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“My husband and I got the Ulrich playhouse for our girls because we really wanted something in our backyard where they could play, and it would be without technology. They could just use their imaginations.” — Angela Perritt Dirk and Angela Perritt are proud parents of three girls: Paige (11), Addie (10), and Brinnley (6). The Perritts longed for their daughters to spend time in more traditional, creative play, rather than being glued to a screen. The investment paid off. “What we’ve loved,” says Angela, “Is just seeing them come in, and play dolls together, or just have a place where they can read, where they can do art projects. A fun place where they can just bring their friends and really just work and develop their imaginations a little bit more.” The Perritt’s loved Ulrich Sales Consultant Aaron Jordan’s friendly expertise during the purchase and delivery process. “What we loved about the Ulrich playhouse is not only is it adorable, but we could actually customize it to the colors we wanted,” says Angela. We appreciate your business, Dirk and Angela, and we wish your girls many years of happy, imaginative play! #AngelaPerritt

Mother-in-law suites are rapidly gaining popularity. Rather than sending mom or dad off to some distant (and really expensive!) nursing home, why not keep them close by instead? The MIL suite is usually a small apartment-style building located somewhere on your property. James and Susan Dominy, however, took a different approach. When Susan’s mom needed to move in with them, they decided to move out their home office in order to make room for her arrival. The Dominys wanted something more than a shed. They wanted something that was aesthetically pleasing and built like a home. Being a company with a reputation for its stylish and sturdy buildings, Ulrich had the opportunity to provide them with the solution. It now serves as Susan’s office and a fun place for their five grandkids to hang out. Oh, and did I mention it also serves as a putting green? James is an avid golfer, so instead of carpet, he installed astroturf. Rain or shine, he can use his spare time to work on crushing his golf buddies. The cabin shell also serves as the museum for his golf memorabilia. One of our crews built the cabin shell in the Dominys back yard. Then James worked with contractors to install the wiring and sheet rock the interior. Since Susan works from home, she enjoys going out to the cabin to concentrate on her work, without the distraction of household tasks. When I asked the Dominys how the building has worked out for them, Susan said, “I’d give it a ten.” James agreed, saying that they are absolutely satisfied. Thank you for your business, James and Susan! We wish you many happy hours of office work and putting practice! #JamesandSusanDominy

Ernest Coleman worked for 20 years at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing as the police inspector. As you might imagine, he knows a thing or two about security. When he was shopping for a storage shed about four years ago, he liked the security features of the Ulrich door hardware. It’s a good thing he did! When word got around recently that some of his neighbor’s sheds had been broken into, Ernest decided he’d better go take a look at his own shed to make sure all was well. As he got close to his shed, he noticed the handle was twisted at a strange angle. He could see that his shed had definitely been tampered with. The thief, however, was not able to get inside. There were a few important keys to Ernest’s success.  First of all, he had used a high-grade padlock that is very difficult to cut through, so the thief couldn’t get access with bolt cutters. Secondly, the Ulrich hardware was too tough and sophisticated to allow easy access with a crowbar, or whatever tool the thief used for prying. Ernest considered replacing the Ulrich latch but decided it wasn’t necessary since it still worked. He added an additional hasp a little higher on the door to make it even more difficult for a future would-be thief. Ernest is very pleased with the overall performance of his building. Not only does it still look great, but it kept his storage items safe. Score: Ulrich – 1, Thief – 0. #ErnestColeman

