Carport vs Garage: Key Differences, Costs & UK Rules

What’s a Carport?

If unsure of what’s a carport, it’s a semi-open structure designed to provide shelter for a range of vehicle types – not just cars, but also sometimes trucks and boats.

Although not fully enclosed like a garage and consisting of just a roof and no walls, it prevents vehicles from being directly exposed to the weather, offering some useful protection against rain, snow, sleet, hail and extreme sunlight.

Principally, carports are used for the everyday parking of cars and often constructed where implementing a garage is either impractical or unachievable.

Aluminium Carport

Carports can also double up as a shaded area for taking picnics or working outside.

As its sides are open, a carport can’t provide total weather protection, but the open design permits lots of ventilation, which can restrict the surfacing of condensation and mould – this is very helpful in humid or coastal locations.

Parking is way more efficient in comparison to a garage, with its openness enabling you to drive in and out without having to open and close a door.

The average footprint and dimensions of a single carport is in the region of the following:

  • Typical Width: 10–12 ft
  • Typical Depth: 18–20 ft
  • Typical Height: 7–9 ft

Common Carport Types in the UK

Carports are particularly popular in the UK in scenarios where issues such as planning permission, cost or space constraints prevent a full structure being built. A single carport on a driveway or side-of-house supplies ample sheltered covering for one standard vehicle (saloon, hatchback, or small SUV) and will be freestanding or attached (lean-to) to an existing wall.

To quickly explain, a freestanding solution is one that is self-supporting and doesn’t rely on a house for stability, while an attached (lean-to) carport shares one side with a house or existing wall for support. You can probably work out that double carports have sufficient shelter for two standard vehicles, parked side-by-side. They’re often freestanding structures so that there’s open access from both sides and obviously have a wider roof span than a single carport, requiring a large driveway.

The final carport variety to be aware of and define its carport meaning is the integrated canopy-style. This design will mostly be built concurrently with a house to make it blend in with its character for a harmonious aesthetic.

Pros and Cons of Carports

Pros

1

Affordable

The cost of building a carport compared to a garage is significantly cheaper, working heavily in its favour in the age-old carport vs garage discussion when you consider the excellent weather protection it offers.
2

Fast and simple installation

Installation can normally be finalised within a day or two, beneficial if you need one in a hurry and want limited disruption at home.
3

Weather shield

It will make it hard for rain, snow, sleet and hail to get to your vehicle, reducing the threat of paint fading or ice buildup.
4

Generous ventilation

Being open-sided will see that plenty of ventilation enters, minimising humidity and condensation.
5

Multi-functional

Apart from being a shelter for cars, it can also be a covering for storage or outdoor gatherings.
6

Versatile design

There are aluminium, wood and steel versions available that come as freestanding or attached.
7

Easy upkeep

Garages need considerably more maintenance as there’s no doors, insulation etc. to preserve with a carport.
8

Quick access

Rather than having to open the structure to park your car, like you would with a garage, you can just drive straight into it.

Cons

1

Restricted weather shielding

Because it isn’t a fully enclosed space, the elements may at times reach your vehicle if conditions are especially poor.
2

Less security

If you don’t want your car to be left out in the open, you’re probably better having a garage installed so that it can be locked away.
3

Conflicting appearance

The wrong choice of design, material and colour could make it look ill-matched with a property (we’ll help with these selections to ensure home and carport perfectly complement one another).
Carport

What’s a Garage?

Moving on to the topic of what is a garage – it’s a fully enclosed structure that commonly houses vehicles and enclosed storage or is employed as a workshop or hobby area.

Consisting of walls, a roof and lockable door, and either affixed to a property or a standalone structure, a garage supplies complete weather protection.

Garages are constructed from a range of materials (detailed below), chosen based on how much money you have to spend, the desired durability and preferred aesthetics:

  • Masonry (brick, block, concrete)
  • Timber frame (wood)
  • Steel frame/metal

Their roofs are normally pitched or flat and consist of tiles, metal sheeting, or asphalt shingles.

