Can I Protect My Car With A Steel Building?

Most people own multiple vehicles and are most likely to use them regularly. If you are someone who has to clean their car every day to remove accumulated dust and bird droppings, then something is wrong. Instead of wasting your time and leaving your precious car in the driveway, you should invest in a structure that will offer holistic protection to your expensive vehicles. Using a steel building like a metal carport or garage is one of the best solutions as they are highly durable, strong, and long-lasting structures that offer ample other benefits. 

Investing in a metal building to enhance the protection of your cars is a smart decision. These structures are sturdy and require minimal maintenance, making them highly cost-effective. 

However, it can be overwhelming for someone looking to safeguard their vehicles for the first time to understand how to choose the perfect structure and the protection offered by metal buildings. Let’s dive in. 

Tailored for you: Choosing the right steel building

Steel structures can be easily customized and tailored in terms of design, layout, size, and physical appearance to suit your every need. Here are a few factors that can help you ensure that a metal building is perfectly modified for you. 

Carport vs. Garage

Essentially, there are two types of metal buildings that are used to park vehicles. It is vital that you choose the structure that fits your every need.

• Metal carports: A carport is a covered structure that consists of a roof, which is supported by posts on four ends. These can be completely or partially open structures, as they can also feature optional side panels of enclosures on one or two sides.

Renowned for their open-sided designs and structural simplicity, carports are designed to shield your vehicles from different elements. You can also use gable or cantilever roofs depending on the availability of space.

They can either be attached or freestanding structures and are highly accessible to park in. Each type of carport has distinctive advantages and is suitable for specific needs. Due to their open designs, they offer more room to your vehicles. 

• Metal garages: A garage is a completely enclosed structure that offers comprehensive coverage and protection for your vehicles. Available in a variety of sizes, they can install windows, doors, insulation, and ventilation, among other essentials, to make it more comfortable for you. 

They are ideal for long-term investment as they can integrate smart lighting and automated locks to provide additional security for your vehicles. In addition to parking your vehicles, DIY enthusiasts can also easily make the prefabricated garage structure a multi-purpose structure by efficiently adding a workshop or hobby corner within it. You can choose to install storage areas to maximize the use of your garage.

Dimensions

Determining the right size of metal building you require is crucial. Hence, it is highly recommended that you assess the number and size of vehicles you own and whether you require additional storage space. You should also measure the available space on your property so you do not end up entering any neighbor’s territory. Here are the standard dimensions of metal parking structures:

Number of vehicles	Width
1	12 feet to 18 feet wide
2	20 feet to 24 feet wide
3	30 feet to 38 feet wide
4	40 feet to 48 feet wide
5	50 feet to 60 feet wide

Usually, the length of the parking structure ranges from 20 feet to 30 feet. However, it can increase depending on your requirements and usage. Moreover, the height of building should be at least 2 feet to 3 feet higher than your tallest vehicle. 

Roof options

Metal buildings have various roof designs—regular, horizontal, and vertical—and differ in terms of use, stability, and strength.

• • Regular roofs: Ideal for normal climates, regular roofs are bent at the ends and require regular maintenance. They can be used for smaller structures.

• Horizontal roofs: These utilize horizontal panels, which can lead to the accumulation of dust, debris, and water. Horizontal roofs are ideal for moderate weather conditions.

• Vertical roofs: Perfect for adverse climatic conditions, these roofs utilize vertical panels running from the center to the sides, allowing things to slide off the structure easily.

The right location

Finding the right location to install your metal parking building is essential. In addition to offering optimal protection to your vehicles, the structure should always be accessible and designed to make parking convenient. You should also check for zoning and code restrictions in the area. It is also crucial to ensure the location offers proper drainage. 

What do metal buildings protect your car from?

One of the most important advantages of metal buildings is that they protect your vehicle from potential damages that can be environmental, human, or incidental. 

• Theft and vandalism: Metal buildings offer complete protection to your vehicles, ensuring that they aren’t stolen or vandalized. With additional security measures, like automatic locks, you can even enhance the protection of your precious investment. 

• Rust and corrosion: Metal structures are highly resistant to corrosion and rust, making them ideal for parking vehicles. With proper insulation and ventilation, these buildings will also reduce moisture buildup, protecting your cars from mold and mildew.

• Pests and wasps: Metal parking structures are not susceptible to pest, wasp, or termite infestations as in wooden buildings since they are resistant to those elements. This reduces maintenance and insurance costs. 

• • Environmental condition: These buildings can effectively withstand the harshest of climates. Acting as a protective barrier against sun damage, metal structures prevent UV exposure, leading to paint and interior damage. Moreover, they also protect your vehicles from heavy rainfall, hail, and snowfall, preventing any water damage or dents. 
• Fire: Since steel is highly fire-resistant, metal structures best protect your cars from fires. You can add an extra layer of fire protection with adhesive coatings, fire alarms, and extinguishers. 

Improve your car’s protection

Now that you have an in-depth understanding of how to protect your vehicles, are you wondering if that can be done better? Well, yes. You can opt for galvanized steel, 12-gauge steel frames, 26-gauge steel sheets, wider braces, and reinforced trusses to enhance the structural integrity of your parking building.