So let’s introduce a little history to set the scene. Prior to the early 1980′s the de-facto standard material for just about all domestic garage doors was wood. The design and manufacture was essentially derived from earlier coach or carriage house (and even barn) doors and given the simplicity and aesthetic appeal of the product there seemed little reason to change.

Even though more modern materials such as steel, aluminum and vinyl were being used to make garage door panels even back then, mostly they were regarded as niche products aimed at commercial rather than residential applications. A significant reason for the lack of interest from the domestic market was simply aesthetics – the new doors just didn’t look anywhere near as stylish and people quite understandably were concerned about the obvious correlation between garage doors and property value.

When a single item can easily account for over one fifth of the immediate visual aspect of a house it’s important to make sure it looks smart and wooden garage door panels certainly achieve that, especially if they are stained or painted to match the wood trim on the rest of the house (doors, window frames, soffits, fascias etc). In fact, it was interesting to note that as metal and vinyl door panels started to gain a foothold they were often made with a fake wood grain effect – imitation being the sincerest form of flattery.

Aside from having a visually appealing natural texture and the flexibility to take an almost limitless number of colors and finishes, wood door panels possess certain other key characteristics worthy of consideration.

The first and (for many people these days) most immediate characteristic where wooden doors are concerned is their cost. Comparing basic entry level wood and steel doors of equivalent size and quality, the price differential for the wooden version averages out at some twenty percent higher.

When you start to move up the scale and account for thicker gauge steel and integral insulation then things can move around, but even so you tend to find that on a like for like basis, the equivalent wooden garage door will invariably cost more than its metal counterpart.

Second is the issue of longevity – how long the door will last – which again is not as straightforward as you might expect. Wood, being a natural material, is subject to a process of degeneration over time. It can both rot and warp out of shape, either of which will render the door panel unviable. The extent to which it will do so of course depends on three main factors: how well constructed it was in the first place, the environment it has to cope with, and how well it is maintained,

Steel doors don’t warp or rot as such, but they are easily dented or buckled and they can rust; and none of these conditions is easily treated or masked with a coat of paint (as is typically the case with wood). Vinyl door panels can shatter if hit hard and will eventually degrade and become brittle due to exposure to sunlight (specifically ultra violet).

Which type of garage door “lasts longer” is therefore not an easy question to answer. It depends on a variety of factors that include the material used, the build quality and environmental and operational conditions. It also depends on what is meant by “lasts”. A badly rusted and dented steel door may in fact operate perfectly well but still get replaced long before a wooden door might, simply because most folk cannot stand to look at an ugly garage door (even if it is still functionally ok). The useful lifespan of a wooden garage door is also to a large extent determined by how well its owner looks after it, rather than any fixed duration.

The third feature regarding wooden door panels is weight. There is no question that wood panels are significantly thicker and heavier than either metal of vinyl (it’s also the main reason why these alternative materials first started to appear in commercial applications that required very large garage doors).

This is not necessarily either a good or bad thing, it’s simply a fact, but there’s no doubt that the chunkier appearance of wooden door panels looks nicer and exudes an air of quality.

Also, the concept of “secure garage doors” is something of an oxymoron when looking at most standard metal doors, but wooden doors are intrinsically more robust. Wood is also a naturally effective insulator and outperforms all man-made materials used for garage door panels, though once again it’s not quite so simple, since it is quite simple to fit garage door insulation to any metal door (either pre-installed or using a DIY kit) and immediately turn the tables. And the reason you can’t so easily do the same with a wooden panel? It’s already too thick and heavy to take another layer of insulating foam.

So that’s a short and hopefully informative introduction to the subject of wooden garage doors and their enduring popularity. If you’re actively looking to make a purchase then why not check out this guide to buying a garage door for more tips and ideas.

Of course, there’s also always the option of consigning your garage to a more useful purpose in life (how about using your garage as a gun safe or a games room, or a gym or anything really other than a place to park a car)? Then simply sort the car out with a carport (and in keeping with my own prejudices I’m specifically suggesting that you consider one of the many excellent wood carport kits currently available because, well frankly wood carports look great and other types look for the most part outright plain and utilitarian and that’s not what I want stood next to my house).

