We receive many questions from customers. One of the most common questions we receive is carport vs. garage – which is better?
This determination is a personal one. Garages are traditionally what people choose for their home, and we’re 100% behind putting up a quality garage if that’s what’s going to work best for you. But, our main concern is that our customers get a quality structure at the right price that’s going to best accomplish their goals. And, sometimes, a garage isn’t the best option.
For an in-depth discussion of both garages and carports, read our Structure Guides
Why Carports May Be a Better Option
While a garage can be a versatile and useful structure, carports have their own advantages, and many of their benefits aren’t realized by people. Here are just a few of the reasons some people choose a carport over a garage:
Price
Carports are less expensive. Actually, a carport costs about half as much as a garage. It’s a cheap way to protect your vehicles and other items.
Regulation Free
If you build a garage, you have to worry about city regulations and fire safety during construction. This isn’t the case with carports because it’s not enclosed and can’t be considered a living space.
Faster Installation
A garage will take some time to build, but a carport could be up in a day, especially with professional installation.
Protects Vehicles
The roof of the carport protects vehicles from the weather and flying debris. You won’t have to worry about rain, snow, and hail hitting your vehicles. If you have trees around your house, you don’t have to worry about branches falling on them. In many cases, that’s all the protection a vehicle really needs. It doesn’t have to be locked inside an enclosed building.
Natural Ventilation
Vehicles stored under carports have natural ventilation. You won’t ever have to worry about humidity or mold, which could potentially be a problem in a garage.
Freedom with Location
With a garage, you have to decide where to build it. Most of the time, it will end up attached to your home unless you can have a detached garage. Some homeowners associations will not allow that. With a carport, you don’t have to worry about that unless the association restricts their construction/use. In most cases, you can choose to have the carport placed wherever you want without issue.
Decrease Clutter
The United States Department of Energy reported that 25 percent of adults with a two-car garage have so much stored in it that they don’t have room for a car. It’s not nearly as easy to clutter up a carport, so the chances of it are slim.
Added Space
If you already have a garage and use it for storage, a carport provides added space to store a vehicle. In this case, it’s not about getting a carport OR garage, but getting a carport in addition to a garage.
Carport for the Win
Most of our customers who choose a carport over a garage come back to tell us that they are happy with their decision. They didn’t have to spend a lot of money; they don’t have a cluttered garage; their vehicles, equipment, and items are protected; and they now have a structure that can be used in many ways.
If you’re considering a carport purchase, contact us. We know all there is to know about carports and would love to help you find the one that best suits your needs.
