Parking cars outside in the open can expose them to a lot of harmful elements such as rain, hail and snow; however, there is a solution to it. Building carports outside your house for storage and parking cars is a good option to solve this problem.
Carports are low maintenance and are an excellent method to keep your cars safe. The type of carport you choose and the size of it would solely depend on what you need it for and how many cars do you want to park under it. This article will help guide you to make the important decision of what size of the carport to choose.
A red Porsche parked below an open carport against a white concrete wall.
Common Carport Sizes
Choosing the right size of a carport is essential because what use would it be if your car doesn’t fit in it. The sizes range from single carports to larger sizes. The right size of carport would ensure maximum protection to your cars and other valuables. To choose the right size, first, take a look at the popular carport sizes that most families go for;
- Single Carport- This carport is 12′ wide and is the standard size.
- Double Carport- This carport has two single carports and is 18′ to 24′ wide.
- 3 Car Carport – This carport is for three vehicles and is 26′ to 30′ wide.
- Extra Wide or Commercial Carport- this is the largest carport size available, and it is 32′ to 60′ wide.
Things to Consider When Choosing the Size of Your Carport
There are various things to keep in mind when selecting the size of the carport. These are the following thing you need to consider when choosing:
The Type of Vehicle or Vehicles You Own
Carports are usually used for parking cars. Therefore, when choosing the size you want, it is important to first look at the type of vehicles you own. Do you own a regular car or a small truck? If you feel like a single carport would make it difficult for you to manoeuvre, go for a wider size of the carport.
If you own larger vehicles such as trailers or RVs, consider building a double or a 3 car carport for effective parking.
The Number of Cars You Have
Another thing to keep in mind is to look at the number of vehicles you own. If you have more than one, then definitely a single carport won’t do. You will need a bigger one depending on how many cars you want to store using it.
Also, you will need space to open car doors without worrying about hitting the car door to other cars. Make sure you consider all these nitty-gritty details when choosing the perfect size.
The Height of Your Vehicles
The height is another aspect you need to look at when determining the size of the carport. You would want to make sure the carport is not too low, or you might bump into it when parking your larger vehicles.
The standard size of carports starts at 7 to 8 feet tall, and it works fine for regular cars. However, if you own a bigger vehicle, like a trailer or a truck, then build your carport taller.
How Are You Planning to Use It?
The size of the carport would also depend on how you want to use it. Is it just for vehicles, or do you plan on storing other items such as boats, farm equipment, old furniture or other items? If you want to store other items, then consider the quantity and size of those when getting your carport built.
Many families use it to store other household items and even use that area under the shade for events.
Future Considerations
If you’re planning to buy a second car in the future or a bigger car, then keep those considerations in mind before you build a carport for your vehicles. The option, in this case, is to go for a larger carport size now rather than building a bigger one later in the future; this will save you a lot of money and expenditure later.
The Final Note
Choosing the right size may seem daunting to many, but the effort put into choosing the right size is worth all of it. They protect valuable items and can even be used for things other than storage, such as barbecue parties or lunch dates. They provide a good shelter to enjoy during the summer heat. The possibilities are endless, but all that matters is that they are extremely useful!
