Carports are popular in homes across Melbourne, due to their protection from the elements — much-needed in our changing weather conditions. They can also add value to your home, due to their obvious functionalities, and reduce one item from the to-do list of your potential buyers (saving them time) as well as the added benefit of making your overall home look larger.
However, you might be wondering how you choose the right carport for your home — whether that’s for its functionality, aesthetic or a bit of both. If this is you, you’ve come to the right place — as Melbourne’s leading outdoor living specialists, and with over 25 years of experience in carports, patios, verandahs and pergolas in Melbourne, we are well-experienced in helping to weigh up all the considerations to choose the best fit.
In this guide, we break it down for you. (But of course, you can always give our friendly team a call if you’d like a custom solution, would like an on-site quote & measure in Melbourne, or need some advice).
Here are some tips for choosing the best carport for your Melbourne home.
Assessing your needs
The first step in selecting the best carport is to thoroughly assess your needs. This can vary depending on your exact requirements, but generally will include the number and type of vehicles you want your carport to protect, how much space you want for storage, any other intended use for your carport, and of course, your budget. These will mostly impact the size (height, width, length, and total area) of your carport. The height you need may also impact your roof choices.
Vehicle accommodation
Picking the best carport for practicality will depend largely on the number of vehicles you need to protect (or likely will, in the future). If you are planning on getting an additional vehicle (for example, if you have a child who is saving for a car of their own, or looking to get a work vehicle for your side-business), you’re better off planning for that when you first build your carport.
As the names suggest, a single carport is suitable for one vehicle, while a double carport can accommodate two. If you have more vehicles or need extra space, consider a larger or custom-designed carport. If you’re low on space width-wise, two vehicles can be parked in an extra long single carport (particularly if one vehicle won’t be used as often).
Height requirements
Do you want the capacity to also be able to store your boat on a trailer in your carport? Or perhaps a caravan you own now (or plan to own in the near future). The height of the vehicle/s you’d like to store in your carport is an important consideration before build — and custom carports can absolutely be designed for your caravan or boat. (You may even like to consider an additional freestanding carport within your gate for longer-term storage of these, for extra security). If height is a big consideration for you, you might want to consider both the height of the patio, and your roof selection.
Additional storage
Carports can be excellent places to store things away, particularly if you add some outdoor cupboards or shelving for those items (closed cupboards with drawers or doors keep things looking tidier). When you’re considering what size carport suits your needs, be sure to consider additional functionalities like having enough room to add this storage, and where you want that extra room to be added (widthways, or lengthways). Storage space for tools, bikes, or other equipment is often designed into carport dimensions, particularly when you choose a custom carport size/layout.
Budget considerations
Knowing your rough budget range is important, as it helps narrow down the main options you have to choose from to choose a carport that meets your needs and budget without sacrificing quality. However quality is of course an important consideration, especially for longevity of the structure. If you’re not sure what can be done within your budget, starting with a quote, or having a chat is a great place to start. If you’re in Melbourne, our team can help you with both those things.
Intended use
Consider what else you might use the carport for besides parking vehicles. Could it double as a covered outdoor entertainment area? A place to hold gatherings for special events? Turn into an undercover kids play area? Knowing how you plan to use the space can influence the design and features you choose.
Matching your home’s design
Your carport should complement your home’s architectural style. Here are some options and their suitability for different home styles:
Flat roof carports - Best for modern and contemporary homes
Flat roof carports have a sleek, minimalist design that blend well with modern and contemporary architecture. Their clean lines and unobtrusive look make them a stylish addition without overpowering the home’s design.
Insulated roof carports - Versatile and functional
Insulated roof carports are ideal for homes where both functionality and aesthetics are important. They offer excellent insulation, protecting your vehicle from extreme temperatures. Insulated roofs and their natural cooling properties in summer make time spent under the carport more pleasant, for those who like to spend time tinkering on their car (or if you’d like to double up the functionality of your carport for entertaining guests at times). Insulated roof carports can also be styled to match a range of home designs, from modern to traditional.
Gable roof carports - Classic and timeless
The pitched roof design of gable carports adds a classic touch, making them suitable for traditional, colonial, or even rustic homes. They provide good ventilation and a sense of openness, enhancing the home’s overall look. Gable roof carports also provide a bit more room overhead, once you pass through the lower clearance (ideal for needing a bit more space once the car/boat is parked up).
Custom roof combinations - Personalised and unique
For a bespoke solution, custom roof combinations can be tailored so that they work in well with any home style, design or aesthetic. Whether you prefer an intersecting gable roof, a gazebo-shaped design, or something entirely unique, custom carports can match your specific preferences and/or combine roof/design types.
