Life in Salt Lake City is all about the seasons. We enjoy sunny, beautiful summers when the weather is just right for a hike in the Wasatch Range. Then, winter comes with its feet of snow on the valley floor. We love the four seasons and the changes they bring to Utah’s natural beauty. But all that weather can take a toll on our vehicles.
Building a full garage is not an option for many homeowners for a variety of reasons, including budget and space. Carports are a great option, providing an affordable, sturdy solution in-between, that won’t break the bank. In this article, we will discuss why carports are the unsung heroes of vehicle protection in the Salt Lake Valley and how to find the perfect fit for your home.
The Salt Lake City Climate Challenge
The best part about explaining why you need protection is all you have to do is look at the weather report. Salt Lake City has a semi-arid climate, with large seasonal temperature differences.
The Winter Heavyweight: Snow
The single worst thing that can happen to your vehicle is our annual claim to fame, the “Greatest Snow on Earth.” It’s excellent for skiing in Alta, but not so good for your sedan parked in the driveway. Piles of snow can scratch paint as they slide off, and repeated freeze-thaw cycles can ruin seals and wipers. Most importantly, scraping ice off your windshield at 7: 00 AM in sub-freezing temperatures is no way to start the day. A carport keeps most snow and ice off your car and can save you time and headaches by protecting the exterior of your vehicle.
Summer Heat
It’s common knowledge the sun can wreak havoc on your car. The Salt Lake City summer is hot and dry, with high UV exposure. Prolonged sun bleaches the paint, cracks dashboard vinyl and turns the inside of your car into a furnace. A carport shades your vehicle from the sun, keeping it cooler in summer and protecting resale value from sun damage.
Spring Showers and Fall Debris
Spring showers can leave water spots that etch the clear coat if they dry in the sun. Leaves and tree sap are two hazards that plague drivers in the fall. Leaves can pile up, and sap has acidic properties that can eat your paint. A simple roof over your car stops Mother Nature from sprinkling her debris all over your hood.
Carports: The Clever Alternative
Quality Carport in Utah and Salt Lake City
If you’re considering different types of structures for parking your car, carports are a strong choice for a few reasons.
Unbeatable Affordability
Price is by far the biggest factor for most homeowners. Building an enclosed garage is a big project. It requires a foundation, framing walls, insulating, wiring, and a garage door. Costs can run into the tens of thousands easily.
In contrast, a carport requires far less material and labor. It’s really just a roof and some support beams. For a fraction of the price of a garage, you have 80-90% of the same benefit. Carports are a great high value purchase for a tighter budget.
Efficient Use of Space
Many older homes in Sugar House or the Avenues have small lots or narrow driveways. Garages can seem bulky and take up a lot of yard space. Carports are open and spacious. They don’t obstruct sight lines, and they usually have a smaller footprint. If you have limited space, you can often fit an attached carport where a garage won’t work.
Versatility
A carport isn’t just for parking cars. Roll the car out in the summer and you have a covered patio for barbecues or family gatherings. It’s a shady place for kids to play, or a dry place to work on DIY projects when it rains.
How to Choose the Right Carport for Your SLC Home
Carports come in many varieties, and not all of them will give you the best coverage. It’s important to know what things you should look out for.
Material
- Steel/Metal: In most cases this is the way to go here in Salt Lake City. Steel is very strong so it won’t buckle under the heavy snow loads and also has the advantage of being fire and termite resistant. Make sure it is galvanized to resist rust from winter road salt and other moisture.
- Wood: A wood carport will give a beautiful and rustic look to your home and will go great with most Utah homes. They do require more maintenance though, and you will have to stain or seal the wood periodically to protect it from our harsh sun and dry climate.
- Aluminum: Aluminum is lightweight and naturally rust-resistant, but it may not be able to stand up to heavy snow loads unless it is specially designed to do so.
Style and Design
Installing a Carport in Salt Lake City
- Attached vs. Freestanding: An attached carport is built connected to your home, allowing you to enter your car without getting wet by walking inside from the house. A freestanding carport can be built anywhere on your property but means braving the weather to get to your car.
- Roof Style: A flat roof is the simplest, but a pitched roof (or gabled roof) is better suited to our climate. A slanted roof sheds snow and rain more easily than a flat roof and won’t allow for heavy buildup of snow or water that might weigh down the carport.
Know Your Local Codes
The first step before purchasing material and/or hiring a contractor is to visit your local planning department. Cities like Salt Lake City and many of the surrounding suburbs (Sandy, West Jordan, Murray) all have different zoning codes when it comes to accessory structures.
Common issues:
- Setbacks: How close can the structure be to the property line or street?
- Maximun Height: The structure may have a height restriction.
- Snow Load Ratings: The structure needs to be engineered with a certain weight in mind based on local weather data.
- Building Permits: Most permanent carports will need a building permit.
Failure to follow these steps can result in fines or orders to demolish your new carport. Always check the regulations for your address.
Conclusion
You don’t need a luxury budget to protect your car like a luxury item. Extreme weather in a city like Salt Lake City leaves your vehicle vulnerable when doing nothing. A carport is a simple, affordable, and effective solution to protect your car from the elements. It will save you on repair costs, help you maintain your vehicle’s value, and spare you from the frustration of scraping ice every morning.
Want to see the last of your car disappearing under heaps of snow or taking a beating from UV rays in the sun? It’s time to seriously consider a carport.
Start protecting your investment today! Contact a local carport installer like Awnings Unlimited for a free quote. Get the best solution for your home and your budget. Call (801) 268-4441 today!