If you live in Hillsborough County, FL, then you already know that American Home Center is the place to turn to for an enclosed porch, vinyl siding, and replacement windows. We can also help you with that new carport. Although cheaper than a garage, there are a few things to keep in mind. Read on to learn a few of those things when considering your options.

Is A Carport Right For You

So, you have an enclosed porch to keep you nice and comfortable, but what about your car or truck, or even your boat or motorhome? They need covered and protected as well, so this could be a great option if the cost is an issue. At almost four times cheaper than a garage, it can be the better financial choice. On average, a garage installation will cost $23,600. Whereas, on average, a two-car carport will cost under $6,000.

They are also more flexible than garages when it comes to location. With the proper permits and zoning requirements covered, all you need is a piece of land you can level. After that, it’s just a matter of what type of base will work best for you. Even here, you have options, concrete slab, grass, gravel; the choice is whatever works best for you.

Pick A Material

What do you want to build with, steel, aluminum, or wood? All are viable options with pros and cons. Every situation is different, and what’s best for your neighbor may not be the best choice for you. Maintenance, price, and upkeep responsibilities are all factors to consider.

  • Wood

+ Cheapest option

+ DYI friendlier option

– More maintenance

– Rot and mold possible

  • Steel & Aluminum

+ Stronger with less maintenance

+ Potential to hold value better

– Not really a DIY project

– Higher cost

Things To Keep In Mind

Even being a great option for most people, there are a few things to keep in mind. They are not nearly as secure as garages are. So leaving tools, gas, and other equipment under them is unfortunately not a great idea.

Speaking of storage, there is less space typically than a garage. This leaves less room for lawnmowers, bicycles, and other larger pieces of equipment. Keeping these things centralized in one place may be a better option for you.

With no insulation, weather can play a factor as well. Pouring rain, wind blowing debris, extreme heat, and cold, the impact of all these can be minimized with a garage.

These negatives can all be offset depending on your situation. At close to four times cheaper than a garage, a lot of these can be forgiven.

Quicker to install, and with far more options for placement, you have much more flexibility than you would with a traditional garage. Again with more overall options, a lot of perceived negatives can easily be overlooked.

Contact Us

Just like designing an enclosed porch, there are a lot of choices that go into deciding between a carport or a garage. Lucky, for Hillsborough County, FL, there is America Home Center. You don’t have to make these choices alone. Contact us today for more information.