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When it comes to a DIY portable garage, or a temporary carport, you want the best product at the most affordable price. However, there are so many of them out there that choosing the best one can take a long time.
This guide will help you through the process by discussing some of your options and answering common questions about DIY portable garages.
We’ve sifted through the choices, and come up with 3 DIY portable garages that are highly rated, and worth considering. Here they are in summary in case you’re in a hurry. For more detail check out the full reviews further below:
DIY Portable Garages: The 3 Top Picks
How to Choose the Best DIY Portable Garage
To get the best DIY portable garage, consider the following factors:
Size
Size is obviously among the major factors to consider when purchasing a temporary carport or portable garage kit. The size will determine its price, but also what you can use it for.
What do you want to use the carport for? Portable garages can be used to shelter anything from a motorbike, lawn mower, or even a bike, up to a large RV. Make sure you’re clear on its purpose and take measurements of the thing you want to shelter.
For example, for a single car, a portable garage of 20 ft by 10 ft. should be sufficient (but do check your car’s dimensions!). This should also be big enough for a class B camper van, such as a VW California.
For a class A RV, you’ll be looking at a much larger portable garage, with a minimum height of 14 feet, and possibly 45 to 50 feet in length.
If you’re into a home workout, you may want to make it big enough to house a small home gym.
Frame and Covering Material
DIY portable garages come in a wide variety of different materials, and each material has its own advantages and disadvantages. If your local outdoor environment is extreme at times, you’ll need to look for a heavier frame and covering material.
A DIY portable garage building made of galvanized steel is stronger than those made of other materials and can be used to shelter vehicles during heavy winds or storms, as well as being rust-resistant.
Aluminum carports and portable garages tend to have a longer life expectancy than steel carports but are also more expensive. These are, though, easier to erect, as they are lighter and often come packed in a box.
Make sure the DIY portable garage frame poles have sufficient thickness and diameter to withstand the stresses of high winds and snow load. This will mean at least 38mm (1.5 inches) diameter pipework, and 0.8 mm thick steel/aluminum.
Most of the cheaper, and easier to erect, portable garages have a polyethylene cover, often termed “PE”. PE material is tough and resists tearing, and will keep your pride and joy protected from UV rays and dry. Look out for heavier weighted material – the weight is measured in grams – at least 160 grams, which is particularly resistant to tearing. For extra protection, go for a higher weight of PE material, and avoid those made from tarp.
Avoid canvas coverings if possible, as this material is very heavy.
One thing to bear in mind is that the way the DIY portable garage stands up to adverse weather depends significantly on the way they are put up. From user comments, it’s apparent that those that are carefully erected, and in some cases embellished with ad-hoc strengthening – eg taping grommets in PE coverings – do withstand higher winds.
Sidewalls
Portable garages usually come with removable sidewalls, or they may be an added extra to be bought separately. Carports, on the other hand, are normally sold without sidewalls.
Ground Bar
A desirable feature of a DIY portable garage is a ground bar of steel or aluminum pipe connecting the vertical frame. This ground bar aids in strengthening the whole frame and improves resistance to the frame twisting under extreme wind conditions.
Steel Cables
Some portable garages come with steel cables and ground pegs which help to anchor the frame to the ground. Again this helps with stability in windy weather. Any portable building, though, will need to be anchored against strong winds.
Weights
To make the garage even more stable, some brands supply weights of up to 50 lbs which are placed on the legs.
Some users even bolt the legs into concrete.
Ease of Assembly
You don’t want a carport that takes days to assemble. Look for one that is easy to put together and doesn’t require any special tools or skills.
Ideally you should be able to erect it single-handed, but getting some help will make it a whole lot easier.
The ones we’ve listed below are reported by their users as being straightforward to assemble.
Is It Single-standing?
A DIY portable garage may be single-standing and may not require any support from say the wall of your house. Others need to be tied into a wall or anchored by gravel and sandbags for stability.
Additional Features
You may want to look for those extra features such as windows and doors and even storage space which can make the Diy portable garage more functional. For instance, windows can allow natural light into your garage while doors provide complete weatherproofing.
Price
The price is obviously an important factor when choosing a portable shelter. However, it’s important not to sacrifice quality just because you want to save money. A cheap shelter may be less expensive in the short term, but it may not last as long and tend to be less sturdy.
Other factors that you should consider include the installation process, assembly time, warranty, design options available for each type of portable garage, and the storage space it provides. The more features a temporary garage has, the higher its price will be
DIY Portable Garages: Product Reviews
The Quictent Upgraded Heavy Duty Carport
The Quictent Upgraded Heavy Duty Carport is another great option if you're looking for a temporary carport. It's made of alloy steel and is waterproof, making it rust-resistant. The Quictent carport also comes with a one-year warranty for the poles and covers, and a lifetime warranty for the elastic poles, pegs, connectors, and ropes.
This carport comes with reinforced PE material that protects against UV light so you don't have to worry about your vehicle being exposed for too long in the sun when parked under this carport.
It also has a heavy-duty and galvanized rust-resistant steel frame. The carport is easy to assemble and can be used for other purposes such as storage or shelter from the sun and rain.
Key Features:
- Size: 10x20 ft.
