Attached carports are structures that are nailed or bolted to your home, mobile home, storage building, barn, or garage. They are usually made of galvanized steel, although they can also be vinyl, wood or other metals. The purpose of attached carports is to provide cover and protection from the elements for vehicles, recreational vehicles, plants, or outdoor furnishings. They can extend over a concrete pad or just a portion of grass beside the structure to which they are attached and by doing so, create extra living space.
Carports are easy to maintain and are an attractive accessory to structures made of concrete, brick, stucco, wood or aluminum siding. As far as color is concerned, attached carports can match the primary structure, or they can be one of many neutral shades of beige, blue, or gray.
When considering an attached carport, you will need to decide what size you want in order to fit your needs. If you plan to cover a vehicle, you will want to extend the carport a few feet in all directions to accommodate for walking space around the vehicle. An attached carport cannot be taller than the structure to which it is attached. You will also want to choose a roof style, either flat or gabled, that will best suit your desired look.
Professionals can install attached carports or you can just buy a kit and do it yourself. Having someone else install the carport can get expensive. Kits are usually more cost effective, with prices of under $300 not uncommon; but others can run well over $4,000. If you take on the job yourself, be sure to check with your local building department in your planning stage as to what permits and licenses will be required before you make a final decision about the kind of carport to add to your property.