10 Pointers for Buying the Perfect Metal Carport

If you're the owner of a new vehicle, you already know how much of an investment it can be. Cars and trucks require careful maintenance, vigilance, and protection to keep them pristine and in working order throughout their life.

Each day, harsh UV rays regularly beat down on your cars. These rays can penetrate clear coats given enough time, which can fade and crack the paint beneath. Additionally, UV rays can dry, fade, and wear out important plastic and rubber components, causing them to crack and break.

That's precisely why many people purchase prefab metal carports to cover their vehicles. These durable structures are designed to stand up against the worst Mother Nature has to offer while requiring minimal maintenance throughout the years. They're also highly versatile and capable of working well in countless iterations or styles.

But if you’re a first-time customer, taking in all the information required to make an accurate decision can feel quite challenging. That’s why we’ve decided to put together a checklist of things to help get you started. If you’re on the fence about how to protect your newest and most costly investments, you’re on the right track!

10 Pointers for Buying the Perfect Metal Carport

So, you’ve decided that a carport is the right storage solution for you! That’s fantastic! But where does one start? If you don’t have a background in metal buildings, you might be confused by the process. That's okay, though, because we're here to help! Below, we've compiled a list of 10 crucial things to remember when buying a metal carport.

1. How Will You Use Your Carport?

Most people will use their carport to protect their vehicles, but given the versatility of these buildings, you'll have a wide range of options available. From picnic shelters to equipment storage, your only limits are your budget and your imagination.

2. What Type of Building Do You Need?

There are tons of different metal buildings on the market! These can range from small equipment sheds to enormous warehouses and everything in between. So, having an idea of what type of structure you’ll require will do wonders for narrowing down your search.

3. What Size Will You Need?

This is a crucial aspect of the carport purchasing process! You'll need a clear grasp on how much space you'll need your building to provide. For example, will you be housing one, two, or more cars? Or will you need more space for additional equipment and tools? Taking the time to decide how big your structure will need to be can help ensure you get exactly what you expect from your building.

4. Installation Site

Choosing the right installation location is another essential factor in getting the most out of your building. Here, you'll want to ensure that your facility is placed in an area that stands above any standing water or runoffs. By building your structure on higher ground, you can rest easy knowing your structure isn't at risk of flooding. Additionally, you'll want to ensure that your build site is completely level and cleared of any vegetation or debris.

If you decide on a concrete foundation, you'll want to pour your cement and allow time for it to cure before installation day.

5. Have a Budget

All construction projects start with a budget. Having a clear budget that accounts for additional expenses will give you a clear idea of what your new building will cost and can minimize many headaches during the design and installation process.

6. Delivery Times

There is a wide range of metal building manufacturers out there, and they're not all created equal. Some companies have vastly different delivery or "lead" times on their structures. You'll want to check with your building expert to determine what kind of lead time you can expect from your building before purchase.

7. Choose a Reliable Metal Building Provider

As we’ve mentioned, there are a ton of metal building providers. To get the most out of your purchase, you’ll want to choose a company with a storied history of delivering quality products and exceptional service. By choosing a reputable provider, their steel carport prices may be greater than the competition, but you’ll get the product you need and quality service along the way.

8. Customization Options

When you purchase a prefab metal carport, you’ll have a virtually endless array of customization options to choose from. Here, you’ll be able to design and change almost every aspect of your structure, from the paneling type to the roofing and more!

9. Warranties

Most metal building manufacturers offer a range of warranties on their products. Most reputable dealers/manufacturers will offer a warranty on their frames, paneling, and workmanship.

10. Plan Out Additions

Steel-framed buildings are designed for easy expansion! Expanding a metal building is a far more economical choice than with a stick-built structure and will save you tons of money and headaches should you decide it’s time to grow.

Your Carport, Your Way: A Customization Guide

One of the things that genuinely sets metal carports apart from the competition is their customizability. When you purchase a metal structure, you'll have a huge choice of customization options, including:

1. Size

We have a vast selection of different building dimensions, giving you the power to choose building dimensions that work for you.

2. Colors

Metal buildings and carports don’t have to be drab, dull, and lifeless! With our wide selection of color options, you’ll be able to choose a scheme that transforms your building into something truly eye-catching! And if you prefer a more subtle approach, you can change the colors of your trim, roofing, and wainscoting, too!

3. Roof Styles

There are several roof styles available for your prefab metal carport, including:

• A-Frame Horizontal Roofs

An A-frame roof, also known as a boxed-eave design, looks like the roof on a traditional home, with overhanging awnings, a sharp roof peak, and horizontally placed paneling. It's a fantastic option for regions that often see high winds but minimal rainfall.

• Vertical Roofs

Vertical roofs are a more expensive option that combines the best aspects of the A-frame with vertically oriented panels. This clever engineering feat allows dirt, snow, rain, and debris to fall harmlessly from your roof to the ground.

4. Doors and Windows

If you decide to purchase an enclosed building, having doors and windows is a must! Here, you’ll be able to pick standard or premium entryway doors or garage doors. And if you’re planning custom doors, we’ll even frame them out for you!

5. Anchors

The anchor system for your structure will depend entirely on your chosen foundation. For dirt foundations, auger-like anchors are placed into the soil to adhere the building to the ground. For asphalt, our installation crews will use spiked rods. And for concrete foundations, we use special bolts that are driven directly into the concrete pad.

6. Gauges

Most residential metal structures use 14-gauge framing and 29-gauge paneling as the industry standard. However, if you live in a region that regularly sees violent weather patterns, you might want to upgrade to our thicker 12- and 26-gauge options, respectively.

7. Certification

While not a customization option per se, the certification process is a standardized system that ensures a structure is capable of handling the wind, snow, and seismic loads of a given region. In most localities, building inspectors require permanent metal structures to be certified before issuing permits.

8. Permits

Before you can break ground on your new carport or building project, you'll want to consult with local building inspectors and zoning authorities to ensure you're aware of any and all permits required to build. Failure to do so can result in significant fines and even the removal of your structure.

Steel Carports: The Best in Versatility

No matter where you go, you'll be hard-pressed to find structures as strong, durable, and versatile as a prefab metal carport. They're naturally able to work in almost any setting or for any application. So whether you're protecting cars and trucks or you're storing boats, ATVs, and RVs in the off-season, these structures give you the security you require. And that's just breaking the surface of how you can use these incredible buildings! They're also fantastic as playground shelters, patio covers, community event areas, and just about anything else you’d need to cover!

Today is the Day to Get Your Metal Carport from Probuilt Steel Buildings!

If you’ve been eyeing a new way to protect your vehicles, you’ve come to the right place! Probuilt Steel Buildings is your dedicated manufacturer for all things carports and metal buildings. From metal carport kits to fully enclosed buildings, we do it all!

So, if you’re ready to make the jump and purchase your new prefab metal carport, give us a call at (877) 754-1818! Our dedicated team of building specialists can help you design, customize, and realize the structure of your dreams!