Operations, V10I6

Carport Size Considerations

(Photo courtesy of Arek Socha from Pixabay)

Now that unpredictable weather has become the new norm, carports can offer added protection for vehicles and other items.

Because of this, shed dealers and builders who offer carports should always ensure these investment pieces are the right size to meet or exceed customer needs.

Storage is the reason the shed business even exists, says Jason Patterson, general manager for Mid Valley Structures based in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, with seven locations throughout the state. For this reason, customers often turn to carports that can be open or enclosed and come in various sizes.

The right questions can lead to the right product.

“We ask: ‘What is the zoning like in your area? How big of a building can you have?’” he says. “For a carport 22 feet wide by 20 feet deep, you can park two vehicles under it.

“Someone might come in for an 18-foot-wide carport for two vehicles. They will fit, but you’re not going to be able to open the door. If you want to park something inside, you also need a couple feet in front and in back to walk around it or open the tailgate.”

Since pickup trucks can vary and require additional space and height, it’s important to ask: “What do you drive and what are you parking underneath the carport?” adds Patterson.

Taller carports can also accommodate a fifth-wheeler.

“With height, some people go with 12- to 14-foot-tall walls to put a car hoist in the building or a camper in the wintertime,” he says. The carports they sell are designed to withstand Michigan snow loads. In the Northern counties, vertical roofs engineered to withstand the harsh conditions would be recommended.

Some carports serve another purpose, like one Patterson mentions with a poured concrete pad that will be an outdoor kitchen. As he explains, it is up to their customers to learn about the zoning and secure the permits.

“How much room do you have and do you have a proper setback?” he asks. “Permit requirements change. You have to know what you can have on your property and where.”

So do shed dealers and builders. 

“We need to know the permit requirements before we build a carport. People are rarely turned down, so a change doesn’t happen often, but it does happen,” says Patterson. “A customer might want a carport next to his home because it’s the only spot he has, but the municipality says it has to be at least 15 feet from the house.”

Situations like these make a case for proactive measures.

With carports, Richard Lehmann, owner of Murphy Sheds of SD LLC in Rapid City, South Dakota, says, “Not only do you need to look at your present needs but also consider anything that you may want to plan for in the future.”

These might include larger vehicles, side-by-sides, and UTVs.

Some vehicles might need more space above for carrier racks and antennas. Carports can also offer easier access to snowblowers, shovels, and brooms.

“It takes a little extra room around the structure to set it up and any maintenance that may need done, so consider that in your planning when deciding on the size,” says Lehmann.

Having a level place to put the carport will make it more stable. Concrete can be a great choice, but cost may affect that option, so it can also be anchored in gravel and other materials, he adds.

In addition to size requirements and added stability, carports should be built for severe conditions in your area, such as hail.

“Do you have weather like snow and ice that may accumulate on the structure?” asks Lehmann.

“In our area of the country, we have significant hailstorms, and a carport can save a lot of insurance hassle on your camper or motorhome by having it covered. It will also lessen the amount of fading and deterioration by the hot summer sun.”

As Lehmann points out, vehicles are not getting any cheaper, and insurance claims can lead to higher premiums and deductibles, so having them somewhat protected can help.

It’s also important to check on carport permits and other requirements.

“One place we work with requires extra wind and snow loading, which can affect the price fairly significantly,” says Lehmann.

Still, Lehmann explains that cost should not deter this type of investment.

“Most places have rent-to-own or other financing options, so that you can get what you need from the start and don’t need to settle for something that doesn’t meet your needs today, and in the future,” he says.

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