- Jun 24, 2001
- 24,195
- 856
- 126
I would guess that "The Garage" would be the place to ask about garage alternatives for those without a garage, so here goes. 
I can't afford a garage but I don't want to leave my new car exposed to direct sunlight, precipitation, and tree debris. I also can't be bothered with a cover, as my rusted motorcycle seems to show. A carport seems to be the way to go.
While visiting family in WV back in 1998, I remember seeing an Arrow flat roof style carport buckle under snow and collapse and damage my sister-in-law's mother's car, which it was intended to protect. I won't be getting that. The only problem is, that I can't afford much more than the $90 Caravan canvas canopy one at Walmart and it is described by everyone as "temporary" and seems to blow down in the slightest breeze: No snow required. The canvas is also prone to rotting in a matter of weeks.
My idea is to buy it for the frame and anchor the poles in buried cement (none of those tent stake-style things) with thin sheets of tin on top. The driveway runs into the backyard and will be beside a 16x16x16 barn. The barn already had a lean-to which was then enclosed as an extension and another partially-enclosed lean-to built in the back of that for the motorcycle. I believe that I can put it directly against the barn to protect it from a good bit of wind and add some rigidity.
Though this is GA and there is less ice and snow than WV, there is sometimes enough to be concerned. It is sloped so as long as I use flat tin I believe it will shed most ice and snow. I'd prefer the thin flat kind so as not to over-load the structure that was only intended for canvas, but I might use the stronger ridged variety if I can find a way to reinforce the structure (someone mentioned adding diagonal cables to reduce flexing).
Does this sound like a good idea? I don't know how much the materials cost but I assume I would need to get concrete and a post-hole-digger for any of the more-expensive and more-permanent types anyway and I can probably make it to Spring before needing to replace the canvas.
I can't afford a garage but I don't want to leave my new car exposed to direct sunlight, precipitation, and tree debris. I also can't be bothered with a cover, as my rusted motorcycle seems to show.
A carport seems to be the way to go.While visiting family in WV back in 1998, I remember seeing an Arrow flat roof style carport buckle under snow and collapse and damage my sister-in-law's mother's car, which it was intended to protect. I won't be getting that. The only problem is, that I can't afford much more than the $90 Caravan canvas canopy one at Walmart and it is described by everyone as "temporary" and seems to blow down in the slightest breeze: No snow required. The canvas is also prone to rotting in a matter of weeks.
My idea is to buy it for the frame and anchor the poles in buried cement (none of those tent stake-style things) with thin sheets of tin on top. The driveway runs into the backyard and will be beside a 16x16x16 barn. The barn already had a lean-to which was then enclosed as an extension and another partially-enclosed lean-to built in the back of that for the motorcycle. I believe that I can put it directly against the barn to protect it from a good bit of wind and add some rigidity.
Though this is GA and there is less ice and snow than WV, there is sometimes enough to be concerned. It is sloped so as long as I use flat tin I believe it will shed most ice and snow. I'd prefer the thin flat kind so as not to over-load the structure that was only intended for canvas, but I might use the stronger ridged variety if I can find a way to reinforce the structure (someone mentioned adding diagonal cables to reduce flexing).
Does this sound like a good idea? I don't know how much the materials cost but I assume I would need to get concrete and a post-hole-digger for any of the more-expensive and more-permanent types anyway and I can probably make it to Spring before needing to replace the canvas.
Last edited:
Facebook
Twitter