subject: Canopies: Which Type is Better for Sheltering Your Investment [print this page] Canopies: Which Type is Better for Sheltering Your Investment
Carports and portable garages fall under the category of outdoor canopies. Semi-permanent shelters designed to protect investments from water, moisture, and UV exposure, these outdoor canopies are constructed out of a powder-coated or galvanized steel frame and a steel or polyethylene top. Coated with silicon, the metal used for the top is naturally waterproof and UV resistant. Polyethylene, on the other hand, is treated to have these qualities, in addition to being rot proof and UV resistant.
As a full shelter anchored into the ground, a canopy holds up to extreme weather conditions. The shelter can support up to 40 pounds per square foot of snow and holds up to high winds. If the canopy is used for long-term coverage, protection against rot and mold is also necessary. Because the shelter is treated to prevent mold, dry rot, and mildew and does not lock in moisture, your investment inside is far safer than if left on its own in the elements.
Canopies come in two general styles, one of which may match your needs better. Valance canopies, which include carports, are open shelters. With a metal or polyethylene top, the shelter has open sides and allows a vehicle to move easily in and out. When you want to keep your vehicle dry, parking it under a carport allows less to no water or snow accumulation. Although a convenience in warmer weather, a shelter letting you have a dry vehicle to start your day is particularly important in winter.
An enclosed style is also used for canopies, and such full-coverage shelters come in rounded and peak forms. A seasonal vehicle needs protection from UV rays and water during its offseason, and portable garage canopies offer these features. With polyethylene tarps on all sides and a roll-up or zipper door, such canopies fully block out UV rays and water, both of which can damage the vehicle and shorten its lifespan over time.
A rounded or peak-style frame may customize a canopy even further for your needs. If you live in an area with higher than average snow or rain falls, the rounded design allows precipitation to easily roll off the top, reducing any accumulation that later needs to be cleaned off.
