Attachment Issues: The Pros And Cons Of Choosing A Freestanding Carport
Providing a sturdy shelter for your car is one of the best ways to prolong its working life and stave off mechanical issues, and constructing a carport is an excellent way to effectively protect your vehicle from the elements without going through the effort and expense of constructing a full-blown garage. However, carports come in a vast array of different shapes and sizes, and choosing the right carport configuration for your needs can be challenging.
Choosing between a freestanding carport and one that is attached to your home can be particularly difficult. While detached, freestanding carports have a number of advantages over their attached cousins, they also have some drawbacks, so you should take the time to familiarise yourself with their pros and cons before investing in one.
What are the advantages of choosing a freestanding carport?
Easy construction
Constructing a freestanding carport isn't particularly different from constructing an oversized garden shed, and the vast majority of freestanding carports are very quick and simple to construct. Detached carports made of lighter materials, such as aluminium, can even be assembled without lifting equipment. By contrast, attached carports must be securely attached to the side of your home and carefully balanced and supported to prevent damage to the adjoining wall.
Easier parking
Because freestanding carports do not have to be constructed next to a building, they tend to have more free space in their immediate surroundings. This can make parking your vehicle in a detached carport much easier, particularly when reversing.
Inexpensive
Freestanding carports tend to be considerably cheaper than their attached counterparts, largely because they are so much simpler to construct. Low prices are particularly useful if you need a large, spacious carport, as a large detached carport can often be purchased and installed for the same price as a much smaller attached model.
Lowered fire risk
If a fire is accidentally started in an attached carport (for example, while welding or grinding metal), it can quickly spread to your home and cause catastrophic damage. Fires in freestanding carports are contained to the carport and its contents -- an unpleasant and expensive occurrence, but not a life-ruiner.
What are the disadvantages of choosing a freestanding carport?
Less insulation
Because freestanding carports do not benefit from the added insulation provided by a wall of your home, maintaining a reasonable temperature inside them can be more difficult. You may wish to consider an attached carport if you intend to spend long periods of time working on your vehicle(s).
No indoor access
An attached carport can be particularly convenient in inclement weather, as you can enter your vehicle without ever leaving shelter. Obviously, this is not a viable solution for freestanding carports.
