Buying a carport is a big investment, and with so many different options on the market today, it can seem a very daunting task. To help you make an informed decision and choose the perfect carport to suit your needs exactly, we have put together this comprehensive guide that will take you through all the different options available to you and provide advice to help you identify what to look for when choosing your carport, including the various features or benefits you should choose to have, or choose to avoid. We hope you find it useful.
When looking for a carport, the first thing you will probably notice is the wide range of construction materials that these structures can be made from including timber, steel, aluminium, PVC and Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP). Styles also range from cantilever, lean-to and freestanding. With such a lot to choose from, making a decision about which carport is right for you can be difficult, and ultimately expensive, if you choose the wrong one.
“… the good, the bad, and the ugly.”
The Good
A good carport will maintain its appearance for many years after installation – requiring only minimal routine maintenance to keep it looking good. Your property’s value is vitally important and a carport should improve this value by blending in well with your building’s style. It should be securely fixed and constructed from a robust and durable material to ensure the carport lasts well.
The Bad
Watch out for carports that will not enhance the look of your building, or offer adequate cover for your vehicle. Ensure the materials are durable, offer value for money, and make sure the carport is suitable for the wind and snow loadings at your specific location in the UK. A bad carport could bring the value of your property down if it looks unattractive and if poor quality materials are used it may only last a short while- costing you more money
in the long run.
The Ugly
When looking for a carport, try to avoid going for the cheapest option as after a short while it could end up looking like this one! The design of this carport looks cheap and flimsy and the materials used have not lasted well, or been maintained correctly. As you can see the appearance of your carport really does affect the general look of your property and so it is important to research the material and design to ensure that it adds value, now and in the future as well.
This is an extract from ‘The Good Carport Guide’ (13 pages) which will give you much more comprehensive information on the pro’s and con’s of various structures. You can download a full copy from the Brochure Downloads link.