There a many reasons why you should keep your vehicles in a shaded area. Both heat and the sun’s UV rays can actually damage a car’s paint and it can also fade the interior of the vehicle. If you happen to live in an area where it snows during winter you will find that it is essential to keep your car under cover both to provide easy access to it and to avoid damage from heavy snowfall. Although, if snowfall gets very heavy, you may want to choose a gabled roof rather than a flat roof, for obvious reasons.

It is very quick to put up a flat roof carport and usually these kinds of carport kits are fairly inexpensive. Of course, if you have someone erect a structure for you, you will have to pay more but if you are able to do it yourself it will be quite a saving. You may need to enlist the help of another person at least help with the poles and the uprights. Although these carports are called flat roofed carports, there is usually a slight incline so that water can easily drain off the roof.

The reasons why so many choose flat carport designs over other types of carports are varied. Most of these carports kits are quite a bit cheaper than other types (particularly wood carport kits). They are also fairly easy and quick to put up. They can be placed just about anywhere on your property, wherever you need additional storage space for your vehicles. If you do buy one, look for one that has pretreated metals as these are designed to last a lot longer than untreated metals.

Polyethylene

This material is considered the most economical so you won’t have to worry about it costing you a lot. It’s designed to be lightweight so it’s very easy to move around making construction of your carport relatively easy to do. While it’s still capable of protecting your car from being exposed to all sorts of weather conditions, in terms of overall toughness, polyethylene still can’t be compared to the next two materials we’re about to mention. But it’s still good enough for those working on a tight budget.

Aluminum

A lot sturdier than its polyethylene counterpart, an aluminum carport is also just as economical so you won’t have to dig deep when it comes to expenditures. Since it provides a stronger foundation, you’ll be able to enjoy better protection against harsh weather conditions. Plus since it’s also lightweight, this material can be moved around easily as well.

Steel

Considered the strongest of the four, steel gives you the best protection money can buy. And since it’s pretty pricey, so it’s going to cost substantially more money. But even though you’ll have to shell out a lot, you’re getting your money’s worth since your vehicle will stay safe against the sun’s rays, snow, or rain, no matter how troublesome they get.

Wood

Although this is very much the top of the range (and correspondingly expensive) option there is no doubt that a wood carport not only offers nearly as much strength and protection as most metal carport kits, but looks way nicer too. With wood you can easily match details already present in your property and make it seamlessly blend in.

The rocket-high price of real estate also contributed to the rise in garage conversions to create more storage or living space in a home. Additionally, many garages are simply already too crowded so when you think of buying another car and there’s no place in your garage where you can squeeze it in, investing a little bit of money for a prefabricated metal carport is the most cost-effective solution.

A carport is a fairly economical venture because it not only provides protection for your car but can also be utilized as a covered outdoor living space when you take your car out. It’s an ideal place for parties, yard sales, cookouts, or even as an enclosed playground for children during bad weather conditions. These multiple functions of prefabricated metal carports add up to their value even more making the affordable shelter especially attractive to the average consumer.

Another benefit of choosing carports is the reality that they are reasonably easy to assemble. That is why they are called, “prefab” or “prefabricated” metal carport kits, since all the parts needed to assemble and install the structure are pre-assembled at the manufacturing plant. In most cases, all you have to do is connect the large pieces together and fasten them together using specially designed fasteners and bolts.

In most cases, no specialized skills or experience is needed in constructing carports and only basic tools are needed such as hammers, screwdrivers and wrenches. Some manufacturers or dealers offer free installation so you should definitely inquire about such perks before you make your final purchase. Free carport installation can save you a lot of time and effort, and if it’s FREE then why spend your own time?. In some cases, the price of a carport kit already includes the installation fee as well.

So although a wood carport is undoubtedly the best where looks and quality are concerned, there is certainly a case to be made for the much cheaper and easier to install prefab steel carport.

However, many carport designs tend to be very utilitarian in their appearance and many homeowners therefore are looking for alternatives to these basic types of designs. By far one of the most common and sought after types of carports are wood carports. The reason is very simple: wooden carports are often highly attractive and will enhance rather than detract from the visual appeal of your property as a whole.

One of the major benefits to going with this particular material for your carport is that it tends to be much more flexible in terms of modifications and customization/ It’s also easier to assemble than the heavier and more industrial carport designs utilizing steel or aluminum for those considering DIY carport construction.

