Are you pondering the purchase of a carport but find yourself waffling over what kind of material to use? Then read this post for a look at why you should consider metal carports.
Metal Vs. Wood
There are two major materials that can be used to build a carport. They are metal and wood. Some structures use a combination of the two, and some are either straight wood or straight metal. While both of these materials have their advantages (and we’ll do an in-depth post on metal vs. wood in the future), we believe that metal truly is the way to go, unless you just have to have the look of wood. Metal will not rot with age. Metal is not susceptible to termites. Metal carports can be welded, eliminating the use of nails that will work loose over time.
Metal will rust, however. And that’s the biggest drawback (other than cost, though the price of metal and the price of wood vary throughout the year, so that’s a very flexible point that is ever changing). But a little bit of paint over your carport should keep the rust at bay. If you use a high quality paint, then you shouldn’t have to worry about repainting but once every few years. Yes, this is a drawback, but you would have to paint and repaint wood as well.
Durability
With just a bit of care, a metal carport will last you a lifetime. They are low maintenance and don’t require the upkeep that a wooden structure does. After a few years, wood will rot and sag and loosen. Metal will (or should, at least) remain strong year after year. In fact, we’ve seen errant drivers drive right into the metal support poles and while the pole barely budged, the car sure wound up with nice dent in it!
The only thing to worry about really is the roof itself in a large, severe hailstorm. The sheeting that makes up the roof is thin and easily dented by hard hailstones. Of course, if a hailstorm is that bad, then you’ll have many more issues to contend with than a hail damaged carport roof.
Ease of Building With A Kit
If you buy a metal carport kit, then you’ll have a much easier time putting it together than a wooden equivalent. All of the parts will be machined, cut, and drilled so that they can be put together without having to force pieces to go. A wooden kit, while made to high standards (always depending on the manufacturer, of course), isn’t always an easy fit. Whether it be because the makers know that it’s relatively easy to fix problems with wood or because the wood itself changes with the climate is anybody’s guess. All we know is that when you go with a metal carport kit, it really is almost as easy following the plans and then bolting the pieces together.
When making your decisions regarding material, we we suggest you take a look at going with metal of some kind, be it steel, aluminum, or some other variation. Of course, if metal carports are not for you, then perhaps you would like a nice wood carport?