Ulrich Lifestyle sheds are built tough. We stand by the quality of our products which is why we use LP® Siding & Trim on our Backyard Sheds and Garages.  In fact, we wouldn’t recommend purchasing a wooden Shed or Garage without it! WHY? It’s Durable. It’s Beautiful It Has a 50 Year Warranty Let’s break that down: LP® Siding is Durable. LP SmartSide Trim and Siding have been subjected to the intense moisture and thriving termite colonies of Hilo, Hawaii, since 1996. Even after years of exposure, LP® SmartSide products remain structurally sound. Proven to Resist Heat and Sun Exposure Thanks to industrial-grade binders and resins and a durable coating, LP® SmartSide has been shown to remain strong and beautiful even after prolonged exposure to intense sunlight and hot, dry weather. Proven to Resist Impacts Because of their unique engineering, LP® SmartSide Trim and Siding products offer incredible strength to resist impact damage. Proven to Resist Rot and Fungal Decay Tests show that LP® SmartSide siding resists fungal decay and remains structurally sound even after years of exposure in Hilo, Hawaii — a jungle with extremely high humidity and an average of 170 inches of rainfall per year. Proven to Resist Termites LP® SmartSide Trim and Siding are treated with SmartGuard® featuring zinc borate to resist termite damage, even in the jungle of Hilo, Hawaii, which has a high population of especially aggressive termites. Proven to Withstand Freeze/Thaw Cycles Many substrates can crack when water is absorbed, freezes and then expands. LP® SmartSide Trim and Siding are made with special waxes to minimize water infiltration and cracking. Every LP® SmartSide product is treated to the core with an advanced formula of binders, waxes and zinc borate before being bonded with a water-resistant, resin-saturated overlay. This process helps keep out moisture for long-term durability and strength against harsh weather. LP® Siding is Beautiful. With its deep cedar grain texture and defining shadow lines, LP® SmartSide siding gives you the undeniable look of real wood, unlike fiber cement and vinyl siding. LP® Siding has a 50 Year Warranty. With an industry leading warranty, you can be sure that you are purchasing a product that will last! We believe in building products we are proud to put our name on – which is why we use LP® Siding!  We don’t want you to purchase a shed or garage that breaks down quickly and just won’t last. Don’t buy a Shed unless it has LP® Siding! AT ULRICH LIFESTYLE YOU GET HANDCRAFTED QUALITY YOU CAN TRUST A LIFETIME. Design your Shed right here Source: www.lpsmartside.com

Fall is in full swing and before we know it winter will be here with it’s freezing temps and blistery weather.   Before all of the holiday parties, family traditions and hustle and bustle, tackle these home maintenance tasks to prepare your home for winter weather. HERE ARE 7 TIPS TO PREPARE YOUR HOME FOR WINTER WEATHER: 1. Reverse your Ceiling Fans – Run blades in a clockwise direction to create an updraft to push warm air downwards. 2. Check the Roof – look for damaged, loose or missing shingles that may cause leakage during winter storms. Replace any that are in bad shape. 3. Caulk around Windows and Doors – If gaps between door frames or windows are larger than the width of a nickel, it is time to fill in with caulk. 4. Clean the Gutters – Clogged gutters can lead to damaged roofing, siding and wood trim. 5. Turn off Exterior Faucets – Water left in pipes can freeze which will cause pipes to burst as the water expands. Disconnect all hoses and drain all water in faucets. 6. Protect Your Pipes – To help protect your pipes from freezing, insulate them with a blanket of foam insulation. 7. Protect Your Stuff  – Put your lawn care tools, mower, and summer recreation items in a garage or Shed.  Don’t leave these expensive items out in the elements, protect them with an Ulrich Lifestyle Shed or Garage. Don’t wait until winter weather hits and you are stuck with costly repairs that could have been avoided with a little winter prep. DOWNLOAD YOUR WINTER WEATHER CHECKLIST RIGHT HERE.

Its that time of the year when Santa makes his magical appearance. Luckily for Farrah Chamblee, she didn’t have to wait for December. A pink and white playhouse magically appeared in her backyard in November, just in time for her 7th birthday. Farrah’s dad, Bill Chamblee, knew his daughter really wanted her own large playhouse. He and his wife Divenna decided to get her one for her birthday and begin by shopping online. He considered several options but decided on Ulrich because we could meet his time requirements. There’s something a lot less magical about a birthday gift that arrives two months after the fact. The birthday party was a troll themed party with Farrah’s friends. It featured bounces houses, a food truck, pony rides, a petting zoo, a magic show, a caricature artist, and a photo booth. But even with all the other fun activities, the Ulrich playhouse turned out to be the afternoon’s main attraction. Bill managed to keep Farrah from witnessing her playhouse’s delivery. As far as she’s concerned, the playhouse arrived by her dad’s magic powers. “On her birthday, it was probably the happiest day that our little seven years old has had,” says Bill with a chuckle. While elves and fairies may be ever so nice, what’s truly magical is a father’s love for his daughter. #BillChamblee

Mike and Staci McClammy took an unusual approach to buying their first home. The McClammys didn’t want to frame up a home from scratch, and neither did they want to buy a flimsy mobile home. Besides taking out a mortgage, what other options does a young couple have? Start with an Ulrich cabin shell. We delivered the McClammys’ 16 x 52 ft Ulrich Retreat in May. Over the next months, the McClammys lined the walls and ceiling, installed heating and air conditioning, and finished out everything except the kitchen. Six months later, almost to the day, the McClammys moved into their new home. It’s a budget home with some serious style. The living room’s arched ceiling is finished in rustic corrugated metal and spanned by solid wood beams. The real pine walls feature cowboy paintings and a collection of crosses. But it’s not just style. It’s very functional too. The oversized hallway doubles as the laundry room. There’s space for a nice sized master bedroom, bath, and study. The McClammys are very pleased with how the project has turned out so far, and they’ll keep working on it as they have the money. It’s a great example of how a young couple can have a sturdy, pretty, country home of their own without going into lots of debt. #MikeandStaciMcClammy

