A carport is a roofless garage attached to domestic or commercial buildings, typically designed to house automobiles. However, a carport can also refer to a covered outdoor space for parking motor vehicles. Carports have been constructed from various materials, some of which have been designed as single-family homes with living quarters above the garage and others as storage spaces.

What Are Carports? – All You Need to Know About It

Homes that have been constructed with carports have historically had significant cost savings in both construction and maintenance compared to houses with attached or detached garages. However, as housing styles have changed, the price difference between carports and garages has narrowed significantly.

Why Should People Consider Carports?

A carport is also known as an open car shelter, open-air parking structure, open-air parking building, car shade structure, and (in the United Kingdom) a carport. A carport can be wood, steel, concrete, or even stone.

A carport is typically built on its foundation. Still, the term is sometimes used to describe a structure that does not have an independent foundation and is treated as a unit attached to the main house using a hyphen between the separate structures. A carport may also be installed onto a concrete pad that has been poured in place on the ground.

1. Protects a Vehicle from Precipitation

A carport protects a vehicle from precipitation, which is helpful in climates that receive heavy snow or rain. It can also avoid a car being spray-washed by automatic car washes. Garage walls protect vehicles from the sun and precipitation, trap pollution inside the garage. In some areas, local laws prohibit the installation of a fixed roof over an occupied garage to prevent people from living in them.

2. Reduces the Cost of Utility Bills

According to Energy.gov, a carport reduced the heating and cooling costs by about 12% compared to a garage or open storage. In addition, a carport with living space above it can help regulate the interior temperature of such a dwelling.

3. Keeps a Vehicle Cool

A carport provides shade to a vehicle. When the sun comes up in warm climates, it can become boiling. This heat can cause damage to a car and make it uncomfortable for people to drive it. A carport keeps direct sunlight off the vehicle and helps insulate it from the heat. Even in colder climates, a carport does not let the car get as hard by providing some shelter from inclement weather.

4. Allows for the Subdivision of Property

A carport is a smaller building that can be used to divide a larger property. For example, an owner could install two or more carports on their property, use one as a garage, and subdivide the others into additional living space.

5. Can Be Used as Additional Living Space

A carport can also be used as additional living space if converted into a patio or sunroom by adding windows, doors, and interior partitions. To prevent carports from being used as a garage without approval from the local building department, owners can install a lock or other locking device on the entry door to the carport.

6. Provides Additional Storage

A carport can also provide additional storage to homeowners if they add cabinets underneath the structure. In addition, it can be beneficial for storing bicycles, gardening tools, and other outdoor items.

7. Adds Living Space

A carport adds living space to a home and can increase the home’s value for resale or rent and be suitable as an additional living space for family members. Carports also have the potential to be built on unused land, providing affordable housing in areas with high real estate prices.

Some Major Facts about Carports –

1. A carport is essentially a car porch, covered parking, or a simple garage without a roof.
2. The definition of a carport is that it provides shelter for one or more automobiles; it’s not a building in which one can reside.
3. The price range for the best carport designs can vary from $500 to $2000, you can decide about the design of your choice, but certain things should be kept in mind like the dimensions of the building and material used, etc.
4. A carport can be made out of wood, stone, or iron. You can use your creativity to personalize the interior of the structure since it will be used for parking purposes only.
5. If you want to make the initial investment of buying carports minimal and have a limited budget, go for wood as it is low-cost material.
6. If you plan to buy a carport for your garage, spend a few bucks more on insulation panels. It will help in keeping the garage cool.
7. If you have a tiny garage and parking is always an issue, you can go for a carport instead of buying an average garage that will cost you more.
8. When the carport and home occupy part of the same property, there may be some access issues, but it depends on your backyard and the property’s size.
9. If you have a large carport, it can be helpful as additional living space. You can personalize your carport accordingly and build a patio or sunroom on top of it with an interior door to enter the home.
10. A carport is not for parking cars only; you can park a boat or bike too in your carport when not in use.

A carport is an excellent alternative to the conventional garage. It costs less, can be installed in any corner of your land, and is easy to clean, making it an even better option. So, if you are planning to buy your first carport, go for it today. You can always come back and make further improvements to it in the future. Once you consider the above details, you will learn about the significant aspects of carports and have better advantages from them. Try to stay focused so that you can better understand the mentioned details and have better experiences with no troubles involved.