The Differences Between Metal Carports and Aluminum Carports
If your home doesn’t have a garage, or if you prefer to use your garage for other purposes, adding a carport garage to your home will provide your vehicles with some shelter from the elements. Although you can have a covered carport built out of almost any material, there are two major types of carports: metal carports for their combination of strength and durability; and aluminum carports for their maintenance-free benefit. Aluminum and metal or steel are the most common materials used in garage carports, but Florida homeowners will usually be better off looking for an aluminum carport. We’ve broken down the requirements in 4 segments for comparing metal carports to aluminum carports.
Maintenance Requirements
Aluminum is naturally resistant to rust, making it a low-maintenance option for a carport. Even after standing up to the winds and rains of Florida, an aluminum carport will look as good as it did the day it was installed. At most, aluminum carports may develop a powdery residue over a few decades, but this generally happens in only the most extreme cases.
Metal carports, on the other hand, require special coatings to protect the metal from rusting. This coating on steel carports can easily scratch from tree branches in the wind, stray golf balls, or overzealous pets. Scratched areas become vulnerable to rust, and over time the rust can spread through the rest of the covered carport. With the frequent rains experienced by much of Florida, rust is a real concern for a steel carport; watching for and repairing scratches in a steel carport is a regular chore that isn’t necessary with an aluminum carport.
Strength Differences
Per volume, aluminum weighs a third as much as steel and is about half as strong. This may make a difference for things like cars and buildings, but for most homeowners, aluminum is plenty strong enough for a long-lasting aluminum carport awning. The added strength of steel is only necessary in climates that regularly experience heavy snows; steel isn’t necessary for most Florida homeowners.
Durability
Metal carports will hold up better to dents and dings than aluminum, but it’s less durable in wet weather than aluminum. Without its galvanized coating, a steel carport will begin to rust quickly in Florida’s rainy weather. Additionally, saltwater will eat through even coated steel with gusto. If you don’t want to spend all day checking your coating for scratches, or if your carport is ever likely to be exposed to even misted saltwater, aluminum will last much longer for most Florida homeowners.
Cost Considerations
On average, steel is cheaper than aluminum. Since the cost of raw materials is a major factor in determining the final cost of your carport, steel carports will often be cheaper to install than aluminum carports. However, with the decreased lifespan of a steel carport, you may end up paying for multiple metal carports because of rust and other corrosion. An aluminum carport may be more expensive up front, but it’s still the better choice; you won’t need to replace it after a few years as you would with a steel carport.
Click on this article If you’re looking for what to look for in a contractor to build an aluminum carport.
If your Orlando home, apartment building or condo needs an aluminum carport, contact the experts at DuLando Screen & Awning. We’re experts in building aluminum carports and can design and build a carport that will be perfect for your home. Contact us today at 407-862-6060 to get started with a free consultation.