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The average price of a new car has climbed to $50,000 as of this year, marking a 2% increase from the previous year. As a result of these ever-increasing car payments, consumers are keeping their vehicles much longer than ever before. Car insurance is the obvious way to keep your car purchase protected, but that’s not your only option.
Nearly a decade ago, my first car was completely totaled when an unexpected summer storm rained down golfball-sized hail. If I had access to my garage at that time and wasn’t stuck halfway across town getting dinner, this devastating blow to my wallet would have been prevented. That being said, plenty of homes don’t have a garage or enough garage space to keep all their cars covered when similar inclement weather strikes. In these cases, a carport can provide overhead protection without a hefty price tag.
Carports: a convenient and affordable parking solution
A carport is an outdoor structure with a roof and open sides that shields your car from various weather and falling debris. Houses without garages commonly have carports attached to the side of the house, usually over the driveway, but there are also stand-alone structures supported by sturdy posts. You can buy these standalone carports at Walmart, and they aren’t too expensive either. Compared to hiring a professional to build a garage onto your home, which would cost thousands at the minimum, a carport is a much more cost-effective solution.
One of the most affordable carports we’ve found is the Sunmthink 10-Foot by 20-Foot Heavy-Duty Carport at Walmart. It was originally priced at $270, but with the limited-time deal taking $100 off, the total cost is now down to just $170. It has a durable metal frame, but it uses a premium tear-proof fabric for the roof to keep costs down.
Sunmthink 10-Foot by 20-Foot Heavy-Duty Carport
There are several features available when it comes to carports, so understanding these differences can help you find the vehicle shelter that best suits your needs.
Carport features to consider
When shopping for a new carport, keep in mind what vehicle you’ll be using it for. If you have a fully decked-out truck on lifted wheels, you’ll need something tall with clearance for the truck to drive underneath. Protecting the boat after lake season? You’ll need something wide enough to fit its frame. If you have multiple cars, there are even styles that can fit up to three vehicles. Beyond the dimensions, here are a few other carport features worth considering.
- Material: Carports will almost always have a metal frame for stability, but the roofs come in both metal and fabric options. Metal will provide the best durability against falling tree branches and hail, but cloth options have a bit more flexibility. Many carports with a fabric roof are portable, and others have covered sidewalls for additional protection.
- Coverage: Overhead protection is the main goal of a carport, but in extra-windy areas, things can also fly in from the side. Fabric carports, like the Netaje 12-Foot by 20-Foot Heavy-Duty Portable Outdoor Garage Carport, provide 360-degree coverage with a zippered entrance. Fully enclosed metal carports would be considered a storage shed or detached garage, but they come with double doors wide enough to fit a car, including the Mellcom 14-Foot by 24-Foot Outdoor Metal Carport.
- Portability: Sturdy metal carports are anchored into the driveway, so they won’t budge in powerful storms. Others double as a portable garage, like the Walsunny 10-Foot by 20-Foot Carport, so you can move them around as needed. The portable structures won’t wiggle around because they come with stakes and sandbags to keep them in place.
Netaje 12-Foot by 20-Foot Heavy-Duty Portable Outdoor Garage Carport
Mellcom 14-Foot by 24-Foot Outdoor Metal Carport
Walsunny 10-Foot by 20-Foot Carport
Benefits of having a carport at your home
Having a carport means better protection for your car, but there are also some unexpected benefits of this investment.
- Keep your car shaded. Getting into a hot car during summer is never fun. This experience is even worse when your vehicle has been in the sunshine all day. The carport keeps your car more shaded from the sun to keep it cooler.
- Open sides provide improved ventilation. If you’re working on your car or changing the oil, the garage gets stuffy. With a carport, you can enjoy the breeze and have better airflow.
- Carports can double as a gazebo. If you’re having a neighborhood barbecue in your backyard, the carport is the perfect spot to place picnic tables and chairs. This is even more advantageous with a portable design, as you can place it anywhere. A few options, like the Outsunny 16-Foot by 32-Foot Large Outdoor Carport, come with built-in windows and double as a party tent for your next outdoor wedding or family reunion.
Outsunny 16-Foot by 32-Foot Large Outdoor Carport
Carport deals at Walmart
Walmart is a great spot to start your search for a new carport. They have several deals worth checking out, including 43% off the popular Muchant 10-Foot by 15-Foot Outdoor Metal Carport, which we’ve hand-selected for you below.
Muchant 10-Foot by 15-Foot Outdoor Metal Carport
Homall 10-Foot by 15-Foot Heavy Duty Metal Carport
Walsunny 10-Foot by 20-Foot Carport
Foroutia 10-Foot by 20-Foot Round Roof Carport
Jocisland 12-Foot by 24-Foot Cedar Wood Hardtop Carport
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