Steel Carports for Protecting Your Investment

Many people save for years to buy a boat, car or RV only to get it home and realize storage is going to be a bigger issue than normally expected.  For these folks I suggest investing in a steel carport.  Watching your valuable investment or your favorite new toy take a pummeling during a storm is disheartening and avoidable.  Protecting your investments is a wise thing to do so that you can enjoy them for many years to come.

We all know that driving a new car off the lot depreciates the value by 25% right off the bat, but that doesn’t mean that we should not keep it in tip top shape so that it can retain as high a value as possible.  Chances are at some point you will be selling this vehicle and buying a new one.  Getting the most for your resale is a function of how well you take care of your vehicle.  

Keeping your vehicle under a steel carport will not only reduce the chances, of what the insurance companies call, “acts of god.”  It will also significantly lengthen the life of the paint job, allow the leather to retain its quality, and preserve the engine and other components.

There are many options when buying a steel carport.  I have seen numerous places along the side of the road selling carports, you can go to a big box retailer, or you can hire a local contractor.  You need to weigh the pros and cons of each and consider what you will be getting for your money.

If you are hiring a contractor to come in and do the work the chances are that you are getting something on the larger side of things and adding a foundation.  Hiring a contractor to do the work is a great way to get it done right and done quickly.  It is also the best option for big jobs.  The down sides are that you will most likely have to deal with local building comities and the price will be significantly higher.

If you choose to go the alternate route of buying a carport kit you can save some cash and avoid the delay and expense of dealing with local construction comities.  Most of the car port kits on the market are easy to put together and highly durable.  Most of the assembly can be completed by one person in an afternoon.  This is an excellent one day project that will make a huge impact for years to come.  Instructions vary in legibility and simplicity, most of them giver thorough detailed instructions but technical instructions are not famous for being easy to follow.

Steel car ports are an excellent option because of their ability stand up to most weather conditions.  Properly installed many carports have a higher weather rating than their associated homes.  That being said, steel is very durable and long lasting but it is susceptible to corrosion and must be properly treated before installation.  Most carports will be either powder coated or galvanized.  Meaning that they will withstand corrosion for years to come with no further finishing treatment.

When choosing a carport you should be certain to look for one that has sides that overhang.  This will eliminate the majority of diagonal or horizontal rain.  While open car ports will not eliminate all weather they can eliminate the majority of it.  You should also be certain that the pitch of the roof is suitable for the area that you live.  Snow loads can be excessive in some areas and compromise the integrity of even the strongest roofs.

You will also want to keep in mind the need for future expansion when purchasing a steel carport.  Getting a multi car carport can be a great solution for children that will need to house cars in the future or can double as a good outside picnic area.  Size is not usually much of an object when it comes to steel buildings and is really limited more by the budget than the construction materials.

So, before braving the sales environment make sure that you are armed with the knowledge needed to make a wise decision about what steel carport to buy.  Don’t be oversold or undersold.  Having a good idea of what you need before you shop is essential.  Steel carports are a great option for most homeowners.