Metal Carports Buying and Installation Guide
What to Consider When Buying a Metal Carport
1. What type of vehicle are you looking to store?
The first step in deciding which carport to buy is to ascertain what type of vehicle you are looking to store. A small metal carport is useful for only a single car, whereas, a large carport can accommodate multiple small to larger vehicles. The vehicle may range from a family car, sedan, jeep or even truck and tractor. The size of the carport you buy entirely depends on the size and number of your vehicle.
2. Where will you install your new metal carport?
We design outdoor carport. You must decide where you would want your new carport, as the building site needs bigger and open space for our staff and machinery to move freely. The overall size of the carport also determines how much space you would need to fit one.
For an average car, you need to measure at least 16 feet long and 9 feet wide space. The other factors determining the carport is the surface type (Concrete) and level of the ground.
3. Does it need to be certified?
Many local building regulations in the United States require that the metal carports be certified when installed. It could be essential to ascertain if the newly built carport can withstand a specific amount of wind, rain, and snow.
Local construction and building inspector will visit the site and review the quality of the carport, size, ground surface and the building plan. It is to make sure the structure complies with their guidelines and regulations.
4. How’s the weather?
Most first timers fail to notice the local weather before building a new carport. The weather in your area determines what kind of carport you would need. If your locality receives rain throughout the year, you would need a carport with vertical roof and gutters so the water can slide off easily. The areas which receive more snow, wind or sunlight may need different types of carports.
Pick the right carport for your climate and weather. Carport1 can help.
5. How about style?
The custom styling of your carport roof, panel and wall should fit your need. You can choose from a regular, boxed eave or vertical roof styling depending on the local weather. The size, material, and sides may depend on the type and number of the vehicle you wish to fit.
Metal Carport Roof Styles
The roof for your carport may largely depend on the climate of your area. However, the styling depends entirely on your taste. Finding roof styling is easy with us. We offer multiple choices of styling and material. If you couldn’t find the styling of your taste, you can choose to entirely customize the roof as per your need.
VERTICAL ROOF STYLE – BEST
Vertical roof style, also known as A-frame, works best for the climate with heavy snowfall or rain. The vertical panel allows snow and water to slide off easily off the roof. In vertical styling, the roof intersects with the side of the carport allowing residue to pass off easily. Hence, it requires less or none cleaning.
Vertical Roof Style Metal Carport
BOXED EAVE STYLE – BETTER
Boxed Eave style is known for its roof panel which lies horizontally to the side of the carport. This is also an A-frame panel, however, the roof goes horizontally towards the ground. This is a more affordable option than vertical roof styling and works best in the climate with heavy winds or gust.
Boxed Eave Roof Style Metal Carport
REGULAR – GOOD
Regular style roof is the most economical choice for carports. Regular roof tends to be lighter than Boxed Eave style. The corrugated ridges run from end to end. This roof style works great in the area with less or none heavy wind and rain. This is perfect for protecting your vehicle from damage from sun exposure/UV.
Regular Roof Style Metal Carport
Choosing the Right Size
Choosing the right size of the carport is easier when you have all the details in hand. The size of carport mainly depends on the availability of area, number of vehicles and their sizes.
Width sizing Chart
The carport comes in various sizes. However, you can choose your own width for your carport. While ordering one, you must be sure that the custom carport is big enough to fit your vehicles.
The standard carport width sizes are:
- 12ft
- 18ft
- 20ft
- 22ft
- 24ft
- 26ft
- 28ft
- 30ft
- 32ft
- 34ft
- 36ft
- 40ft
The 12ft carport works well for a single car, while 18ft works great for two compact cars. The carport above the 22ft is well suited for multiple full sized cars or a truck. Most commercial carports are built with the standard width of 30ft or above.
Please consult our representative to find the right size of the carport.
Length
The length of your car carports depends on the number of vehicles you own and their size. To best determine the length, you can first ascertain the vehicles you own and possible width size of the carport you may need. Sometimes, the carport is used for more than just storing vehicles like parking family bikes, RV, equipment, and storage etc.
The standard length of our carports are:
- 21ft
- 26ft
- 31ft
- 36ft
- 41ft
If you are looking to store a compact car, 21FT works just fine. The 41 FT works perfectly for storing two cars, RV or truck.
Side Height
The height of the carport is measured from sides instead of from the tip of the roof to the ground. The height is used for measuring the lowest point your vehicle can clear. You’ll want to build a carport that offers just the right amount of height in order to maximize the protection and stability of the building.
