SteelMaster Buildings

In fact, what drew her to the SteelMaster carport had nothing to do with the carport itself, but with what was parked underneath.

"I Googled 'carports' and I saw a picture on SteelMaster's website of a carport covering a Prius," says Winnett. "I own a new Prius, so that of course caught my attention and made me want to learn more."

When she first started scouting the Internet looking for a carport, she says the only definite requirement she had in mind was that it didn't look flimsy like so many of the carports she had seen around town.

"When I did some more research on SteelMaster's carports, I was impressed by the quality and sturdiness of the steel, the warranty, and then by the conversation I had with SteelMaster's Senior Project Specialist Michael Suozzi-what a salesman!"

For more than 29 years, SteelMaster Buildings, which is located in Virginia Beach, VA, has manufactured, designed, and supplied pre-fabricated arched steel structures to 40,000 customers located in every state of the United States, in 40 countries, and on seven continents around the world.

"SteelMaster buildings are easier to handle, stronger, and less expensive than any other common garage building materials thanks to the architectural strength of the arch coupled with 21st century technology," says Michelle Wickum, the director of marketing for SteelMaster. "Plus, our steel buildings are built to meet the wind loads of their destination whether that's in Lakeland, FL or on the other side of the globe. You also don't have to treat it, paint it, or maintain it. With a SteelMaster carport, you just enjoy it. The Galvalume Plus coating provides years of maintenance-free use."

Although Winnett felt confident that her carport would stand the test of time, the contractor that she hired did not share the same feeling.

"When he first started the assembly, he had some reservations about the sturdiness of the carport because the bolts had to remain loose up to a certain point," says Winnett. "Once he began tightening everything up, he was very much impressed."

Although Winnett chose to hire a contractor to construct her carport, SteelMaster's buildings are designed so most customers can assemble and raise the posts, beams, and panels to complete the construction of their SteelMaster building without a contractor, which is an economical plus.

"Each of our steel carports as well as all of our other buildings comes with an easy-to-read and detailed construction manual to aid in the construction of your new metal carport," says Wickum. "We also have posted many how-to videos on our YouTube channel to help people along in the process. Also, our customers should always remember that their SteelMaster Building Specialist and our Customer Service Representatives are available should they have any questions during any phase of the assembly process."

Winnett's contractor began work on the carport in the beginning of August, and she said he had it completed in no time at all.

"From start to finish, it took about four days, but only because my contractor poured concrete bunkers that had to set up before he could begin the assembly, which took about a day and a half," says Winnett.

Now that her carport is up and her Prius is parked underneath just like in the picture that first led her to explore SteelMaster, Winnett has nothing but praise for her purchase.

"I love the look of the carport and have received many favorable comments from friends and neighbors," says Winnett. "Obviously, it serves the purpose for which it was designed (protecting my vehicle from oak tree trash and bird droppings), and I assume it will remain intact after the active hurricane season we are in. I am very pleased."

In addition to carports, SteelMaster's steel and metal pre-engineered buildings are designed for a broad range of residential and commercial applications including homes, farm buildings, garages, workshops, agricultural storage, Quonsets, airplane hangars, RV storage, roofing systems, military buildings, commercial warehousing, and industrial storage as well as a wide variety of custom building applications including athletic facilities, retail stores, churches, bus stops, smoke shacks, doggie dorms, and correctional facilities.