Carports are useful buildings for people in all climates. No matter what kinds of local conditions you tend to face, placing the roof of a carport over your vehicle is sure to be an upgrade. The impact of such a structure is even more notable if you happen to live in an area where heavy winter snows are common. 

If you are tired of digging your vehicle out of the snow and you want an affordable way to keep the snow away, a carport is the ideal answer. This article will help you understand the basics of how to create a custom carport that will solve your snow problems and save you countless hours of work each winter. 

Once you know what you are looking for, American Steel Carports, Inc. is the ideal partner for the project. You can use our Build & Price tool to create the design you have in mind, and our team is ready to help work through any problems if you contact us. Don’t wait any longer to get started!

Vertical Panels Are Essential

The one critical piece that you can’t afford to get wrong when building a custom carport with snow in mind is the orientation of the roof panels on that carport. There are two options for panel orientation – horizontal and vertical – and this might seem like a subtle point if you don’t think carefully about what they mean for how the carport will deal with snow. 

As the names suggest, horizontal roof panels run horizontally to the ground, from the front of the carport to the back. That means the ridges in the panels go from front to back, and they serve to collect snow and hold it in place as it builds up on the roof. On the other hand, vertical panels have ridges running up and down, creating little chutes for the snow to slide right off and land on the ground. This is the far better orientation for limiting snow load and preventing your carport from caving in under the weight of a large storm. 

Plenty of Roof Angle

In addition to vertical roof panels, you’ll also need to make sure there is enough roof pitch to move snow off and onto the ground. If the roof is too flat, it won’t matter how the panels are oriented – the snow will stay right where it is, and the roof will gradually pick up a heavier and heavier load as the winter goes by. Working with a proven company like American Steel Carports, Inc. will help on this point, as our buildings are engineer-inspected, and we’ll make sure the specs are suitable for the conditions that your carport might face. 

Pay Attention to Conditions:

Even the best carport will need some of your attention during the winter to ensure problems don’t build up. Specifically, that means you’ll need to watch how much snow is building up and take manual action to remove some of it before the load becomes too much to bear. 

Don’t just assume your carport is all set because it has vertical roof panels. That is a great step in the right direction, to be sure, but depending on the type of snow that is falling and other weather conditions, it’s still possible for the snow to accumulate. If you keep an eye on it and carefully remove some when it piles up on the roof, you’ll avoid putting too much stress on the structure. 

No Substitute for Quality

A cheap carport from a lesser manufacturer will always be at a greater risk of failing in the snow. You need to work with a proven name like American Steel Carports, Inc. to make sure you are getting something that is designed to withstand winter conditions successfully. We take great pride in the quality of our buildings, and we believe that you will be impressed by the durability of what we deliver. When combined with our affordable prices, there is no better value to be had in the metal building market. 

Build Your Custom Carport Today

Having a carport available for parking on your property can be a secret weapon against snow throughout the winter. By collecting the snow on the roof of the carport instead of the car, you’ll be able to just get in and drive away when you need to leave. Trust American Steel Carports, Inc. to build a sturdy, affordable structure that will stand strong and serve you well for many years to come.