What size of metal structure is right for me?

You need to ask yourself, "What am I covering?" Will your carport or garage be wide enough for the vehicle or equipment for which you intend to shelter in it? An 18' Wide Carport might hold two compact cars, but if you have a couple of full-sized cars or trucks, you will want a carport at least 22' wide. For three vehicles we recommend at least a Triple Wide structure of 26' - 30' Wide. But for those REALLY big jobs, our Extra Wide buildings would be for you. All buildings over 30' wide will require special engineering and Site-Specific Plans for permitting at an additional cost.

All measurements begin with the roof, measuring the length and the width allowing for a 6” overhang on each end. So a 12’ x 21’ Carport would be 12’ Wide, and have a Base Rail length of 20’.

Also consider the length of your building. If you are putting a vehicle into your garage, you will want make sure that you will have the clearance to roll down the garage door. Another two feet can make all the difference. Our typical lengths are from 21' to 51' with six inches of roof overhang on each end. But if you need something longer, we can certainly do that for you.

Leg Height is the length of the leg up to the start of the bow of the roof. All of our buildings are measured by their Leg Height, not the peak of the Roof. Make sure you have enough clearance for what you are sheltering. If you have an RV, make sure there is enough clearance to get in and out, and also that there is enough clearance on top. Wider structures tend to give you more clearance, but If you have opted for extra trusses and bracing, or if you have a roll-up door, remember that this will also take up some room under the roof. For Single and Double Wide Carports in areas without a lot of snow, we can generally build structures with a leg height of 12' before we have to go to a heavier, doubled leg system. Any structure with a leg height of over 12' will require Site-Specific Plans at an additional cost. Our maximum leg height is 16’. Wider buildings will have a higher peak height for the same leg height. Internal bracing and trusses may lower the amount of effective clearance. If the structure is above 12’ in height, a fork lift will be required to perform the installation, and you will be subject to rental fees. Ask your sales representative to help you figure out exactly what you need.

For larger buildings at economical prices, also check out our barns.

Single & Double Wide

12' Wide

Single Wide and Double Wide Garages are our most requested size for home and shop use. If you plan to store a single car, truck or boat a single-wide unit of 12’ will work. However for two full-sized cars or trucks, a 24’ unit would be better. Give yourself room to get in and out of your vehicle. For more information, contact us.

Triple Wide Structures

26' to 30' Wide

A Triple Wide Metal Structure will take care of two cars and a boat or any of your larger needs. Triple-wide structures run from 26' to 30' wide. Taller structures may need double legs and other reinforcement. For more information, contact us.

Extra Wide Structures

Up to 40' Wide

Extra Wide Structures give you up to 40 feet of clear space. Due to their size, they may require special certifications and permitting in some areas. For more information, contact us.

Which type of roof do I need for my environment and weather?

What kind of Roof you choose will depend upon several factors. Are you mostly looking for protection from the sun? Then a Standard Roof will probably be the most economical choice for you. Or do you have significant wind or snow in your area? If so, perhaps a Vertical Roof might be better. Do you want your carport roof to match the look of the roofs around it? Most homes are A-Frame style, so our Boxed Eave and our Vertical Roofs would be a good style choice. If you want a building longer than 31', we always recommend a Vertical Roof both for its strength and its ability to resist leaking.

What gauge of steel frame should I get?

The gauge, or thickness of the metal tube frames, will determine its durability under specific stresses - whether it is a carport, a tall RV shelter, or a monster garage. Our frames are all made of strong and tough galvanized steel to withstand the elements. Our most economical frame is the industry standard 14 gauge square tube. Our strongest frame is 12 gauge square tube which we recommend for any structure that will have higher wind or snow stresses, or for any taller or larger building. All of our units are designed to withstand a 20 pound snow load and up to 105 mph three second wind gusts when installed on an engineer-approved foundation. Snowy or windy location? Not a problem. We can strengthen your building with extra bracing and welded trusses. Ask about our Santa Ana Wind Package or our Big Bear Snow Package to upgrade your order.

Options for enclosing your garage

A fully enclosed garage or workshop is the best protection for your vehicle, shop and goods. It will protect them from sun, rain, snow, and debris and provide a higher level of security than an open building. For buildings under 32' wide, our standard design calls for panels aligned horizontally from back to front. We can do vertical alignment as well. For our largest buildings, stronger vertical construction is standard.Our 3’ wide standard panels are 29 gauge, upgradable to a thicker 26 gauge. Further upgrades include our Santa Ana Wind Upgrade our Big Bear Snow Package, which will give you extra legs, bows and bracing, and offers welded trusses on larger buildings. We can also add walls to carports we have previously installed. Vertical roofs are recommended for buildings over 31 feet long for extra strength and to prevent leaks.

DOORS AND WINDOWS - Access is never a problem with the right Doors. We have both Home-style Walk-in Doors and Windows as well as smaller and more economical Mobile Home Doors and Windows. We also have a wide variety of Roll-up Doors to match your needs. If you would like to see some of our doors, click here.

INSULATION - Insulation helps stabilize the internal temperature of your metal structure, making it more protective for sensitive items, and more comfortable for you. We can install bubble installation between your panels and your frame which provides an R-value (thermal resistance value) similar to fiberglass batt or rockwool.

INSTALLATION OPTIONS: Our prices include delivery and installation on standard installations where you have provided a level concrete slab foundation. Concrete footings or mobile home anchors are always required for certified structures. You can also purchase our do-it-yourself carport kit with prefabricated components for quick and easy installation at a discounted price.

Additions to Your Carport

If we built you a carport and you want additions or if you want your carport enclosed as a garage, we can do that for you. It is great way to spread out costs over two separate builds. We can add extra panels for shade, or fully enclose your structure with sides and ends in your choice of colors. To see your color options, click here.

Once you have chosen your colors, you also have a choice of orienting those panels horizontally or vertically. Due to their extra bracing, vertical panels are stronger and less prone to leaking. We recommend vertical panels on all structures over 31' long.

Windows and Doors

You also have your choice of windows, walk-in doors, and roll-up doors to give you light and access into your garage. If you want large side-openings, we will have to modify your frame and install headers at an additional cost. For choices of windows and doors, click here.

When we upgrade your original structure, we will look at the overall condition of your existing structure. If it needs repairs we can offer you that service. Warranties for all new construction is limited to the warranty of the original installation. There will be a delivery fee of $100.00 if the add on is less than $795.