You have a lot of options when it comes to protecting your vehicle. From dash cams and paint protectant to where you’ll be parking overnight, there are many things to consider. Still, whether you drive a car, ride a motorbike, or enjoy the adventure that comes with owning an RV, make sure that metal covers, such as carports or garages, are on your radar.
According to Metal Carport, using a metal carport or garage can help prevent serious vehicle damage and even prolong the life of your vehicle. Let’s take a closer look at some of the benefits you could experience when you invest in a metal cover for your vehicle.
1. Protect Your Vehicle From The Elements
Regardless of where you live, if your vehicle is parked outside, it’s being exposed to the elements daily, some of which can be quite damaging.
For instance, an unexpected hailstorm can cause thousands of dollars worth of damage to your vehicle, storms could cause fallen trees to land on your pride and joy, or you could notice rust has been eating away at your car.
Rust occurs when a vehicle is exposed to humid or damp conditions. Repairing rust-affected vehicles can cost as much as $2000. The good news is that rust can be reduced and even prevented by housing your vehicle in a dry, safe space such as under a weatherproofed carport.
Moreover, if you live in a temperate climate without frequent storms, you might be surprised to know that simply being in the sun all day can damage the paint on your car. Furthermore, most insurers don’t consider normal damage caused by the sun to be insurable, meaning you’ll be paying any repainting costs out of pocket.
Parking your car under a shady tree can help with sun damage, but it’ll leave your car prone to falling branches and the corrosive properties of animal droppings from the inhabitants of the tree.
Wherever possible, keeping your car safe under a metal carport will prolong the life of your paint by reducing its exposure to the sun.
2. Protect Your Vehicle From Thieves
You’ve worked hard to enjoy your investment, whether it’s a car, boat, bike, or RV, and you deserve to know it’s safe. Unfortunately, your pride and joy may just be a target for thieves.
In 2019, the FBI reported that $6.4 billion was lost to motor vehicle theft, with the average loss per theft being $8,886. Additionally, 721,885 vehicles were stolen in 2019. The way you store your vehicle can help prevent it from becoming one of these statistics.
Most reputable carport or garage sellers have lockable options, preventing anyone from getting close to your vehicle without you knowing. Even lower-cost carport options can be installed with a lockable gate at each end, which means that thieves couldn’t drive your vehicle out, even if they were able to get close to it.
A metal car covering also gives you the perfect framework to attach safety cameras to, leaving you to rest comfortably knowing that if anything were to happen to your property, you’d have the perpetrators in ultra-HD for a fast apprehension.
Aside from the personal satisfaction of knowing your vehicles are safely tucked away, most insurers will offer a lower premium when they know your assets are secure and protected from both the elements and potential thieves.
3. Enjoy Strong, Reliable Construction
If you’re looking into physical vehicle options, you might feel overwhelmed with the options available.
It may seem cost-effective to choose a cheaper canvas gazebo type alternative or build a traditional wooden cover, but both of these options will fail to protect your investment from fire or heavy impacts.
Using metal for the construction of your car cover ensures that your chosen material won’t warp, split, or crack. Unlike wooden construction, metal isn’t affected by moisture or vulnerable to termites, and steel isn’t a combustible material, which reduces the risk of fire damage to your vehicle.
If you’re not yet convinced, metal framing has a significantly higher ratio of strength to weight than traditional wood. Also, it can be ordered in a variety of colors to suit your property.
Steel is also easy to clean and maintain, requiring only the occasional spray of a hose to keep your car cover looking its best.
4. Add Value To Your Home
One of the key benefits of metal coverings, such as carport and garages, is that they can be designed to reflect the aesthetic and color scheme of your home, creating a cohesive façade.
A well-built, cohesive structure can improve the overall look of your house, and excite potential buyers who value the safety of their vehicles, as well as a nice looking home.
To avoid running into issues when selling your home later on, it’s important to beware of the potential issues that could arise when building a structure.
Before building any form of structure on your property, there are some things you should consider, such as any local zoning laws. Also, make sure all your measurements are correct. Selling a home with a structure that isn’t built to relevant regulations can be difficult.
5. Save Your Money
If you prioritize environmentally friendly options or just like saving money, building a metal structure to house your vehicles could help.
Cut down on waste by sourcing recycled materials to build your structure or save money on water bills by using guttering and a water tank to capture rainwater that can be used around your yard.
Additionally, most carports don’t require any form of electrical connection, saving you money on power bills. If you’re opting for a securely locked car covering, consider choosing doors that swing open and can be locked with a physical key or combination lock.
Keeping your car undercover can even save you on your fuel bills. This is because the inside temperature of your car will be lower when your car is stored in the shade, reducing the strain you’ll put on your engine by blasting your air conditioner to cool down.
Final Thoughts
There are many options to choose from when it comes to the cover options for your vehicles.
Whether you’ve got a car, motorbike, or RV, keeping your pride and joy safe and secure under a metal covering can save you money, increase the value of your home, and reduce the risk of your vehicle falling victim to car thieves.
Contact your local carport or garage manufacturer to discuss which metal covering might be right for you.