Pros and Cons of Carports vs Garages
Whilst both carports and garages both equally rate in terms of keeping cars protected from the elements (and possibly theft), they both have different advantages and disadvantages –so which is the winner overall?
This article looks at the pros and cons of carports vs garages.
Function
Besides protecting vehicles from theft and damage from the elements, garages usually also provide secure storage and depending on the design carport, it may not be as a secure storage space.
Sometimes the storage function of a garage gets a little carried away and a garage, even a double garage, can end up being a large storage room for no longer used household items as well as recreational items such as camping equipment, bicycles, boat’s, jet skis and kayaks. For those whose garage becomes a large storage room, there is often no longer room for a car! This being the main function of a garage…
If your carport design does not allow for total secure lock-up, you can still obtain secure storage within your carport with the addition of lockable cupboards – just ask one of your Pacific Patios carport designers.
Street Appeal
Garages that are incorporated within the original house design usually have good street appeal; however, this is not always the case, particularly in some of the older homes.
Basic carports with four posts and a flat roof do very little in terms of street appeal. However, there are a wide range of design options and carports can increase the street appeal of your home (even if you have an existing garage), Pacific Patios specialise in creating carports that suit your current house design.
Cost
Even a well designed and built carport such as the ones we do at Pacific Patios are less expensive than building a fully enclosed brick garage.
Legislation
One advantage that carports have over garages is that they can be built closer (or even on) the property boundary from the street (depending on different local government legislation). Being built close or on the street property boundary allows more area for other uses such as a garden, patio or even swimming pool. Having a carport built close or on the property boundary is a real plus specifically for those smaller housing blocks of 405sq.m and the even smaller 300sq.m in newer lots that we are seeing today.
Carport Plus Garage
We are finding an increasing demand for families who already have a garage now also wanting a carport and there are many reasons for this:-
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- As previously mentioned some garages become large storage rooms leaving no room for a car…
- Some garages get converted into additional rooms for the home, most often an additional family room, children’s playroom or media room.
- Home offices are becoming far more common and converting a garage into a home based business such as for professional occupations such as architects or draftsmen and the growing industries such as website design and technology support or a workshop for a bike or car enthusiast or for a hobby such as carpentry.
- Children who are now teenagers and young adults also often own a car and the single or double garage is no longer sufficient to accommodate all of the family members cars.
- It’s not uncommon now to have garage’s converted into a granny flat or even self-contained accommodation to be rented out as an airbnb etc.
- Tradesmen often store tools and equipment in a garage, leaving once again no room for the family vehicles.
Pacific Patios are experienced in designing carports in front of garages that still allow as much access to the garage as required, so no matter what you’re now using your garage for, we will be able to create a carport that meets all your needs.
Carport Designs
Carport designs do not have to be as simple as four posts and a flat roof – such as gabled roofs, attractive side and rear walls made of dark wood timber or white timber slats to match your fresh and modern style. With so many different design options available our carports not only meet all your functional requirements but will also lift your street appeal.
Summary
The advantages of carports are that they are usually a lower cost option; they leave more room on the property and incorporate a more free-flowing and flexible layout to a home.
