A carport can be a great solution for areas with bad weather or theft, and it is an affordable alternative to an actual garage. Carports are easy to assemble and tear down in case you have to move, and they can be found in a variety of sizes to suit your needs. If you are trying to find the perfect carport to use in your home or office, consider the tips listed below.
Step 1 – Know How Much Space You Need
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You can find carports in just about any size you can think of, but consider what your actual needs are. If you only need to house a single car, you will save a lot of money over the multi-car coverings there are out there. You also need to determine how much space you have available for the carport to sit on. Record the dimensions and keep them in mind when you try to make a purchase.
Step 2 – Think about How Much Coverage You Need
You have to think about how much coverage you are going to need for the carport as well. Some of them are just meant to provide shelter on top of the car, and others protect it from all sides like a garage might. If you only need protection on the top, you may look into a carport canopy. Otherwise you must find something that will adequately protect your vehicle the way you need it to.
Step 3 – Consider Additional Storage
There are some carports on the market that have a separate area attached for you to store your belongings. These are usually covered on all side and meant to be used much like a normal garage would be. The main difference is that these carports are not directly attached to the house, and they are usually made of metal to withstand the weather.
Step 4 – Find the Right Materials
While most carports are made of metal, you need to find out how well the material you are looking at with withstand the weather conditions in your area. If you live in a very wet environment, for instance, you need to make sure the carport is treated to prevent rust. You should also see if the one you buy can be painted to match your home or if it will have to remain the color that the factory puts on it. If that is the case, you should look for a color that will be compatible with your home.
Step 5 – Get a Good Deal
When you have everything figured out and you are ready to make a purchase, you should try to do some price comparisons to see where you can get the best deal. There are typically multiple dealers out there for the same line of products, and they have to compete with each other to gain customers. This competition is a good thing for you though because it allows you to get the best rates possible on the portable carport you need. Just do a quick search online and you are sure to find a carport that is just right for you.
Now that you have all of the background information you need, its time to go shopping. Here are some ideas to get you started:
If you were to go to a craft show and ask every vendor there which brand of popup tent they were using, you would find that the majority tell you they are using the E-Z UP Tent. It is by far the most popular canopy tent for art/craft shows. The folks who do this for a living swear by it because, like the name says, it really is easy to set up. If you are doing shows by yourself, this could very well be the single most important reason to get one. No one wants to be still struggling to get their tent up when the gates open and the customers start showing up. And you don’t want to be the last one there, trying to get your tent down, packed and stuffed back in your vehicle.
The E-Z UP Tent packs down compactly in a roller back, which makes it easy to transport, especially at the end of a long day on your feet. The E-Z UP company sells several different models, so be sure you read the specs on each one so you can choose the one that is perfect for you and your personal situation. Sometimes, the cheapest model is not always the best bargain. If it doesn’t fit your needs or you can’t put it up and take it down by yourself, you have just wasted your money.
Details to consider before you make a purchase:
Size Matters
Most craft show booths are 10 feet by 10 feet. Not surprisingly, the 10 x 10 canopy is by far the most popular size.
Look At The Frame Shape
While most of the E-Z UP Models have straight legs, the two cheapest models have angled legs. The E-Z UP Dome II is 10’ x 10’ at the base of the legs, but 7’9” x 7’9” at the top. This is important to know ahead of time, especially if you will be placing tables around the perimeter of your space. It seems like a small amount, but when you are putting your entire inventory in a 10 x 10 space, you need every inch you can get.
Which Color Do You Need
Many craft shows specify a WHITE tent. And even if they don’t, colored tents can reflect on the items underneath, giving them a strange blue or red cast. Also, colored tents will be much darker inside than the white ones.
Do You Want Side Walls
The E-Z UP Express II is the only model that comes with side walls. This is one of the reasons that this model is their most popular for folks who will be setting up at outdoor craft shows. The walls can define your space, making it appear more like a store. They can provide more shade on sunny days, and protect you from rain and wind. Side walls can also serve as a theft deterrent, keeping thieves from walking between booths and snatching things off of the outside edges of your tables while you are looking the other way. This is much more important if you work alone and don’t have an extra set of eyes to watch the entire booth while you wait on customers.