You can customize and choose a preferred height for your carport. If you have planned to enclose your carport in the future, it is better to determine the right height right now so your structure is tall enough to install the garage door.
Steel Gauge Framing
What’s the difference between 14 gauge and 12 gauge framing?
Many homeowners new to carport shopping have this query. From the practical point of view, 12 gauge framing is thicker than 14 gauge framing.
Gauge stands for, “the thickness, size, or capacity of something, especially as a standard measure, in particular:” Hence, the thicker the framing, the more strength, and value it adds to the overall property.
12 gauge Vs 14 Gauge
14 Gauge Framing
A 14 gauge steel frame measuring 2 ½” x 2 ½” in diameter. 14 gauge framing tends to be economical than 12 gauge framing and has a lower tensile strength.
The 14-gauge steel is an economical choice and useful for regular carports or for the carports located in mild climate areas.
12 Gauge Framing
A 12-gauge steel frame measures 2 ¼” x 2 ¼” in diameter
The 12 gauge framing is more useful for the carports in the areas where there are frequent and heavy snow and wind. It provides more tensile so the chances of breakage are none.
Certification Considerations
Certified v. Non-certified buildings
Most states in the United States require new carports to be inspected and certified for the safety of the public. The certification simply proves that the building has been designed by an engineer and has ratings for wind and snow load. It becomes necessary in the areas which receive heavy snow and wind.
Some states don’t require any kind of certification or inspection because they do not have to worry about heavy snow load or wind.
We don’t provide any warranty on the certified buildings. A certification only means that building is made to specifications and has been certified by the responsible body.
To get the building inspected, you will require the blueprint of the building for the inspector to review. In such a case, we’ll provide you with the necessary documentation.
Note: Please ensure, while preparing the base for the carport, the ground is level and the concrete or asphalt slab is wide enough to support the carport.
Additional Options
Additional options simply mean additional features or attributes added to your carport. The additional features help for certain situations or customization for a particular need.
Gable ends
Gable end simply means, “The end wall of a building on the side which is topped by a gable.” It may come handy to provide additional framing or support to the carport roof, making the entire structure stronger and aesthetically appealing.
Gable end offers the finishing touch to the entire structure. It also helps to protect the vehicle from the weather in certain cases. An additional steel frame in the triangular shape is added to the roof to provide structural support.
You can choose to add gable ends after the installation as well. However, we suggest that you add it while building the structure to save cost and time.
Front Gable on metal carport
Panels
A panel is a flat steel structure added to the sides or frames to provide additional support and strength the overall carport’s structure. It also acts as a shield to the carport that adds additional protection from the weather.
Side panels come in handy in the areas with heavy wind. It can also be added after the installation. The carports with 10ft or more height should consider adding side panels for much needed additional protection to the overall structure.
Side Panel on metal carport
J-trim
J-trim is a decorative trim piece installed to the edges of panels. It covers the edges of the panels for added safety and it also gives the entire structure aesthetic appeal. J-trim installation adds additional protection to the carports for homes with young children.
Bows and trusses
Bows and trusses provide additional support to the roof by adding supplementary assistance and stability. It comes handy in the areas which receive heavy snow. The addition of bows and trusses to the roof and sides of the structure extends its holding capacity.
It makes the structure stronger and fits well inside the roof, hence it doesn’t smudge the aesthetic appeal of the structure. Our steel carports with a width size of 24 FT will include a bow, and all carports wider than 24 FT will have a truss.
Anchors
Anchors provide additional support to the framing or beams of the carport during or after installation. The metal anchors can be inserted into the concrete slabs, poured asphalt or to solid ground.
Our installation experts will add the anchors to the structure during installation. In order to do that, you must first prepare the concrete base or level ground for our experts to work on.
Colors
We offer 15 colors or swatches for you to choose as the palette of your new carport. The colors range from:
- Black
- Burgandy
- Cardinal Red
- Clay
- Earth Brown
- Evergreen
- Merlot
- Pebble Beige
- Pewter Gray
- Quaker Gray
- Red
- Sandstone
- Slate Blue
- Tan
- White
Installation / Site Prep
Before carport or the structure can be delivered and installed, we require you to have the site prepared in advance. The prep includes getting all the required permissions, utilities and space in place.
Ensure that you have leveled the ground or surface for our experts to start installing the structure. In case you haven’t cleared ground beforehand, our experts may have to reschedule the installation to a later date which may incur an additional charge.
