One Car Metal Carports

One Car Metal Carports — Durable Single Car Steel Shelters

A one car metal carport is one of the most cost-effective ways to protect a vehicle from the elements. Whether you’re parking a standard sedan, a pickup truck, a boat, or a motorcycle, a prefab steel carport provides immediate, all-weather coverage without the full cost of an enclosed garage. At Viking Barns, we offer a range of single car carport configurations 100% American-manufactured — fully customizable, professionally installed, and backed by manufacturer warranties.

What Is a One Car Metal Carport?

A one car metal carport is an open-sided or partially enclosed prefabricated steel shelter designed to cover a single vehicle. Standard single car carports typically range from 12 to 20 feet wide and 20 to 25 feet in length, with heights starting at 6 feet and extending to 12+ feet for taller vehicles like trucks with roof racks or large SUVs.

Unlike a fully enclosed metal garage, a one car carport leaves at least two sides open, allowing for easy drive-in access and natural airflow. This open design makes carports faster to install, less expensive than garages, and often exempt from building permits that would otherwise apply to enclosed structures.

One Car Carport vs. Single Car Garage — What’s the Difference?

If you want the security and full enclosure of a garage, explore our one car metal garages. But for most homeowners who simply need reliable weather protection at a lower cost, a metal carport is the smarter, faster, and more affordable choice.

Standard Sizes and Starting Prices for One Car Metal Carports

The right size depends on your vehicle dimensions and how much clearance you want around it. Compact sedans fit comfortably under a 12×20, but most full-size trucks and SUVs benefit from a 14×20 or 16×20 with extra side and height clearance.

Prices are starting estimates and vary by state, local certification requirements (wind/snow loads), roof style, and selected add-ons. All prices include delivery and professional installation. Contact us at (704) 579-6966 for an accurate quote in your area.

What Affects the Cost of a One Car Carport?

• Roof Style: Vertical roof carports cost more than regular roof due to additional framing and panel orientation, but offer significantly better weather performance.
• Wall Panels: Adding side or end panels increases cost but improves wind and rain protection.
• Steel Gauge: 12-gauge framing is heavier and stronger than 14-gauge — required for certified structures in high-wind or high-snow regions.
• Location/Certification: Local wind and snow load requirements may require certified steel and additional framing — adding to the base price but ensuring your carport is code-compliant.
• Add-Ons: Doors, windows, insulation, gutters, and color upgrades all affect final pricing.

3 Roof Style Options for One Car Carports

Regular Roof — Most Economical

The regular roof is the most affordable and widely available option. It features rounded edges and horizontally installed panels. Best for areas with mild weather — light rain, moderate winds, minimal snow. Not recommended for regions with heavy snowfall or sustained high winds, as horizontal panels can allow water and debris to accumulate more easily.

Boxed Eave (A-Frame Horizontal) — Better Performance

The boxed eave (also called A-frame horizontal) features sharp, residential-style edges and horizontally installed panels. It offers a cleaner aesthetic than a regular roof and performs better in moderate weather. A popular mid-price option for homeowners who want a more finished look at a manageable cost.

Vertical Roof — Best for All Climates (Recommended)

The vertical roof is the premium option and the only style with vertically oriented panels running from ridge to eave. This design allows rain, snow, and debris to slide off naturally rather than accumulating. Required for certified structures in most states and for any carport longer than 36 feet. If you live in an area with heavy rain, snow, or strong winds — vertical roof is the clear choice. It’s also the most durable long-term investment.

Quick reference guide: Mild climate (Southeast) → Regular or Boxed Eave. Moderate weather → Boxed Eave or Vertical. Heavy snow or high wind region (Midwest, Northeast, Mountain West) → Vertical Roof only.

