Generator Enclosures & Storage Sheds
Getting a generator is a great first step to take to ensure that you have power in emergencies for your home or business.
But a generator can only do its job if you are storing and operating it in safe conditions. In this post, we will go over some important features and considerations for when you are looking into your options for buying or building a generator enclosure.
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Why You Need an Enclosure for Your Generator
A generator can be a hefty expense. After purchasing one, you might not feel like making another major purchase in the near future. But a generator enclosure is not just a nice extra that is convenient to have. It is a critical purchase to protect the investment you have already made in your generator.
Here are some reasons you cannot simply leave your generator outside exposed to the elements:
- Precipitation, temperature fluctuations, and harsh wind can all damage a generator or interfere with proper operation. An enclosure provides shelter and insulation.
- Stop insects, rodents, birds, and other animals from compromising your generator.
- Prevent theft or vandalism.
- In case of civil unrest, protect your generator from weapons damage, etc.
- You can store tools and supplies for generator maintenance right inside the enclosure with it. You also will have a clean, dry, sheltered place to work if necessary.
- Maintain a clean aesthetic look for your outdoor space by keeping your generator in a shed.
Why not simply store your generator inside your home, like in your garage? Frankly, generators are loud. Many people underestimate just how noisy they can be until they try running one for the first time.
Storing the generator in an enclosure will prevent you from having to deal with all that noise. If you choose an enclosure with suitable soundproofing, your neighbors will not have to put up with loud noise either.
Important Features for Generator Enclosures
Here is what to look for when you are comparing store-bought and DIY generator enclosure options:
- A floor that is dry and even.
- Robust materials like concrete and steel that can stand up to high winds, tremors, and more. Make sure that they are also corrosion-resistant.
- Dimensions that are large enough to support your generator as well as any storage space you want inside.
- Easy access through sturdy doors, flaps, and/or a roof you can lift.
- Ventilation features to prevent the buildup of fumes or heat. This should include outlets for fumes to escape through along with an exhaust fan. The fan must be housed in an appropriate wire cage guard.
- Adequate soundproofing (make sure it will keep the decibels within a range that is allowed by your neighborhood covenant, if applicable). A soundproofed generator enclosure may also be known as a “sound-attenuating box” or a “soundproof baffle box.”
- A safe, dry and convenient location for the transfer switch. Whatever you do, do not try to operate your generator without the use of a transfer switch.
- Additional accessories. There are a number of features that can increase the safety and accessibility of your generator enclosure. These include lights, signs, and more.
- Appearance. While often not as critical as practical considerations, aesthetics are worth thinking about as well when you are choosing a prefab enclosure for your generator. Indeed, this may be an essential consideration if you have to conform to certain requirements in your neighborhood.
If you are at all handy, you might be wondering whether it would be worth the effort to build your own generator enclosure instead of shopping for one.
There are pros and cons to either option. The upsides of building your own DIY generator enclosure include saving costs and fully customizing your enclosure.
But it does take time and labor to construct your own enclosure. Plus, you might be comfortable working with wood, but not with sturdier materials like concrete.
On top of that, there are so many critical safety considerations when building an enclosure for a generator. If you make a mistake involving electrical wiring, ventilation, or any other aspect of the enclosure’s design, you could find yourself with overheating or other serious problems.
It is simply not worth taking any unnecessary risks with your design. If you are in any doubt about your skills and knowledge at all, it makes sense to trust expert builders with your generator housing.
Why Choose a Modular Generator Housing?
We recommend you shop for a modular generator enclosure. Here are a few reasons why:
- Affordable. If you order a modular prefab generator enclosure, it will be manufactured through an efficient process that minimizes costs and material waste. As a result, it should be easy to stay within your budget.
- Fast and easy. The nature of prefab manufacturing makes for rapid construction. You can expect a fast turnaround time between placing your order and receiving your prefab generator enclosure. If there is any assembly to do on-site, it will be minimal.
- Safe. As we just discussed, a professional building team is going to be able to ensure a completely safe structure. If you take the DIY approach, you do not have the same level of assurance.
- High quality control. One of the advantages of prefab engineering is that all the components for the structure are built in a factory, rather than on-site. The level of quality control in that environment is higher, resulting in more precision in the manufacturing.
- Customizable. You might assume that prefab portable generator enclosures are too generic for your needs. But many manufacturers offer a variety of options that allow you to personalize your generator shed.
Recommended Product: Modular Connections Modular Concrete Generator Enclosure
To give you an idea for what makes for a quality modular generator enclosure, here is an example of a product from Modular Connections.
This modular enclosure measures 13’8” x 18’4”. Made with 6” steel reinforced concrete walls and roof panel and a 8” waffle profile steel reinforced concrete floor, it is ready to stand up to just about anything.
In fact, it is a FEMA 361 – ICC500 storm-rated generator building rated to hold up to 250 mph winds. Moreover, the roof and walls are ICC500 large missile impact-rated/tested.
While the structure itself, the Duro-Last Roof Membrane, and a FEMA 361-rated 3×7 steel door with frames come standard, there are also some custom features available. You can provide the specifications for your generator, and have the enclosure custom designed to meet those specifications.
Additionally, if you want to spruce up the exterior, you can opt for a simulated brick finish, and choose a color that will help the enclosure blend in with the surrounding structures on your property.
There are a variety of custom integration features as well. Some of these include interior fluorescent lights, safety signage, convenience receptacles, a ventilation fan, an exhaust port, a dry chemical fire extinguisher, and more.
Get Your Modular Prefab Generator Enclosure Now
As your source of backup power, your generator is there to ensure that you can continue to power your appliances if the grid goes down. It is an investment you made so that you can safely weather the unexpected.
A generator enclosure will ensure you are even more ready for major storms, civil unrest, or other unforeseen events that might compromise a generator left sitting outside.
Not only that, but your modular prefab generator enclosure will shield your generator from daily wear and tear. It will also protect your eardrums and those of your neighbors from its noisy operation.
If you are ready to get the affordable, safe, high-quality prefab generator shed you need now, just click the link in this post.