How to Decide Between a Garage or Carport

When you begin to consider adding covered parking to your property, you will quickly learn that you really have two choices. A carport does provide a covered parking area but it is not fully enclosed. A garage offers a fully enclosed structure complete with a door and possibly even windows. There are several factors which will have an impact on which selection will best meet your needs.

Climate

One of the big reasons that homeowners want to have covered parking is to protect their vehicle from the elements. But different climates have some very different weather issues to take into consideration. 

If you are in the southwest where the sun blazes down on vehicles for over half of the year and can result in temperatures exceeding 150 degrees in a closed car, then shade is the desired goal. A carport will provide the shade that you want to protect your car’s finish as well as some relief from an ultra-hot car when you open the door. The same carport will also provide you protection from the few days of rain that the southwest experiences each year. But living in the north where snow is possible for 6 months or more each year, a garage is more suited to your needs. Your vehicle will be protected from the blowing snow as well as being insulated from the subzero temperatures.

Functionality

In addition to protecting your vehicle, there could be other needs that you are hoping to meet such as additional storage.

A carport, if large enough, can provide some protection from the elements for items such as lawn equipment or bicycles but it really doesn’t offer the ability to secure tools, a workshop or storage for items like Christmas decorations or sports equipment.

A garage, on the other hand, does allow for added storage in cabinets as well as a designated work area. An additional benefit is the fact that all of the items stored in a garage can be secured with door locks and even a security system if desired.

Cost

As a much less intricate structure, the carport is almost always going to be the most cost-effective means ofCarport US - Vertical Roof sheltering a vehicle. So when the budget is a concern, a carport is an economical way to protect the investment you have made in your vehicle and make your life a little bit easier when it is raining or swelteringly hot.

If money is not a consideration, then a garage could possibly work to solve more than just one issue for you. Having a place to park that protects your vehicle and a place for added storage allows the garage to meet two needs for the cost of just one structure.

Weigh Your Options and Needs

Covered parking is always the best option to protect the investment in your vehicle. But the climate that you live in and your desire for added storage space and workspace can make a garage a better solution to meet multiple needs. Investing some time and thought into your needs and your budget will allow you to select the option that will be best for you.

Carport/Garage Combo Kits – Structure Guide

Metal Carport/Garage Combo Kits: The Best of Both Worlds!

Have you ever found yourself wondering, “should I get a carport or a shed?” Have you ever wished your carport had a bit more shelter available or wished you could lock something up in your carport?

What you’re describing — whether you realize it or not — is a combo structure.

These unique, highly functional prefabricated building designs incorporate aspects of both carports and storage sheds or garages to create a perfect balance between simplicity and functionality. Usually consisting of an open-sided carport attached to a small, fully enclosed shed, these steel combo units provide the perfect combination of access and protection to care for all your prized possessions.

Why do you need a combo storage building?

While carports can be very versatile and have a lot to offer, there’s no getting around the fact that you can’t keep anyone out from under your carport if they want to get in there. Likewise, if you’d like to have a convenient sunshade or shelter from the rain when you’re entertaining guests, it’s probably not going to work well to force everyone inside your storage shed.

That’s why a combo carports can be so beneficial. It can offer the best of both worlds: open access and versatility under the carport, and secure protection in the enclosed shed.

What’s more, if you already have two structures on your property to offer these benefits, a combo unit can pull them together on an overall smaller footprint to leave more room for other things.

 

To see all the different variations available in prefabricated combo kits, view our catalogue!

How to choose the right combo kit for your needs

Choosing the right combo building comes down to understanding what you want and need out of a prefabricated structure. As noted above, if you’re just looking to protect your car or other items from the worst of the rain and snow, a carport will do that for you. It’s going to be less expensive than a larger combo unit and much quicker to build. You just need to determine what size you need, then consider color, style, and materials based on your preferences.

On the other hand, if you’re looking for a perfect mix of the form and function of both a carport and a storage shed, a prefab combo building is your best option.

Should you order a DIY carport combo building kit or hire a professional?

While it is possible to save a little money ordering a do-it-yourself steel building kit off of Amazon and having it shipped to your house, we’ve found that a lot of business owners underestimate the time and labor required to properly construct a quality prefab building. Additionally, the cost of shipping is probably going to be substantial, since the kit you receive is going to be very heavy.

In our professional opinion, your best option is to let a team of professionals handle delivery and installation of your new combo unit for you. And, that’s not just because Carport US offers some of the best installation services in the nation, absolutely FREE with your purchase of any storage building. It’s also because we’ve been to many properties over the years where the owners have gotten a DIY kit partially erected before throwing in the towel and calling for help. Or, they’ve completed a DIY kit, but then needed to call us in to install the replacement that they had to buy when their “project building” collapsed.

