In the portable shelter industry, a carport is essentially the same thing as a portable garage: a galvanized steel structure with a heavy-duty polyethylene canopy roof. However, the term “carport” often refers to any structure that protects a car. In some cases, a carport is built directly into a building as a metal or mortar structure that shelters cars from the elements temporarily. In the case of portable shelters, carports come in polyethylene and metal roof varieties, but both designs to the same type of job. In addition, unlike a carport built into your house or building, one of these portable designs can be placed anywhere on your property that your car can access.
The structure of all carports is composed of a galvanized steel frame and a roof that keeps out the rain and the sun. The structure, additionally, allows air to circulate around the vehicle. In the case of polyethylene canopy carports, the canopy is heavy-duty polyethylene and treated to be waterproof, UV resistant, rot resistant, and mildew resistant. In many cases, the canopy is also fire resistant. A metal canopy has all of these same properties with a steel roof. The air circulation beneath the roof prevents mildew and dry rot from forming on the vehicle.
In terms of purchasing a portable carport, both polyethylene and metal carports will do the job. If you’re looking for a long-term temporary structure, a metal carport will generally last ten to fifteen years before needing a replacement. Polyethylene canopy carports, on the other hand, will need a canopy replacement at some point but, if you’re considering expanding your carport at a later date to accommodate more vehicles or storage, a polyethylene canopy carport allows more structure flexibility. By taking your storage needs into consideration, one of these structures will be able to protect all of your investments.