You can usually find a variety of styles of storage units both in a retail setting, at a carport resale or retailer, or you online at the many different Internet-based carport sales websites. Online sites typically offer much better deals than a brick-and-mortar store. Choosing a carport style comes down to the usual factors such as cost vs budget, but also form and function. The latter are necessarily exclusive either; it is quite possible to have a highly functional carport without sacrificing appearance.

When it comes down to deciding what type of wood you should use for your carport, it’s generally sound advice to go with a softer type of wood. This is because these types of woods tend to be much easier to shape and fashion into the form or design that you are aiming to achieve. This is particularly helpful for those of you who may be installing these yourselves. The type of wood that is generally recommended if you’re going to go the softer wood is treated pine timber, or alternatively, what is commonly known as Oregon wood. Either of these is ideal for this particular type of structure.

There are many different types of car ports available, and it is important to choose a high quality, long lasting model. Wood carport kits are currently very popular, but at the upper end of the price scale, whereas a metal car shelter can be a good option if you are looking for something that is easy to install, durable and above all an affordable solution.

Metal car shelters vary in shape, size, and style. You can purchase car ports from home supply stores, hardware retailers, or one of the many dealers that specialize in car shelters. There are literally thousands of options available when it comes to choosing a metal car shelter, so it is important that you explore the choices thoroughly before making a purchase. It may be helpful to speak with someone who has purchased a metal car port in the past, to get their opinion on the particular model they purchased, or to get a referral to a reputable retailer.

The internet contains a number of car shelter reviews that can be equally as helpful. Internet car shelter reviews should be taken with a grain of salt, however because you have no way of knowing if the comments were made by genuine customers. It is important that you also check out the details of a shelter carefully. If someone has written a review that speaks about a particular feature for example, it may be a good idea to look at this feature to see if the review is accurate or not. It is also a good idea to look at the shelter in person when possible because that is how you can better analyze the quality of the product.

Although a high quality shelter is likely to be more expensive, it will probably last longer, so you should definitely consider the extra investment. It is wise though to determine a budget amount before heading out to a store or dealer and keep within your predetermined limits. Also check out some of these tips about choosing between different types of carport.

When you are ready to shop, you should keep your needs in mind first and then consider durability and overall quality at a close second. Thoroughly understanding the necessary tools and equipment needed to set up the shelter is also important. In most cases, the shelter will come with all the necessary hardware, such as screws, for assembly. Reading the instructions before you buy is also a good idea so you can get a better feel for how much work is involved.

Eventually of course the garage gets full and you need to consider alternative storage options. An obvious choice is that old favourite, a wood carport, but these days there are many other options worth considering. Prefabricated garages kits are a great way to get a garage for storage purposes and with so many different styles available you should be easily able to find one that matches the style of your home.

Many people who have customized their homes would not dream of owning a prefabricated garage simply because of the “standard look” that many of them have about them, but there is no denying just how cost effective they are when you are looking to make home improvements on a budget. The fact is that=, the installation of a prefab garage, even including installation from a professional, invariably costs way less than actually building a conventional garage on your property.

Aside from this, these buildings can be customized any way you please, by painting or adding siding and brick if you should choose. There is really no reason not to go for the prefabricated option to make the initial cost less when you can spend more time customizing it to suit your needs. With so many different sizes, you will need to take into consideration all the things you plan on storing in your garage. If you have a vehicle you want to store as well as lawn and garden tools, seasonal decorations such as Christmas lights and your tree, you might want to purchase a larger garage.

If you do not plan on customizing the prefabricated garage all that heavily and you are happy to go with one of the standard colours then just make sure to choose a color that you can easily live with. All prefabricated garages are available in a wide variety of colors to help you match it perfectly to your house, including the doors used.

Garage storage solutions by Tailored Living can leave the dark, cold, shadowy garages in the past with lighter flooring options and finishes to help brighten the space. Short and tall garage cabinets with a dedicated workbench can transform any normal garage into a veritable trophy room. Using bold colors for powder coated garage cabinets will send life through the walls of your space and have it vibrating with verve previously unseen in your dreary garage.

Stainless steel veneer garage storage solutions add subtle style to any garage. Solutions include cabinets, workbenches, and gridwalls . Gridwalls are the perfect garage storage solution to free up workspace and keep your tools and equipment close at hand. With so many options and choices to pick, the hardest part of installing your new garage is deciding what you want it to look like!

