Have you ever looked at your carport and wondered, ‘what else can I do with that space?’. Or maybe you’re thinking of putting one up but are still weighing up the value. Well, good news for both, we’ve created this list to show that carports ALWAYS add value to your property; you just need to know how to take advantage of it.
When you build a carport, you’re ensuring better protection for your vehicle in the long run and lowering the risk of sun damage, weather damage and even damage from the heat. Still, a carport can be a big land sacrifice for better protection. Luckily, there’s so much you can do with a carport, whether there’s a car under there or not!
Obviously, if you’ve opted for a carport over a patio, you’ll want to park vehicles under it! Because of that, everything we’ll discuss offers the ability to clear it out quickly, so there’s always room to park!
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Escaping the Heat
Sometimes you just want to enjoy the afternoon breeze, and few places are better to do that than sitting at the front of your house. Our front yards tend to get a better breeze because they’re more open and not surrounded by fences or other buildings. So even if you have a lovely patio out back, you may find yourself migrating to the front more often.
Unless you drive a large vehicle, you should have enough room to add a small table and set of chairs under your carport where you can enjoy a cold drink after work. Most carports have a standard length of 5.4 to 6 metres. Most small cars are around 3.8 – 4.1meters, and the average sedan is 4.0 – 5.1 metres.
Depending on what you drive, you can have about a metre to play around with, which is plenty to create a compact relaxation space. The best spot for a table on a single carport is in the corner, where you’re less likely to bump it while parking. If you have a double carport, you can make even more room depending on where you park!
Garden Area
Do you have a budding green thumb in the family? The best part about getting into gardening is learning what grows best where. Some things just can’t cop the heat and need consistent shade. Semi indoor plants love a lot of shade but get grumpy if they’re kept in the dark. Carports are still flooded with light, without being directly under the sun, making them the perfect spot to promote plant growth.
A few potted plants or herb gardens don’t take up much space and can fit perfectly against the wall where your carport meets the house. Plus, the flooring should be pretty durable, which makes it a great spot to water your indoor plants as well.
Outdoor Parties
Pull out the collapsible chairs and tables – it’s party time! If you have to entertain a lot of guests at once and don’t really want them inside, well leave the car parked in the street and transform your carport into party central.
It’s the perfect spot for birthday parties, BBQ’s and gathering with mates. If you put a sheet up and grab a projector, bam, you’ve got an outdoor cinema for footy nights or movie dates. No matter what the weather is like, know you’ll be safe and dry under a trusty carport.
Collecting Solar
By putting up your carport, you’ve set up an area that can be used to harvest solar energy. Many homeowners have installed a few solar panels on the roof of their carport to take advantage of green energy. The best part, if you have a flat roof, your solar panels will be directly under the sun during the hottest part of the day, meaning that’s more shaved off your power bill.
Hanging the Laundry
With a few high-up lines or one of the handy retractable clotheslines, your carport can transform into a convenient, space-conscious laundry area. The best part of having a clothesline undercover is you’ll never suffer from a rainy day wetting your clothes! How good?
Playing Under Cover
Carports give your kids a place to play without being directly in the sun or rain. There are plenty of things you can add to entertain kids without taking up much space. A pingpong table is a classic carport favourite for kids that can be folded up and pressed against the wall before dad gets home.
If you have older kids, adding a dartboard or even painting a handball court on the floor is sure to keep them entertained after school! Did someone ask for a round of doubles?
If nothing else, a slab of concrete is the perfect spot to learn to skateboard or even burn some energy on rainy days by going around in circles on the scooter.
A Bigger Covered Space For Pets
If you’ve got an outdoor dog or other pet, a carport out the back or down the side of your house can offer them better protection from the elements. It’s fine not to want pets inside, but it’s important to make sure they have a comfortable and safe space where they can walk around. Just make sure the carport is inside your fence, so Fido doesn’t bolt.
Transform It Completely
Maybe down the line you find that your carport is being used less, no worries. There’s always the chance to renovate it into a stunning alfresco area. There are so many carport renovation stories that one is sure to inspire you.
Some of our favourites are:
- Outdoor gyms
- Workshop
- Play area
- Fishing equipment storage area
- Outside mancave
- Yoga studio
If you’re not parking under your carport anymore, that just means you have so much more space to dedicate to other things.
Contact SEQ Patio Group for stunning patios, carport and pergola builds
Our extensive experience and expertise in building patios, pergolas and carports has secured our position as one of South-East Queensland’s most favoured builders. Our customers know they can trust us to get the job done. They know they’ll be left with a durable end result that matches their home beautifully. Be sure to contact our team to enquire about a patio, pergola or carport build today.
