Carport or garage: which to choose?

Sooner or later, car owners are faced with a situation in which it arises to hide the iron “horse” under the roof. Temperature fluctuations, harsh winters, rains and long-term parking under the scorching sun have an extremely detrimental effect on the condition of the paintwork and plastic interior elements. As for safety in terms of theft - this issue is also relevant. So, let's consider the options in which you can stay in a garage or a carport, what are their fundamental differences, advantages and disadvantages.

What is the Difference Between a Garage and a Carport

The difference between the two structures is enormously different, they have only one task in common - to protect the car from the effects of the weather. The garage is a separate building, which can also be an extension to the house. The garage is equipped, as a rule, with electricity, a ventilation system, heating, less often with water supply and sewerage. The listed communications allow not only to store the vehicle in comfortable conditions, but also to carry out repairs and maintenance, regardless of the time of day and season. Typically, a garage is built from brick, cinder block, or other similar materials; assembly buildings from rolled metal are less common. 

The canopy, in turn, has a simple structure consisting of at least 4 posts and a roof. It can be metal supports and a stretched mesh, a prefabricated frame made of wood or a full-fledged “constructor” made of metal. This is a simple and cheap option, and the ventilation for the car is provided in a natural way. 

A canopy is an excellent structure for courtyards with a small area, as it is a through span, or is generally used as an extension to the garage.

Advantages and disadvantages of a canopy

If you decide to prepare a place for storing a car under a canopy, then study the following advantages of such a building:

• relatively low cost of construction;
• ease of installation and the ability to quickly dismantle;
• good protection from sun and hail;
• the ability to choose a canopy for the design of the house, using metal, wood or by combining these materials;
• easy access to the car, due to which getting in and out of the car is not difficult;
• the car can be washed directly under the shed;
• easily lengthens and expands;
• can be used as a gazebo.

But note not the following disadvantages:

• the vehicle cannot be fully protected from external influences;
• access to intruders is open;
• the wooden frame requires constant processing, and the metal frame must be painted with high-quality paint to avoid corrosion, and the paint must be renewed every few years;
• under a canopy, you cannot store anything;
• auto repair in cold weather will be uncomfortable.

Advantages and disadvantages of a garage

Surely the following advantages will help you start building a garage:

• a closed room fully protects the car at any time of the year;
• access to the car for intruders is as difficult as possible, especially if you have installed a gate with an alarm;
• it is possible to store things, car tires, in addition, you can dig a trench under the cellar;
• in a heated garage, the car starts in winter without any problems.

Consider the disadvantages:

• relatively expensive “pleasure”, starting with ordering a project, purchasing materials and the construction process;
• it is necessary to correctly calculate the ventilation system, equip with heating;
• we take up more space;
• in winter, if the garage is not insulated, condensation occurs, which contributes to the formation of corrosion on the car;
• garage is difficult to dismantle and move to another location.

Which is better to choose

Having studied the advantages and disadvantages of a carport and a garage, you can decide on the advisability of building a structure. If the territory of your site allows you to build a garage and there is still space, then the addition of a canopy will double the dignity of the building, because you can put two cars, or before entering the garage, wash away dirt or snow from the car without hassle. Naturally, you need to think about the financial component in advance, as well as the willingness to “sacrifice” extra square meters of land in favor of the garage, where you can store a lot of things, as well as conservation and other things.

If you use your car every day - a carport is simpler and more comfortable, if you use transport less often, you often have to leave for a long time - a garage will be the right and safe solution for the safety of your car.

Conclusion

In conclusion, we can say that the construction of this or that structure, in addition to logically explainable reasons, lies in the personal preference of the owner. Today, a garage can be built in such a way that its cost will be comparable to the cost of a forged carport. Always weigh the pros and cons so that the future construction will bring you benefits and aesthetic pleasure.

Questions and answers:

What is better garage or carport? Each cover has its own merits. Car repairs can be carried out in the garage even in winter, but if it is damp, the car is not ventilated, as under a canopy, and therefore it will quickly rust.

How can you replace a garage? An excellent option for a car is an ordinary canopy made of a metal structure and with a solid roof (protects not only from the sun, but also from hail). Under such a canopy, the car is ventilated and will not rot even due to damp weather.

Where to locate the carport? It is more practical to put it on one side of the yard (if it is large), and not in the center. The car in the corner of the yard will not interfere with looking after the yard, moving freely.

Why do you need a carport? This is a budget option to protect your car from aggressive weather conditions (torrential rains, heavy snowfalls, hail or scorching sun). Many canopy roofs use polycarbonate.