Not every home is equipped with a brick-and-mortar garage, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t protect your investments. In fact, adding a portable carport is common to homes with a driveway but no garage. Portable carports, following your local building codes, can be placed at the side or rear of a property to protect a vehicle or other investments needing everyday protection. These structures come in fully metal and metal and polyethylene combinations, and both protect investments effectively.

Portable carports have been a common household item since the 1930s to protect vehicles against the cold and rain. Although some homes are built with these structures attached on the side or rear, adding a portable carport will give you this coverage – and versatility. Portable metal carports are one type of structure, and these are made entirely of a galvanized steel frame. The natural properties of the shelter’s roof keep out the rain and UV rays and air can circulate under the structure. Metal portable carports usually last 20 years or longer, and purchasing one will be a long-term investment for your vehicles.

Portable carports made from a metal frame and a polyethylene canopy are also a common sight. These structures are also made from galvanized steel, but the canopy is made from heavy-duty polyethylene that has been treated to be waterproof and UV, mold, and mildew resistant. Such shelters are designed to last 15 years; the canopy portion, however, may last around five years and will need to be replaced. Portable shelter manufacturers, such as Shelterlogic, carry replacement canopies that correspond with the originally-purchased structure.

Portable carports are designed for protecting vehicles, as well as other investments, from moisture, rain, and UV exposure. Before adding any portable carports, however, check with local zoning laws or ordinances regarding cars and shelters. Some towns specify how large a carport can be and where such a shelter can be placed on a property – if a property can have one at all.