Many homeowners use a carport kit in order to cover and protect their recreational vehicles if they don't own a garage. A carport can protect your car from the sun, storms, snow, and the little presents from feathered friends. Moreover, a good looking carport can enhance the look of your house and garden.
By definition, a carport is a shelter with open sides for a car, which can be attached to a building. However, nowadays you'll be able to find other versatile models that stand on their own, without being attached to any wall. If you can't build a garage, a carport kit would be a great idea, as you will likely be able to install it yourself and keep your car protected.
However, carports don't keep your car secured, as garages do. For this reason, your car should also feature an
alarm to offer further protection should something unusual happen. If you are a car owner, you must take good care of your car. Vehicles are usually big investments, so you have to keep them in good condition in order to be able to sell them later if need be. You should always
vacuum the dirty surfaces inside your car and, especially if you are a smoker, use a
car air purifier that keeps the air fresh and pleasant in the car.
Price
Considering the different types of carport kits you’re able to find in the market, it’s certain that some different aspects affect the price of carports. For example, a high-end carport kit with polycarbonate panels that are shatter-resistant will cost more than those with a polyethylene top. People usually tend to think that the more expensive a product is, the higher the quality, but that’s not always the case.
A good carport kit can cost between $150 and $1000 and truthfully, they are a good investment as they protect your car, which is way more expensive. Of course, we saw some cheap carport kits out there, but we did not include them because they are not made of quality materials and won’t last for long.
Features
The main advantage of a carport kit is that you don't have to call a professional to install it. You can do it yourself with the help of 1 or 2 friends. In a short time, you'll have your car covered. Here is a list of the main features you should consider before choosing the right carport kit for your vehicle.
- Building codes - Although it is totally portable, you still need to check the local building codes to see if there are specific installation requirement regarding carports. Do your research well before ordering one!
- Frame - The frame of the carport is really important as it determines the strength of it and how well it stands under various weather conditions. Most frames are made of steel that is powder-coated in order to be protected from rust, peeling and chipping.
- Canopy - You’ll be able to find different styles of carport kits with fully enclosed covers, polycarbonate panels, steel panels, woven covers and more.
- Dimensions - Always check the size of the assembled carport and make sure it will fit in the space you have available.
- Assembly and Installation - Carport kits are typically shipped in packages and come with assembly instructions. Most of them can be installed in maximum 1 hour with the help of a friend. Always check if the needed hardware for the assembly is in the package or you have to purchase it separately.
Moving forward, we’ll find out more about the construction and design aspects of carports kits.
Construction and Design
Carports are highly portable and can be installed by the vehicle owner with relative ease. They are great for renters or for those who don't have a garage or sheltered area already. Before purchasing a carport kit, you should check if you have ample space to assemble it and that it meets your needs. You should also have in mind the design of your house when you purchase a carport. For example, if you have a colorful house, a carport with white covers may detract from the appearance of your home.
The most common material used for carport covers is polyester as it is lightweight and features weather-resistant properties. Some covers are treated in order to be fire-retardant and water-resistant, depending on the model. If the canopy is larger, the cover should also be thicker and more durable.
Anchors are an important option to consider when choosing the right carport kit. Anchors keep the frame of the carport grounded when there are heavy winds. Carports feature different roof styles such as vertical, boxed eave and regular. If you live in an area with heavy snowfall or heavy rain, you should go for a vertical roof as it allows for excess precipitation to slide off the sides.
Another thing to consider is the color of the carport kit. The most popular color is white, but you will be able to also find red, beige, clay, black, green or blue carports. This is a matter of personal taste, so we won't influence you at all.
Performance and Ease of Use
Carport kits are specifically designed to be easy to assemble and come in ready-to-use kits that can be installed in a short time with the help of a friend. So, if you have some basic tools in your toolbox and someone willing to give you a hand, you can probably assemble it fairly quickly.
Even though the carport's main purpose is to protect your vehicle, many models are also used to store outdoor equipment or as a patio for family gatherings. It is up to you how you want to use it!
