to match his house and look like it was part of the original build. After all, investing in a property as picturesque as this makes you want every addition to enhance the overall beauty. This was where Ulrich came into the picture. Working with Ulrich’s design team was a breeze for Patrick. Together, they envisioned a 20×30 one-story garage that would provide ample space and complement the backyard poolscape. Patrick added extra windows and a porch facing the pool, offering stunning views of the lake and the rolling hills behind their house. Form Meets Function: A Garage that Meets Every Need The new garage had to meet Patrick’s specific needs. They opted for a two-car garage door in the front to accommodate his truck and a single garage door in the back for easy access to lawn equipment and the workshop. It perfectly blended form and function, catering to their daily requirements without compromising aesthetics. A Smooth Building Journey with Ulrich Working with the design team at Ulrich was a smooth and pleasant experience for Patrick. The team ensured clear and effective communication from the initial consultation through the construction phase. The Ulrich construction supervisor, Brian Seaman, did an excellent job keeping the project on schedule and the building site tidy. Patrick appreciated Brian’s proactive approach to informing him about each upcoming stage of the garage construction process. After the initial consultation, Patrick decided to go all in and get the biggest garage possible. It had a loft, electricity, and plenty of space for his tools and equipment. And when the final product was delivered, he couldn’t believe his eyes. It was perfect. It had exceeded his expectations, and he couldn’t wait to get to work. But the story doesn’t end there. A few months later, Patrick had an issue with his garage door. He called Ulrich’s customer service, expecting to jump through hoops and get transferred to multiple people before his issue was resolved. But to his surprise, the representative he spoke with was friendly and helpful, and his issue was resolved within the hour. The Envy of the Neighborhood Patrick’s neighbors quickly noticed how well the new Ulrich garage matched his house. Ulrich paid meticulous attention to detail, matching the roof pitch and shingles of the McGreevy’s home. Additionally, they added complementary stone and painted brick accents to the garage, making it seamlessly blend with the surroundings. A Happy Ending: Space and Aesthetics The McGreevy family now enjoys all the space they need with the new garage. Patrick has his dream workshop, and their brand-new garage genuinely looks like a natural extension of their home. With Ulrich, he found the perfect partner to bring his ideas to life, resulting in a garage that not only meets his practical needs but also enhances the beauty of his property. It’s a story that reminds us that we can turn our dream additions into reality with the right team and a clear vision. Considerations Custom garages have always been a great way to enhance the functionality of any home. It not only increases your storage space but also enhances the aesthetic appeal of your property. And if you’re thinking about getting a custom garage for your home, Ulrich should be your first choice. Whether you want a two-car garage or a garage large enough to store your boat or RV, we have you covered. Our team can customize your garage to include everything you need, from built-in shelves and cabinets to insulation and heating systems. With a range of siding options, including wood, vinyl, and metal, you can design a garage that complements your home’s architectural style. We help you by: Designing your detached garage to accommodate your vehicle needs (No finish-out) Building to engineered standards for your location Obtaining needed county or city permitting for you Helping you work with your HOA to ensure a smooth process Overseeing the entire process from start to finish Get in touch with us today to secure your space with our custom garage.

