Which single carport / shelter?

[Tremelune]

I have a spot in my driveway that I'd like to park something shiny in, and I'd like to protect it from the elements. Does anyone have any experience with these? If it could fit a short full-sized van, that'd be great, but it really only needs to fit something the size of a Corvette.

Primary concerns are sun, rain, and snow. There's no way to keep the cold out, but maybe one that I can open up a bit in the summer would be nice, to avoid having my car sit in an oven. I suspect it will be difficult to keep out critters, so I'm just going to cross my fingers and try to avoid anything too cozy...

I'm hoping the cheapo canvas ones will do the job for under $1,000, but it would have to be able to handle northeast snowfall—maybe a few feet. If the canvas ripped it wouldn't be a big deal, but like, if the thing collapsed it would. How are they commonly fastened to the ground?

My driveway is just a bit of asphalt next to the house. The carport would go right where this pod is:

 

[Tremelune]

Random companies I found googling "carport":

http://www.menards.com/main/building-materials/carports-shelters/c-5860.htm

http://www.walmart.com/c/kp/carports

http://www.ecanopy.com/car---truck-shelters.html

https://carport1.com/index.php

 

[bczygan]

There is a wide range of options.

On the least expensive side are lightweight structures with plastic fittings and poles that are held down by weights hung from the frame. The plastic for these is thin and I would only use for temporary storage to keep rain off. Wind would be a problem, and heavy snow over a winter would be a problem.

A substantial structure, meant for long term storage will be pricey.

Are you allowed to put something like this in your driveway?

 

[Tremelune]

There aren't much in the way of rules in this area, but I wouldn't want to build a permanent structure.

Looking around, it does seem like the canvas stuff would either blow away or need to be re-secured periodically. I wonder if it would be wiser to get a cheapo steel structure over high-quality canvas.

Maybe something like this, but with a bit more wall:

http://www.menards.com/main/buildin...-x-16l-x-69h-cart-corral/p-2118345-c-5865.htm

 

[Tremelune]

This is a hilarious thread:

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/do-i-have-to-pull-a-permit-carport.636684/

Looks like my first step is to find out what requires a permit and what doesn't.

 

[kaymccampbell]

Get the one with a heavy metal frame and the sheetmetal roof. I have a lot of observer experience with these as they seem to be all around me and I've watched my neighbors struggle or not with them. The plastic framed ones last until the first hard freeze and high wind warning and they snap off and fly away. The ragtops make it til the first heavy snow and they dump their load on all their contents.
The best part of them is that the folks who buy the cheapies just go back and buy another usless one again and again. The widow lady across the way and another couple up the road apiece have the galvanized steel frame and galvalume tins and theirs never seem to have a bit of trouble. And both are up for at least ten years.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Have you considered either adding onto your current garage or putting a lean-to on it ?

 

[Tremelune]

That would be cool, but it seemed cost-prohibitive.