Choosing the right carport
Start with width. A single carport covers one vehicle and fits a standard driveway. A double is wide enough for two vehicles side by side, or a car alongside a boat, trailer or smaller caravan. Size up at the start if there is any chance you will need that second bay, because adding one later means buying and installing a whole second structure rather than paying the difference once.
Then the roofline. A flat roof sits lower and suits modern homes or sites with a height restriction. A gable roof is peaked like a traditional shed, which gives more clearance under the ridge and sheds rain better than a single flat plane. Clearance is the real trade-off: if you are covering a 4WD, a caravan, or anything with roof racks, the extra height under a gable is usually worth the difference.
Wind rating is the check most people miss, and it applies to every brand. Australia is split into wind regions, broadly Region A and Region B across most of the coast and inland, then the cyclonic Regions C and D further north. A carport engineered for one is not automatically rated for the next. Gable carports are typically engineered for Region A0-A5 and B1-B2 as standard, with a cyclone kit required above that. Flat roof carports are engineered for the same range but generally have no cyclonic upgrade path at all. If you are near the coast or further north, confirm your wind region with your council before you order anything.
Expect to need council approval. At roughly 18 to 35 square metres, a carport sits above the threshold that lets a small garden shed skip it. Requirements vary by state and local council, so check yours before you commit to a size or a build site.
Home & Harvest Hub stocks four Spanbilt-manufactured steel carports: Single Flat Roof, Single Gable, Double Flat Roof and Double Gable. All are Colorbond steel in Mist Green, Slate Grey, Smooth Cream or Zinc, all ship flat packed as a kit rather than assembled, and all are made to order, so allow 4 to 6 weeks. Our gable models are Region A standard and we do not currently stock the cyclone kit add-on, and our flat roof models are not suitable for a declared cyclonic region at all.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a carport fit a boat, caravan or trailer as well as a car?
Yes, particularly the double-width models. Both doubles have enough width and depth to cover a vehicle alongside a boat, trailer or smaller caravan. The gable roofline gives extra height clearance if what you are covering is taller than a standard car.
Do I need council approval for a carport?
Most likely, yes. At roughly 18 to 35 square metres, carports in this range sit above the threshold that lets smaller garden sheds skip approval. Requirements vary by state and local council, so confirm with yours before you commit to a size or a build site.
Is a carport suitable for a cyclone-prone area?
It depends on the roof type. Gable carports are Region A standard and can be upgraded with a cyclone kit for higher ratings, though we do not currently stock that add-on. Flat roof carports have no cyclonic upgrade option at all and are not suitable for a declared cyclonic region, regardless of brand. Check your wind region with your council first.
How long does a carport take to put up?
Every carport in this range ships as a flat-pack kit, not pre-assembled. It is a genuine two-person job at minimum, and the double gable model takes longer than a single flat roof simply due to size and weight. Plan for a full weekend rather than an afternoon on the doubles.
How do I get my carport delivered?
Three ways. Free factory pickup from Crestmead in Queensland, free local depot collection where we cover the depot fee and you have 48 hours to collect, or door-to-door delivery quoted for your address. Door-to-door is an assisted delivery offloaded near the truck rather than carried into your yard.
What is the difference between a carport and a garage?
A carport is open on at least one side and relies on steel posts and a roof rather than enclosing walls. A garage is fully enclosed, usually with a lockable door. A carport is faster and cheaper to put up, but it does not offer the same security or protection from wind-driven rain. If you need to lock things away rather than just keep weather off a vehicle, an enclosed shed or garage suits better.
