In a city such as Calgary, the challenge facing every homeowner is how do you get the most out of every square metre of space. This is particularly important outside, and not everyone has the space or finances to build a brand new garage to protect their cars from the elements. This is where many turn to a carport as a way to double up on space as you effectively gain an extra outdoor room as well as protecting your car from the harsh Calgary winters.
What is a carport?
You’ll have seen many examples of carports as you drive around Calgary as they encompass any external structure that covers your car that isn’t a garage. At their most basic level, they can be a temporary structure that you put up ahead of severe storms and pack away in more pleasant weather. However, most people choose to install permanent carports which provide year-round protection. Permanent carports can be freestanding, particularly useful if your driveway doesn’t come to the side of your house or you have multiple cars, or attached to your home, a great benefit as it means you don’t get wet or cold as you go to your car. They’re typically made from aluminum with vinyl or metal roofs and can be installed in just a few days.
Carport design decisions
Obviously, the most common use for a carport in Calgary is to protect your car from the worst of the Calgary weather. During the warmer seasons, a carport protects your vehicle from falling branches from the ever-present wind, while when the snow starts to fly, a carport is the best way to keep your car clear of ice and ready to roll (just as soon as you’ve shoveled the driveway!). When it comes to carport designs, there are three main decisions you need to make:
- Roof shape – one factor you’ll need to make is about the style of roof for your carport. There are two main options, both designed to keep debris and snow off the roof of your car. There is a simple A-frame, where the roof of your carport slopes down in two directions. This option is best for free standing carports where the structure isn’t near any other sources of protection, as it allows the snow to slide off in both directions and won’t cause a pile up next to your carport. The other option is a studio-style roof that slightly slopes down in one direction. This is better if you have some sort of protection near your free standing carport, or if your carport is attached to your home. The benefit of a studio style-roof is that you get more head height storage under the roof, and you only have to worry about shovelling the snow on one side.
- Guttering – regardless of whether you choose an A-frame or studio style roof, your next carport design decision will be whether you’re going to spend the extra time and money on guttering along the outer edge of your carport. It’s not a massive increase, but can save you time and effort when winter comes. Without gutters, the snow and ice will slide off your carport roof and freeze on the area around your carport, meaning you’ll have extra work to keep it clean. On the other hand, if you choose to install gutters, you’ll have to spend time during the spring and fall keeping them clear of leaves and other debris. If you’re on the fence over the decision, remember that you can attach a water butt to the downspout of your guttering which will allow you to use it for gardening.
- Number of cars – finally, you’ll need to consider the number of cars that you need your carport to cover. If you’ve only got one car, you might want to consider building a carport with room for a second so that any visitors can benefit from the protection and convenience of the carport. The additional space will increase your budget, but will also give you extra storage space when it’s not in use.
Unusual carport ideas
The best part about installing a carport in Calgary is that you can add to it in unusual ways to get more than one use for your structure:
- Cover for plants – many potted outdoor plants struggle during the Calgary winters and many gardeners choose to bring them inside, requiring watering, artificial sunlight and space. Your new carport can be used to protect delicate plants from the worst of the winter weather while also adding some decoration to your carport.
- Sustainable living – finally, those interested in a more sustainable lifestyle will spot the opportunity for additional solar panels on top of the carport roof. You’ll need additional planning permission, but they are guaranteed to get a lot of sunlight. You can also choose a sloped carport roof and collect the rainwater through a guttering and rain butt system to save your water bills in the summer.
However you choose to extend it, it’s clear that a Desert Sun Patios carport is a great investment for your home. With easy planning permits and a quick installation time, come visit our downtown showroom to talk about your carport project.
