8 Best Carport Kits

Buying a Carport Kit

If you don’t have a garage or would rather use it for storage, consider a carport. These simple structures protect your vehicle from rain, hail, bird droppings and harmful UV rays, and keep you and your passengers from getting soaked during storms.

Carport kits are available in a range of sizes and designs. Take these factors into consideration to ensure you pick the right one for your situation:

• Size: The carport must be long enough to cover your vehicle and wide enough to pull in and out of easily. Factor in the space you’ll need for opening the doors, and for keeping dry in rain or snow when you’re loading and unloading your car or trunk. If you plan on permanently anchoring your carport to your driveway, make sure its support legs won’t overhang the concrete you’re drilling into.
  
• Skill level required for assembly: While all carport kits are meant to be DIY, some are easier to assemble than others. If you’re mounting it to concrete, you’ll need to know how to use a power drill. Some carports may require you to cut the support beams to length. Honestly consider your DIY skill level and review online installation instructions to make sure you can do the job effectively and safely.
• Roof material: The roof of your carport kit will be soft (canvas or polyethylene plastic), metal or polycarbonate plastic. Soft roofs are lightweight, easy to assemble and generally cheaper, although they lack the strength and protection of metal or hard plastic. Metal roofs (aluminum or steel) are heavy and require more effort to install, but protect against falling trees branches and heavy snowfalls. Polycarbonate plastic roofs are translucent so they let some light through. If they’re shatter-resistant, they should hold up well against falling debris and snow.
• Roof design: Gabled-roof options are peaked, making it harder for leaves, pine cones or branches to stay up there. They also require less cleaning and maintenance than flat-roofed models. If you live in a wet climate, consider one with gutters to direct rainwater and reduce erosion and foundation damage.
• Anchoring options: Safely secure your carport to the ground, especially if you live in an area with high winds. Anchoring your carport directly into concrete is the most secure option, so make sure the kit includes all the necessary hardware. Carports can also be anchored to grass and gravel with long auger anchors or spikes, but only if prevailing winds are generally light. Review the anchoring options of your carport before purchasing, and pay attention to any “wind load” ratings that you can compare to your local weather.
• Cost: Your options run from a couple of hundred to thousands of dollars. Generally, the more you spend, the more protection you’re providing for your vehicle. If you live in an area with a lot of snow, rain and wind, a higher-end model could be worth the investment. If all you’re looking for is a basic cover for your vehicle and don’t have extreme weather to worry about, you can get away with a cheaper option.
• Zoning: Make sure that you can legally place your carport on your property. Some areas have structural zoning rules that forbid it, or restrictions on how close or far it can be from your home. Some homeowner associations have restrictions and codes as well.
• Insurance: It depends on your provider and specific insurance plan, but carports can sometimes be added to your homeowner’s insurance policy. Also, carports connected to your home are sometimes automatically covered. Contact your carrier and provide them with the specifics for a better idea of your options.

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