Camp Huawni is a summer camp nestled in the East Texas woods. Started over 50 years ago by Earl Adams, the camp is now operated by his grandson Travis Adams. The camp’s mission is LTK, which stands for Love The Kids. Several years ago the when the Adams family needed more accommodations for camp staff and family, they decided to check out our finished log cabins. Besides wanting a quality building, they also needed a reasonably quick turnaround time. When Mike (dad) and Travis (son) visited our manufacturing facility here in Cleburne, they liked what they saw. They settled on a 16 x 38 ft cabin and a 16 x 52 ft cabin, both with two bedrooms. The smaller cabin has a kitchenette and the larger cabin features a full kitchen. Because the camp’s existing cabins feature a dark brown siding, the Adams family chose a matching dark brown finish for their Ulrich cabins. Mike cleared a section of dense forest and set the two cabins several hundred yards apart. The Adams family have found our cabins to be low maintenance and easy to heat and cool with our mini-split ductless units. The Adams family especially love the front and back porches we installed on both cabins. Camp Huawni hopes to add more Ulrich cabins in the future. We appreciate your business, Travis, and wish you and your team the best as you LTK! #CampHuawni

We know that choosing a shed is serious business.  It is an investment that will last a long time and you want it to be just right.  One of the most fun parts of designing your shed is picking the color.   It can be a really easy choice if you want it to match your home, but if we are looking for a little backyard flair it can be a little more tricky. HERE ARE THE TOP 5 COLORS ULRICH CUSTOMERS CHOOSE: 5. Almond – Almond siding is our 5th most popular color.   It’s a great light neutral and it goes well with a lot of other colors. 4. Dark Gray – Sophisticated and Chic.  Dark Gray siding is a perfect dark neutral and we really love it paired with black trim and accents. 3. Cape Cod Gray – With those coastal vibes our Cape Cod Gray Siding conjures up ocean breezes and New England living. 2. Driftwood Urethane – Our Driftwood Urethane siding gives us those vintage, weathered vibes.  It is perfect paired with a farmhouse or even a more modern build. 1. Red – Red is a power color.  It is also used most frequently on traditional barn buildings.  It is definitely a classic so it is no surprise it is our most popular color! Ready to design your own shed? You can pick your style, colors and accents right here. When you are finished, don’t forget to click “Save My Shed” to have your selections sent right to your email! WHICH COLOR SHED WILL YOU CHOOSE? Design Your Own Ulrich Lifestyle Shed

Time Warp Racing needed a new mechanic’s shop. A concrete floor is a traditional choice for a racing garage because the rolling tool chests are extremely heavy. The floor system needs to be strong enough to withstand the intense pressure. Paula Doggett, however, wanted to keep her costs down. Pouring a large concrete pad can get really expensive. The 16×52 ft Ulrich Workshop turned out to be just the thing. The heavy-duty floor system does a great job supporting the heavy tool chests. The mechanic, Jerry Robinson, simply put an extra piece of plywood under the wheels of the tool chests to help distribute the weight. The other thing that a racing garage needs to do is control condensation. Condensation can quickly rust the many metal car parts. The Ulrich eave and ridge vent system have been doing a great job of controlling condensation in Paula’s shop. Time Warp Racing has two drag cars, Time Warp and Black Widow. The team races in a multi-state region going as far north as Kansas City, with approximately 10 races per year. Owner Paula Doggett and mechanic Jerry Robinson are both extremely pleased with the functionality of their Ulrich racing garage. #PaulaDoggett

Garages and backyard sheds often share the same problem: They become so full of stuff that you lose track of what you have and where to find it. Pat Parson, however, had a different plan. Pat and Patty Parson needed a small backyard shed. Pat needed a place for his lawn mower and tools, and Patty needed a place for a potting bench and gardening supplies. They worked with Ulrich sales consultant Steven Lockwood to select the 10×12 ft Byler shed. Although a bit bigger than Pat was originally shopping for, he’s glad they took Steven’s advice and purchased a larger building. Pat wanted a shed that was neatly organized, mostly using things he already had. He found that buying expensive shelving and fancy brackets weren’t necessary. A little creativity goes a long way when it comes to staying organized. One of Pat’s keys to a spacious and organized shed is to keep things up off the floor as much as possible. The Christmas decorations are in the loft, and almost everything else is stored flat against the wall.  Even the loft ladder has a super compact design that requires virtually no storage space. Take a look at the interior pictures. You’ll find some easy and inexpensive ways you can keep your potting shed more organized as well. #PatandPattyParson

