Top 10 Benefits of Installing a Carport at Your Home
Surprising Benefits of Carports
So you’ve been thinking about adding some protection for your vehicles from the elements. Building a fully enclosed garage would be ideal, but it also comes with a high price tag. Carports offer many of the same perks at a fraction of the cost.
Installing an open-air carport on your property provides shelter for your cars while also serving many other helpful purposes. Keep reading to learn the top 10 reasons to have a well-designed carport.
1. Protection from the Elements
One of the biggest motivators for investing in any vehicle storage structure is guarding against harsh weather damage from outdoor exposure. Parking in the open leaves your car vulnerable to all kinds of bad weather and environmental threats:
- Rain and snow corrode metal components faster while promoting rust over time
- Intense summer heat can cause interiors to crack and fade
- Sustained sun exposure bleaches paint jobs and deteriorates rubber and plastics
- Falling hail leaves behind dents and surface blemishes
- Tree sap and bird droppings etch finishes
Shielding your ride from these extreme weather conditions helps vehicles last considerably longer while maintaining their aesthetic appeal. Even though carports have open walls, coverage overtop makes a dramatic difference.
Pro Tip:
Adding a gabled roof provides stable temperature benefits beyond just shielding vehicles. This prevents automotive components from overheating in summer while still offering defense. For temperature regulation plus sheltered parking, a basic metal carport is a simple solution worth considering.
2. More Parking & Storage Space
For homeowners without room to add new simple structures, carport installation allows you to capitalise on unused outdoor space. The footprint doesn’t have to be large – even smaller carports can accommodate 1-2 cars with leather seat.
With smart design you can customise the dimensions to make room for all your cars, trucks, motorcycles without cramming everything together. That’s alongside creating space to store lawn mowers, ATVs, bicycles, and other recreational gear conveniently out of the interior living areas.
3. Convenience & Accessibility
One convenience advantage carports have is not dealing with automatic doors each time you need to access your valuable asset. Simply park and hop out without the hassle. This also means no waiting if the mechanism is slow or frozen in winter.
Open-sided coverage helps automotive interiors stay cooler as well by allowing better airflow instead of getting stifling hot sitting enclosed. As long as it extends out far enough, all doors can open freely without worrying about bumping walls too. Even backing in and out is easier.
4. Security & Peace of Mind
Although carports don’t provide the full protective cover, they act as surprisingly effective deterrents for criminal activity targeting your type of vehicle. The roof and pillars around the perimeter obstruct attempts to break into cars while also hampering vandals.
Unlike behind closed doors, your car parked beneath a carport remains visible from inside your home too. And illumination installed under the roof makes it easy to see any suspicious activity from both the house interior and street.
5. Energy Efficiency & Savings
Choosing a carport comes with the added obvious benefit of lower energy consumption. Electricity powers everything from garage door openers to lighting, climate systems and any appliances housed inside. It simply doesn’t require those energy-draining extras.
And if you install solar-powered spotlights, you can even reduce consumption directly from the grid. That means slashing both environmental impact and electricity bills – all while still getting nicely bright coverage over the parking zone.
6. Add Value & Curb Appeal
Having adequate parking capacity and storage can significantly influence perceived value of your home. Properties with insufficient spaces often appraise and sell for less than comparable ones with room for all owner vehicles. Curb appeal matters too!
Constructing an attractive carport incorporates polished design features into the yard area. And you can select the same colour scheme and finishes that integrate nicely with existing architecture. That’s reassurance for both your own continued enjoyment of the property and down the road when preparing for resale.
7. Gets Rid of Clutter
Adding a carport creates space to store things outside your home. No more tripping over muddy boots in the hallway. No more winding past dusty snow blowers in the basement.
This lets you keep things handy but out of the way. Garden tools can be stored safely where kids can’t reach them. Seasonal items get stashed nearby instead of stacked in bedrooms.
8. Customisable
It is easy to make a custom design for carports. You can pick roof materials to match your home’s look. Or use basic metal roofing over wood beams to save money.
It’s a piece of cake to expand it later by making it bigger or adding walls and doors.
9. Entertaining Space
Beyond parking, carports make great covered areas for parties and family gatherings. The roof keeps guests comfortable in any season.
Add some screen panels, patio furniture and you have a relaxing spot to unwind outside even in light rain. One less thing to worry about when BBQing with friends.
10. Cheaper
Dollar for dollar, carports provide cheaper vehicle storage unit than garages. Starting with a basic carport saves money upfront. You can always customise add-ons over time.
With garages, you pay everything at once. No flexibility to budget upgrades when you can afford them. In the end, carports can provide a perfect cover and deliver more value for your money.
Adding Extra Value Around Your Home
As you can see, carports offer homeowners far more than just a convenient spot to park vehicles protected from the harsh elements. Taking advantage of the flexible open-air design results in functionality and cost-effectiveness difficult for garages to match. And the peace of mind that comes with safeguarding your automotive investments against premature damage makes installing a carport a smart proposition adding value in many ways.