Traditional Wood Carports | Residential driveways, rustic settings | Wood frame (untreated or pressure-treated), natural aesthetic | Aesthetic appeal, customizable design (e.g., stained finishes) | Prone to rot (requires annual treatment), vulnerable to pests, heavy maintenance |
Prefabricated Metal Carports (Base) | Urban/suburban driveways, light-duty use | Powder-coated steel frame (20-gauge ▲), PVC sail (waterproof to 300mm hydrostatic pressure) | Durable (resists corrosion ▲), quick assembly (4h ▲), low maintenance | Limited customization, may dent in heavy impacts (ASTM D3363 scratch resistance) |
Prefabricated Metal Carports (Advanced) | Commercial parking, harsh environments | Thickened steel frame (16-gauge ▲▲), PU-coated canvas sail (500mm hydrostatic ▲▲), modular design | Enhanced durability (50% thicker steel ▲▲), weatherproof to IPX5 ▲▲, scalable | Higher cost, requires professional installation for customization (▲▲ denotes improvement over Base) |
PVC Canopy Garages | Temporary shelters, commercial parking | Lightweight PVC fabric (UV-resistant 8000hrs ▲), aluminum frame (1.2mm thickness) | Portable (disassembles in 2h), cost-effective, UV-resistant (ASTM D4306 ▲) | Low wind resistance (max 50mph ▲), limited lifespan (5–7 years ▲) |
Permanent Concrete Garages | Long-term residential use | Reinforced concrete foundation (compressive strength 30MPa ▲), steel-reinforced walls | Bulletproof durability (50+ year lifespan ▲▲), theft-resistant (EN 1522 ▲) | High upfront cost ($15k+), non-portable, lengthy construction (6–8 weeks ▲) |
Canvas Tent Carports | Temporary events, seasonal use | Weatherproof canvas (12oz/yd² ▲), lightweight aluminum poles (1.5in diameter) | Portable (fits in SUV ▲), affordable (<$500 ▲), easy setup (1h ▲) | Minimal weather protection (wind rating: 30mph ▲), no long-term UV resistance |