To get a high-quality combo structure on your property that’s going to stand the test of time and function well for the price, you should really have a professional install it for you.

What to look for in a prefabricated combo builder

The most important factor you’ll want to consider when searching for a prefabricated storage structure builder is an experience.

And, that’s not just a matter of how many years a given contractor has been putting up steel structures. Years of general experience is important, but experience with the particular kits and materials you’ve selected is even more important to ensuring the success of a project.

If you hire an installer who’s put up a hundred carports, but hand him a design or set of materials he’s never worked with before, he only has a slight advantage over your mailman or hairdresser when it comes to constructing that combo structure. There’s bound to be a lot of trial and error and he’s not going to be as fast or efficient as usual.

On the other hand, a contractor who’s put up a hundred combo units identical to the one you’ve ordered is going to be able to hit the ground running and not look back. You’ll have the best quality construction in the quickest turnaround time, and that means the highest customer satisfaction rating possible.

What makes CarportUS.com combo building kits the best in the business?

CarportUS.com may be a relatively new website, but the professionals behind it have decades of experience selling, installing, and maintaining steel storage buildings across the country. That’s why you can be confident that any combo building you purchase from CarportUS.com is going to be the very highest quality, delivered safely and securely, and installed by experts with loads of experience.

Our prefabricated metal combo units are rated to withstand winds up to 140 mph, and snow loads up to 35 pounds per square foot. Additional leg bracing, upgraded anchors, and other optional enhancements can extend that level of stability even further.

Our economical pricing and quick lead times are driving more and more customers to purchase our buildings as opposed to traditional red iron buildings. And, with 14 colors to choose from, we’re sure you’ll get exactly what you want.

If you find a combo structure in our catalog that you like, we’d be honored to deliver and install it ourselves at no extra charge. We’ve put up hundreds of metal combo structures all over the east coast, and we’re highly experienced with every kit we sell. Contact us to discuss your options is you have any questions at all.

 

Commercial Buildings – Structure Guide

Metal Commercial Buildings: The Business End of Prefabricated Steel Structures

If you’re running a business, funding growth and expansion is a continual balancing act. You can’t ignore the need to support growth, but, at the same time, you can’t overspend on potential and disrupt necessary cash flow for immediate needs.

That’s the main reason so many business owners are turning to prefabricated metal commercial buildings when they need to set up an additional workspace, storage space, or other facilities for their businesses. Prefabricated steel structures are less expensive and much faster to erect than traditional buildings of similar size and function, and yet they can accomplish nearly any purpose you can imagine for businesses that demand the best from their facilities.

Why do you need a commercial building?

The most common reasons why people purchase metal commercial structures include the following:

  • Need more production space
  • Need more storage space
  • Need a more secure facility

For business owners who have started their businesses out of their own homes or garages, or have begun in a small facility, but have outgrown the space, a prefabricated commercial building can be a cost-effective and highly functional means of expanding the available space for manufacturing, testing, or even office space.

If the company requires a lot of storage space for raw materials, finished product, or parts, supplies, tools, and vehicles, a prefabricated metal commercial building can be just the thing to offer flexible warehousing.

Finally, for businesses that have acquired a number of valuable assets over the years and are beginning to realize the need for better security and protection for all those valuable items, a steel structure can be a simple and inexpensive way to secure what would otherwise be left out in plain sight.

To see all the different variations available in prefabricated commercial buildings, view our catalog!

How to choose the right commercial building

Choosing the right commercial grade steel building comes down to understanding what you want and need out of a prefabricated structure. As noted above, if you’re just looking to protect your car or other items from the worst of the rain and snow, a carport will do that for you. It’s going to be less expensive than a large commercial grade building and much quicker to build. You just need to determine what size you need, then consider color, style, and materials based on your preferences.

On the other hand, if you’re looking for a permanent shelter that’s going to offer complete protection from the elements, security for your possessions, and/or give you space to conduct business, what you’re describing is a prefabricated commercial grade building.

Should you order a DIY commercial building kit or hire a professional?

While it is possible to save a little money ordering a do-it-yourself steel building kit off of Amazon and having it shipped to your house, we’ve found that a lot of business owners underestimate the time and labor required to properly construct a quality prefab building. Additionally, the cost of shipping is probably going to be substantial, since the kit you receive is going to be very heavy.

In our professional opinion, your best option is to let a team of professionals handle delivery and installation of your new commercial building for you. And, that’s not just because Carport US offers some of the best installation services in the nation, absolutely FREE with your purchase of any storage building. It’s also because we’ve been to many properties over the years where the owners have gotten a DIY kit partially erected before throwing in the towel and calling for help. Or, they’ve completed a DIY kit, but then needed to call us in to install the replacement that they had to buy when their “project building” collapsed.