Why spend a fortune building garages when you can find a suitable alternative at a reasonable price? Carport kits provide endless possibilities and can be assembled by almost anyone. Now, it just comes to choosing the right carport kit for you.
When getting the right carport kit you should look up the materials it is made from, the ease of installation and the dimensions, of course. Additionally, if you want to take the carport kit with you when you travel, you should go for a foldable and portable option. Now that you’ve looked at the consideration factors in detail, let’s take a closer look at our top picks.
Features
Abba Pattio is a popular manufacturer of outdoor products made from high quality materials that don’t break the bank. Apart from carports, this brand also sells patio umbrellas, canopies, awning and garden furniture sets. Its carport kits have sleek designs, are quality tested, built to last and come with assembly instructions that teach anyone how to properly put them together.
You will be able to easily assemble the Abba Patio Outdoor Carport as it comes with easy-to-follow instructions. The eight-leg design offers increased stability. It has durable welds and superior powder coat finish. It has a large canopy so it’s also suitable for gatherings or storing vehicles. The cover is UV repellent, water resistant and double stitched, made of polyethylene without FR treatment. This carport comes with ground stakes, rope, steel frame, canopy, anchors and most importantly a decent price.
Features
Palram extensive experience in the field of panels and thermoplastic sheets stretching back more than 50 years. In 2005, this brand decided to enter the Do It Yourself market so it started to create storage sheds, greenhouses, patio covers and carports that are easy to assemble and come with easy to follow instructions. It continuously improves its existing products, enhancing their features and reliability, and making them cost efficient.
The Palram Arcadia Carport Kit is a sturdy and stylish carport and outdoor canopy. It is manufactured to meet the needs of every customer when it comes to protecting vehicles or garden furniture from snow, rain and even UV rays. It’s durable and stable and doesn’t require any maintenance, being a long term carport. It also has a gutter system to drain water away and the anchoring hardware to keep it in place. It was designed to be easily installed by 2 persons and doesn’t require experience or special skills. This carport kit is available in 3 different sizes; 16 x 10 x 7”, 16 x 10 x 8” and 16 x 12 x 8” and it comes in 2 styles, with a flat roof or an arched roof.
Features
Eagle has extensive experience in carports, garages and storage options, with 20 years’ history in the industry. Its products are made of high quality materials by skilled craftsmen. Most of the materials it uses are manufactured inside the company. Its carport kits are easy to assembly and provide good protection for vehicles. What sets Eagle apart is that all the carports come in multiple colors you can choose from such as red, brown, clay and more!
We have chosen to review the Eagle Regular Carport Kit because it is the only one from our review that comes available in 14 colors. Unusually, it’s installed by experienced personnel so you don’t have to worry about it. The frame is formed from 14-gauge steel galvanized square tubing, which is spaced 5 feet apart. Additionally, this carport has been designed to withstand winds of almost 110 miles per hour. Yes, you can actually think about it as being tornado-proof!
Features
ShelterLogic manufactures and distributes quality outdoor products that are built to last. This brand pioneered the “in-a-Box” concept and has the largest volume of shelters. It is also the largest purchaser of polyethylene fabric. Apart from carport kits, this brand also sells garages, sheds, greenhouses, canopies, sun shades and other dedicated accessories.
The ShelterLogic Steel Carport Kit has a peak style and a waterproof cover. It protects you and your vehicles from sun, rain and snow. It is suitable for boats, cars, ATV’s and more. As it has an open-air design, it is good for warmer climates because it permits the air to circulate. The cover is locked in place by the brace system on the corners, and the frame is stable and durable. The entire frame includes 8 footplates made of steel, which makes it easy to anchor it to the ground. The frame has a powder coated finish and resists rust and chipping
Some carport kits are available in multiple dimensions, other have standard sizes. Think about what you want to store in it and pick the one that is suitable for your needs. Don’t worry about the installation; some of them come with easy to follow instructions and others are installed by experienced personnel. Now, get the one you like and start storing your furniture or vehicles away from sun, rain and snow.
