Vehicles are expensive, and it’s important to protect your investment by safeguarding your vehicle from the elements. Those who have the luxury of having a garage built into their homes might not need to worry about it, but for the rest of us, a carport is a great investment.
This article will go over what a carport is, the benefits of owning a carport, the different types of carports on the market, and what you should look for when buying a new or used carport.
What is a Carport?
A carport is a structure that typically features a roof supported by beams or posts. There are a few different types of carports, and we will go over those in a minute, but for now, just know that a carport is an outdoor structure that protects your vehicle from the elements; it's like an outdoor garage without the door.
If you don’t have a garage, then there are many benefits of buying a carport. Not only can a carport protect your vehicle from wind, rain, snow, and UV rays, but it can also increase the value of your home and provide a versatile space for storage or other purposes. Let’s take a closer look at the benefits of having a carport so that you can decide if it’s the right choice for you.
While many homes have garages that are completely enclosed with walls, roofing, and an entrance, many people choose not to store a vehicle inside. Luckily, a carport garage is a great alternative. What is a carport exactly? While garages are completely enclosed with walls, roofing, and an entrance, carports are typically open metal structures covered by a metal or fabric roof. Each car storage solution provides its own list of benefits. If you need an extra space to store your items or vehicles, and you're unsure of the advantages of a carport vs. garage, look no further.
Both carports and garages offer convenient and practical added space to store cars, tractors, or other motor-powered equipment - but both structures are different. In fact, there are several factors to consider when choosing between a carport and a garage including what you need to store, your space limitations, and where you plan to use your unit. Find out more about these distinct structures, and which will be the best option for you.
Carports and Garages: What’s the Difference?
Now that we’ve looked into some of the factors to consider when deciding whether to invest in a garage or a carport, let’s go more in-depth about the differences between carports and garages. We’ll discuss what each solution consists of and their uses at home, at work and in the community.
Carports vs. Garages: Factors to Consider
Now that you understand what each structure consists of and can be used for, let’s look at some key factors and benefits each structure provides to find the best options based on your needs:
A carport mainly provides practical shade and weather protection for your vehicles (as mentioned in our What is a Carport blog). However, these versatile structures can serve many more purposes than just vehicle protection. Utilize versatile shelter and check out five unique uses for your carport.
1. Outdoor Workspace.
Fixing your car? Building something for the home? A carport provides a shaded and weather-protected workspace for your outdoor projects.
These structures cover ample ground space to fit large supplies or workbenches and keep electrical equipment or power tools dry while you work. Whether you're welding, woodworking, making mechanical repairs or enjoying a creative hobby, you and whatever you’re working with will stay dry and protected.
2. On-site Office Pavilion.
Looking for a better lunch break spot? A carport can provide your business location with a much-needed shaded area so employees can enjoy lunch or their next office party outdoors. Not only will workers love a comfortable new picnic area, but providing an outdoor space at the workplace can be very beneficial. In fact, Business Insider suggests it can reduce stress, sharpen thinking, and boost creativity.
These structures are simple to erect on virtually any property and require minimal maintenance for an easy shade option with plenty of benefits for everyone.
Many people believe that winter is the most dangerous season for their vehicles, and it is during this period that they ensure they stay under the protection of a car tarp tent or another shelter. As the weather begins to warm, we bring our vehicles out and are less determined to keep them under shelter. However, this is a dangerous belief since summer weather and conditions can also compromise your vehicle's exterior and interior.
Throughout this article, we touch on why summer can be a damaging season for your vehicle and the different types of car shelters to protect them during the summer.
The Importance of a Car Shelter for the Summer
While there isn't ice, freezing weather, and salted roads during the summer, there are still damaging weather conditions. Overexposure to sunlight steadily causes the color inside and outside of your car to fade. Rain and hail cause rust and dents over the exterior of the car. If you live in a wet and humid area, these will set in on the car even faster.
A car shelter is an essential addition to your summer protection to maintain the value of your vehicles. They can easily protect your car from rain, help create a balanced environment on the interior, and stop your car from getting dented during hail storms. Whether you decide to get one with or without walls is up to you and the amount of work you want to put in to maintain your car. For example, a car shelter without walls might still require you to dry the exterior of your car after a rainstorm if the rain slanted to come under the shelter.
When you consider the car shelters below, think about the weather patterns you experience in your region, the space that you have, the aesthetic you would like to maintain. Also, think about the other uses a car shelter could have for you to maximize
Canada
Now that you understand what each structure consists of and can be used for, let’s look at some key factors and benefits each structure provides to find the best options based on your needs:
