10 Carport Types and Styles For Your Property
In this blog, we’ll cover the 10 most common carport styles and factors to consider before purchasing. We hope this will provide you with valuable insights into different styles and uses that carports can offer.
Please note that while we manufacture most of the carports on this list, we do not manufacture the cantilever or single flat-roof carports. This was added for informational purposes to help you better understand your options. If you have any questions about our product offerings, give us a call, check out our stock models, or try out our 3D builder.
1. Open Metal Carports
We offer open metal carports in three different styles. The first is the standard curved roof; the remaining two are both A-frame carports, one with roofing panels running horizontally and the other running vertically. We offer 23 different color options for you to choose from, and each carport offers certified engineering to withstand up to 120mph wind gusts. All our carports also offer bends formed from a single piece of tubing, bent using our proprietary process with the Versabend.
2. 3-Side Enclosed Metal Carports
Similar to the open metal carports, we offer the same three roofing styles and colors backed by the same engineering standards. A 3-sided enclosed carport provides additional security and durability against rain, winds, and intense sunlight. Plus, there is added privacy for anything you happen to be covering or protecting. The added strength of enclosing the building allows it to last even longer.
3. Metal RV Covers
RV Carport covers are an immensely beneficial way to extend the life of your RV. These carport covers start at 12 feet tall with sizes as high as 13 to 14 feet high, depending on the level of clearance needed for your RV. It’s important to consider these high factors when choosing a size that works best for you. We offer these carports with two sides fully enclosed, or our standard carport open-sided, and a carport with storage style options. Being certifiably engineered for up to 120mph wind gusts ensures that your RV stays in tip-top shape and is safe from the elements, allowing you to get back on the road in no time!
4. Metal Carports With Storage
Carports with storage are the best of both worlds to keep your gear, equipment, or vehicles out of the elements. These carports can come in a variety of options and styles, allowing you to find something that fits your needs best while offering a reliable, cost-effective storage solution compared to a traditional garage. These carports can be customized in many different ways, allowing you to add features like windows, doors, and insulation. Give us a call or check out our 3D builder to see all of the available options.
5. Enclosed Metal Garages
Fully enclosed metal garages allow for endless usage, parking, storage, workshop, or shop space, you name it. The garages come at a fraction of the cost of a shed while allowing the same versatility and long-lasting durability. Along with metal carports with storage, these carports can be customized in many ways. With 23 color options, the possibilities are endless. Give us a call or check out our 3D builder to see all of the available options.
6. Cantilever Carport
Cantilever carports are designed similarly to an awning to provide shade or a weather covering. These carports are great when smaller parking areas or areas with little to no support beams exist. While we here at Cold Spring do not regularly sell this style or type of carports, we offer custom fabrication and welding services, so we can build anything completely custom to suit your needs best. Give us a call today to discuss all the possibilities.
7. Lean-to Carport
Lean-to carports, as the name suggests, are carports that connect to or lean against another building structure. Lean-to carports are a great option if you just need a little extra covering space. These easily create an awning or covered porch section for a carport. While we here at Cold Spring do not regularly sell this style or type of carports, we offer custom fabrication and welding services, so we can build anything completely custom to suit your needs best. Give us a call today to discuss all the possibilities.
8. Flat Roof Carport
As the name suggests, flat roof carports are carports with a slanted roof and sloping in one direction. These carports are great for areas or equipment that need shading or covering from rain or the elements. However, these can also be fully enclosed to act as a studio-style shed or as an easy-to-maintain garage-style, as long as the height requirements function as needed. While we here at Cold Spring do not regularly sell this style or type of carports, we offer custom fabrication and welding services, so we can build anything completely custom to suit your needs best. Give us a call today to discuss all the possibilities.
9. Gable Roof Carport
Gable roof carports are very similar to the standard open metal style carports. Gable roofing for carports adds additional coverage to the open ends of the structure. These can primarily be added for aesthetic reasons, but adding gables can also increase the structural soundness of your carport. We offer four gable roofing options: regular and extended gable openings and 45-degree end pieces transitioning the gables to the side posts. These 45-degree options are available for both the regular and extended gable options. These gable options can be explored by visiting our 3D builder, where gable options are available under the sides and ends section. Feel free to give us a call if you have any questions.
10. Custom Carports
Custom Carports can be designed to meet any of your needs, wants, or desires, and they are very helpful in creating a solution if you have size limitations that you need to work within. Making a custom carport also allows for the addition of enclosed storage sections, custom color options, and additions for each section or enclosed section of your carport. Here at Cold Spring Enterprises, we offer our 3D builder to help get you started. This is where each building type can be customized to best suit your needs. Not finding what you’re looking for? Give us a call. We are equipped for custom metal welding and fabrication so that we can make or create just about anything!
Factors To Consider Before Purchasing
Do carports decrease property value?
No, generally they increase a property’s value, especially if they are well taken care of and can provide options for covered parking. Most people would be grateful for not having to walk to their car in the rain if possible. Lean-to and attached carport options may have more aesthetic value than free-standing options. Keeping your vehicles and equipment out of the rain is valuable to everyone. These factors depend on your area market and lifestyle distinctions, for example, an RV carport on a property would be more useful to someone who already has an RV.
What is a good size for a carport?
To store vehicles, we generally recommend a 12×20 or 12×22 for one vehicle and an 18×24 or 24×28 for two. The general rule of thumb is to have 2-3 feet of space around all sides of a vehicle, which allows for easy exit and entrance, but this will fluctuate depending on personal preferences, the size of the vehicle, and storage needs in the same structured space.
Is it cheaper to build your own carport?
Generally speaking, building your own will usually be cheaper; however, unless you build the carport on a flat concrete pad, the expertise and experience to ensure your carport is secured and set up level will take more DIY skills than others. It also depends on the time available to construct one. Here at Cold Spring Enerprises, we pride ourselves on high-quality materials and a proprietary bending process that you won’t find elsewhere. This process, quality, and expertise will allow your building to last much longer than our competitors, let alone most DIY carports.
How big can I build a carport without a permit?
You generally need a permit to build an RV carport in South Carolina. Permits are required for most outdoor projects, including carports, decks, screened porches, and swimming pools. These permits ensure that the construction complies with local safety and building standards.
To see the requirements for your county (in South Carolina), check out our permit regulations article.
Is it cheaper to build a wood or metal carport?
Generally, a metal carport will be cheaper over time than a wood carport due to the nature of its construction and durability from being out in the elements. Thus allowing for a low-maintenance setup and installation. For example, a wood carport may last 15 to 30 years, depending on the climate and routine upkeep. Pressure-treated wood on its own lasts typically 20 to 40 years. In contrast, we at Cold Spring Enterprises build all of our carports out of galvanized USA steel, whose life expectancy is 30 to 50 years. Metal carports are typically cheaper to fix and maintain due to the readily available materials.
Let’s Find The Right Carport For You
There are countless options and ways to construct a carport. We aim to provide you with the highest quality materials and service possible. The most significant factor that sets us apart is that we can custom fabricate and weld anything. Take a look at our 3D builder or give us a call today to talk through all the available options. If you have any more questions, please call or contact us. We are happy to help!