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For homeowners who have garages, the idea of investing in a carport or sorting through suitable carport kits is kind of an alien thing. The garage has kind of become the catch-all place in the home that does a little of everything. It’s a place to store all of the stuff you can’t, or don’t want to, keep inside such as Christmas lights from 1989 that you’ve kept around for some reason. Your golf clubs and other sports equipment have all taken up residence in the garage, with the hope being that someday, you’ll get back out there again. And somewhere under the cobwebs in the corner, you actually have a lot of basic lawn tools you bought when you first moved in because it seemed like the right thing to do as a new homeowner. Years later, those tools are still there, just a little dustier. No matter the manner in which a garage is used, it is an inherent part of the American home & something many can’t live without. That is, unless, one thinks of a carport. Carports are purely functional structures, serving a basic purpose, though they do it quite well. If there isn’t a need to store things or do anything other than protect one’s vehicles, then a carport may be the ticket. What’s more, depending on the layout of your home (based on age & era of build), there’s a chance that you don’t have a garage at your disposal at all. But it is nice to have some level of protection for one’s vehicles, be they daily drivers, landscaping tools, or even recreational ‘toys’. That said, what goes into finding the right carport kit for your home? A kit is a kit is a kit, right? Well, it’s actually a bit more involved than that. For example: Assessing Local Build Codes - First of all, putting up any structure on your property will require you to check with the city to make sure it’s OK to do in the first place. You’ll want to find out if there are any permits needed, etc.. Also, if you happen to live in a neighborhood with a HOA, you might want to check with them to see what statutes are in place for carports. If hedge height can cause a fist fight, well, just be sure to clear things ahead of any building. Assessing the Weather - Not all kits are the same. Even when you find a carport kit you like, you need to make sure the materials it consists of can handle the weather in your area. Are you prone to heavy rain or snowfall? Is straight-line winds problematic? Do hail storms frequently roll through? The last thing you want to do is have to redo a project because you skimped on quality to save a few bucks. Size & Type of Vehicles - Knowing what you plan to keep under your carport will be important in sizing a prospective carport kit. Not only do you want to measure the size of your vehicles, but you also want to measure how doors swing open when entering & exiting. Also, when it comes to ATVs & motorcycles, make note of how much room you need to get on or off the vehicle. Number of Vehicles - Not only is it vital to note the size & type of vehicles you have, but you should also make note of the number of vehicles you will be storing under your carport. For most families, two vehicles may be average, but if you happen to have teenage children who’ll be driving a vehicle as well, it’s important to ask yourself where they will be parking. Thinking About the Future - The idea of thinking about teen drivers in your home is all about thinking about what the future holds. A carport sounds like a grand idea until the logistics say otherwise. Perhaps the biggest question you may ask yourself about investing in a carport kit is whether you’ll be in this home for the foreseeable future. Will a carport kit, even a well-appointed one, add or take away value to your home? Does it affect curb appeal? Is it a hot enough item that will draw in buyers? Of course, keep in mind that carport kits are only as good as the manufacturers behind them. Before breaking ground on your property for one, do some research & find the RIGHT company with whom to work. They’ll hear your concerns, guide you through the process, and help you determine the best course of action. Finding the right carport kits is easy when you work with the nation’s leader in steel structures — Mueller, Inc.. See what makes them the best today.
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carport kits, prefab, modular, construction, home improvement, metal buildings, steel, roofing, real estate, weather resistant, buildings, garage,
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