To get a high-quality commercial grade building on your property that’s going to stand the test of time and function well for the price, you should really have a professional install it for you.

What to look for in a commercial grade builder

The most important factor you’ll want to consider when searching for a prefabricated storage structure builder is an experience.

And, that’s not just a matter of how many years a given contractor has been putting up steel structures. Years of general experience is important, but experience with the particular kits and materials you’ve selected is even more important to ensuring the success of a project.

If you hire an installer who’s put up a hundred barns but hand him a design or set of materials he’s never worked with before, he only has a slight advantage over your mailman or hairdresser when it comes to constructing that commercial grade building. There’s bound to be a lot of trial and error and he’s not going to be as fast or efficient as usual.

On the other hand, a contractor who’s put up a hundred commercial buildings identical to the one you’ve ordered is going to be able to hit the ground running and not look back. You’ll have the best quality construction in the quickest turnaround time, and that means the highest customer satisfaction rating possible.

What makes CarportUS.com commercial grade building kits the best in the business?

CarportUS.com may be a relatively new website, but the professionals behind it have decades of experience selling, installing, and maintaining steel storage buildings across the country. That’s why you can be confident that any barn you purchase from CarportUS.com is going to be the very highest quality, delivered safely and securely, and installed by experts with loads of experience.

Our prefabricated metal barns are rated to withstand winds up to 140 mph, and snow load up to 35 pounds per square foot. Additional leg bracing, upgraded anchors, and other optional enhancements can extend that level of stability even further.

Commercial grade buildings are built with two things in mind: durability and strength.

We build our structures to exceed our customers’ expectations. With our engineered truss system, we can reach widths of up to 60′, and 16′ tall. Full customizable, these buildings are great for protecting large construction equipment, semis, building materials, farm equipment, and more.

Our economical pricing and quick lead times are driving more and more customers to purchase our buildings as opposed to traditional red iron buildings. And, with 14 colors to choose from, we’re sure you’ll get exactly what you want.

Due to the weight and size of these buildings, the customer will need to provide a lift at the time of installation for the installation crew to erect the building. Also, all commercial grade buildings must be placed on either a cement pad, piers, or footers. Buildings longer than 41′ may incur an additional freight charge.

If you find a commercial building in our catalog that you like, we’d be honored to deliver and install it ourselves at no extra charge. We’ve put up hundreds of metal commercial buildings all over the east coast, and we’re highly experienced with every kit we sell. Contact us to discuss your options is you have any questions at all.

 

Event Planning Made Simple with Carports

Event planning isn’t easy. There’s a lot that goes into them. Even after you’ve done everything possible to make the event a success, a hiccup like unexpected rain could ruin it all.

Tackling Weather Problems

Outdoor events are popular during the spring season. It’s warm, and the summer heat hasn’t quite hit yet.

The only problem is, “April showers bring May flowers.” Unfortunately, it’s not only April showers. It seems to rain a lot in March, April, and May. This makes outdoor event planning even more difficult.

We believe we have the best solution to weather woes in the spring – a prefabricated carport.

How Carports Save Outdoor Events

A carport is the perfect solution to rainy events. They come in many different sizes to meet the needs of your events.

These are some of the events our customers have used our prefabricated carports for:

  • Covering for dinners. They placed tables and chairs underneath the carport for a nice dinner. A backdrop of spring rain actually added a nice, calming atmosphere.
  • A safe and dry place for dancing. Many people have set up  a place for a DJ, and laid flooring down for a beautiful dance floor safe from the rain.
  • Concerts, shows, and speaking continue with a stage setup under a carport leaving plenty of room for people to sit and enjoy.

Creativity is the only limitation when using carports for events. It’s shelter from the rain, so all you have to do is bring whatever you want to do for the event underneath it.

How can you use a carport for your events?

A Note About Mobility

Since our carports are large, stationary structures, they are not something you can simply fold up and transport anywhere you need to go for events. Tents are best for that type of event planning. However, if you have a location where you hold events regularly, carports are perfect.

Many people who have large properties where they can hold weddings, wedding showers, baby showers, and birthdays have decided to add carports to their location to help with days when events would otherwise be rained out.

Contact Us for Additional Information About Carports

We pride ourselves in being able to help people choose carports to better their lives and businesses. If you’re curious about how our products can help you, contact us. We love to discuss ways to use our products and the different carport styles we have available that will meet your needs.

We look forward to helping you achieve your goals with our vast array of carports.