What Is a Carport and How Well Can It Protect My Car?

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Protecting your car can be a hassle for people who don’t have a garage attached to their home. Wind, rain, sun, tree sap, bird droppings and debris blown around by high winds can take a toll on vehicles, damaging and corroding paint and possibly cracking windshields. A carport is an option that can offer an effective solution to protect your vehicle, as well as keeps it cool on hot days and saves you time on frosty mornings. These structures are long-lasting and built to withstand the harshest conditions. But how do they hold up against affordable and easy to use car covers?

What Is a Carport?

A carport is a partially covered structure that is typically made out of metal. Carports have a roof, while the sides are usually open and, unlike a garage, they do not have doors. They come in a variety of designs and are a low maintenance storage structure. A carport can complete any outdoor space. Some can attach to a home, garage, or any type of building. For those with a garage but who need additional room for other vehicles, an attached carport is an excellent solution. Carports can be used year-round. They can resist natural erosion and some of the most extreme weather conditions.

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What Are the Benefits of a Carport?

1. Vehicle Protection
   Buying a vehicle is an important decision and a significant investment. With a carport, you can be confident that your investment will be protected. From rain to hail to snow, a carport protects your car, truck, RV, motorcycle, or boat from the elements.
2. No Extra Tax
   Since a portable carport is a free-standing structure, you will not pay more in property taxes. While each municipality does vary, most do not consider them to be a part of your home. So, you can get the protection a garage offers without paying additional fees.
3. Versatility
   While carports were designed primarily for vehicle storage, you can use them in a range of versatile ways. A carport makes an outstanding RV cover to protect your home away from home while not in use. When your car is not parked underneath, you can even use your carport as a pergola or backyard shade. If you have a large gathering on a hot day, you can set up some tables and chairs under the carport to provide shade for your guests. Many carports can be outfitted with removable plastic siding, allowing you to store boxes, sporting equipment, tools, and other gear inside.
4. Moveability
   Carports can be permanent or portable structures. Permanent carports are typically mounted on a concrete foundation and offer a more durable vehicle storage option. However, these styles are typically more expensive to set up. Portable carports often consist of a collapsible metal frame with a plastic, PVC, or nylon roof. While portable carports offer versatility that a permanent structure doesn't, they also do not provide the same quality of protection. Intense winds can overturn portable structures, and the roof may not support heavy snowfall or hail storms, leaving your car at the mercy of the elements.

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Can a Carport Protect My Car?

Carports are an effective way to minimize damage to your car from the elements. During a thunderstorm, high winds can cause trees and branches to fall, and heavy rainfall or hailstones can scratch paintwork or dent your car panels. A carport with a solid roof protects your vehicle, leaving it free of damage. However, while suitable for protecting against sun damage, a portable carport may not offer adequate protection from extreme weather.

Platinum Shield Car Cover For Car

Though, carports often need additional accessories to provide the same level of protection as a garage. Car covers or RV covers add an extra layer of protection for your vehicle against moisture and sun damage. The best car covers should be constructed from waterproof material that features micropores, allowing trapped moisture to escape to minimize mildew growth. It should also offer UV protection and an adjustable fit to adapt to the contours of your car.

Invest In A Car Cover Today

Keep Your Car Safe with a Car Cover

A carport is an affordable alternative to a garage to protect your vehicle at home, but they do have several drawbacks due to their open-sided structure. You can enhance the protection offered by your carport by covering your car, RV, truck, motorcycle, or boat with a customized cover. At CarCovers, we have an excellent range of vehicle covers available for use both inside and outdoors. Our simple search tool allows you to find the perfect cover, depending on the make and model, so it will always offer the ideal fit and prolong your vehicle’s life.