Carport Size Guide – How to Choose the Right Carport Size for You

When it comes to protecting your vehicles and belongings from the elements, a carport can be an invaluable addition to your property. However, choosing the right size for your carport is essential to ensure that it meets your needs while providing adequate protection. The task of selecting the appropriate carport size may seem straightforward at first glance, but several factors come into play. This comprehensive guide will explore various aspects to consider when deciding on the right carport size for you, ensuring that your investment serves its purpose effectively.

Understanding Your Vehicle Size

The first step in determining the right carport size is to evaluate the dimensions of your vehicles. Whether you own a compact car, a larger SUV, a pickup truck, or even multiple vehicles, measuring their lengths, widths, and heights is crucial. Most standard vehicles range from approximately 12 to 20 feet long, with widths varying between 6 to 8 feet. However, trucks and SUVs may require additional space due to their larger dimensions.

When measuring your vehicle, don’t forget to account for any added accessories, such as roof racks, spoilers, or wide tires that might increase the overall size. For vehicles with additional attachments, such as trailers or towing equipment, it’s essential to consider these dimensions as well. A common mistake is to select a carport that is just barely large enough to accommodate the vehicle, leaving little to no room for maneuverability. Therefore, it is advisable to add a buffer of at least a few feet to your measurements to allow for easy access and avoid any potential damage.

Considering Your Storage Needs

While your primary goal for a carport may be to provide shelter for your vehicle, it's important to consider any additional storage needs you might have. Carports can serve multiple purposes beyond vehicle protection; they can also be used for storing tools, outdoor equipment, or recreational items like bicycles or lawnmowers.

If you anticipate needing extra space for storage, consider a carport that offers a bit more room. You might want to choose a larger carport that can accommodate not only your vehicle but also these additional items. Many carports come with sidewalls or built-in storage options, allowing you to maximize your available space. When planning for extra storage, think about how you can organize the area efficiently to keep it tidy and accessible.

Understanding Local Regulations and Space Availability

Before finalizing the size of your carport, it’s essential to consider any local regulations or zoning restrictions that may affect the size of the structure you can build. Some municipalities have specific guidelines regarding setbacks, maximum heights, and lot coverage that can significantly impact your choice. Checking with your local zoning office can save you from future headaches and ensure that you comply with all regulations.

Additionally, take into account the physical space you have available on your property. Measure the area where you plan to install the carport to ensure it fits comfortably without obstructing pathways or other structures. Remember that you'll need adequate space not only for the carport itself but also for any required access or maintenance around it. It’s also advisable to think about the surrounding landscape; trees or other obstacles may limit your options or complicate the installation process.

Choosing the Right Style

Carports come in various styles, from simple structures with open sides to fully enclosed designs. Your choice of style will also affect the size you ultimately need. An open carport might require less overall space, as it typically doesn’t have walls, but it may need to be larger to provide adequate protection from rain or snow. Conversely, a fully enclosed carport will require more square footage due to its walls and roof.

When selecting the style of your carport, consider the weather conditions in your area. If you live in a region prone to heavy snowfall or high winds, a more robust design may be necessary. Likewise, if your area experiences intense heat, a carport with adequate airflow and ventilation can help protect your vehicle from extreme temperatures.

Planning for Future Needs

When choosing the size of your carport, it’s wise to think ahead and consider your future needs. If you plan to purchase additional vehicles, such as a boat, RV, or another car, it may be beneficial to select a larger carport upfront. By doing so, you’ll avoid the hassle and expense of needing to upgrade or expand the carport later. Additionally, think about the potential for other uses, such as outdoor gatherings or events. A larger carport can provide ample space for entertaining guests, ensuring that you have a versatile space to enjoy.

Seeking Professional Advice

Finally, if you find yourself uncertain about the appropriate size for your carport, don't hesitate to seek professional advice. Many manufacturers and installers have extensive experience and can provide valuable insights based on your specific situation. They can help you understand the options available and guide you through the decision-making process, ensuring that you select a carport that meets your needs effectively.