The functionality of a garage will dictate whether the space is insulated or not and insulation can encompass the following:

  • Walls: Fibreglass batts, rigid foam panels, spray foam
  • Roof/Ceiling: Foam boards or reflective insulation
  • Doors: Insulated sectional or roller doors

There are several types of garage door, including up-and-over, sectional and roller doors.

Pros and Cons of a Garage

Pros

1

Weather protection

Rain, hail, snow and sleet won’t be able to get to your car, lessening the chance of you running into car troubles, and minimising maintenance.
2

Secure location

The lockable door and enclosed walls will keep your car and any storage safe.
3

Storage space

Talking of storage, you can use it for housing tools, garden equipment and numerous other items.
4

Hobby room

Whether you’re a DIY-er or like to craft as a hobby, a well-insulated garage could be an ideal destination for it.
5

Multi-use

Powered, well-insulated garages are also suitable year-round settings for designating as a home gym, utility room etc.

Cons

1

Expensive

The cost of having a garage built far exceeds how much you would have to pay for a carport.
2

Long build process

Timeframes for garage builds can amount to weeks or even months depending on the required size and materials used.
3

No immediate access

You can’t just park straight into a garage without getting out of your car to open a door, which isn’t much fun on a rainy or freezing cold day.
4

Increased size

Their footprint can be extensive, and it may take away more driveway space than you’d like.
5

High maintenance

Regular attention needs to be paid to doors, hinges and accompanying components.
6

Low ventilation

Excess humidity can build up inside a fully enclosed garage if there is insufficient ventilation, potentially causing damage.

Carport vs Garage — The Key Differences

Carport

Garage

Cost and Build Time

Low in price, straightforward design and installed within 1 day in many cases.

More expensive because of increased labour and materials. May take weeks or months to construct.

Weather Protection and Upkeep

Offers an element of shelter and needs next to no maintenance.

A fully weather protected structure that requires recurring maintenance.

Size

Smaller construction and can therefore fit into tight spaces.

Calls for extra space because of its full walls and door operation.

Storage and Usage

Exposed storage space and easy for parking and heading out.

Great for housing tools, bikes etc. and a potential hobby room.

Aluminium Carport

Planning Permission & Building Regulations

An application for planning permission needn’t be made if the structure fits the criteria to be considered a permitted development, similar to UPVC decking. Generally, it must not exceed a height of 2.5 – 4 metres for a pitched roof and lower for flat roofs or cover more than 50% of the garden/curtilage. For the most part, it also can’t be forward of the house frontage.

Small carports and garages often require planning permission for homes situated in conservation areas or within an area of outstanding natural beauty. A certain distance may need to be maintained between nearby boundaries, such as public footpaths or neighbouring residences.

Design, Materials & Sustainability

Design doesn’t just determine a carport and garage’s appearance, but it can also influence its lifespan and the amount of maintenance it needs, amongst other things.

Material and roofing choices will impact how successfully they merge in with a house, and again, what upkeep requirements there are over the long-term. Timber constructions have the lowest predicted duration at an estimated 20-40 years when properly cared for with painting and staining.

Aluminium Carport
Carport

Aluminium-made structures can potentially surpass that and with maintenance last for 30-50 years. Those built using masonry, such as brick, are at times capable of surviving a half-century or more.

Roof wise, you’ve got flat and mono-pitch roofs, traditionally found on steel carports, tiled and metal pitched roofs, which effortlessly harmonise with homes, and polycarbonate roofs for light, open structures. From a sustainability point of view, steel and aluminium structures excel most.

Which Is Best for Your Home?

To make a final decision on garage and carport, weigh up factors like budget, desired protection and functionality.

Our logic flow can help you decide:

  • If security and enclosed storage matter most and you have a large budget → build a garage.
  • If it’s a speedy installation and sheltered space that’s sought, along with ventilation, and at a low cost → choose a carport.
  • If you want flexibility → take the hybrid route (by that, we mean start with a carport and enclose it in the future to create a garage).

We’re not just a decking installer you know. No, we also specialise in durable and stylish carports, if that’s the choice you decide to make.

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