You want to protect your vehicles, tools, boats and other assets. But you also want a solution that you can afford. Metal carports are an excellent option. Durable, versatile, cost-effective and wide-ranging, metal carports offer an affordable way to balance your needs and budget while protecting the things that are most valuable to you. How do you find the right one for your home? Try these tips. 

Determine what you need from your carport

The world of metal carports has almost endless options. In order to choose the one that works best for you, you need to understand what your specific needs may be. Here are some factors to consider: 

Vehicle Size: Parking a sedan requires less space than parking a boat, which requires less space than parking an RV. Measure the vehicles you want to store so you know exactly what size carport you need to comfortably store all of the items you want to protect. 

Weather In Your Area: The type of roof and frame you choose for your metal carport will in part depend upon the type of weather you expect. Hot, dry climates will require different structures than cold and snowy climes. A professional can give you the guidance you need. 

Purpose: You can use a carport just for storing your vehicles. Or, you can use it as an auxiliary space. For example, keep it for storage of landscaping tools, hold events, revamp it for a child’s play space, and more. What you plan to use it for will guide the choices you make. 

Aesthetics: While cost, structure and size will play key roles in what you choose to buy, you should also consider how it looks. Make sure your carport will match the look and style of other buildings on your property. 

Choose a sturdy roof

Carports usually come with 3 roof options: A standard roof, an A-frame roof, and a vertical roof. The choice is about more than aesthetics. Each type of roof has its pros and cons. In particular, you should choose a roof that is sturdy enough to keep your carport standing for years to come. 

Standard Roof: This roof is suitable for carports up to 31 feet long. It is a basic solution that is cost-effective and protective against normal wind, rain and sun. 

A-Frame Roof: This roof is also suitable for metal carports up to 31 feet long. It looks more like a house roof and therefore is usually considered more aesthetic than a standard roof. 

Vertical Roof: A vertical roof is the best solution if your carport is longer than 31 feet. This is also the best option if you need to protect your carport and belongings against severe weather, such as heavy rain or snow. 

At American Steel, we also give you the option to invest in higher gauge steel roofs (such as 29-gauge roofs) to obtain even more durability and strength to keep your carport looking great for the long term. 

Customize your choice

One of the best aspects of metal carports is the fact that they are extremely customizable. Here are just a few of the things you can change to suit your tastes when you buy from American Steel: 

• The number of sides on the carport – Choose everything from no walls to a fully enclosed space.
• Aesthetic – Choose a classic or residential look to match your taste and existing property. 
• Style – Choose from a huge list of options and then select the size that fits your needs. 
• Roof style – Choose one of the 3 roof options discussed above. 
• Colors and trim – Choose the options that fit your style and your budget. 

Thanks to the ability to customize your metal carport, you can truly build the storage space you desire, matching your needs, your budget, your style and your property. 

Get a carport with a warranty

You want peace of mind when you make an investment as significant as a metal carport. Only settle for structures that come with a significant warranty that will protect you in case something goes wrong after your purchase. 

At American Steel, each of our metal carports comes with a 20-year warranty so you use your structure with confidence for decades. Each structure also comes with a 90 MPH wind warranty as an optional add on, and a 4-season workmanship warranty to guarantee our craftsmanship throughout every season of the year. 

Whenever you are ready to install a durable metal carport on your property, American Steel will be here to help. Our engineer-certified structures, built with 20 years of expertise, deliver the protection and peace of mind you deserve. And you don’t just have to settle for carports. You can also garages, workshops, barns, and more. We have built more than 250,000 structures across the United States. We would love to build one for you.