Wheeled Carrying Case
Canopy tents can weigh anywhere from 50 to 125 pounds. Fortunately, many models now come with wheels on their carrying cases to make lugging them from the car to the show area a bit easier.
Be Sure You Are Getting The E-Z Up Brand
Because of their popularity, many of the cheaper made canopy tents will use a play on words or different spellings to make you think you are getting the E-Z UP brand. EZ setup and Easy Up are two of the most common versions used on the imitation tents.
Unless you live near a Sam’s Club, or another store that carries the E-Z UP line of popup tents, you may find your best bargain online. Some places offer free shipping, and even for those that don’t, many times you’ll find that the total price, including shipping, is less than it would cost you to drive to the dealer nearest you, purchase your tent, and drive back home.
Before you make your final decision, spend a little time online, researching all of the different models and options available. Your E-Z UP popup tent will last you many seasons, so you want to get the one that best meets your needs.
Here are some ideas to get you started:
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10′ x 10′ Commercial E-Z UP Instant shelter with 4 zippered sides 10′ x 10′ instant shelter, Sets up in seconds , 5 ft. long – fits in most trunks , Ideal for commercial or recreational use (small business, craft shows… $236.00
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E-Z UP 10 by 10 Express II Value Pack, White The Express II Value Pack by International E-Z UP The E-Z UP Express II instant portable canopy is economical, lightweight and convenient. The Express… $319.00
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E-Z UP 10 by 10 Express II, White The E-Z UP Express II instant portable canopy is economical, lightweight and convenient. The Express II is equally well-suited for the family outing or… $169.77
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E-Z UP 10 by 10 Pyramid, White Pyramid II Instant Shelter Canopy by E-Z UP The Pyramid II Instant Shelter canopy is a new, clear-span 10-feet by 10-feet designed for recreational-… $155.00
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You need to know how you intend to use an outdoor gazebo, because usage will influence what you buy. You can spend anywhere from under $100 to $3,000 and more, depending on the materials for the frame, the fabrics selected for the cover and whether the sides will be protected as well.
A sturdy frame is important in any portable shelter. Steel is the strongest, but aluminum is lighter. This is a factor in how much carrying around you will do. The metal should not be flimsy. It’s a good thing if the frame has been treated for rust resistance. There should be enough joints so that it unfolds and folds up quickly, easily, with precision. In a standing position, the frame should feel firm and locked into position. Joints which cross the frame are a good defense against collapse.
The fabrics that cover a portable canopy or gazebo should be of good quality in order to withstand the wear and tear of weather. The best canopies have fabrics which are heavy, like sail cloth, UV resistant, mold resistant and fade resistant. Chances are that if you buy yours from a big box store at a good price, it will come with covering made of poly-vinyl. It is entirely possible that after a year, you find yourself with a frame that’s just fine and a need to replace the covering that the elements broke down. Take heart, for there are companies that specialize in replacing the covers. This is a good question to pose when buying a portable gazebo that you expect to last for years. The answer received, however, might not be the same when the time to replace comes.
Gazebos can come with lots of features, like privacy panels, mosquito netting, tie-backs and zippered doorways and side panels. Your transportable outdoor shelter can be plain or fancy, and offer everything from almost total exposure to complete shelter.
You get what you pay for. If you want permanence, the extra money for quality will pay off. Do shop online to find what is out there. Some of the top manufacturers in the portable canopy market include Coleman, DC America, E Z Up, but there are many more. Let the shopping begin.
Outdoor Patio Home Madaga Gazebo – 10×10′ $349.00
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Outdoor Patio Home Havenbury Gazebo – 10×10′ $324.35
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Do it Best Impt Umbr GBX Gazebo $204.77
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