Why is a timber carport better than a metal or polycarbonate carport?

Are you thinking of building a carport in your driveway or garden? It’s a fantastic cost-effective solution to store your vehicles while protecting them from the elements. An open-sided garage is very convenient, as there are no doors or locks to operate when you get home or leave.

When it comes to carports, there are three main construction materials to choose from: timber, metal, and polycarbonate. In this article, we compare them and help you decide which one to use for your own building.

Timber carports

Wooden carports are typically built from treated softwood or timeless oak, which are very durable and sturdy. Being a robust building, it also comes as free-standing. Timber carports are arguably the best-looking option among the three and come in a variety of styles. They can perfectly match a modern building, as well as a traditional home. Wooden carports are extremely flexible and can be designed to suit different needs. If you’d like to add a closed room in your carport in which to store tools or gym equipment, the outbuilding will still fit in really well with its surroundings. Another great advantage of timber carports is that they can be finished with a wide range of roofing materials, such as Onduline, tiles, Onduvilla, and cedar shingles. The tiles or sheets can be positioned to create a barn hip or a full hip to create a unique look.

The robust roof structure of a timber carport will protect your vehicle from rain, snow, or hail year-round. In the summer, your car will never get hot and will get plenty of shade. You can make it even more homely by hanging some flower baskets on its sides.

Metal carports

Metal is another option for building an open garage. Typically, steel is the alloy of choice. Steel carports tend to be cheaper than wooden ones, but have a very industrial look. They are lightweight and therefore easy to move around your property. The roof can be curved, pitched, or flat. Due to their construction material, they are virtually maintenance-free, although the waterproofing around the joints will need some attention every now and then. If you live in an area prone to heavy snowfalls or strong winds, you will need to make sure to pick the correct  rating to withstand the elements.

Polycarbonate carports

Polycarbonates are thermoplastic polymers, which contain carbonate groups. The sheets are lightweight, sturdy, easy to work with, and flexible. They come in a variety of colours, patterns, thicknesses, textures, and more. Just like metal ones, polycarbonate carports usually come with a curved, flat, or pitched roof. Polycarbonate isn’t a popular material option for building carports for a number of reasons. No matter what design and colour you choose, the outbuilding will have a plastic appearance. Polycarbonate is often used to build canopies in public places, such as museums and train or bus stations. Therefore, a polycarbonate carport has a distinctive look. Polycarbonate allows the sunlight to pass through, which means your vehicle will be exposed to the light. The material features UV protection, which limits the amount of heat and UV damage the sun can cause to your car. However, it will never provide full shade.

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What carport material to choose

It’s tempting to opt for the cheapest material and the quickest installation to build your carport. However, the quality of the building and its aesthetics are crucial. Before taking a decision, consider the following.A solid, non-see-through roof will better protect your vehicles from the elements. Think of a rare heavy snowfall, for example. Summers are getting hotter, so keeping your car in full shade is now a must. While a plastic or metal building is movable and light, you will still need to carry out some groundwork to fix it to the ground, so it can’t fall or blow away.

If you live in a rural area and the carport is visible from the street, you need to consider how the outbuilding will impact the look of the neighbourhood. Even if this is not your case, will a steel or plastic building suit your property? For more carport inspiration click here and explore past projects or build a quote online.

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