Where do you park your car? Do you leave your car outside exposed to all sorts of harsh weather?
A car is a big investment and you need to protect it from damage that may be caused to it when left outside unsheltered. If you don’t have the space for a garage, a carport is a fantastic solution to your problem.
A carport will not only protect your car from the elements, but it can also be used to store other things such as lawnmowers, motorbikes, and much more. It is also a less expensive alternative to constructing a complete garage. Even people who own garages still find carport useful.
What type of carport roof do you need? Check out this guide to understand the difference between the different styles to help you choose.
The Different Carport Roof Styles
Here’s a look at three main types of carport roofs.
Standard Roof Style
This is also known as a regular roof design. It is perhaps the most common form of carport roof design. The standard roof design has no trim on ridge caps, eaves or purlins. This makes it very affordable.
A standard carport is very easy to assemble. Simply erect the steel braces, then firmly attach panels to the braces, and the structure is complete.
Its major drawback is that it cannot withstand heavy snow loads or high winds. Plus, its horizontal roof orientation doesn’t allow fast drainage. This is why you can find small pools building up on its roof.
After some time, the ponding water can cause costly damage to the roof.
Boxed Eave Roof Style
Boxed eave resembles a home roof but its panels are horizontal. Boxed eave has no ridge cap or hat channel. It has a small l-Trim on the ends.
Most homeowners choose the boxed eave carport design since it matches the appearance of most house roofs. This design is stronger than a standard carport and can withstand heavy snow loads and high winds.
It uses horizontal paneling, and this makes it share the same drainage issues with regular carport. However, it’s more expensive than a standard carport.
Vertical Roof Style
This design looks similar to the boxed eave roof design. They are both A-frame roofs, but vertical design roofs have vertical paneling. They have smooth panels that run down from the ridge to the eave side.
They also feature a hat channel that runs on the underside of the unit. This supports the vertical panels and makes the structure strong.
One of its advantages is that it can withstand extreme weather conditions such as high winds and heavy snowfall.
The steel reinforcement that runs underneath helps bear the weight of snow that can be packed on top in the event heavy snowfall. Its vertical paneling supports smooth draining, so no water pools can be formed on the roof.
It has wall options that create privacy, block airflow, and control temperatures. The reinforcement on the backs and eaves of the roofing panel limit bending or lifting due to high winds. Its durability is impressive.
The main disadvantage of vertical design is its cost. Its other disadvantage is that it’s difficult to assemble compared to other roof varieties. There also may be some specific legal requirements governing the installation of vertical carport designs.
Factors to Consider When Selecting a Roof Type for Your Carport
Before choosing any of the above carport designs, there are a number of important features that you need to consider. The features include panel orientation, maintenance, local building codes, drainage, and size.
You also have to think about the climate. If you live in a place with heavy snow loads or a climate with lots of rain, you’ll need an equally sturdier structure.
The Size of Your Car
The dimensions of your car determine the style of roof you can choose. If you’re looking for a parking space for your standard car, you’ll not need much space, unlike when you want to park an RV.
Regular style and boxed eave roofs are suitable for standard cars. Vertical roofs are ideal for accommodating bigger cars. If you are looking for a large carport, consider vertical design.
Panel Orientation
The second feature to consider is the orientation roofing panels. Metal buildings are essentially steel braces masked with a thin layer of metal paneling.
You can get either horizontal or vertical panels. The orientation of the horizontal panel makes it difficult to drain water. They run from the front to the back of your building.
Vertical panels are able to drain water since they have a smooth surface that connects its ridge cap to the eaves. This allows the flow of water and prevents damage to the surface.
Upkeep
Maintenance is another factor to consider. Settle for a design that is long-lasting and easy to maintain. Vertical roofs, for example, are designed to help reduce maintenance costs by allowing fast run-off from the roof surface.
Local Building Codes
You shouldn’t violate the building codes governing the choice of roofs for carport construction in your local area. Learn about your building jurisdiction before choosing the type of carport to install. Your neighborhood may be having some specific requirements about carport installation.
Some jurisdictions don’t allow vertical designs in favor of standard roof designs. This may be due to aesthetic reasons. Make sure you follow your local area’s guidelines on roof selection.
Consider Your Future Needs When Choosing a Carport Roof Design
Each of the above carport roof types has distinct pros and cons, so the type you choose should match your needs, budget and personal preference.
A carport is an important investment and it is necessary to think about your future needs as well. You may only be having a single car for now, but you may need more space in the future.
A carport that is easy to assemble will be easy to disassemble too. This is especially important when it is time to move to a new home.
Contact us to place an order or learn more about our carports designs.
