A garage can sometimes limit parking space in a compound or complex. A garage attached to a home can house a maximum of two cars, especially if the property is in the middle of a city. But a family might own several different vehicles, like cars, bikes, motorcycles or SUVs. It can become a hassle trying to fit all of them in a garage. The answer to this problem is a carport. Carports are a semi-covered or fully-covered structure that can protect a parking space.
THE ADVANTAGE OF A CARPORT
A carport offers two main advantages against garages,
Affordability
A carport is cheaper than garages. They have a basic but functional design and require minimum material. They are easier to construct than garages and require lesser labour as well. The material used in the construction is also affordable – wood, steel/tin, vinyl etc.
Flexibility
A carport has another advantage; Easy dismantling. So if a family moves to a different home, they can erect the same carport there. A carport’s design is malleable and can be structured depending on the architecture and space available.
CARPORT DESIGN
Typically, its structure consists of a frame made of steel or wood. Another material like vinyl is mounted on the steel or wood to cover the openings, creating a closed structure. These closings can be customised, allowing for the carport to be semi or fully closed. The roof of the carport can lend itself to any design. The majorly popular types are – flat roofs and gable-end roofs.
Flat Roof
A flat roof carport is a box-like structure. The entire design is rectangular; the frame is either stand-alone or attached to a wall. It can virtually be any material that suits the architecture and theme of the house or building.
Gable-end Roofs
A gable-end roof is a pointed triangular structure mounted onto the base frame. These add another dimension to the carport and offer more leeway in designing the carport. These gable-ended roofs can also have tiles on them if the rest of the house has tiled roofs. While flat-roofs are mostly for commercial buildings, gable-ended ones are more suitable for housing complexes.
ADDITIONAL FEATURES
A carport’s design has enough leeway to house additional features. People can install windows and doors in their carport. These offer more security to the vehicles inside. They can also use insulated material for the coverings. Insulated coverings help maintain ambient temperatures inside the carport, even if the weather outside is extreme.
PRICING ESTIMATES
The price of the carport depends on the materials used in the structure. The basic carport, with steel frames and vinyl coverings, with dimensions of 7×3.6×2.7 (Length x Width x Height), amounts to 2550 AUD. The height is usually a standard 2.7 metres as this height can accommodate even SUVs. This price, of course, will vary with region, as some will require sturdier materials due to weather patterns of the area. Carports can be as big or small as needed. The largest carport with a flat roof can go up to 10.5×4.2 (Length x Width), customisations are also available for larger designs. The same applies to gable-ended roofs, though they cost higher as this design will require more material. Typically a gable-ended roof range between 2,500 to 6000 AUD. The pricing depends on the dimensions of and materials used in the structure. Having additional features could add to the price, but they would still be more affordable than garages. Carports offer more flexibility at lesser costs.
A carport is a trendy addition to any building with its array of customisation options. Houses that have garages can still attach a carport to it when they purchase more vehicles. If the family ceases to need the carport, it can become a patio or awning. This versatility is what makes carports the best choice.