What Every Homeowner Should Know before Wiring a Shed It’s the dead of night. Your air conditioning is on the fritz and you can’t sleep for the heat. Unfortunately, your wife stored the box fan in the shed out back. Dying for a little air movement, you grab a flashlight, shining a dim beam at best, and head for the backyard. Just as you unlock the door, the flashlight goes out leaving you in the dark. Whether you just want a light to help you find your way around in the dark, or you want a fully functional garage, wiring a shed is not as difficult as you may think. You just need some pre-planning, a little know-how, and a weekend or two of your time. Wiring a Shed – Where to Begin Planning is the critical first step to wiring an outdoor shed. “You will save a lot of money by thinking about it in advance,” said class A licensed electrician Daniel Stoddard with Bendanco Construction, Inc. in Elkton, Virginia. What is the shed used for? The first question to ask, suggests Stoddard, is what you use the shed for. The electrical requirements for a shed are different from that of a garage. If you want a simple line, what Stoddard calls a “cord and plug,” the job is a relatively easy DIY project for the weekend. If you want to use your shed for a garage that includes power tools, a welder, air compressor, or similar juice-sucking devices, you need to do a little more planning. What tools will you use? One electrical circuit can only handle so many amps. So if you plan to run tools that require a lot of amps, like a table saw and dust collector, you need to run enough circuits to handle the load. Also, while most tools or appliances run on 110v power, some require 220v. Things like welders, compressors, and air conditioners often require 220v power. Knowing what you will be using in your garage will tell you what type of wiring and outlets, and how many circuits, you need to install. Once you make this decision, it’s wise to contact an electrician to make sure your circuits are heavy enough. Can the house panel handle the extra load? Most modern homes have a 200-amp service, which should provide plenty of juice to run your household and the added load of a storage building with lights. But if you plan to add a garage with tools, or have some type of heating and cooling in your building, you want to start counting the amps to make sure you have enough to cover it. The project may require wiring a sub panel. If you are not electrical-savvy, Stoddard suggests taking a photo of your current panel and showing it to an electrician, along with your plans, to see if what you want to do is possible. “I frequently have folks send me their plans and ask, ‘Is this doable?’” he said. A quick calculation on his part will tell the homeowner what he needs to know. How will you get the electric power from the house to the building? For a single circuit, the best way to run power outdoors is to use an extension cord. Since homes built after 1980 are equipped with GFI-protected outdoor outlets, it’s perfectly safe to have a single outlet in the building connected to the house via an exterior-rated extension cord. “It virtually turns your outdoor shed into another appliance,” Stoddard said. He cautions homeowners to disconnect and store the extension cord when not in use or, if you want to have it connected at all times, only to use cords labeled for outdoor use. If you are creating a wgarage, with multiple circuits or a sub panel, the best way to run power outdoors is to bury the lines in the ground. Of course, the placement of the shed will influence the feasibility of burying lines. Are other utility lines buried in your path? Is there hardtop or concrete to cross? These are things to consider when you are planning. Your answers will also influence the cost of the project. How long will the project take? The planning phase takes the longest. If you plan on wiring an outdoor shed to use as a garage, some sketches and photos of what you want will help when you get to the hands-on phase. Use this phase to consult with an electrician about the tools you plan to use and the strength of your circuits. Once you complete your plans, however, you can easily wire a simple “cord and plug” job in an afternoon. If you want a few more receptacles, it could take a weekend. Wiring for a garage has the longest hands-on phase of two weekends or more, depending on how far your building is from your home. What else do I need to know? For any building project, always check with your local government about codes and with your Homeowners Association. You want to make sure you do not need any permits and that you are complying with all ordinances. I don’t think I can do this, now what? If you feel confident in your abilities to wire your own shed but need a little education, check out the following books: The Homeowner’s DIY Guide to Electrical Wiring Black & Decker Complete Guide to Wiring Wiring Simplified But if teaching yourself wiring know-how intimidates you, you have a couple of options. You could hire a licensed electrician. Or, you could purchase a shed with the wiring already installed. Ulrich Lifestyle offers several electrical packages to suit your needs.  If you already have a building with no room for a new one, consider trading your older model in, or selling it before your new one arrives. Wiring a shed gives you options. It provides light in the darkness. It gets the woodworking tools out of the garage. And it provides a climate-controlled environment for you to pursue your passions. Ready to get started? Got a few more questions? Either way, we can help when it comes to wiring a shed!