Which is Better: A Garage Or Carport? How To Get The Most For Your Money: | If you currently have a driveway then you are probably relieved that your car is not sitting on the road. However, a driveway doesn’t offer your car, or you, any protection from the elements.
In short, at some point, you are going to have to think about adding either a garage or a carport to your property. Even if you already have a garage you’ll have to decide if it is better to use it or to add a carport.
Before you start, it is worth noting that a double carport is better than a single, even if you only have one vehicle. The simple fact is that you want to be able to get out of your car and still be protected from the elements.
The carport
In most places you’ll find the rules regarding building a carport are much more relaxed, you simply need permission, not a full planning application. This reduces the cost and time it takes to build your carport.
Alongside this, the carport can be made with your choice of material, effectively allowing it to be substantially cheaper than building a garage on your property. This also means the carport will be finished faster.
You should also note that a carport can increase the value of your property by anything between $1,000 and $10,000, depending on what you build. As carports are generally very cheap to build you are not likely to increase the value of your property by as much as if you built a garage.
However, a garage can cost as much as $50,000 yet only add $35,000 to your house value. That makes the carport a significantly better proposition.
The Garage
A garage is definitely more secure than a carport. Your vehicle is locked inside and it can even be attached to the house security system. It doesn’t make it impossible to steal the car, just much more difficult.
The garage can also be joined to the house to help make getting in and out of the car easier.
However, garages do tend to become storage grounds for all sorts of rubbish, preventing you from parking your car in it. You’ll also find that it can be frustrating having to get in and out of your vehicle to open and close the garage door all the time. An electric garage door will help with this but makes your project even more expensive.
Final Thoughts
Carports and garages offer your vehicle and you protection from the elements. This is invaluable, especially when it’s raining after a long day at work.
But, while a garage does have some benefits that you can’t get from a carport, the cost of building and the practicality of using a garage means that for most people the carport is a better investment. Of course, this is a personal decision and you need to think about what is best for you and the area you live in.
