Aluminum Carports

Well I've been researching what kind of carport I might eventually get, and I wanted to find out what the pros and cons were for an aluminum carport. There is a ton of information on the internet for just about any kind of carport that you might want to get, but it does take a while to sift through it and decide whether a particular type has all the features you want, but is still an affordable option.

Aluminum carports have been around for ages. This makes sense, since it is a great material to build with if you want a metal structure that won't oxidize or rust within the first 5 years of its life. The other great thing about it is that it is very lightweight, but for its weight it is also very strong. This makes it easy for smaller projects where a homeowner might want to do the installation them self, and heavy equipment is just not available. You might want to note that aluminum is typically only used for the carport cover part - the legs are generally made of painted or coated steel, so there is a chance for rust with some parts of an aluminum carport.

When I started looking into the specs on a few models, it looks like you need to be careful to take your location into account. Aluminum carports that are designed for southern locations can't just be shipped to Canada (for example) and necessarily withstand a winter of heavy snow. The structural engineering required to withstand sun, no matter how strong those sun rays are, is just not the same as designing for an ice-storm or blizzard. This shouldn't be a problem though, since you will most likely source your carport kit from a company close by, so the carports they are designing will take the local weather and seasons into account. One thing that they will not survive very well are hail storms or chunks of ice falling from another building. Although aluminum is very strong, it will dent easily and impacts will show their damage.

The look of an aluminum carport is not for everyone - I can figure that out without needing a certificate in aesthetic design from my local college. There is something about metal carports though that is retro or contemporary with clean design lines. Conversely, it is also a style of building that many people just find outdated and not attractive at all. Add to that the fact that it is hard to create a good design chemistry between a metal building and any type of residential house.

Depending on the style of detail and proportions of the carport model you find, you could easily go one of two ways - increasing the value of your home by adding decent looking functional storage space - or decreasing your home value by creating a white elephant of a building that new owners would see as a liability rather than useful storage. That's just my opinion. You should be careful about honestly evaluating how an aluminum carport will look once it is in place beside your house. Don't overlook it's ugly duckling tendency just because it has a swan-like price tag and ease of installation.

If you really do like the look of them, or can not find any other options in your price range, then lets look at the pros. Despite the lacking in design aesthetics, they really do have some redeeming qualities. Maintenance is going to be a breeze - unless you run into it with your truck and dent up the metal, aluminum carports will look good for years without any maintenance what so ever. The non rusting feature is one of it's biggest advantages, both for structural and 'looks-like-new' longevity. Models have evolved as well, so there are in fact a lot of different styles and colors to choose from.

Another advantage is the fact that you can get a really good aluminum carport in a kit, and install it yourself. The cost is reasonable and you completely save any labour costs to install the carport. Assembly is easy given the lightweight factor of the material. The only thing you need to be concerned about if you get a kit, whether it is an open carport or a closed carport, is preparing the pad if you want one, and the footings or anchors for the legs.

I think I've covered a lot of points you should be thinking about when considering an aluminum as a material choice. Regardless of the style, lean to carport (or sloped roof carport), freestanding carport, temporary carport, or carport garage, if you are trying to narrow down the material, then an aluminum carport is a good choice in the right circumstances.