Carport vs Garage

Carport vs Garage

Which Building is Right for You?

Do You Need a Carport or Garage?

If you are planning to put up a structure to give you space to park your cars, you might be debating between a garage and a carport. They can both help protect your car from snow, rain, hail, and sun, and can be attached to your home so you can get to your car without getting drenched during a downpour. While they are both good places to park a car, they are fundamentally different structures that can serve different functions.

Carport and Garage Solutions

Below are examples of General Steel garage and carport solutions designed for one, two and three car storage.

20x20 Garage Building with Optional Components

20x20 Carport vs 20x20 Garage

If you're looking for a storage solution for one vehicle, the 20x20 carport and garage offer ample space. As you can see, the carport and garage can come in your desired height, making it a tailored space for a car, truck or even a camper or boat.

One Car Storage

24x30 Carport vs 24x30 Garage

Featured here are two 720 square foot covered spaces, designed for two car storage. The carport is a bit more versatile as you can park the vehicle from any side of the structure whereas the garage can only have one door on either the sidewall or endwall.

Two Car Storage

40x60 RV Garage Building with Optional Components

20x40 Carport vs 40x60 Garage

Similar to the two car storage examples, the 3 car garage requires a larger building than a 3 vehicle carport. The garage image above shows two sectional doors on the sidewall but this building can be equipped with 3 garages doors, one in each bay.

3 Car Storage

Carport versus Garage Pros and Cons

There is more to consider outside of functionality when deciding whether a carport or garage is the right choice for you. Each solution has its advantages and disadvantages, but one distinguishable fact to remember is that a carport can be converted into a garage at a later time. So if the pros and cons of a carport are more favorable to you at this point, you can always opt to enclose the carport when your budget or needs change.

Can be less expensive
Fast and easy to build
DIY friendly
Can be attached or detached
Can be used as a patio or covered outside workspace
Might not be subject to building codes
Shelters your cars
Can be converted into a garage later

Increases property value
Secure place to park
Weather tight
Can be attached or detached
Can be used as living space
Can be used as workshop
Can be climate controled
Can be expanded

Less security for vehicles
Does not provide storage space
Less likely to increase property value
Cannot be a living space

Take longer to build
Can be more expensive
Subject to more building codes and permits
Style needs to match the property

Comparing Appearance

Both carports and garages can be fully customized to look however you want them to, but there are some specific differences between their appearance that distinguish them from one another.

A carport traditionally is open on all four sides, with four posts and a roof on top. They can be attached to the building or free-standing and they can be put together pretty much anywhere. They can be enclosed on up to three sides to give you better shelter, but traditionally, they are completely open.

Garages Features More Customization Options

Garages, on the other hand, are fully enclosed structures with four walls, which gives you a fully secure structure to park your cars. You can select any combination of colors for the roof, walls and trim to match the style of your home or choose to outfit a garage with numerous siding choices like stucco and faux stone.

Storage and Other Uses

If you want extra storage space in the structure where you park your cars, you need a garage. Garages have been traditionally been used to double as storage, and you can have extra storage space added to the garage if needed. Your garage can also feature a separate living quarters or add a second story to it for that purpose.

Whether or not your carport has walls or not, it does not have a door, so it cannot be used for secure storage. Carports are intended to protect your vehicles from the elements, not to store things. They also cannot be used as living space, since they do not have walls.

How to Organize a Workshop

How to Build Workshop Shelves — Photo credit: ana-white.com

Construction Timelines

Both a garage and carport need to be built on a concrete slab, which needs to be poured on level ground. Once you have that, you can begin construction.

If you are building a carport, it can be erected in as little as a few hours, whereas a garage will take longer as you must attach the wall panels. Carports are not as likely to be subject to building codes and you most likely do not need a permit to build a carport. If you think you might want to convert a carport into a garage later, we recommend purchasing an i-beam carport rather than a tube frame carport to fully support the additional weight.

A garage is a little more involved, but General Steel has a network of contractors so we can refer you to someone great. Our garage building kits are also DIY friendly, if you want to build it on your own. You will most likely need a building permit and if you have an HOA, you will probably need their permission to build the garage.

Cost and Construction Timelines

Adding a Carport to a Garage

Another less conventional option is to attach a carport to your garage. This can be a much more affordable and easier process than designing a larger garage space to accommodate your camper, boat or RV. The garage carport combination featured by this project in California was purchased and erected at the same time, but a carport can be designed to be easily attached to other structures as you can see in this project photo. The simple bolt together construction offered by General Steel means adding a carport to your existing garage at a later time can take hours not days.

General Steel Garage Building with Leanto

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