- Material: Alloy steel
- Waterproof
- One-year warranty for poles and covers and a lifetime warranty for elastic poles, pegs, connectors, and ropes
- Heavy-duty and galvanized rust-resistant steel frame
- Reinforced PE material protects against UV light
- Industrial-grade cover fabric
- Reinforced steel cables
Pros:
- Great Value
- Waterproof and rust-resistant
- One-year warranty for poles and covers
- Lifetime warranty for elastic poles, pegs, connectors, and ropes
- Industrial-grade cover fabric
- Reinforced steel cables
Cons:
- Some customers have complained about the frames being weak
Verdict: If you are looking for a heavy-duty and rust-resistant temporary carport, the Quictent Upgraded Heavy Duty Carport is a great option at a great price.
Abba Patio 10 x 20 ft Heavy Duty Carport
The Abba Patio 10 x 20 ft Carport is a great option if you're looking for a temporary carport that is easy to assemble and can be used for other purposes such as storage or shelter from the sun and rain. It's made of metal, powder-coated alloy steel which makes it rust-resistant and waterproof. The carport also comes with eight legs for extra support.
This carport also comes with removable sidewalls and doors which make it more versatile. It can be used as a single-standing carport or attached to a wall. The Abba Patio carport is also easy to assemble and uninstall, making it a great option if you need to move it around often.
The reinforced PE material provides UV light protection so you can rest assures your car, boat or RV is safe from the sun. It also has a two-year warranty and great customer service if you have any questions or problems with your carport.
Key Features:
- Product size: 10x20 ft.
- Removable Sidewalls & Doors
- Waterproof
- Material: Metal, powder-coated, rust-resistant alloy steel
- Reinforced PE material provides UV light protection
- Comes with 8 legs for extra support
- Easy to assemble and uninstall
- Multi-use carport
Pros:
- Assembly is easy
- Versatile
- Spacious
- Waterproof and rust-resistant
- Comes with eight legs for extra support
- Two-year warranty
- Great customer service
Cons:
- The manual could be simpler
Verdict: If you are looking for a spacious carport with sturdy construction and easy assembly, the Abba Patio carport is a great option. As an Amazon Best Seller, lots of other people think so too.
FINFREE 10 x 20 ft Heavy Duty Carport Car Canopy
The Finfree Heavy Duty Carport is a premium brand car shelter that boasts all of the features of the other DIY portable garages plus some more. It not only has high-grade PE covering, and heavy-gauge steel framing, it also has additional bracing and sandbags to keep it stable during high winds.
Key Features:
- Product size: 10x20 ft.
- Removable Sidewalls & Doors with zips
- Waterproof
- Material: Metal, powder-coated, rust-resistant alloy steel
- Reinforced 160 g PE material provides weatherproofing and UV light protection
- Extra 4 High strength steel rods on the top and 8 diagonal triangular reinforcement rods on the sides reinforcement rods to reinforce the entire structure
- Comes with 8 legs for extra support with corner supports
- Includes 4 sandbags for extra stability
- Easy to assemble and uninstall
Pros:
- Assembly is straightforward
- Waterproof and rust-resistant
- Comes with eight legs for extra support
- Additional reinforcing bars in the frame
- 4 sandbags supplied
Cons:
- The manual could be clearer
Verdict: The Finfree temporary carport is a quality product which its users like. Its added strengthening would give confidence of its robustness.
DIY Portable Garages: FAQs
What’s the Best DIY Portable Garage?
A good portable garage should be easy to assemble, have a sturdy frame and water-resistant material that protects against UV light, and have a warranty period of at least one year for the poles and covers.
Some of the best ones on the market today include the Quictent Heavy Duty Car Canopy Carport, Abba Patio 10 x 20 ft Carport, and the FINFREE 10 x 20 ft Heavy Duty Carport Car Canopy.
Are Portable Garages Expensive?
Most portable garages are affordable and can be found for a price range of $100 to $500. However, the prices may vary depending on the size and features of the carport.
What are the Benefits of Using a Portable Garage?
DIY portable garages offer many benefits, some of which include:
- They provide protection from the sun and rain
- As well as protection from UV light
- Prevent damage to your vehicle from the elements
- Can be used for other purposes such as storage or shelter from the sun and rain.
- They are portable so you can take them with you wherever you go.
- Temporary carports are relatively cheap
- They can be erected quickly
How Do I Choose the Right Portable Garage?
When choosing a portable garage, you should consider its size, the material it is made of, and whether it is waterproof or not. You should also check to see if it has a warranty period for the poles and covers.
How Easy Are They To Assemble?
Most portable garages can be assembled within a few hours with just a few simple tools. However, some models may require more assembly time, and would benefit from more than one pair of hands. Be sure to read the instructions carefully before you start assembling the garage.
Final Thoughts
DIY portable garages or temporary carports are a great way to protect your vehicle from the sun and rain. They are easy to assemble, portable, and come with a variety of features that make them a great value for your money.
If you are looking for a cheap and easy way to protect your car, consider our review and buyers’ guide of temporary carports or DIY portable garages, which includes some of the best carports on the market today.
Feature image credit Michael Coghlan
