1 - What Size Carport Do I Need?

What size metal carport is suitable for your growing storage needs? Here are a few factors to consider when determining the right size carport:

What do you want to store under your metal carport?

Determine whether you need a single car carport, 2-car carport or specialty size carport for an RV, boat or agricultural equipment. The size of the vehicles or equipment you’re housing will help you narrow down the size you need. As a “guideline,” a 12’ wide custom carport can fit a single car, a 22’ wide steel carport can fit two full-size cars, and a 26’ wide carport can accommodate three midsize cars.

Are you storing more than just vehicles?

If you plan to store more items in addition to your vehicles, you may want to consider adding more length to your custom prefab carport. The pre-engineered standard lengths for adding length to your design plans are 21’, 26’, 31’, and up, increasing in 5’ increments.

How tall is your vehicle?

When deciding which carport style will best match your requirements, remember steel carports are measured by the height on the sides of the structure, not the top point of the carport. Make sure that your vehicle can clear the lowest point of the metal carport! We have a variety of carport buildings for sale with a standard height of 6’; however, your steel carport plans can be customized to a taller height. If you plan to enclose your metal carport and install a garage door in the future, make sure you consider that when customizing your steel carport.

2 - Does Roof Style Matter?

Roof style can make a big difference in your custom metal carport price. It’s very important to consider the weather in your area when choosing steel carport’s roof style.

If you live in an area that experiences heavy rain or snowfall, it is recommended that you go with a vertical roof style carport.

The boxed eave style roof has a peak like the vertical style, except the panels are installed horizontally. For this reason, we recommend purchasing a boxed eave roof style carport if you live in an area that doesn't experience a lot of snow or heavy rainfall.

Regular roof style is an economical choice. However, because pre-engineered carport installation involves the roof panels being horizontal, it’s only recommended that you purchase this style if you live in an area that has very little snowfall or heavy rain.

3 - Where are you installing your steel carport?

Before the installation process you need to make sure the site is level, and that you have enough space to assemble the metal carport frame size, you plan to buy. Not only should you measure the width and length of the site where you plan to install the carport, but you should also make sure that the height of the steel carport structure can accommodate your vehicles and equipment.

4 - Do local building regulations require that your carport design plans be certified?

Depending on your area, local building regulations may require that your metal structure is certified to handle a specific amount of snow load or wind. Contact one of our experts to determine if this applies to you before purchasing your new steel carport. If your local government does require certification, contact an expert for more information.

5 - What features would you like to add to your steel carport plans?

Now that you’ve determined the size and roof style that would work best for your new structure, it’s time to think about the customizations you would prefer. Below are some options to consider for your new steel carport:

Color - The roof, trim, and sides on all our carports are available in a variety of colors. We offer seventeen different color options to customize the look of your new carport building. Color selection adds no extra costs to your metal carport price.

Sides and Ends - Panels can be added to the sides or ends of your new pre-engineered carport to provide extra strength and protection for your vehicle and valuables.

Gables - A gable is a triangular piece of metal that is installed at the very top portion of the front or back of your metal carport structure. These can be added to your design plans to conceal the frame; they add support and strength to the structure.

J-Trim - Give your steel carport designs a nice, finished appearance and cover up edges so that they aren't hazardous by using a decorative trim called J-Trim.

6 - Does your new metal carport need additional strength or support?

Upgrade to 12-gauge steel

One way to add strength or support is upgrading to 12-gauge steel. The standard steel gauge used for all metal carports is 14-gauge, which measures 2 ½” x 2 ½”. If you would like to upgrade to a carport frame with a higher strength that can better support high snow and wind loads, then a two ¼” x 2 ¼” 12-gauge steel frame would be recommended.

Additional Bows and Trusses

Bows and Trusses are structural supports that fit inside the roof and along the sides of a metal carport to provide extra support and stability. You should consider adding these supports to your custom carport design if you live in an area with heavy snow or other intense weather.

Anchor types

The anchor used during installation will depend on the foundation type in which you plan to anchor the steel carport. If you feel that additional strength or support may be needed, contact one of our friendly building specialists for more information.

7 - How much do metal carports cost?

The average cost of a metal carport starts at $1200 based on the structure and area of installation. Metal carport prices vary based on sizes, roof styles, and customization options.

All our steel carports include delivery and installation.