A carport helps you save space in your home

Jun 20, 2019

Nabaasa says having a garage is wasting space that one could have used for something else.

LIFESTYLE
 
Cars are a necessity to most families today but one thing motorists always think about is the safety of the car right from home to the time it gets on the road.
 
This is because they want to minimise the money they spend on repairs, fuel, and other things.
 
Dan Nabaasa managing director at Intraspeed East Africa Ltd says having a carport at his home is one of the ways he has managed to cut on spending a lot of money on his car.
 
He said right from the beginning, he had the option of having a carport that when he bought land, he had his architectural plan drawn and an option for a carport was added.
 
Nabaasa says having a garage is wasting space that one could have used for something else.
 
However, experts say today, even when young people are planning to construct, they need to have provisions for carports. They are trendy and motorists have really embraced them.
 
Derrick Miranda, director at Mukaba Investment Ltd, a company that deals in carports and fabrics define a carport as a simple sheltered structure designed for a car to fit in.
 
He explains that there are two types of carports; waterproof and non-water proof carports.
 
These could be made with either shade cloth or iron sheets depending on what the car owner prefers.
 
Miganda notes that these two differ, and the materials used to make them also differ. Non-Water proof provides shade and heat from the sun.
 

 

 
Why a carport
 
"With a carport in your home, your car will be protected from the sun hence retaining its colour. This will make you cut costs of having your car repainted," he explains.
 
He explains that modern car electronic systems are very sensitive under the sun. For instance, a Benz's radio and wipers can get faulty due to the effects of the sun's exposure.
 
Miganda says in Uganda, creating a shade out helps creates more space for the family.
 
 "In a modern building, people maximise their space. This explains why they prefer setting up carports rather than a garage," he says.
 
He further adds that they act as a meeting ground for the family and can be used as a playground for the kids.
 
However, although it is a hi-end product, people are adapting to it.
 
According to Miganda, these shades are the icing on the cake. It is also a form of shade given to a car and gives a different kind of atmosphere.
 
 Challenges
 
Miganda warns motorists to be careful while making choices. This is because there some carports that are of poor quality.
 
He says Installation of structures for carports is also a challenge. Its only professionals who can do it.
 
Materials include metals and shade net or wood, and if you don't use a professional, you might make errors and the carport falls on your car.
 

 

 
How to make a carport
 
Miganda says the 2 common structures of carports are the box and curved structure; installed depending on a client's preference.
 
Since its importance is to protect your car from things like direct sun rays, while setting it up, you should consider where the sun rises and sets," Miganda explains.
 
First one has to dig up to 3 feet underground to put the poles and cast concrete. You then have to leave it to set so the poles become firm.
 
The poles should be metallic and wide enough.
 
He explains: "If the poles are weak, they can easily be broken by the wind, tear and fall on the car hence damaging it.
 
After poles and concrete have dried, the shed cloth is installed.
 
"The netting/knitting of the cloth must be fine, stitched together," he cautions.
 
Adding that, the materials usually come from Austria, Dubai, Korea, and China. They cost between sh1.5-6m.
 
 

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});