Frequently Asked Questions

How are your frames made? All of our frames are made of weatherproof Structural Steel tubing. The diameters and thickness vary upon the application.  Our 1-car garages have 1 5/8” diameter main ribs; compared to most competitors that use 1” to 1 3/8” maximum. Our 2-car garages and RV shelters use 2 3/8” Diameter main ribs, the largest in the industry; for strength and durability.

Which style is better for snow, House or Round? The two styles are very similar to each other with respect to their strength in snow prone areas. However, the House or Peak style does have some increased interior space due to the straight sidewalls and is recommended for everyday “garage” type use. Wider garages necessitate the use of the “peaked” roof, to allow for useable height at the sides. Our units use a steep pitch to its roofs to ensure that snow and ice slide off easily. The Round style buildings do allow for the snow to slide off more easily. In heavy snow prone areas we can provide reduced rafter spacing to make the frames stronger. 3’ Rafter spacing vs. standard 4’ Rafter spacing.

What type of material is used? Nova-Thene® Rip stop woven polyolefin is a, UV treated, triple laminate polyethylene. Polyethylene is the same material used in most tarps; this is where the similarity ends. Our fabrics are made of a “triple laminate” design. This means that an outer layer of UV Treated, waterproof material is laminated to a mesh or “Rip-Stop” inner core. On the inside a UV Treated, White inner layer is also laminated to the mesh. This produces a material that is completely impervious to water and wind, is incredibly strong; up to 380lb/ft tear strength, and in the case of the Heavy Duty material will last in the worst weather for years. The Double Stack weave provides unmatched strength to weight ratios. Please take a look at our buyer’s guide for more details.  

What colors are available? See our fabric specifications and color chart. The inner layer is always white to reflect ambient light and make the inside of the unit brighter. Unlike some of our competitors, who use colored interiors, which make it dark and difficult to work in.

What color lasts the longest? All colors are UV Treated to be equally durable, color choice is up to you as a matter of aesthetics. Most popular colors are forest green, gray, and tan respectively.

How difficult is assembly? Most of our residential shelters with either the bolt-together or self-tapping screw design can be installed in just a few hours with basic hand tools and 2-3 people. The unit arrives to you ready to assemble and all hardware is included. The unit arrives to you ready to assemble, no punching, cutting or welding is require. All required hardware is included as well as Step-by-Step instruction. We also have representatives available 7 days a week to provide assistance over the phone with installation or technical questions.
* Some structures require minor drilling or self-tapping screw installation. Detailed instruction manuals are also included with a toll free phone number for assistance. 

Several factors are involved when making the decision as to size. The first thing to consider is the available area for the unit. Measure the area available taking into account any overhead obstructions such as power lines, trees, overhangs etc. Keep in mind that the overall dimensions of the unit needed will be considerably larger than what is being stored. Get accurate dimensions of the vehicle or items to be covered. These dimensions must take into account all accessories such as luggage racks, antenna, air-conditioning units etc. When you have these dimensions contact our sales associates for suggestions on size and style.

 *Note: Height of trailers should be measure while attached to tow vehicle.

Can the shelters handle my weather year round?  The products we provide use only the highest quality materials and are designed for extreme weather conditions year round. From the blazing sun in the southwest to the snow and extreme cold in the Midwest and New England. Our years of experience and field-testing have shown that properly installed; our units can resist all types of weather. As a New England based company we have seen our shelters come through some of the worst weather on record. Our larger trussed shelters have engineering specifications of up to 60 pound per square foot snow loads and 100 MPH wind loads. *Contact our Trussed Building Division for specifications.

Anchor systems are designed to ensure that your shelter is anchored safely and securely. The type of system used with your shelter should be based on the size of your shelter and the type of surface to which you are securing your shelter. We have several anchor systems available to secure your unit in a variety of conditions. Your garage must be anchored securely to keep it in place and to provide structure support. Anchors are available for Dirt, Asphalt, Concrete, and Wood. Please consult with one of our experienced sales associates for the proper anchoring system for your conditions.

Is a building permit required for assembly? In most instances, a permit is not required due to the building’s temporary nature. Because the buildings are not permanent structures and they can be moved easily. However, it is always best to check your local regulations prior to purchase.

 Do I need to pay property tax on my building? Due to the temporary nature of our buildings, you will most likely not need to pay taxes. Check with your local assessor’s office to be sure.

Can I request a material sample before ordering? Depending on the product, samples are often available free of charge.

Will I be able to buy replacement parts? We sell all the individual replacement parts for the units we carry. Please contact one of our sales associates’ with your needs.

Do you offer customer pick up? Yes we do offer customer pick up at our local warehouse on some of our products. Please contact one of one sales representative for more information.

How can we order our building and how long will it take to receive it? Portable Products is open 7 days a week from 8 am to 9 pm EST. Our professionally trained sales people can answer any of your questions and take your order by phone. You may also order most of our products online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. As long as your building is in stock we ship with in 4 business days. Depending on your location in the U.S., lead time is usually 7-10 business days. On products made to order lead time is usually a bit longer (8 to 15 business days, with 3 to 5 day ship time).

What forms of payment do you accept? Portable Products accepts most forms of payments for your convince, we accept cash, checks, money orders, Pay Pal, credit cards (Visa, Master Card, American Express, & Discovery). Your credit card will be charged with in 24 hours, of when you place the order.

What is a “promo” or coupon code? “Promo” or coupon codes are used in conjunction with our special offers. These codes will drive your special discounts and pricing.

What is your Return Policy? The cost of freight and custom nature of some of the products we sell make returns difficult if not impossible. Please make sure you order the correct product.

Please read our: terms and conditions.

What type of warranty is offered? In most cases a 1 to 5 year manufacture defect replacement warranty is offered depending on the product. On the 12.5 ounce units, the manufacture offers a 15 year limited warranty on their cover material. Please contact us for more details.

I am missing parts. What do I do? If you find that you are missing parts or a part has been damaged in shipping, there is no need to return your item for an exchange. Please all our customer service department at 1-800-996-0676 and we will gladly ship a replacement part to you as quickly as possible. Please have the part number that is referenced in the product instructions.  

What are your shipping charges? Shipping charges vary by product and your “ship to“ address. We use a “freight shopping” program to insure the best possible shipping rate. Express or 2-day shipping options are available on some products at a higher price. Please fill out our freight quotes form for more details or contact us.

Can I get a discount if I purchase larger quantities? Some of our products will have price breaks for larger quantities. Those items will have a special pricing table on the product details page.

Why do some of your products have extended lead times or delivery dates? Some of the poly buildings and greenhouses we offer are manufactured items (made to order). In some cases, we may be able to accommodate a rush order.