Metal carports for winter. Anyone have one? what size, how much?

[mikej3131]

I will be driving my car in the winter but i want to keep it out of the snow. So i was thinking about buying a carport for snowy days to put in my driveway. Are these even worth it to keep car out of snow and salt? Has anyone gotten one of these. If so, what dimensions should i be getting, or what are the dimensions of the car (height width length)? Also, where are some i can find for cheap? I found this website which has a 12X21 carport for $795.


http://www.gaport.com/price/sheets/pa.rc.12.price.htm

[SlingShot]

go with the thicker gauge, and ask about load strength for handling snow...

[mikej3131]

Can these be installed on a cement driveway, how do they get installed?

[chevy454]

Originally Posted by SlingShot

go with the thicker gauge, and ask about load strength for handling snow...

If you're worried about snow (or ice), then avoid them like the plague. Most of those cheaper units use thin metal, and even worse they lay the metal with the ribbing going horizontal, so they can use the least amount of bracing & such as possible...but the problem with that is, when it rains, or even worse ices or snows, those horizontal ribs won't let it run/slide off, so it piles up, then it collapses. The ice storm in March brought down every single one of those carports in this part of the world, and 99% of them had a vehicle underneath them...

[SlingShot]

Originally Posted by mikej3131

Can these be installed on a cement driveway, how do they get installed?

Yes.... I would check with your local building dept. for codes and permitting before purchasing .....

[Jay_LHD3]

I've been considerering buying from gaport.com also.

After clicking on the steel garages, scroll downto Q&A:

ANCHORING QUESTIONS
41. How is my garage anchored to my concrete slab?
Holes are drilled into your concrete slab. Then wedge anchors are inserted through pre-drilled holes in the base rail of your garage into the holes in the concrete and securely fastened as shown on this garage anchoring page.
42. Should I put anchoring bolts in the slab while I am pouring the slab to make the installation easier? That way they can just put the garage base rails right over my anchor bolts and not have to drill.
Absolutely not. The base rails are pre-drilled during manufacturing and will never line up where you place your bolts. These structures are engineered to have the bolts at specific locations. Therefore, please allow us to drill our own holes in your existing slab where we need them.
43. How is my garage anchored to asphalt?
32" long anchors are inserted through pre-drilled holes in the base rail. A small hole is made in your asphalt and the anchor is driven into the ground with a sledge hammer under the asphalt.
44. How is my garage anchored to the ground or dirt?
32" long anchors are inserted through pre-drilled holes in the base rail. The anchors are driven into the ground with a sledge hammer for a secure hold.

[mikej3131]

Originally Posted by chevy454

If you're worried about snow (or ice), then avoid them like the plague. Most of those cheaper units use thin metal, and even worse they lay the metal with the ribbing going horizontal, so they can use the least amount of bracing & such as possible...but the problem with that is, when it rains, or even worse ices or snows, those horizontal ribs won't let it run/slide off, so it piles up, then it collapses. The ice storm in March brought down every single one of those carports in this part of the world, and 99% of them had a vehicle underneath them...

Which ones are the cheaper units, will the expensive ones hold up? Can you link me to a good one that doesnt have this horizontal ribbing and that you know will not get brought down

[tones2SS]

Honestly, a car port isn't going to do much for ya with all the wind/snow blowing around that is associated with the winter months. That should be the least of worries if you are going to be driving it during the winter.
Check these out; http://www.us-buildings-direct.com/R...es.aspx?gid=22
Good luck!

[mikej3131]

Originally Posted by tones2SS

Honestly, a car port isn't going to do much for ya with all the wind/snow blowing around that is associated with the winter months. That should be the least of worries if you are going to be driving it during the winter.
Check these out; http://www.us-buildings-direct.com/R...es.aspx?gid=22
Good luck!

Arent these the same things as carports?

[chevy454]

Originally Posted by mikej3131

Arent these the same things as carports?

Those in the last link actually look decent...but the OP was referring to a carport like this:



Those 2 rigs woulda been SOL this past March during the ice storm...

[chevy454]

Originally Posted by tones2SS View Post
Honestly, a car port isn't going to do much for ya with all the wind/snow blowing around that is associated with the winter months. That should be the least of worries if you are going to be driving it during the winter.
Check these out; http://www.us-buildings-direct.com/R...es.aspx?gid=22
Good luck!

Originally Posted by mikej3131

Arent these the same things as carports?

Those in the last link (us-buildings) actually look decent...but the OP was referring to a carport like this:



Those 2 rigs woulda been SOL this past March during the ice storm...they're cheap for a reason. Matter of fact, you'd probably be better served building one yourself...

[mikej3131]

what about something like this

http://www.gaport.com/car/shelters.htm

[tones2SS]

Originally Posted by mikej3131

Arent these the same things as carports?

No, I don't think so?!?!
Carports usually don't have any sides to them. These actually do. (Not sure how much of your car you want out of the elements.)
The car shelters in the link I sent you, are in my opinion, are way better than a car port.
GOOD LUCK!!!

[chevy454]

Originally Posted by mikej3131

what about something like this

http://www.gaport.com/car/shelters.htm

No way...that's the exact same thing...if you value your car at all, stay away from that thing...it *WILL* collapse with any kind of snow/ice, there are still "carports" exactly like that still on the ground from our ice storm last March.