Metal Carport. Which are best/best value?

[Joelk]

I have a fairly large garage with a 24' x 24"(might be 26') concrete slab in front of it.

I used to work in the sun all the time, but I now try to avoid it as much as possible.

I like the idea of being in a breeze and natural sunlight to see, but a carport keeping the direct sun off.

I also have a 21' boat that I have been storing in one of my garage bays over the winters. It takes up so much space in the garage bay that it is hard to get around and I would like to store it under the carport in the winters.

I am considering buying a carport the size of my slab and keep it there during the summer then move it to gravel area beside the garage for boat, etc. storage in the winter.

I am in South Central/SW PA. Get a fair amount of snow, but don't usually get the Lake Effect snow that they get in NW part of state.

Any special features, 12ga vs 14ga, etc. I should consider/avoid?

Suggestions on brand/model/style to buy/avoid?

Dealers/installers to recommend/avoid?

 

[Farrier]

Their all pretty mush the same in my book. Shop around until you can find the best price. If you have snow, make sure it's rated for those loads.

 

[finn]

I'd look into setting some 6"x6" posts, common roof trusses, a shingle to match your current roof, and cover the bottom cord of the trusses with white steel soffit for bird controller.

It'll look better than a cheesy temporary metal carport hung on to the front of the garage, and possibly add some value to the property.

 

[Mikeske]

I'd look into setting some 6"x6" posts, common roof trusses, a shingle to match your current roof, and cover the bottom cord of the trusses with white steel soffit for bird controller.

It'll look better than a cheesy temporary metal carport hung on to the front of the garage, and possibly add some value to the property.

That is what I did when I had my carport built. Looks a lot better and the only other thing I did was set it between the house and garage as it was 22' from the house to garage.

 

[Joelk]

Thanks for the replies.

I will want to move it twice a year. From in front of my garage, to beside it, each fall, and back in front, each spring.

One fabricated out of wood, etc. will not be as easy to move.

I think I can fabricate some temporary skids(probably just bevel the ends of some 2x4s and attach to bottom of walls) and drag a metal carport back and forth, fairly easily. I'll install some anchor points in both locations so I don't have to worry about it getting blown away.

I think SOME of the metal carports look OK and this is a workshop/storage garage that is on a separate property from my house.

Which brands of metal carports are best/best value?

 

[The Cobbler]

I think you'll have to install some extra bracing if your plan is to move it around.

 

[Joelk]

I think you'll have to install some extra bracing if your plan is to move it around.

Perhaps, but I don't think that will be too big of a challenge. Smooth concrete/gravel surface and moving less than 100 feet.

I have pulled around some "mini barns", that are built on 4x4 runners and they pull fairly easy on a flat smooth surface. One of these should weigh a lot less and pull easier.

 

[thickhead]

How about a driveway awning and a good boat cover?
I like simple and your plan doesnt seem simple.

 

[Joelk]

How about a driveway awning and a good boat cover?
I like simple and your plan doesn't seem simple.

I don't think my plan is overly complicated.

1. Buy/install or have installed a Metal Carport on the slab with anchors in slab.

2. Attach Garden Tractor and drag to side of building in late fall.

3. Install anchors in the ground and attach carport at side of building.

4. Attach Garden Tractor and drag back to slab and reattach anchors in the spring.

After initial install in each location, I think I will easily be able to move from one location to the other in less than 2 hours, perhaps less than an hour.

I have an awning(just big enough for boat, much smaller than slab) and I have a boat cover.

I do not like boat covers. I want to be able to climb in and out of boat without having to remove and install a boat cover. I hate removing, installing, rolling up and storing cover.

I hate taking down, storing and installing awning.

I want awning/carport to cover entire 24x24 slab. Awning of that size would be expensive, probably would not handle heavy snow load and not last as long as a good Metal Carport. Awning would probably be as hard, or harder to move and would not look as good, IMO.

 

[6768rogues]

Make sure it is anchored well. Without sidewalls some look like an airplane wing and can have substantial uplift.
I was in a building code class when another student asked why carports have to be anchored if the owner does not care if he loses it in a windstorm. The answer was whether you would want to be down the street with the carport coming at you at 90 mph. Good point.

 

[John in OH]

Couple of thoughts:

1) There are generally two styles ... one style has the curved horizontal corners with roofing running front-to-back and the second style with a more traditional gable look and roofing running from peak to eave. Don't know of any advantage of one over the other.
2) Make sure you anchor it solidly in the separate locations or it will blow into the neighbors yard, house, or garage!
3) Make sure it has collar ties at each roof "truss" and corner braces at each upright for rigidity during moves and for snow/wind loads.

 

[Joelk]

I am aware of the need to properly anchor them and it will be well anchored in both location.

I am surprised that no one has commented something to the effect that: "I have ***** and it is junk, or I have **** and it is great."

There must be some brands/styles that are better than others and I want to pick the right one.

 

[finn]

I think I did.

They're all junk.

 

[John in OH]

I am aware of the need to properly anchor them and it will be well anchored in both location.

I am surprised that no one has commented something to the effect that: "I have ***** and it is junk, or I have **** and it is great."

There must be some brands/styles that are better than others and I want to pick the right one.

OK, I have four steel carports, all of the "horizontal roof, curved corner" style, all with sides and three with ends. One in VA and three in OH. No idea what brand the one in VA is. The three in OH came from a supplier in NW Ohio about 10 years ago .... Pioneer brand maybe????

These carports aren't rocket science. They are typically built with pre-rolled steel roofing, galvanized square tubing, and mostly screw construction. They are typically built in 2' increments of width and 4' increments of length.
Any fab shop that wanted to get into the business of building them would probably be able to do so with little effort. There also seem to be dozens of builders and little sales reps in every small town.

I'd suggest that you just look as a few local suppliers and pick the one you like the best. Considering how cheap these things are, it would probably not be economical for you to buy one built too far away from your site. Just make sure it has collar ties and corner braces on the uprights.

One additional thing .... if you think you might EVER put an overhead door on the end, make sure the uprights have enough straight vertical height to permit the installation of a header and door. (I didn't do this and a few years after installing one of mine, I decided to install an overhead door. Had to build a 2' high "pole barn" style foundation with sills to lift the carport up on to get adequate height.)

 

[John in OH]

I think I did.

They're all junk.

They are what they are.

I have four of them in various services on my farms and they meet their various intended needs. They are cheap, easy, movable shelter. (Kind of like some women .... cheap, easy and they get around)

They won't last forever, but neither will I.