Pergola or carport: which one to choose?
Are you looking for the ideal carport ? Is the garage just not enough, or do you just not want to bring your car in every night? Or do you simply not have a garage?
Also known as a car pergola, a carport protects your vehicle from the elements. Generally located as an annex attached to the house or not, this shelter looks strangely like a pergola. But what's the difference? What are the differences between a carport and a pergola? And which one should you choose?
Differences between carports and pergolas
There are very few differences between a pergola and a carport. The first question to ask yourself is: what do you want to use it for? To make things a little clearer, let's take a look at these two types of shelter.
Pergola
A pergola is an extension to a house, providing protection from the sun and the elements. Long thought of as a garden shed for climbing plants, it is now becoming a living space in its own right. It is supported by two or four posts. It can be either lean-to or freestanding. Its structure is made of wood, wrought iron or PVC, but the most commonly used material today is aluminium. Aluminium pergolas are extremely hard-wearing and require very little maintenance. Bioclimatic pergolas are becoming increasingly popular. They are economical and environmentally friendly, thanks to their retractable and adjustable slats. A whole range of options and equipment can be added to give the pergola optimum comfort.
Carports
The carport is a covered carport. It is also located close to the house. It can be built against the house or as an island. They are usually made of wood or aluminium and have a rigid roof. Its main difference from its cousin is that it is less elaborate. Although increasingly attractive and stylish, carports are still classic shelters. No options to add. It's a shelter that effectively protects your car.
Pergola or carport: general information and uses
The carport: shelter from the elements
The carport replaces the garage. Because it's so light, it doesn't take up as much space as a garage would. Wood is the easiest material for do-it-yourselfers to work with, so it is the most commonly used for carports. However, more and more carports are being made from aluminium. Why not cover the car with a simple tarpaulin, you might say?
- The tarpaulin flies off easily;
- it takes time and energy to put it on and take it off;
- and even more time if it's covered in snow;
- the cover doesn't protect against falling branches...
What's more, a carport not only shelters your vehicle, it also shows it off to best advantage!
The pergola: a convivial space
If you're planning to build a pleasant shelter to shade part of your property, a pergola is the perfect solution. As well as providing protection from the sun's rays, it shelters you from the elements. Like a carport, it adds value to your home, but thanks to its many features, it can be used to shelter more than just a vehicle. If you opt for a bioclimatic pergola, you can even tame the wind and rain by controlling the adjustable slats on the roof! In addition to the basic equipment, you can transform your pergola into a conservatory by adding bay windows.
Interested in a project? Need help making your choice? Contact us today.
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