Primary Carport Use

In this post we look at 10 Ways to Use a Carport. As the name suggests, a carport is a place to port (or house) your car. It offers some protection from the harmful weather we experience in Australia, primarily the sun and extreme storms we can experience. A carport is not limited to just your car though, it can also protect your other vehicles like the caravan, camper trailer, RV, boat, trailer, motorbike, cycles, go carts, tractor, mower, quad bikes, jet skis, off-road vehicles and trucks. Constant UV and sun exposure will cause paint to deteriorate over time and hail stones from severe storms can write a vehicle off in a couple of minutes. A carport offers some protection from both events for your vehicles which is why Diamond Patios regularly designs and builds carports in Brisbane.

10 Ways to Use a Carport when you don’t have a car to put in it

1. Make money from the Sun

Why not capitalize on the Queensland sunshine and install solar panels atop your carport. Installing solar panels on a carport is quite often easier than installing on a home roof. Even if you already have solar panels on the roof of your home, why not add a few more on the carport roof. Flat roofs often have panels absorbing more of the suns rays throughout the day than on gable roof types. This means even more savings on your electricity bill and making it even more worthwhile to change to green energy.

2. Beat the Queensland heat

Sometimes the front of the home gets better breezes than the back patio, especially if it is more open and not surrounded by fences and other buildings. This makes the front of the home the ideal place to beat the heat and sit back and enjoy the afternoon breeze.

Even parking your car under the carport there will still be enough room for a small table and chairs. A metre doesn’t sound like much, but it is plenty of space to create a compact space to relax and unwind at the end of the day.

If you are not using the carport for vehicles, you may consider enclosing the carport in mosquito netting or screens to keep the bugs out while you enjoy the new space. Add in some outdoor furniture, plants, and a fire pit and you have an amazing area to spend those summer afternoons and evenings.

3. Garden Oasis

Carports have plenty of natural light but are protected from the direct harsh Queensland sun. This makes a carport the perfect area for growing plants.

If co-sharing the carport with vehicles then you can easily add some herb gardens and/or a few potted plants in front of the car where the carport meets the home.

If not having to share the carport with vehicles and you really want to get into gardening, then convert the carport into a greenhouse. Simply add a plastic awning around the carport to control the internal heat and humidity of the carport. You can even replace parts of the roofing with transparent sheets to allow for more sunlight.

Having a carport garden can add some beautiful colour to your home. You can add plants like wisteria vines to add structure and create a visual impact at the front of the home.

4. Entertaining and Outdoor Parties

Carports make ideal outdoor entertainment areas. Simply park the car in the street for the night and transform your carport into party central. It’s a great place for birthday parties, Friday night drinks with mates, Summer BBQ’s, even Footy finals, and Movie nights – just bring out some chairs or beanbags, hang a sheet up, and grab a projector and the fun begin.

5. Undercover Play Area or Kids Clubhouse

A carport is a great place for the kids to play. It isn’t directly in the sun and gives protection from the rain, and gets the kids outside in the fresh air. Get creative and make a sign to name the area Kidz Clubhouse. The cement floor is great for bike riding, skateboarding, or riding a scooter. Paint a track or road to follow on the cement floor.

Lots of fun things can be added to a kids zone. Table tennis is quick and easy to set up and then fold away against a wall when play is finished. Older kids may enjoy a painted handball court on the floor or a dartboard on the wall. Add some tables and chairs for fun painting and drawing activities and messy science experiments. A sandbox and water play area will keep the little ones entertained for hours on hot summer days.

6. Laundry Extension

Nowhere to hang clothes on those wet weather days. No problem. Add a retractable clothesline or some high ropes in the carport and hey presto you have an instant space-conscious laundry extension where you can dry your clothes whatever the weather is doing.

7. Covered Area for Pets

If you have outdoor animals, it is important to ensure they have adequate shade and shelter, especially during the harsh Queensland Summer months. A carport down the side of the home or out the back is a great solution for a pet shelter. Move the kennels or cages under the carport to protect them from bad storms and intense heat. Cement floors keep cool in the shade, so your dogs and/or other animals have a nice cool place to relax.

8. Outdoor Gym or Yoga Studio

If you are not using the carport for a vehicle then consider turning it into a gym area. Move the weights and exercise machines under cover of the carport. Hang a punching bag from the roof. Exercise in the fresh air, but undercover and in the shade. A carport is also the perfect place for yoga. Invite your friends over and lay out the yoga mats and enjoy the fresh air.

9. Storage Space

A carport can also be your storage solution. Store the outdoor gardening equipment undercover where it will be dry – mowers, brush cutters, chainsaws, hedgers, wheelbarrows etc. If you enjoy outdoor activities like hiking, climbing, camping, canoeing, surfing, cycling – the carport can be the ideal storage solution for equipment, tents, boards, bikes, etc.

Carports do provide some protection from sun and rain, but you can always pack your items in sealed plastic tubs for extra protection for storage under the carport.

10. Workshop

Diamond Patios can help you design and build the carport that is ideal for your home

The team of professionals at Diamond Patios can help design and build the perfect carport for your home.

Not only a practical place to park the car undercover, but carports can also give your home another area for entertaining or other uses too.

Diamond Patios offers expert advice and only use quality products for peace of mind.

Get an obligation-free quote using our patio roof calculator as an estimate, or Get in touch with the team at Diamond Patios to talk about your carport plans.