Conclusion

Choosing the right carport size is crucial for ensuring that your vehicle and other belongings receive the protection they need. By considering factors such as vehicle dimensions, storage needs, local regulations, style, future requirements, and seeking professional advice, you can make an informed decision that maximizes the value of your investment. Remember, a well-planned carport not only enhances the functionality of your property but also contributes to its overall appeal. As you embark on this journey, take your time to evaluate your options and make a choice that aligns with your lifestyle and needs.

You know you need a metal carport to protect your vehicles from the rain, wind, snow, storm, and sun damage. Or maybe you’d like to have a new metal building to use for extra storage or entertaining. If you’re wondering “What carport size do I need?” we’re here to help. What metal carport sizes are best for your situation? No matter how you’re thinking about using a prefab metal carport, you need to start by deciding what size carport to choose. Choosing the right building size is crucial when it comes to getting the perfect metal structure for you.

Thankfully, Carport Central is here to make that tough decision easier for you. We can help you choose the perfect carport size, and we can also help by customizing your steel carport any way you want.

ommon Metal Carport Sizes

The right carport size ensures maximum protection for your vehicles, equipment, and other valuables. So, how do you go about choosing the right carport dimensions? It helps to start by understanding more about common metal carport size categories. Here are some of the popular carport size categories we offer at Carport Central:

Single Carport Size (12′ wide Carports – Standard)
Double Carport Size (18′ to 24′ wide Carports – Two Car Carports)
3 Car Carport Dimensions (26′ wide to 30′ wide Carports – Triple Carports )
Extra Wide or Commercial Carports (32′ wide to 60′ wide Carports )

Of course, we can do more than just point you to the right building size category. The options we provide with custom metal carports set us apart from other metal building companies which only offer basic, “cookie-cutter” designs. We can build and install your custom carport to any specific size dimensions you may need.

Vehicle Measurement Guide for Carports

In order to get an accurate assessment of what size carport and how much carport space you need, it’s best to take a measurement of the width, length, and height dimensions of each vehicle you plan to shelter. The average car length is around 15 feet, average car width is around 6 feet, and average car height typically ranges anywhere between 4 and 6 feet. That being said, average numbers don’t necessarily describe your particular vehicle.

Thankfully, measuring your vehicle is simple to do, and can be accomplished with nothing more than a tape measure and a partner to help you hold the tape.

To measure vehicle width: Don’t just measure width in the front or rear. Side-view mirrors typically extend out further, and you definitely want to allow for proper mirror clearance when parking your vehicle. Measure between the outer edges of the two mirrors in order to come up with an accurate width number. The simplest approach might be to put your windows down, and just stretch the tape through the vehicle’s interior.
To measure vehicle length: This one is pretty straightforward. Just extend the tape alongside the car from front to rear, and measure from the furthest points. Be sure to include any extended spoilers, truck hitches, etc. in your length measurement as well.
To measure vehicle height: Height is also easy to measure. Simply place the end of the tape on the ground beside the car, and then extend the tape up to the tallest point on your vehicle. Don’t forget to include features that extend above the roof, like antennas, mounted racks, etc.

Things to Consider When Sizing Your Carport

There are several factors you should keep in mind when determining the size of the carport you need to have installed at your place of residence or business. Consider the following:

The type of vehicle or vehicles: The type of vehicle or vehicles you want to cover should help determine the dimensions of the carport you need. A one-car carport can effectively accommodate a regular car or a small truck. However, if a typical one-car carport doesn’t provide enough space for you to maneuver, consider installing a wider carport. And if you own large vehicles such as heavy-duty trucks, RVs, and trailers, you should consider a double carport or even a triple carport for effective accommodations.
The number of cars or trucks: Another issue which impacts carport size is how many vehicles you need to cover. If you intend to house more than one car or truck, then you’ll obviously need a bigger carport. Keep in mind how much space you need between vehicles, too. Ideally, you’ll want to be able to open your doors without having to worry about hitting or touching another vehicle.
The height of your vehicle(s): Vehicle height is another aspect which helps determine necessary carport size. You want to make sure you have enough clearance for your tallest vehicle! Standard carports start at 7 feet or 8 feet tall, and this works fine for most regular-sized vehicles. However, if you own a large vehicle such as a truck or an RV with a taller profile, you can build your metal carport taller, too. This is the best way to prevent any height clearance problems when it comes to parking your vehicles under cover.
Intended use of your carport: How do you want to use your steel carport exactly? That’s a consideration for planning carport size, too. If you need to accommodate things like farm equipment, boats, or other items, you should choose a proper metal carport design and size to match. At Carport Central, we offer everything from metal farm storage buildings, to boat carports, to RV covers, to utility carports, to any manner of custom carport. We also provide plenty of customization options to meet your needs and preferences.
Future considerations: Making plans to increase the size of your fleet or upgrading to a larger car model? Then it’s best to go ahead and build your carport with these considerations in mind. Going with a larger carport size now can save you from having to add on a second carport expansion later.