Popular Uses for a One Car Metal Carport

• Vehicle Protection: The most common use — a one car carport provides year-round protection for a car, truck, SUV, ATV, golf cart, or motorcycle from rain, sun, hail, and snow. UV protection alone significantly extends vehicle paint life.
• Boat & Trailer Storage: A 16×20 or 18×20 carport provides excellent overhead protection for a small to mid-size boat or utility trailer. Keeping your boat covered reduces UV fading and canvas deterioration significantly.
• Covered Equipment Storage: Lawn mowers, tillers, generators, and seasonal outdoor equipment stored under a metal carport stay cleaner, dry out faster after rain, and are better protected from UV damage than items left in the open.
• Shaded Outdoor Living: When a vehicle isn’t parked underneath, a one car carport doubles as a covered patio space for outdoor seating, grilling, or casual gatherings — especially popular in warmer climates.
• Man Cave / She Shed: Add side panels, a small wall unit, lighting, and a fan — your single car carport becomes a private, ventilated hobby space. Many customers use this configuration as a woodworking, crafting, or relaxation area.

Customization Options

• Size and Width: Available from 12′ to 20’+ wide and any length. Taller leg heights accommodate lifted trucks, RVs, or rear-access trailers.
• Side and End Panels: Add 1, 2, 3, or 4 sides. Even partial panels on the windward side provide significant additional protection from blowing rain.
• Color Options: Choose from 13+ exterior colors for roof, sides, and trim. Match your home, property, or personal preference.
• Doors and Windows: Walk-in doors, roll-up garage doors, and window cutouts can be added to make your carport more functional as a workspace or storage structure.
• Wind and Snow Load Certification: Our manufacturer partners can certify structures to meet your local wind and snow load requirements. Required in most states for permitted structures.

Do You Need a Permit for a One Car Metal Carport?

Permit requirements vary significantly by state, county, and municipality. In many jurisdictions, open-sided structures under a certain square footage are exempt from building permits. However, the threshold varies widely — some areas exempt structures under 200 sq ft, others require permits for anything over 100 sq ft.

Key factors that typically trigger a permit requirement include: permanent foundation (concrete slab), enclosed sides or walls, proximity to property lines (setback requirements), use as a habitable space, or a structure area over 120–200 sq ft.

A 12×20 open-sided carport (240 sq ft) may require a permit in some areas. Check with your local building department before ordering. Viking Barns can provide certified, code-compliant structures where permits are required. Call (704) 579-6966 for guidance specific to your state.

Key Benefits of a Steel One Car Carport

• Weather Protection: Galvanized steel panels resist rust, corrosion, and physical damage. A metal carport shields your vehicle from hail, UV rays, rain, and snow accumulation — all major causes of vehicle finish and mechanical deterioration.
• Low Maintenance: Unlike wood, steel doesn’t rot, warp, or attract termites. Minimal maintenance required — occasional cleaning and fastener inspection is typically all that’s needed over decades of use.
• Fast Installation: Most one car carports are installed in a single day. Our crews handle everything from delivery to completed installation — you don’t need any special tools or construction experience.
• Long Lifespan: A properly installed galvanized steel carport lasts 30–40 years with basic maintenance. Far longer than wood alternatives and significantly more durable than plastic or fabric covers.
• Cost-Effective vs. Wood: Steel is generally more affordable than equivalent wood construction when accounting for material, labor, and long-term maintenance. A wood carport requires periodic painting, staining, and potential structural repair — steel does not.
• Eco-Friendly: Steel is 100% recyclable. At the end of its useful life, a steel carport can be completely reclaimed and reused — no waste sent to landfill.

Pricing & Payment Options

Viking Barns offers flexible payment options to make carport ownership accessible regardless of budget:

• Rent-to-Own (RTO): No credit check required. Instant approval. Small initial deposit. Affordable monthly payments. Pay off anytime with no penalty. Own your carport in 36 months or fewer. Perfect if you can’t pay the full amount upfront.
• Financing Plans: Flexible payment terms from 24 to 72 months. Partnered with leading finance lenders for competitive rates. Financing available up to $50,000. Quick, easy application process. Complete transparency — no hidden fees.