Carports are a popular and economical way to protect a vehicle. For most people their home is their largest investment and their car is the second. Some new cars and trucks actually cost more than a modest home. We are all shocked at how expensive automobiles have gotten. Five years ago a friend of mine purchased a small home on the edge of town and paid $10,000 less for it than he paid for his new truck. Our transportation is well worth the investment in a carport to shelter it.
With the cost of garages, it is not always a viable option for someone on a budget. This is when a carport is a great choice. Carports can be flat topped, single sloped like a shed roof, or peaked with a gable.
CARPORT DESIGNS
No slope carports simple to construct but in an area with snow fall, a carport with no roof angle can pose a problem. Heavy snow load could flatten a car’s protection right on top of it. In warmer climates no slope carports can be seen with a deck or patio built on top of it.
A single slope roof is a nice option when attaching it to a home or another building or when there is a limited amount of space for a carport. This is a more simple construction style than a gabled carport, yet it still prevents snow and ice build up. A single slope is a great choice for a DIY person. When measuring for the frame, it is easier to cut one angle to make a shed roof, than to measure and re-measure to get the peaked gable to come out right.
The third type of roof line is the gabled construction. For clarification, a gable of a building is where the top of the wall ends and the roof line begins and climbs to the peak. It looks like a triangle on the end of the building. Both the gabled and the single sloped roof line encourages the water to run off and also increases the strength of the shelter.
Free Standing 13 guage square steel frame
Carports can be made of either wood, metal, or metal superstructure with a polyethylene (a special type of vinyl) cover. They can have just a roof and no sides, or up to three sides.
Wooden carports are typically built by a general contractor or by a homeowner equipped with a set of plans. For a more permanent carport that can be built right onto the home. The wooden ones are a good choice. Shingles or metal roofing to match the home can be installed on the carport, resulting in a carport that is an integral part of the home.
Metal carports tend to be free standing. Purchasing a metal carport kit is a good way. With all the material included in the kit, plus directions (for those who actually read them), it goes together without too much time and headache. Carport kits are also more suitable for a do-it-yourselfer than adding a wooden carport addition to the home.
Metal carports can be purchased to shelter not just one car, but several in a row. Apartment buildings sometimes have covered parking for residents. Some 500 cars in a row at times can be found under a commercial carport. RV carports can also be found that are specially designed with added height for campers and motor homes. Others are used for covering hay bales, farm equipment, and animal shade.
Metal carports are the best choice for agricultural use due to the ruggedness of the ranch and farm settings. Hay is a valuable commodity and retains more value if under cover. Farm equipment can cost as much as or more than a vehicle, necessitating its protection. Also livestock flock to stand in the shade and also avoid storms if a shelter is available. I have seen some horse owners add hanging strips of plastic to the car port opening to help keep the flies out.
A car canopy, more portable carports, are another option. Made with a metal frame and anchored to the ground, this type has a polyethylene cover. Polyethylene is advertized as being 100% water proof with a special treatment to prevent ripping, mildew, fading, and UV ray damage. Canopy carports range between roofs only, one, two, or three sided. There are also a few with a fourth zippered side to totally enclose a vehicle.
A 10’x20’ or 12’x20’ size are both common in canopy carports.More portable than their wooden and metal cousins, they are commonly seen at picnics, family reunions, and sidewalk sales.
Whatever choice is made, carports are a great way to shelter a vehicle. The wide variety of sizes, styles, and materials they are available in makes the choice easy to find one that matches a budget and a home’s exterior design. Garage plans are also now available on our site.
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