Looking for a starter home, vacation rental, or hunting lodge? A prefab cabin is the perfect solution. Log cabins from Ulrich are built with the highest quality materials and exceptional craftsmanship so you can enjoy the rustic charm for years to come. When planning to install a log cabin, it’s important to ask: “How long does it take to build a log cabin?” When you buy a log cabin from Ulrich, it typically takes between 10 and 12 weeks for our team to build, deliver, and install your new structure. Other builders may need as many as 40 weeks to build and install a log cabin, and DIY cabin kits can take even longer depending on your experience level and availability. With a log cabin from Ulrich, you’ll benefit from expedient service and quality craftsmanship you won’t get anywhere else. The Process of Building a Log Cabin We approach every project with our proven process to ensure you receive a cabin that meets your needs and exceeds your expectations. Design The first step entails a consultation with a member of our design team. During your design consultation, we’ll get to know who you are, what you want, and how we can make your dream cabin a reality. Our knowledgeable designers will offer recommendations based on your needs and their experience to create a design you’ll love. Build With few exceptions, we build all of our log cabins with the best materials in our climate-controlled facilities. By keeping the construction in-house, we’re able to ensure that our skilled specialists consistently build structures that meet our high quality standards. Deliver We’ll deliver your fully-constructed cabin to your property ourselves so we can verify everything is done correctly. From the start of the build to delivery, the process usually takes between 10 and 12 weeks. Install Our team will handle installation, as well, ensuring that your new cabin is level, stable, and secure. If there are any additional features you’ve selected, such as a porch, we’ll install them onsite. Enjoy At Ulrich, we know how much this investment means to you. It’s our mission to build and deliver structures that our customers will love for years to come – and we’ve spent decades achieving that goal. What Sets Ulrich Log Cabins Apart You won’t get quality cabins like ours from a big box store or DIY kit. Experience the Ulrich difference yourself. Fully Finished Our cabins come fully finished with a range of floor and wall coverings available. Choose from rustic, modern farmhouse, and shabby chic styles to suit your aesthetic preferences. Fully Insulated Insulated top to bottom, our cabins are built for comfort. You’ll enjoy state-of-the-art heating and cooling systems, as well. Built to Code We construct our cabins to meet high standards of durability and resilience, capable of withstanding the elements as well as the stress of transportation. Rest assured that your Ulrich log cabin will ​​meet or exceed the International Building Code. Custom Details From custom cabinets to additional features like lofts and porches, your log cabin from Ulrich will truly be your own. With numerous customization options, we’ll design and build a cabin that suits your style and fits your exact needs. Get a Custom Quote for Your Log Cabin Home Today Once you are satisfied with your design and sign your agreement, we’ll build, deliver, and install your cabin within 12 weeks so you can enjoy your comfortable new home as soon as possible.

Tamra and Ron Gaines live in McKinney, Texas. Ron needed a place to keep tools. Tamra needed space for the chickens’ supplies. Their garage was not big enough, so a separate tool shed made good sense. Researching local shed manufacturers, the Gaines wanted to see actual buildings before they purchased a he shed/she shed. A visit to Ulrich Barns was helpful, because “going out and seeing the quality of the product was really important,” Tamra said. Tamra wanted a shed that didn’t just meet their utilitarian needs, but that fit the look and feel of their backyard living space. The Gaines chose an 8×16 Retreat, adding small windows above the double barn doors and trim around windows facing their pool. The siding and color matches their house. Ulrich Barns was “able to create exactly what we were looking for,” Tamra says. With a wall in the middle, “we split the space and created two functional spaces.” Tamra says. On the rustic side Ron organizes his tools. On the pretty side, Tamra keeps gardening and pool supplies. The Gaines call their pool shed the Gypsy Shed because it’s been in four locations in their backyard and taken on many functions from chicken shed to garden shed to pool shed. “Every time we had an idea, the shed was just part of it,” Ron says. Ron feels their he shed/she shed from Ulrich Barns is an extension of their house. “It’s a beautiful structure, and it blends with the backyard and pool,” Ron says. “I think we kind of lucked out.”

