You’ve certainly considered a carport or a garage when you need more room outside or a structure to safeguard your vehicles.
Although similar in purpose, the carport and garage are different and have their pros and cons. Thus, it’s worth considering each structure before investing. That said, to help you decide on which is a better option for your home, here are some things to consider.
- Do You Need Extra Storage And Space?
Both carports and garages can be used as car storage. Garage, on the other hand, is the best alternative for maximizing storage space.
Carports are primarily meant to protect your vehicle from the elements, as their name indicates. However, they are not typically used for storage since they usually don’t have walls or doors that can hide or protect valuable items.
In addition to protecting your automobile, a garage may be utilized as an additional storage space. Since garages are enclosed space, it is commonly used to store tools, bikes, lawnmowers, and other outdoor equipment.
- Think of Curb Appeal
Another thing you need to consider when choosing between a garage and a carport is the overall curb appeal. Deciding on the desired look for your home can help you choose between different styles of garages and carports available.
Carports have a simple appearance. It can be a simple metal frame with a roof, a permanent frame structure attached to your home, or a metal frame draped with fabric. It can have no walls or have at least one side open. In general, the open space structure of carports makes it appealing as an outdoor patio or lounging area.
Meanwhile, garages can be attached to your home or as a freestanding structure. It will always have four walls and a roof, making it a convenient area in any case. Although a carport may be used as a lounging place and can be built as a freestanding building, garages are more likely to complement the rest of your home in terms of design and style. Whether your garage is independent or linked to your house, it will most likely have the same roofing and siding as the rest of your home.
- Consider Ease of Installation
Regardless of what type of carport you choose, it’s likely to be faster and easier to install than a garage.
Since carports can be a metal frame with a roof, they can be installed in just a few hours or days. And even if you opt for a carport with 3 sides, they still take less time to install since you won’t need to think of doors or windows. In addition, there are carport kits available that allow you to construct the structure on your own.
In contrast, a garage requires a more involved process to build. It will have 4 walls, a door and windows to keep it ventilated. It’s like building a mini house beside the main house which can take weeks to complete, depending on its size and finishes.
- Look For Security And Protection
If you’re looking for more protection and security, you should opt for garages.
Carports can help keep the elements out of your car, protecting it from hail, rain, hot sun, and snow. However, since carports don’t have a door and sometimes walls, they don’t protect your vehicle against theft and vandalism. Plus, the open design structure of carports also doesn’t fully protect your car’s interior against heavy rains and snowfall.
Meanwhile, garages offer more protection and security for your vehicle as well as other valuable items inside. In most cases, garages are connected to the house and can be locked when not in use. Because it has four walls and a roof, a garage can better secure its contents from the elements and robbers.
- Determine Your Budget
Both garages and carports have a broad range of costs.
In the case of garages, the cost will depend on the size of the structure and the type of finishing materials you use. Since most garages are often designed to match the house, if you have an expensive façade, then it also increases the cost of building a garage the overall appearance of your home.
The average cost of building a garage is USD$35 – USD$60 per square foot. So, if you’re building for an average 2-car garage at 20 x 20 inches, you’ll be spending up to USD$19,600.
For carports, the cost will largely depend on whether you want an open structure or if it has walls. If you choose the latter, the wall materials used can also influence the overall cost. A simple carport can only cost you a few hundred dollars, while a permanent one will cost you more.
However, the cost of constructing a carport ranges from USD$3,224 to USD$9,847, with an average of USD$6,461, which is significantly less than the cost of constructing a garage.
Take Away
And there you have it! Both garages and carports offer practical and convenient added space to store and protect your car, garden tools, or other motor-powered equipment. That said, make sure to consider the factors and considerations mentioned above to ensure that you choose the better option for your needs.
