Steel Carport Kits: Reinventing the place you park

A steel carport kit provides a sturdy yet low-cost alternative to a four-walled garage, protecting your vehicle from rain, snow, wind and damaging sunlight in all seasons.

BuildingsGuide.com offers both all-steel or steel-and-vinyl hybrid carport models, available in a plethora of colors and finishes made to match your home.

If you can’t decide whether or pre-engineered steel garage or carport is the best solution for your vehicle storage needs, consider the following.

A carport is essentially the same as a garage, except without the sidewalls. Although a carport is not a fully enclosed structure and doesn’t provide the same level of protection as a four-walled steel garage, there are also some advantages to the homeowner when building a carport.

Carports vs. Garages

Cost-efficient: As it requires fewer materials, a pre-engineered steel carport can cost significantly less than a four-walled garage. Easy to assemble for a DIY enthusiast at any skill level, a steel carport can be erected without the need to hire a costly professional contractor.

Less red tape: As it is not an enclosed structure, a carport is often not held to the same building code restrictions as a four-walled garage. In some municipalities, you may not be required to secure a building permit to construct a steel carport. However, always check with city hall first before you start construction.

Multipurpose: A carport can be used for a variety of purposes other than parking a vehicle, from providing a sheltered space to for vehicle maintenance, to a shelter for social gatherings and barbecues, extra storage for bicycles, kayaks, gardening tools, a lawnmower, a protected place to work outdoors on home DIY projects, and more.

Protection from the elements: Most importantly, a pre-engineered steel carport provides superior protection for your vehicle during the harsh winter months. Shielding against snowy conditions, a steel carport prevents you from having to spend precious time scraping ice off your windshield every morning. During the sweltering summer months, a steel carport also helps provide shade, keeping the interior cool until you’re ready to go for a ride. Even if you live in an area susceptible to strong winds and severe weather, a carport built using steel is strong and sturdy, offering a high level of protection for your vehicle.

Commercial value: A pre-engineered steel carport can also be the perfect addition to an apartment, condominium complex, or commercial office building, helping to improve the image, add value to the building, and attract new tenants.

Compact design: The compact and multi-purpose design of a pre-engineered steel carport is perfectly suited for urban homeowners, who tend to have less storage space available to them. Generally, a 10 feet by 16 feet carport is large enough to accommodate most full-sized vehicles.

Insurance Savings: A steel carport is resistant to fire, termites, rust and is one of the strongest construction materials available on the market. Enjoy watching your insurance premiums drop with the addition of a steel carport to your home, condo building, or workplace.

If you require more information on prefab steel garage buildings please refere to our garage page and our garage kit pages

Steps in Preparing to Build a Steel Carport:

1. Before you order your pre-engineered steel carport, obtain a blueprint of the architectural design, which you will need when you request a building permit. The blueprint should be available from the manufacturer.

2. Once the planned perimeter for your steel carport has been established, begin excavating the area by removing about four inches of soil from the area. Around the perimeter, dig a deeper trend for the footing. Consider consulting with your local municipal building codes to determine how deep you should dig according to regional climate and soil conditions. Once excavated, fill the area with four inches of compacted gravel.

3. Once the ground has been properly prepared, begin constructing a wooden form using 2 x 8 lumber around the perimeter of the carport. This step must be complete in order to pour a concrete slab. Fasten the pieces together with three-inch deck screws. To hold the form in place, drive wooden stakes into the ground at four-foot intervals along the perimeter. You may also want to add wire reinforcements to your form, such as rows of wire mesh set on top of bricks. Another reinforcement option is to lay out several rows of rebar.

4. Once you have received the parts for your pre-engineered steel carport, a concrete foundation is necessary for the carport to be built upon. Once the area has been dug out and a wooden frame has been built around the planned perimeter of the carport, pour a concrete slab at least six inches thick. As a garage foundation requires a fair amount of concrete, it is recommended that you order ready-mix air-entrained concrete, which will hold up best for exterior use.

How Much Concrete is Required for the Foundation?

To calculate the amount of concrete needed for a carport garage foundation, use the following formula:

Width x Length x Depth, in feet (of main slab)
Multiply by 1.5 (for footing edge and spillage)
Divide by 27 (to convert to cubic yards)