Carports vs Garages

A little TLC can go a long way in keeping your car, SUV, motorhome, or jet ski in great condition. But it’s worth remembering that your vehicle will spend the majority of its lifetime parked. So rather than spend hours cleaning, waxing, and accessorizing, you can provide much more effective care with proper storage.

In most cases, this means investing in a carport or garage in which to keep your vehicle. Which you choose, however, will depend on a variety of factors, including budget, labor, protection, aesthetics, and general utility. To help you make an informed decision, let’s look at some of the major differences in the carport vs garage debate.

What is a Carport?

A carport is a freestanding outdoor vehicle shelter consisting of four supporting pillars and a roof. Since carports share at most two walls with the home structure depending on their placement, they provide plenty of ventilation. Due to their open design, vehicles can be driven into or out of a carport without needing to open and close an entryway.

What is a Garage?

Chances are you already have a good idea of what a garage is. But for sake of comparison, a garage is a fully enclosed structure with four walls, a roof, and a large door to allow vehicle access. Most garages are attached to the main home, though they can also stand apart as separate buildings.

Garages often include electrical wiring to power lights and other features. While they’re typically used to house a vehicle, many people also use their garage for general storage, or as a home gym, office space, or additional living area.

Carport vs Garage: What to Consider

Cost

To build a new garage, building contractors typically charge around $35-70 per square foot. Since a garage of at least 240 square feet is needed to comfortably house an average-sized car, this project could cost you up to $16,800.

Carports, on the other hand, are significantly cheaper, as they require far fewer building materials, come in ready-to-assemble (RTA) kits, and are much quicker to erect. At just $3,990, a carport from Backyard Discovery could save you over $12,800! That makes carports excellent value for money, and means you don’t have to borrow or clear out your savings to protect your vehicle.

Time and labor

A garage requires careful installation of doors, windows, flooring, electrical wiring, and ventilation systems, each of which needs to conform to strict building codes. So unless you’re a seasoned DIY expert (probably with a few years in construction) you’re going to need a professional to build your garage for you. And once you find a suitable contractor, you can still expect your garage to take anywhere from two weeks to a few months to complete.

If you’d rather avoid the hassle and stress of a long construction project, a carport is a much quicker and easier option. Since a carport doesn’t require specialized equipment, skilled labor, or complex integrations, you can put it up yourself in just a few hours. We even offer interactive step-by-step instructions for all Backyard Discovery carports through our BILT® app, making the whole process a breeze.

Protection

With four sturdy walls between your vehicle and the elements, a garage offers total protection from all types of weather. But the difference might be much less than you think.

When positioned against or near to your main home structure, a carport still offers up to 90% protection for your vehicle. And while garages can easily become musty and moldy due to poor ventilation, the open nature of a carport ensures adequate airflow.

To provide excellent protection in all climates, we test and certify all our carports and gazebos against snow, wind, and heat. More specifically, our carports are tested to withstand up to 100 mph winds, up to 30” of snow, and reduce heat transfer by 20 degrees. That means you can always rely on our carports as a sturdy and stable shield against weather damage and fading paint.

Style and Value

Both garages and carports are a fantastic option for increasing the curbside appeal of your property. While garages can be designed to seamlessly integrate with the style of your home, quality carports act as standout complements to both traditional and modern aesthetics. As well as giving you greater satisfaction in your home, they also drive up the price when it’s time to sell.

As a permanent structure, a garage is likely to increase the value of your property more than a carport. But remember, this comes at the additional cost and time investment of building one in the first place. A carport will have a smaller impact, but their affordability leaves you with plenty of money left over for other home improvements.

Protect Your Vehicle in Style with a Durable Weatherproof Carport

Just because carports are convenient and cost effective, that doesn’t mean you should skimp on quality. At Backyard Discovery, we use the best methods and materials available to provide superior strength, durability, and stability whatever the weather. Add to that our five-year warranty, and you can always have total confidence that your carport is built to last.

Take a look at our weatherproof and corrosion-resistant carports to find exceptional and affordable protection for your vehicle.