How To Dress Up A Carport

A carport may sound like a fancy British way to say "garage," merely information technology'south actually much more than—or, to be authentic, much less. That'south because a carport, different a garage, is merely a covering to protect your motorcar (or motorcycle or boat) from rain, sun, and snow. Open up on 3 or iv sides, carports provides shelter from the elements, but at a far lower price than a garage. If that sounds upwardly your alley (or driveway more like it), read on for a slew of carport ideas to go started.

Benefits of carports

Carports are typically associated with condominium or flat complexes, where residents just want a covered parking spot, saysSteve Brant with Brant Regency Estates & Homes in San Diego. Just they're condign an increasingly popular feature in unmarried-family homes also. For 1 matter, they're inexpensive to build compared with a garage. For another, even if homeownershave a garage, it's often stuffed to the rafters with everything just the motorcar itself—sporting equipment, boxes of memorabilia and decorations, an extra refrigerator—or the infinite has been converted to a dwelling gym, man cave, teen hangout, or other type of living space.

All of which leaves your motorcar outside, victim to the pounding rain and snowfall, the searing dominicus, not to mention a low-flight bird or two. And that's where a carport tin can come up in.

Carports don't only aid go on your car in mint condition, they keep us humans comfortable, too. When precipitation hits, you don't have to rush to your motorcar in your driveway under an umbrella, or run the Air-conditioning to cool down your car if it's been blistering in the sunday.

Carport vs garage: Which is ameliorate?

The big downside of carports, even so, is that your automobile will exist protected only and so much. It will still exist exposed to dust, clay, and damage, and security will be more of an issue. And dissimilar garages, carports don't offer much storage space to speak of; you'll take to stash that motor oil and toolkit somewhere else!

All things being equal, information technology'south preferable to choose a dwelling house with a garage, whether attached or detached, Brant advises.

"In add-on to the obvious benefits of security and storage, garages offer significant resale implications," he says, noting that a single-car garage tin add approximately $10,000 in value over a belongings that lacks one.

Still, if building a garage isn't in your upkeep or this infinite is already busting at the seams, a carport is a corking option to keep your auto covered. Just exist certain to check your HOA rules to run across if carports are even allowed and what sorts of permits and limitations yous may need to award.

Carport kits, costs, and more

Prefab carport kits tin can range in toll from effectually $100 for a simple metal canopy that will provide some shade to over $two,000 for a sleek, mod-looking polycarbonate job designed to resist more extreme weather elements. Custom carports can be had in every wait, from minimalist to luxury with prices to match.

Photo by Steelmanufaktur
Carports typically come in iii forms. The simplest is as a gratuitous-standing structure.

Photograph by Ignacio Salas-Humara Architect LLC

Another choice is to take it attached to the side of your firm or garage.

Photo by Christine Kelly / Crafted Architecture
Carports tin even exist built into the structure of the house.

Photo by GLR Arquitectos / Gilberto Fifty. Rodriguez
And just because a carport is less expensive than a garage doesn't mean information technology can't look amazing. To soften the look of a carport, consider planting flowers and shrubs around information technology (which offer added protection from the elements). If the roof of your carport is apartment and sturdy plenty, you tin can use it as a deck.