Our crew requires a minimum of 3FT of additional space around the perimeter of leveled ground to bring in trucks and equipment to start the installation. If you couldn’t finish preparing the ground or need professional help, we can recommend a concrete contractor to get the job done for you.
Site Preparation Checklist
Make sure the ground is level, this is essential if you want to get your building certified. The newly built structure cannot be more than 3 inches off level from either front/back or left/right. If the site isn’t level during the installation, our experts will level the site at an additional fee.
Ensure that you have cleared the area of debris, machinery or tools so installation team can access the site.
Soil Foundation
- Carports can be installed on soil foundation, however, if you’re choosing the soil as the foundation you must prepare the site by removing any kind of vegetation, grass or debris.
- Level the area. For this, you can either use a commercial tamper or drive over the area multiple times to make the loose soil pounded and compact. You can also use a concrete roller to get the job done easily.
- Once the ground is ready, keep the area clear so our experts can come in with heavy equipment and get the job done at as quickly as possible.
Concrete Pad
- If you wish to use a concrete pad as the permanent foundation, you must have the area completely ready; concrete fully cured and settled, before our experts can start installing the structure.
- Make sure that the concrete pad meets the guidelines made by local authority, and get it checked beforehand by an expert so there aren’t any issues during installation or the certification process.
Overview of the delivery and installation process
Once you have selected the carport of your choice all we need to do is visit your place and complete the installation.
We’ll contact you and schedule a delivery date and time. Be sure that you have had the leveled ground ready and cleared it off any debris. On the scheduled day, our experts or installation team will arrive with trucks and tools to install the structure and finish it on time.
If you wish to have your carport certified, please let us know before installation so we can get the blueprint ready for you to provide to the inspector.
Pricing
The price of a metal carport depends on its size, type, roof style, and etc. Our carport prices typically range from $1,095 and above.
And these following are the factors in which the pricing depends:
Size
We offer various sizes of carports for both residential and commercial use. You can buy any standard size carport at a fixed price or provide your own custom measurements, so we can ascertain its cost and offer you a reasonable quote.
Certification
The carport owners need to get their carport or structure certified by the local authority or the Building and Construction Inspector. For this, they need a blueprint of the structure along with the usage of the certified steel frame. We don’t charge any fee for the blueprint. The price of the carport will only depend on your choice of size, material, roof style and additional options for the structure.
A certified structure for a carport has a frame that is built of extra-strength 12-gauge galvanized steel. 12-gauge is thicker than a 14-gauge steel frame and comes with an additional warranty. 14-gauge works excellently in the areas with less snow or wind. A 12-gauge frame is expensive than a 14-gauge frame, so choose wisely.
A Certified building has a minimum wind rating starting at 80 mph and a snow-load rating starting at 20 lbs per square foot. Depending on your geographic location, you can choose to increase the ratings. The higher the rating, the stronger the structure. You can have the structure with the ability to be rated up to a 150 mph wind and a 60 lbs per square foot snow.
Gauge
Gauge stands for, “the thickness, size, or capacity of something, especially as a standard measure, in particular.” Hence, the thicker the framing, the more strength, and the value it adds to the overall property. A thicker frame costs more, however, it offers better protection and tensile.
14 Gauge Framing
14 gauge framing tends to be economical than 12 gauge framing and has a lower tensile strength. The 14-gauge steel is an economical choice and useful for regular carports or for the carports located in mild climate areas.
12 Gauge Framing
The 12 gauge framing is more useful for the carports in the areas where there are frequent and heavy snow and wind. It provides more tensile so the chances of breakage are none.
Galvanized Steel Gauge Chart
| Number | Inches | MM |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | 0.1681 | 4.269 |
| 9 | 0.1532 | 3.891 |
| 10 | 0.1382 | 3.51 |
| 11 | 0.1233 | 3.1318 |
| 12 | 0.1084 | 2.753 |
| 14 | 0.0785 | 1.9939 |
| 16 | 0.0635 | 1.6129 |
| 18 | 0.0516 | 1.31 |
| 20 | 0.0396 | 1.005 |
| 22 | 0.0336 | 0.853 |
| 24 | 0.0276 | 0.701 |
| 26 | 0.0217 | 0.551 |
| 28 | 0.0187 | 0.474 |
| 30 | 0.0157 | 0.398 |
Depends upon Addition Options
Additional options simply mean additional features or attributes added to your carport. The additional features help for certain situations or customization for a particular need. The additions may include Gable, J-trim, bows and trusses and anchors.