Why You Should Buy a Metal Carport?

Most people buy a carport to protect their vehicles, but that’s not all our custom-built metal carports are good for! A properly sized metal carport can double as a covered picnic area or outdoor workshop, and can be used for many other things as well. The possibilities really are endless. And beyond the many usage possibilities, there are many benefits from choosing a sturdy metal carport in particular.

Here’s why investing in a carport or metal building from Carport Central makes good sense:

Weather: Parking your vehicle under a metal carport or garage is one of the smartest decisions you can make. This will protect your car from harsh weather elements like heavy rain, snow, sleet, hail, wind, and sun exposure.
Extra Security: A metal carport – especially one with closed sides and ends – will help keep your valuables out of sight from criminals. It also offers extra security for whenever you’re getting in and out of your car at night.
Storage: Of course, prefab metal carports are great for storage, too. You can even add a small shed or building to the structure to turn it into a utility carport that will provide both vehicle coverage and enclosed storage space.
Versatility: They’re called carports, but they can really be used to cover any type of vehicle. Besides just cars or trucks, you can use a metal carport to protect RVs, campers, motorcycles, ATVs, boats, lawn equipment, and more.
Durability: It doesn’t get any stronger than steel. Our metal carports are designed to withstand the toughest weather conditions. And it gets even better! Our steel structures won’t corrode, you won’t have to worry about termites, and they’re much more fire-resistant, too.

Explore the Latest Carport Design Trends

Wondering what you can do with a metal carport? The better question is what can’t you do with one of these versatile, open-air covered shelters that’s perfectly sized for housing your vehicles, belongings, and other applications. Here are ten creative ways we’ve seen carport owners make good use of their custom metal structures:

Park your personal vehicles
Cover your oversized vehicles, too
Protect other valuable items
Turn your outdoor storage into indoor storage by enclosing your carport
Work on a personal project or hobby
Send the kids out to play underneath a protected shelter
Have a family picnic
Host an outdoor movie
Add a covered shelter beside your pool area
A host of commercial, agricultural, & industrial metal building usage possibilities

Customize Your Carport to Get Exactly What You Need

Our carports are so easy to customize, you can even do it from the comfort of your couch with our exclusive 3D building and pricing tool. Online metal building shopping has never been easier! Just select the building size and type you want, and then customize your design from there. You can adjust every dimension of your carport size, including carport width, carport length, carport side height, and carport height clearance. You can also select from many available add-ons, view a 3D rendering of your metal building, and get an instant quote in real time!

Custom Carport Kits and Metal Building Kits

If you like do-it-yourself projects, then a custom carport kit is the perfect solution for you! You design the exact carport that you need, and we’ll provide you with all the building materials you’ll need to install your metal carport yourself.

Here are a few benefits of choosing a metal carport kit:

It will cost less – You can save some money by installing the carport on your own.
The installation happens on your schedule – You won’t have to worry about waiting for an install crew to show up. Instead, you can get to work installing your own carport at a time that works best for you.
Show off your DIY skills – You’ll get to brag on yourself a little when you tell your friends, family, and neighbors that you installed the carport yourself!

Choose Carport Central for the Best-Quality Metal Carports and Metal Buildings

Still not sure what carport is best for you? Check out our carport buying guide for tips. Better still, just let one of our trained building specialists help design the best metal carport for your home or business. Our steel structures are precision-engineered, incredibly durable, low-maintenance, and are built to last you a lifetime.

So, what are you waiting for? Give us a call today at +86 15081877521, and experience the WZH difference for yourself!

CONTACT US