Should You Add a Carport To Your House?

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There are many benefits to adding a carport to your property, including having a place to keep your vehicle dry and protected, as well as adding storage space, something that so many of us homeowners need. You can even build a carport yourself if you have basic DIY skills and a little time. However, before you embark on this project it's a good idea to carefully consider both the benefits and the disadvantages involved, a topic you can read all about in the post below. 

Pro - Carports are low cost to build 

One of the most appealing things about adding a carport to your home rather than a full garage is that they cost a great deal less. This is because they can be made from a wide range of building materials, such as wood, metal, and even plastic. 

Pro - You can build a carport yourself 

Another great thing about carports is that you don't have to have or pay a professional builder to come in and erect them for you. Indeed, if you choose a simple design, and have at least some experience with power tools you can knock one up yourself. You’ll also find plenty of tutorials and guides online to help you. 

Pro - You can put a carport up fast 

Carports are also much quicker to put up than a brick-and-mortar garage. You may even be able to complete them in a single day, which is great news for people that don't want the disruption of ongoing building work to deal with. 

Although, to ensure the quickest erection time possible it is a good idea to do your research on things like how deep should footings be for a carport, ahead of time. Then you can crack on without having to stop and start.

Con - Carports are not always as useful as garages 

The one thing that carports do really well is to protect your vehicle from the weather, something that can help keep it in the best condition possible and save you money. However, it does have to be said that carports aren't quite as useful as a full garage because they do not provide the security and protection that a fully sealed room does. In fact, anything of value other than a car is best not stored in a garage as they provide no protection from theft. 

Con - Carports don't add value to your home in the way a garage does 

While they are a great deal easier, cheaper, and faster to build, another disadvantage of carports is that they don't add value to your home in the way that a bricks-and-mortar garage does. 

This tends to be for two reasons with the first being that they can age and wear pretty quickly, as the materials they are built with tend to be less robust when exposed to the elements. Additionally, a carport may not be built with aesthetics in mind and while doing a practical job of protecting your car may not improve the overall curb appeal of your property.