Additional features into your carport are cheaper when you add them during the installation. If you choose to add features to an installed structure, it may require additional work and modifications which may cost more.
State
The condition and guideline for building a carport may differ from one state to another. In the case of Florida State, the carport owners require building permits in Florida. For your info, each county in Florida has its own requirements and guidelines regarding building a Florida. Also, the prices of carports may vary from one state to another.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
If I buy a carport just for weather coverage, why would I need side panels?
Certainly, side panels are additional features. However, they can be very useful in protecting the vehicles from direct sunlight, wind or rain. The side panels also provide much-needed support and strength to the overall structure.
The carport taller than 10FT requires at least one side panel for structural support. The taller and heavier the structure, the more it needs framing supports.
If you choose to add side panel during installation itself, you save yourself from the additional cost associated with installing additional objects post-installation.
What can I customize on my carport?
You can customize almost everything while buying a carport with us. We offer both standard and customized products to our clients.
You can choose to customize the roof, height, length and width of your carport, along with the color and palette of your choice. The customizations also include the additional feature you can add to the structure, such as; side panels, bows and trusses, gable ends, panels or J-trim
What carport height will I need?
The height is used to measure the lowest point your vehicle can clear while getting in or out of the carport. You’ll want to build a carport that offers just the right amount of height in order to maximize the protection and stability of the building.
The available carport heights are; 6FT or 7FT, 8FT and 14FT
If you plan to enclose your carport in the future, you must determine the right height before installation so your structure is tall enough to install the garage door.
What do I need to do to prepare for the installation?
Before carport or the structure can be installed, you’re required to have the site prepared in advance. The preparation includes getting all the required permissions, utilities and space in place.
- Ensure that you have leveled the ground or surface for our experts to start installing the structure. If the site isn’t level when our experts arrive, we may have to reschedule the installation to a later date.
- Our crew requires a minimum of 3FT of additional space around the perimeter of leveled ground to bring in trucks and equipment to start the installation. Keep the entire area accessible.
- In case you’re unable to finish leveling the ground on time or need assistance, we can recommend your concrete contractor to get the job done on time.
What is the difference between a carport and a garage?
Carport
A carport isn’t fully enclosed like a garage. However, it can be reinforced using gables at the front and back of the carport.
Carports can be installed on either a concrete slab or on a soil foundation.
It is more economical to install a carport than to build a garage.
A carport comes in multiples sizes, ranging from storage space for a single car to multiple trucks or RVs.
Garage
A garage is an enclosed space used for the storage of vehicles. It is surrounded by walls on 3 sides with an enclosure at the front.
If a carport is to add an additional wall at the back along with two sides and a door, it qualifies for a garage. It can have additional features and offer services generally used inside a garage, like electric sockets, shelves to put tools, additional doorway etc.
A garage can be both wood and metal structure, however, building a metal garage is preferable because of its durability, tensile, anti-inflammatory and lasting quality.
Can a carport be enclosed into a garage later?
Certainly, most of your clients choose to turn their carports into a garage down the line. A carport can be easily upgraded into a garage in the least cost possible. With customizations and upgrades, you carport will have all the features of a garage.
Once you convert your carport into a garage, the regulation and guideline made solely for the garage will apply.
Please let us know in advance if you wish to convert or plan to upgrade your carport into a garage later. We can custom build carports so it can accommodate upgrades later.
What are the roof designs available?
We offer up to three different roof styling, namely:
- The Regular Style
- Boxed Eave Style
- Vertical Style
The regular style roof is the most economical and usable for any condition, however, it may not well in areas with heavy snowfall, rain or wind.
We offer both horizontal and vertical roof design for the Boxed Eave Style. Each style is constructed using 12 gauge or 14 gauge steel.
What anchoring options are available?
All pricing includes installation and anchoring:
- Rebar is reinforcement steel mainly used when installing a carport over concrete pads. It comprises a steel bar or mesh of steel wires used as a tension device to reinforce the structure to the ground.
- Concrete Screw is primarily used when installing a carport over the concrete pads.
- An auger is a drilling device or agent. Auger Anchors may be used when installing a carport over gravel or dirt.
- Anchors are used in holding the structure or frame to place.
- If you need to install metal carport over a wooden surface, we use lag bolts to hold the structure to the ground. However, we do not provide any certification for installations over wooden surfaces
What is the typical length of time to install a carport once an order is placed?
We install the carport within the 6 weeks of ordering. We believe in prompt delivery.
