Adding a carport to your residential or commercial property is a great way to add covered parking to your property without the expense of a parking garage. Building an aluminum carport that will last through inclement weather and the ravages of time isn’t a simple process. We’ve outlined a few simple ideas to help ensure that your project is successful.
Determine Your Needs
Before you embark on your carport plan, you need to decide what features you want in your project. Custom aluminum carports meet a variety of requirements. For example, you can choose to have a carport attached to your residential or commercial space or create a free-standing structure. You’ll also need to decide on the carport’s size and materials. If you’re building a carport for a multi-family dwelling such as a condo or townhouse, you’ll probably want to build a large structure made of durable aluminum that can accommodate multiple cars.
Consider Additional Features
Even basic aluminum carport designs will protect cars from the elements. However, there are extra features available that will help you get more out of your investment. For example, gutters and rainspouts can help keep moisture from causing damage to the structure. Adding insulation to your carport design can help regulate the temperature within the structure and avoid excess condensation.
Decide On Your Budget
Your budget can help you determine the number of elements for your carport, including the number of structures you need, as well as the size of each structure and the materials used. When building an aluminum carport, it is more costly than a wooden structure, but the longevity of the product will save you money for years to come. Talk to a carport contractor to identify the budget ahead of time. Then when you’re ready to build, you’ll already have a budget decided.
Shop for a Contractor
Once you have a rough idea of the carport garage you want for your home or multi-family facility, you can start looking for a contractor to build your project. Make sure the carport builder has experience building carports. It’s not just an aluminum structure. Experience is vital. Look at their online portfolio. When applicable, visit some of their locations. Talk to other businesses or homeowners for a referral. After coming up with a list of potential contractors, talk to each one individually to find the best fit for your project. Don’t let the contractor’s quote be the only deciding factor; choosing the cheapest option might leave you with an inexpensive carport that can’t survive one Florida storm.
Plan Ahead for Maintenance
A good way to protect your covered carport is to periodically perform maintenance. After your carport is completed, schedule some time to examine your carport annually. Use this time to look for minor problems, such as small holes or clogged gutters. Fixing these issues when they’re small can prevent bigger problems later.
Aluminum carports are excellent additions for multi-family complexes such as apartments, condos, townhomes and even timeshares. If you’re considering adding an aluminum carport to your property, contact Dulando Screen & Awning, Inc today for more assistance. We have offices in New Smyrna Beach and Orlando and will work with you to build an aluminum carport that will last for years to come.
