New carport material choice advice, House vehicle space tips, Secure parked car protection

How to Choose The Right Material For Your New Carport

1 September 2024

The goal of building a carport is to have a place to park your vehicle away from the elements. Even a free-standing carport consisting of only a roof and some support posts can still protect a vehicle from damage. So, the last thing you want is for your carport to come tumbling down or get blown away the first time the wind kicks up.

These and other issues can often be avoided by using the right building materials. Choosing the best material for a carport isn’t always easy. Sometimes a material you love may not be the best option for your area. Here’s what you should consider before settling on materials for your carport.

Factors to Consider

A lot goes into deciding which materials are best suited for your carport. While you can always go with the first carport you see, it doesn’t mean it’s right for your needs.

The Frame

A quick Google search will bring up a ton of options for the carport’s frame. You can choose from materials like wood, metal, or fiberglass. You can also find synthetic materials like PVC.

Wood is the most expensive building material, but it can give you more design options. PVC and other synthetic materials are typically budget-friendly but you may be sacrificing a little on strength and durability. The same applies to aluminum.

Aluminum is less expensive than steel and can offer a little more stability than some synthetic materials. However, if your budget allows, you might want to consider steel. Wood and steel are durable and can often withstand strong wind gusts. Like wood steel also comes at a price.

The Roof

While the frame supports the structure, even if it’s an open-sided carport the roof is just as important. You also have a few options when you’re choosing a roofing material.

If your primary goal is to protect your vehicle from UV rays and the occasional raindrop, waterproof fabric is a cost-effective option. Polyethylene is lightweight, great for portable carports, waterproof, and isn’t affected by cold temperatures. Another popular option is Polyvinyl chloride. You get the same benefits plus it’s much more durable.

Sometimes you want more protection than a fabric roof can provide. You can also pay a little more for aluminum or bitumen roofing sheets. Both types of materials are durable and weather-resistant. Aluminum sheeting may require a little extra maintenance to prevent issues with rust and oxidation.

Budget

You’re probably noticing that some materials are priced a little higher than others, which is something you want to pay attention to as you’re planning a budget. You can easily go over budget, even with a simple free-standing carport.

Figuring out what you can afford will make it easier to decide on the type of materials. What you don’t want to do is sacrifice quality, even if it means saving a few bucks.

Style

Not all carports are open-sided structures and this may be surprising to learn. Carports come in a variety of styles and the type of material you choose can limit your design options. Wood is a versatile material and is a great option if you want something other than a traditional-looking carport.

Metal and some synthetic materials like PVC don’t offer as many design options but they’re also easy to paint. As long as you go with an outdoor-rated paint, you can choose any color that speaks to you.

The carport’s style also extends to the roof. Fabric roofs are relatively simple in design and you really don’t have any options. If you go with roofing sheets like ones made from metal, you can design your carport to match your house.

Local Weather

Along with your budget, something you always should consider is your local weather. The climate plays a crucial role in which materials are best suited for your carport. Areas that frequently see strong storms should consider using a study material like steel or wood. Yes, these materials tend to be the highest priced but they’re less expensive than replacing a damaged carport.

If humidity is a year-round problem, you may want to stay away from metal materials like aluminum and steel. The humidity can cause rust and corrosion that can damage a carport. Wood is probably the best choice in this type of climate. If you don’t want to spring for the cost of a wood carport, you can protect a metal carport from rust.

You’ll need a spray epoxy and possibly some metal polish. The polish can remove rust and corrosion, while the epoxy protects the metal from additional damage. You can add another layer of protection by slapping a coat of paint on top of the epoxy.

Are You Planning on Moving the Carport?

A question that’s not always considered is whether you’re planning on moving the carport. If the answer is yes, you should choose lightweight materials. You can even find portable carport kits. The kits come with everything you need to assemble a foldable carport.

So, what materials should you choose for a portable carport? Since weight is a primary concern, stay away from materials like wood and steel. Aluminum and PVS are better options. Both are lightweight and relatively inexpensive. Remember, strength and durability aren’t priorities with portable carports. Your goal is to keep the weight low. Fabric roofs are standard with portable carports.

Eco-Friendly Carport Material Options

If you’re worried about your impact on the environment, you’re probably looking for eco-friendly carport materials. Responsibly sourced wood is always an option.

While not exactly eco-friendly, aluminum and steel are more affordable. Metal materials also leave a slightly smaller carbon footprint compared to synthetics like plastics and PVC support posts.

The same applies to the roofing materials but your options are rather limited. You can find a few eco-friendly fabric options but the price is usually higher than more traditional materials.

Choosing the Right Materials For Your Carport

Deciding on the right materials for your carport requires careful consideration, but the time and effort you invest will pay off in the long run. Choosing the right materials helps make sure that your carport doesn’t just look great, but stands the test of time.

Properly built carports created with durable materials can provide stable and reliable protection for your vehicles for years to come, making the initial effort well worth it.

Comments on this guide to New carport material choice – garage protection for your vehicles article are welcome.