9 Reasons You Need To Build A Carport
Are you wondering if you need to build a carport? Nowadays, cars are becoming increasingly expensive, and because of that, we need to do everything in our power to keep them in the best condition.
One of the best ways to protect your car from the elements is to build a carport for it to park under.
While we believe this is generally a great idea, we understand that there are other factors to consider too. So, why should you build a carport, and do you really need one? These are the questions we plan to answer in today’s article.
What is a Carport?
Carports have a similar function to garages, but with one major difference: they don’t have walls. There is a range of different carport designs out there, most of the differences being displayed on the roof.
Described simply, a carport is a structure designed to provide shelter for cars or other items. It has four pillars holding it up, and it has either a flat, gabled, or skillion roof.
Reasons why you may need to build a carport
If you’re still on the fence about whether or not you should build a carport, here are some reasons why you may need one:
You don’t have a garage
One of the more obvious reasons to build a carport is because you don’t have a garage or method to protect your car.
Garages are great to have, but they’re also more complicated to build and more expensive, which is often why people build a carport first. A carport can give you the shelter and convenience you need without having to construct a full garage.
Your vehicle is exposed to the harsh Australian weather
At first, when your vehicle stays outside, exposed to the elements like the sun, rain, wind, snow, or hail, you may not see any noticeable damage. This is because the damage the elements cause is progressive. It develops slowly until one day you’ll notice it.
A carport provides a decent means of protecting your car from the harsh Australian weather. It’ll shade your car to keep it safe from the sun’s harmful UV rays and provide cover when it rains or hails.
Your car frequently Overheats
In addition to over-exposure to the sun being harmful to your car’s paint job when your car sits in the sun for too long, it can also get extremely hot inside.
This can make it uncomfortable to get into and drive. Also, this could potentially damage the interior of your car too. A carport will provide shade, keeping your car cool and comfortable for when you.
You need additional space for outdoor Projects
There’s nothing worse than having to work under the blistering Aussie sun when you tackle DIY jobs around the house because you haven’t got another suitable place to work.
Custom carports could double as a workshop, too, if you need one. It doesn’t just have to be for DIY projects; you could use it as an outside area to socialize if need be, too.
You have other vehicles or Equipment
A carport continues to offer versatility by also being a convenient place to store other items. Maybe you have a boat or quad bike that only gets used occasionally.
Leaving it in the sun will cause it to wear and tear extremely fast. Build a double carport and park it under there. You might also want a place for storage. Build a mezzanine into your carport’s roof; this will give you a great place to store things.
Falling debris could damage your Car
If the only available parking space you have on your property is under a bunch of tall trees, then you may want to consider getting a carport sooner rather than later. Falling debris can cause damage to your car, ranging from scratches on the paint to dents forming from larger branches.
You want a shelter for when it Rains
Having a carport also makes things more convenient. If you have a carport built onto your house, it’ll offer you cover when you get home and it’s raining. Having to walk in the rain from your car to your house or vice versa is uncomfortable. A carport can be a convenient fix for this.
You want to increase your home Value
When you add an additional structure to your home, it makes it more appealing to potential buyers, increasing the property’s overall value. For a relatively low-cost home improvement, a carport could positively impact your home’s marketability and value if you ever choose to sell.
You’re looking for a cheaper alternative to a Garage
We mentioned this earlier, but building a carport is a much cheaper alternative to building a garage. While garages might offer more security and versatility, a carport solves the problem of protecting your car sooner.
What’s great about a carport is that you may be able to use the carport structure to develop a garage in the future, depending on the materials and design of the carport.
It’s also helpful to note that if this is your plan, you will most likely need to get planning permission and council approval first. Check what the requirements are with the local council in your region if this is your goal.
Final Thoughts
A custom carport can be a valuable asset on your property. It offers your car a safe place to stand so it’s protected from the elements, gives you an area to work under, keeps you dry when you get out of your car while it’s raining, and also protects any other outdoor equipment you may have.