When you think about buildings that are ideal for storage, you might first think about enclosed structures, like garages. Those certainly work well, but an open carport can actually be an excellent storage location, as well. If you already have an open carport–or are getting ready to build one–the storage ideas on this page will be helpful.  

Working with American Steel Carports, Inc. would be a great choice when you build a new open carport. We have tons of experience in this space, and you can get started right here with our Build & Price tool. Should any questions come up, please don’t hesitate to contact us at your convenience. Our team would love to serve you!  

What Open Carports Can and Can’t Store 

While open carports are great structures for many reasons, they aren’t suitable for storing every type of item. After all, the open nature of the carport means the things you store under the roof are going to be exposed to the elements, at least to some degree. So, as a starting point, take some time to think about all of the things you need to store and decide which of them can live in the carport and which need to be elsewhere.   

Obviously, delicate items that will be impacted by temperature swings or exposure to moisture aren’t a good fit for the carport. Neither are things that are particularly valuable—you’ll probably want to look for a more secure location for such items. Good options for storage in a carport include bulk supplies that are okay to live outside, small pieces of equipment, and perhaps some of your tools or gardening implements.  

Utilize Bins and Other Containers  

Even when you have narrowed down your storage items for the carport to things that are suitable for outdoor storage, you will still want to protect some of those items. For that, plastic bins and other types of containers are great. Bins with lids are rather affordable and come in many different shapes and sizes. Buy bins that make sense for the things you need to store, and you’ll suddenly have an efficient system that gives everything a home and can easily be rearranged at any time.   

One of the benefits of using bins like this is you can easily bring items in or out of the carport as the seasons change. For instance, maybe you have some things that you use on your property and want to keep outside during the summer months. At that time of year, you can position the right bins under the carport and have access to them conveniently. Then, during the winter, you can move those bins inside and wait until the warm weather returns again.   

Customize the Design of Your Storage Carport  

If you know you will use your carport for storage before you order the structure, use that plan to inform some of your design decisions. For example, you might want to include an enclosed area at the back of the carport used specifically to store certain items. With an enclosure included in the layout, you’ll have a more secure space than the rest of the carport that keeps things out of the elements.   

Also, if something you are going to store under the carport is particularly large—like an RV—you’ll want to keep that point in mind during the design phase. You’ll need to have an extra-tall roof to make space, and you might want to add space on each side for things that go along with the RV. This is just one example of many storage and parking needs that could cause you to adjust the dimensions of your new building.   

Carports are Perfect for Vehicle Storage 

There are many types of vehicles that can be stored effectively under a carport. Beyond RVs, you might park your regular car or truck under the carport for daily use, or maybe you have a collector’s car that you only bring out for special occasions. Carports do an excellent job of keeping the worst of the weather off of your vehicles, and they also give you a protected place to get in and out without directly encountering the elements.   

Build an Open Carport for Storage 

With the ideas we’ve discussed above, and with a new carport from American Steel Carports, Inc. in place, you’ll be ready to solve your storage needs and get organized once and for all. Thank you for taking the time to stop by. We are excited to help you bring a carport project to life. Let’s get started!