If you’ve been shopping for an outdoor storage building but don’t think you can afford a new one, maybe you can. A lot of shoppers don’t take into account the hidden costs of buying a used shed. Even if you find a preowned shed in great shape, there are a few things to consider. Five Questions to Ask Before Buying a Used Shed Will it need repairs? If you wouldn’t know the difference between a water stain and a knothole, bring someone along who knows their stuff when inspecting a used shed for sale. Any necessary repairs will add to the overall cost. Inspect the roof for damaged or missing shingles. Look on the ceiling for watermarks indicative of leakage. Also, check the walls for stains, particularly under the windows. Does the shed feel damp or is there evidence of mold or mildew? Are the seals around windows and doors tight? And, carefully examine the base of the building inside and out. Stay away from a wooden shed that shows signs of rot or animal damage or a metal shed that shows signs of corrosion. You want a building the previous owner took care of by performing routine maintenance as needed. Are you comparing apples with apples? Not all outdoor sheds are created equal. Ulrich Lifestyle uses pressure treated lumber for the entire floor of their buildings, not just the perimeter. Few other manufacturers do. If you’re looking at a used building without pressure treated floor joists, something you cannot see until you pick it up, you can’t compare the cost of that building with a new one which does. Plus, you may decide to buy it anyway and not find rotting floor joists until the movers come to haul it away. The same goes for other features. Take into account the overall building construction when you shop around. Especially when considering used. Can it be moved and how much will it cost? After deciding that buying a used shed is worth the price, you don’t want to damage it in the move. Before shaking hands on the deal, consult with a qualified building mover. Jerald Horner, owner of Jerald’s Hauling, LLC advises homeowners to have a professional look at the building, or at least photos, to determine if it can withstand a move. “In a lot of cases,” Horner said, “the building isn’t structurally sound enough to be moved and becomes a liability.” If the building is small enough you think you can move it yourself, Horner says to keep several things in mind: Anything over 96 inches may require an over-sized load permit. Check with your local authorities before attempting to move a building. If using a rollback trailer, make sure it can do the job you want. Folks frequently call on Horner for jobs gone awry. The trailer that moved the building couldn’t position it where the person wanted. Also, according to Horner, most rollback rigs are two-wheel drive and tend to get stuck in soft soil. Dismantling the building to make moving easier is time-consuming. Unless you have plenty of time on your hands and enjoy the work, Horner said hiring a professional mover will save you money. What could it cost to hire a professional to move your bargain building? “That depends,” said Horner, “on the size, the mileage, and the amount of time required to properly set it on delivery.” His prices start at $250 for an 8-foot building. Why is the person selling this shed? Just as you would when buying a used car, ask the homeowner why they’re selling their shed. You want them to say they bought it a year ago and decided to upsize. You don’t want it to appear that they want the thing torn down and hauled away but don’t want to pay someone to do it. Be discerning. The older the building is, the less likely it will sustain a move, or be the bargain you’re looking for. How much life is left in the building? Well maintained, Ulrich Lifestyle buildings will last 25 years or more. When inspecting a preowned shed, estimate the number of years it has left. When you consider the overall cost of buying a used shed, divided by the length of life of the building, purchasing a new outdoor storage building often becomes the better deal. Still not sure? Let an Ulrich Lifestyle design consultant help you. Our staff looks at all the variables in making the best decision for you. Call the location nearest you.

Shandon Mullet is a graphic designer. When he started working remotely, he had no space to work in their small home. He ended up working at the kitchen table. While he enjoyed being near his wife and daughter, he needed a home office free of distractions. He decided to purchase a backyard shed. Knowing Byler Barns’ attention to detail, the Mullets considered no other manufacturer. Byler Barns had a new line of home office sheds, and Shandon loved the first one he saw. The 8×12 shed, beige with green trim, coordinates with their house. With the shed already complete, Shandon only needed to arrange for delivery. While they looked at customization, the shed was already perfect for the Mullets’ yard. The backyard office came finished out with built-in climate control and dimmable recessed lighting. Within a week of deciding to purchase a Byler home office, the shed was delivered and ready for work. Now Shandon’s commute is a few steps from their deck to his office door. From his desk, he can watch wildlife in a line of trees out one window. Shandon says, “I love it’s filled with light with the windows on both sides.” Besides the advantage of the short commute, he says, “Having a separate space for me to work definitely increased my productivity level.” Byler Barns offered the perfect solution, Shandon says. “If anyone needs a home office, you can’t beat the value and comfort of these buildings–and they’re so beautiful.”