Wind is one of the most formidable enemies of any structure. Sure, other elements like rain and snow can take a toll, but nothing threatens the overall health of a building quite like heavy winds. These concerns can be particularly notable when you have a metal carport on your property, as the light overall weight and design of a metal carport can make it susceptible to wind damage.  

Fortunately, you don’t have to be resigned to that fate. With some strategic planning, you can set your carport up for success even in the face of occasionally powerful winds. Of course, you’ll be in a much better position with this structure if you purchase it from a quality supplier like American Steel Carports, Inc. Our buildings are built to last, and you can get started on your project today through the use of our Build & Price tool. Have questions? No problem – just contact us and we’ll get back to you right away.  

Create a Good Foundation to Protect Your Metal Carport From Wind 

Perhaps the single most important starting point to create a carport that can stand up to the wind is to have a good foundation in place. While it’s true that a metal structure often doesn’t need the same kind of solid foundation as a wooden building, it’s best to have a quality concrete slab in place if wind is a concern. That way, you’ll have something very reliable to attach the carport to, and it will be far less likely to experience damage during a wind event.  

Choose a Logical Spot 

Even within the same property, wind can be highly variable. You might be prone to experiencing particularly high winds on one part of the property, while other areas are rather sheltered and relatively calm. Needless to say, picking one of the calmer spots on the available property to place your metal carport is a smart move.  

As a general rule of thumb, the high spots on your property are going to be the most exposed to the wind. If you would like, you can purchase an inexpensive anemometer to measure wind speeds in various places on a blustery day. If at all possible, choose a lower, sheltered area of the property as the new home for your carport, and wind issues will be much less of a concern.  

Add Strong Anchors 

The connection between your carport and the foundation that you are using needs to be as firm as possible. Good anchors are the way to make that happen. Anchors are pieces of equipment that connect to the structure itself and are then rooted into the foundation to form a powerful connection. Anchors come in many different shapes and sizes, but this is not a suitable place to save a few dollars or take a shortcut. Going with the best possible anchors for your structure is going to make quite a difference when the wind blows.  

Use Quality Materials 

Even with a good foundation, the right location, and strong anchors, you could still be at risk of a building failure if you don’t have quality materials used in the construction of the carport. That’s why you’ll want to work with a name like American Steel Carports, Inc., as you can be sure that the steel used in your carport will be up to the task of facing the elements successfully. Not only do good materials put you in a strong position to face the wind, but they will also help you get a long and useful life out of the carport moving forward.  

Think About Design 

One last point that can be made regarding wind and carports comes down to the design of the structure. While carports are often open on all sides, that doesn’t need to be the case. When wind is allowed to get under the roof of a building, it can provide a lifting force and cause trouble.  

With that in mind, you could opt to add a side wall strategically to your carport to block against the prevailing wind direction. Putting a wall on the south side, for instance, if that is where most of the wind comes from in your area, will help to keep too much wind force from building up under the roof during a storm. It will also offer the nice side benefit of blocking out any rain that is coming in sideways, or any snow that might otherwise accumulate inside the carport.  

American Steel Has You Covered 

There is no reason to allow the wind to damage or destroy your metal carport. Take some time at the start of the project to think about how the wind could affect your building and plan accordingly to avoid that outcome. Working with American Steel Carports, Inc. is going to go a long way toward making sure your buildings are solid and stand the test of time. Get in touch with our team today to learn more!