Carport Shades: Can You Build a Custom Carport Using an Awning or Shade Structure?

Maintaining your car is important, and part of taking care of that investment is shading it from the sun’s harsh UV rays — especially during the Arizona summer. Whether you don’t have room in your garage or you simply don’t have one, creating a covered parking area is a budget-friendly solution for keeping your car protected from Mother Nature’s elements.

Rather than building an aluminum or wood carport, which can be expensive, intrusive and time consuming, you may want to consider a few alternatives to getting the shade you need without the huge commitment. At Arizona Awnings, we offer several shade structures that are sure to provide your vehicle with optimal shade and UV protection.

Types of Shade Structures That Can Function as a Carport

If you live in Phoenix, Scottsdale or Tempe, you know that even the slightest amount of shade can make all the difference when getting into your car in the summertime. By investing in a carport, you can avoid scorching hot seatbelts and steering wheels on those days when temperatures reach over 100 degrees.

There are many shade solutions available, which is great if you’re looking for the perfect awning or canopy that can be customized to fit your outdoor space.

• Shade sail: Comprised of flexible fabric tensioned between various anchor points, shade sails are a cost-effective solution that can be installed virtually anywhere. Whether anchored to your home or secured across free-standing solid steel poles, shade sails provide versatile shade benefits and can effectively function as a carport or covered parking if installed over a driveway. Shade sails come in triangular or rectangular shapes and can be customized to fit any space like above your driveaway or in your side yard.

• Retractable awning: If you want the benefits of a shade structure without the commitment of having it up all year round, a retractable awning may be the right choice for you. Some might argue that retractable awnings cannot provide adequate shade for a vehicle, but at Arizona Awnings, your retractable awning is customized to fit your carport needs and specifications. The best part about investing in a retractable awning is that you can easily store it when it’s not in use — keeping the fabric protected and the unit intact. This feature is especially great during monsoon season.

• Free-standing awning or canopy: Similar to shade sails, this option is incredibly functional because you don’t need a building or structure nearby to which it must attach. Free-standing awnings or canopies provide more flexibility in terms of location and sizing. Since these types of shade structures don’t rely on the proximity of a nearby building, your awning or canopy can be built to meet your ideal dimensions and protect your car from the elements.

What Are the Benefits of Installing a Carport?

• Protects your vehicle from the sun’s harmful UV rays (especially if your paint is already fading or oxidizing)
• Lowers the temperature inside your vehicle, so your AC doesn’t have to work as hard to cool your car
• Shields your vehicle from weather-related dangers such as hail damage
• Avoids or prevents worsening sun damage to your vehicle’s interior (i.e., cracked leather seats, faded dashboard, etc.)
• Accommodates for storage of larger vehicles, machinery and equipment (i.e., ATVs, boats, RVs, riding lawn mowers, trailers, etc.)
• Acts as an umbrella on rainy days, making it easier to carry in things like groceries
• Offers a more energy efficient option compared to the electricity required to power a garage door, various overhead lights, etc.
• Complements the exterior of your home depending on the color and style you choose
• Allows for portability if you wish to relocate the carport to another area on your property or if you move entirely

Protect Your Vehicle with a Customized Shade Structure from Arizona Awnings

It’s almost always either summer or about to be summer in the desert, which means now is the time to invest in a carport before temperatures skyrocket. Valley residents can rely on our team at Arizona Awnings to recommend the best residential shade solution for their vehicle(s) — without breaking the bank.

Give us a call at 602-252-3430 for a free on-site consultation and personalized estimate.