A carport is an open-roof structure used to store vehicles, with no walls or garage doors. They can be attached or freestanding, and made from wood, vinyl, aluminum, or steel. Carport kits offer a cheaper option to custom garages, but garages offer more storage space.
A carport is an open-roof structure made to store at least one parked car, van, truck, boat, trailer, or recreational vehicle (RV). Garages differ from garages in that the sides are open rather than walled in. There’s no need for garage doors and a garage door opener in a carport, but unlike garages, carports often don’t have much storage space. A carport may be attached to the side of a building, or it may be freestanding. Many carports are located at the front of a home from the front entrance, while others are located in side or rear yards and have dirt, concrete, gravel, or paved driveways.
The support posts and the roof create the basic structure for the garages. The carriage house was first created in the early 1900s, and famed American architect Frank Lloyd Wright gave the structures its name. Garages can be built from wood, vinyl, aluminum, or steel, but steel garages are often considered the strongest and most durable. Galvanized Steel One-Piece Roof Carports offer a zinc finish to resist rust and heavy-duty roof construction. Garage ceilings with many sections may not be as strong.
Steel is also fire resistant and not prone to termites or mold from water damage. The advantage of wooden garages is that they can look very attractive and be built to match the overall style and appearance of a house. If properly maintained, wooden garages can be long-lasting. Vinyl garages are not as common as the wood and steel versions, but they are often quite easy to install and are waterproof. Vinyl is a recyclable synthetic material with the full name of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and is known for its strength.
Aluminum garages are not as popular as the steel versions, but they are lightweight and available in a wide range of colors to match the colors of the house. Garages do not need to be permanent structures and aluminum garages are available in portable or permanent options. Although not as strong as steel, aluminum has the advantage of being lighter and therefore many portable metal garages are made of aluminum. A portable carport may have a lightweight aluminum frame and a fabric canopy. These types of carports are often used for outdoor recreation, such as sun protection during beach camping or wind protection during hunting trips.
Carport kits offer a lower priced option to custom garages. All types of carports have open sides, but the weather protection they offer vehicles is adequate in most areas. Although garages generally offer much more storage and shelving space, larger garages allow some room for these options. Since garages are covered, but also open on the sides, some people like to add a picnic table for rainy-day al fresco dining if parking is outside the kitchen.
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