Have you decided on buying a metal carport and foregoing the more traditional wood carport construction? If you have, then you may be wondering what kind of metal you should be looking at using to build your new carport. Well, I’m going to go out a limb and say that you probably want something that is easy to work with (if you will be building it yourself or with the help of friends) and something that will also be easy to maintain. Therefore, I think you should really consider going with an aluminum carport.
Aluminum is a great type metal to use for outdoor construction. It holds up well to all kinds of weather, including rain. Whereas steel will rust if it is continuously rained upon, aluminum will not. Also, when it’s a hot during the summer and there is no clouds for miles, aluminum will not retain heat like steel can. This is nice because it means that heat won’t be trapped underneath the roof like it can be otherwise.
If you plan to build your own carport from a kit, then getting an aluminum carport is almost a no-brainer. Like most metal kits, the aluminum will be cut and drilled to close tolerances. This means your kit will be relatively easy to put together, even for the novice builder.
Now, don’t get me wrong here. While aluminum carports do have many distinct advantages (and in my opinion, the good does outweigh the bad here), there are a few things to keep mind. While aluminum will not rust, it will corrode if left unprotected. You could get anodized aluminum to help combat this or you could paint your carport with a light coat of clear paint. Also, unlike other materials, aluminum is going to be very expensive comparatively. And if you need to do any kind of welding, remember that this particular metal requires a special welder and equipment.
All in all, however, I feel that if you’re going to install a metal carport (especially from a kit) then aluminum really is going to be your best bet. And if you do it the right way from the get-go, then an aluminum carport should last you a lifetime.