If you decided to purchase a new vehicle this spring or summer, then you likely had a great time driving it all summer long. However, if you lack the garage space to store it indoors this winter, you may be worried the outdoor winter elements will take a toll on it. Instead of storing your new vehicle on the street this winter where salty snow projected at it by snow plows can take a toll on its paint job and undercarriage, consider making a small investment in a metal carport that you can place in your yard. 

Read on to learn about your metal carport options and which may be your best option this winter.

Metal Type

Most metal enclosed carports are made of either aluminum or steel. While both will protect your vehicle from the outdoor elements, the metal that is best for you depends highly on your local climate.

Since steel is a much stronger metal than aluminum (unless your carport is made of a very heavy gauge aluminum), it is a better option if your area receives a lot of snow in the winter. If too much snow were to accumulate on top of a low-gauge aluminum carport, the aluminum could bend.

However, if you live an area of the country with mild winters, then an aluminum carport may be the perfect choice for you. Aluminum is naturally rust and oxidation resistant, which is a great benefit of these carports that you can take advantage of if you don't need the extra strength of steel.

Roof Style

Just like there are many styles of roofs on homes, metal carports come with a variety of roof style. Metal carport roof styles range from flat to highly sloped. While there are advantages to every carport roof style, it is important to choose a sloped roof if your area receives a lot of snow in the winter and/or your area receives plenty of rain in the summer. Snow can pile up on flat roofs, and water can pool on them during heavy rain.

Carport Style

Once you decide what type of metal you would like your carport to be made of and the roof style you would like, the next decision is fun: choosing the carport style itself! There are enclosed carports and open carports. Enclosed carports offer vehicles superior protection against the elements and even offer natural insulation.

When your vehicle is kept slightly warmer in a metal carport than it would be when stored outdoors, you can worry less about your vehicle not starting on those cold winter mornings; that can occur because your vehicle requires more power to start in super-cold temperatures, while your vehicle's battery operates less efficiently in the cold.

However, open carports do offer your vehicle some protection against the elements. These carports are composed of just a roof and metal legs. If your winter temperatures are mild, then this type of carport can protect your car from the sun and the paint job deterioration that can occur when auto paint is subjected to the sun's harsh UV rays.

If you purchased a new vehicle this past spring or summer and have enjoyed parking it on the street, you may now be worried that storing it outdoors in the winter due to lack of garage space will take a toll on it. Consider storing it in a metal carport to protect it from the winter elements and to also look forward to protection from the hot summer sun's UV rays next summer.