Freestanding carports - Flexible and adaptable
As the name suggests, freestanding carports are not attached to the home, and offer much more flexibility in placement. Freestanding carports are a popular choice for carports which are located within your backyard/fence boundaries or have a unique placement location within your property for design preference or for practicalities such as space available. Freestanding carports can be designed to complement a wide range of architectural styles and provide many location and layout possibilities.
Aesthetic considerations and design elements
Beyond matching your home’s design, it’s important to think about the aesthetic aspects of your carport. Here are some tips to choosing the right carport for your visual preferences and your home’s overall appeal:
Roof styles
The roof style can significantly impact the carport’s look. For example, flat roofs offer a modern feel, while gable roofs provide a more traditional appearance. Custom designs can add a unique touch that reflects your personal style. (If you’d like to see these differences for yourself, you can find some visual carport design option examples here.
Decorative features
Adding other features like decorative screens or even carport louvres can enhance your carport’s visual appeal. You can find some visual examples of the options here: carport screens and walls and outdoor blinds.
Integration with landscape
Natural integration
An important aesthetic consideration of your carport design is to consider how the carport integrates with your existing landscape visually. A well-placed carport that complements your garden or driveway (and incorporates colours to match in with your landscaping look, if you don’t choose to match your home’s architectural colours instead) can tie in nicely with the look of your property. You may even consider adding some greenery to your carport in the way of potted plants, or climbing vines up your carport poles.
Lighting and accessories
Proper lighting provides added safety and functionality, but also can also boost the carport’s overall look. Choose lighting that matches the style of both your carport and home, and creates elegance, for a cohesive look.
Colour choices
Complement your home’s exterior
It’s a good idea to choose colours that either match or complement the existing colour palette of your home. Choosing a colour within your existing colour palette will make your carport look like a natural extension of your home rather than an afterthought. Contrasting colours will draw attention to your carport, while choosing colours that match your home’s colouring will help it to blend in (and make your carport + home look more like one larger ‘whole’).
Practicality
Practicality is another decision-maker for choosing the right colour for your carport. Some colours are easier to keep looking clean, due to how much they show up dirt or dust. Sometimes the colour is also a consideration as to how much it is likely to fade, but this depends on the materials used. At Discounted Patios, we offer popular and stylish colours for our carport beams and poles and roofing, in the COLORBOND® steel range. These are known for their durability and resistance to fading, which make them a great choice for long-term performance and appearance. In terms of dirt, lighter colours like Classic Cream™ and Surfmist® from our range of COLORBOND® options tend to show less dirt and grime, making them easier to keep looking great.
Durability
Ensure the finishes and materials that you choose for your carport are designed to withstand Melbourne’s weather conditions. COLORBOND® steel is a good choice for its durability and resistance to fading, and it’s what we use at Discounted Patios — our carports and other outdoor living structures are always excellent quality (at an affordable price tag).
Discounted Patios carport range
At Discounted Patios, we offer a variety of high-quality carports designed to suit any home in Melbourne.
Here is some information about our range of carports.
Flat roof carports
Made with 100% Australian Bluescope Steel, these carports provide a modern and sleek look, ideal for contemporary homes.
Insulated roof carports
These carports offer superior protection from the elements and help maintain a comfortable temperature year-round.
Gable roof carports
Featuring a classic pitched roof design, these carports are perfect for traditional and colonial-style homes, providing excellent ventilation and a timeless look.
Custom roof combinations
For a unique and personalised solution, our custom-built roof combinations allow you to mix and match styles to create the perfect carport for your needs.
Freestanding carports
Offering ultimate flexibility in design and placement, our freestanding carports can be adapted to suit various home styles and provide versatility in location on your property.
What to expect with Discounted Patios? Our great customer service and support
Choosing the right carport is a significant decision, and at Discounted Patios, we are here to help every step of the way. Our team provides on-site consultations to help you assess your needs and choose the best carport design for your home.
Custom design and installation
We offer custom design services if you need something special created, to ensure your carport meets your specific requirements and enhances your home’s aesthetic. We also offer installation services in Melbourne, and our qualified tradespeople ensure high-quality installation.
Post-installation support
We provide ongoing support after installation, ensuring you are completely satisfied with your new carport.
For more information or to book your onsite measure and same-day quote, contact us at Discounted Patios today and let our experts help you create the perfect outdoor living space.
Still have questions about how to choose the best carport design for you?
If you are located in Melbourne and are still not sure which design, roof type, size, shape and colour carport would be the best fit for your home or needs, please don’t hesitate to contact our friendly team for some advice. We’re experts in Melbourne outdoor living solutions.
