A carport is a semi-covered metal structure built to protect vehicles from rain, sun, and hail. It has a roof and support posts, and, for a higher price, can also include walls for better protection.
Here is what makes it different from a garage. A carport gives you roughly 80% of the protection for about 50% of the cost. You can get weather protection without paying for walls, insulation, or a roll-up door.
The open sides let air circulate around your vehicle. This matters more than most people think. Enclosed garages trap moisture, which leads to rust on your undercarriage and wheel wells. A carport keeps rain off your truck while letting moisture evaporate naturally.
Most guys waste money building a full garage when a carport would do the job. Unless you need a workshop or heated space, paying extra for walls is throwing cash away.
How Much Does a Carport Cost?
A standard 18×20 carport costs around $2,500 installed as of December 2025. Single car carports start around $1,600. Larger double carports run $3,300 to $6,500 depending on size and features.
The price depends on width, length, roof style, steel gauge, and customization options. For a complete breakdown of carport pricing, including financing options and regional cost differences, see our guide on how much a carport costs.
The Core Components of a Carport
A carport has three main parts. The frame holds everything up. The roof keeps the weather off. The anchors keep it from flying away.
Framing
We use galvanized steel tubing for the frame. Galvanized means the steel is coated with zinc to prevent rust. This is not optional if you want your structure to last more than five years.
The standard frame is 14-gauge square tubing. The dimensions are 2.5 inches by 2.5 inches. This is what most carports use because it works fine for normal conditions.
You can upgrade to 12-gauge square tubing. The dimensions are 2.25 inches by 2.25 inches. The walls of the tubing are thicker even though the outer dimensions are slightly smaller. This upgrade comes with a 20-year rust warranty because the metal is thick enough to hold up that long.
Square tubing is stronger than round tubing. The flat sides resist bending better than curved ones. Round tubing is what you find in cheap portable carport kits. Those things fold like lawn chairs in any strong windstorm.
Roofing
The roof panels are corrugated steel sheets. They run the length of the carport and overlap at the seams.
The standard sheet metal is 29-gauge. This is thin but adequate for most climates. It keeps the rain off and costs less.
The upgrade option is 26-gauge sheet metal. Here is the confusing part. Lower gauge numbers mean thicker metal. A 26-gauge panel is thicker and heavier than a 29-gauge panel.
The thicker metal handles hail better. If you live somewhere that gets golf-ball-sized hail every spring, the upgrade is worth it. A 29-gauge roof will dent. A 26-gauge roof might dent less or not at all depending on the size of the hail.
Thicker metal also lasts longer because it resists corrosion better. The extra cost upfront saves you from replacing panels in 15 years.
Anchoring
Gravity does not count as an anchor. Your carport weighs maybe 2,000 pounds and up. A strong wind can generate thousands of pounds of uplift force on the roof. Without anchors, your carport can shift or maybe even become a very expensive piece of yard art for your neighbor.
On concrete slabs, we use concrete wedge anchors. These are heavy-duty bolts that drill into the concrete. The wedge expands inside the hole and locks the anchor in place. You need one anchor per post at minimum.
On dirt or gravel installations, we use mobile home anchors or rebar anchors. These are long steel rods that screw deep into the ground. They work like tent stakes but much larger and stronger.
Proper anchoring is how we get the 140 MPH wind rating. That rating assumes the anchors are installed correctly. If you skip anchors or use the wrong type, the wind rating means nothing.
Carport vs. Garage
People ask if they should build a garage or buy a carport. Here is how they compare across the factors that actually matter.
Cost
A carport costs 50% less than a garage of the same size. Depending on location, a 20×20 carport might run you $3,000 to $5,000 installed. A 20×20 garage costs $8,000 to $15,000 or more depending on how you build it and your location. The difference is the walls, foundation, and doors. You pay for all of that in a garage. A carport skips most of it and gets you weather protection anyway. If your only goal is keeping rain and sun off your truck, spending double for walls makes no sense.
Permitting
Carports are easier to permit than garages in most rural areas. Many counties treat open structures differently than enclosed buildings. An open carport might not require a building permit at all in some places. A garage always requires permits because it is a permanent enclosed structure. This means inspections, engineering drawings, and dealing with the county for months. A carport goes up faster because there is less red tape. This is not true everywhere, but it is common enough to matter.
Flexibility
Carports are easier to move or expand than garages. If you need to relocate it, a carport can be disassembled and rebuilt somewhere else. A garage is permanent. Once you pour the slab and build the walls, that structure is staying put. Adding onto a carport is simple. You can attach a lean-to or extend the length without major construction. Expanding a garage means tearing into walls, pouring more concrete, and matching everything to the existing structure. If your needs might change in five years, a carport gives you options.
Common Carport Uses (Beyond a Car)
Most people buy carports for cars and trucks. That is obvious. Here are the other uses that actually make sense.
RV Covers
RVs do not fit under standard carports. You need a structure that is 12 to 14 feet high. This is called an RV cover. It is just a tall carport with extended gable ends to cover the extra length. RVs are expensive. Letting them sit in the sun destroys the roof seals and fades the paint. Hail damages the fiberglass. An RV cover pays for itself by preventing those repairs.
Agricultural Uses
Farmers use carports for hay storage, tractor covers, and equipment sheds. Hay needs to stay dry or it rots and becomes worthless. Tractors last longer when they are not rusting in the rain. Feed storage keeps bags of grain out of the weather. A carport is cheaper than building a barn and works just as well for these purposes.
Lifestyle Uses
Some people use carports as picnic shelters or outdoor pavilions. You set up tables underneath for family gatherings. The roof provides shade in summer and keeps the rain off during a cookout. It is a simple way to create usable outdoor space without building a full structure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does a carport require a concrete slab?
A: No. You can install a carport on dirt, gravel, or asphalt. You just need the right anchors for the surface. Concrete wedge anchors work on slabs. Rebar anchors or mobile home anchors work on dirt and gravel. A concrete slab is better if you can afford it because it keeps the ground from turning into mud and gives you a flat surface for parking.
Conclusion
A carport is the smart financial move if you want vehicle protection without paying for a full garage. You get a roof, a frame, and proper anchoring for half the cost of building walls.
Most people do not need walls. They need something to keep the sun from baking their dashboard and the rain from soaking their upholstery. A carport does that job without the extra expense.
For a deeper look at structural specs, visit The Complete Carport Guide.