Garage storage solutions from Tailored Living will give you so much extra space you will have to buy some new toys to fill it! One of the many techniques used by Tailored Living organization specialists is the implementation of overhead storage solutions, these can be helpful by creating a designated space for equipment and other things. Overhead storage provides the perfect option for seasonal storage of gear that you only use in the winter or gear you only need during those hot summer months.

Tailored Living can transform your messy garage into a room you can be proud to show to your guests. To get started and learn more about our custom options, give your local Tailored Living office a call today.

With two flooring choices come many options in the ways of color and style. You can choose to have your garage flooring be a single solid color coating, decorative chips, or flexible tiles. All garage flooring options offered by Tailored Living are durable, long-lasting industrial floors that hold up under years of rigorous use. These floors are chip and peel resistant so they will maintain their good looks throughout the years.

Having customized garage flooring has many benefits. PremierFlex tiles and solid floor coating bring functionality and style. A multitude of patterns and styling’s can be achieved through use of colored and textured tiles to suit your taste.

Tailored Living PremierFlex tiles provide an inviting feel that will increase the likelihood that items stored in the garage will make their way back to their assigned place after use. Aside from being stylish and inviting, these tiles have a practical use as well. The tiles offered can draw liquids away from the surface to minimize the risk of slip and fall accidents.

The durable garage floor coating offered by Tailored Living boasts 100% UV protection and cures in less than 36 hours, meaning your garage will be ready for anything in under two days and look as good as new for years to come. The uniqueness of your flooring will have the neighborhood abuzz with envy as your neighbors flock to your garage to see its beauty!!

So let’s introduce a little history to set the scene. Prior to the early 1980′s the de-facto standard material for just about all domestic garage doors was wood. The design and manufacture was essentially derived from earlier coach or carriage house (and even barn) doors and given the simplicity and aesthetic appeal of the product there seemed little reason to change.

Even though more modern materials such as steel, aluminum and vinyl were being used to make garage door panels even back then, mostly they were regarded as niche products aimed at commercial rather than residential applications. A significant reason for the lack of interest from the domestic market was simply aesthetics – the new doors just didn’t look anywhere near as stylish and people quite understandably were concerned about the obvious correlation between garage doors and property value.

When a single item can easily account for over one fifth of the immediate visual aspect of a house it’s important to make sure it looks smart and wooden garage door panels certainly achieve that, especially if they are stained or painted to match the wood trim on the rest of the house (doors, window frames, soffits, fascias etc). In fact, it was interesting to note that as metal and vinyl door panels started to gain a foothold they were often made with a fake wood grain effect – imitation being the sincerest form of flattery.

Aside from having a visually appealing natural texture and the flexibility to take an almost limitless number of colors and finishes, wood door panels possess certain other key characteristics worthy of consideration.

The first and (for many people these days) most immediate characteristic where wooden doors are concerned is their cost. Comparing basic entry level wood and steel doors of equivalent size and quality, the price differential for the wooden version averages out at some twenty percent higher.

When you start to move up the scale and account for thicker gauge steel and integral insulation then things can move around, but even so you tend to find that on a like for like basis, the equivalent wooden garage door will invariably cost more than its metal counterpart.

Second is the issue of longevity – how long the door will last – which again is not as straightforward as you might expect. Wood, being a natural material, is subject to a process of degeneration over time. It can both rot and warp out of shape, either of which will render the door panel unviable. The extent to which it will do so of course depends on three main factors: how well constructed it was in the first place, the environment it has to cope with, and how well it is maintained,

Steel doors don’t warp or rot as such, but they are easily dented or buckled and they can rust; and none of these conditions is easily treated or masked with a coat of paint (as is typically the case with wood). Vinyl door panels can shatter if hit hard and will eventually degrade and become brittle due to exposure to sunlight (specifically ultra violet).

Which type of garage door “lasts longer” is therefore not an easy question to answer. It depends on a variety of factors that include the material used, the build quality and environmental and operational conditions. It also depends on what is meant by “lasts”. A badly rusted and dented steel door may in fact operate perfectly well but still get replaced long before a wooden door might, simply because most folk cannot stand to look at an ugly garage door (even if it is still functionally ok). The useful lifespan of a wooden garage door is also to a large extent determined by how well its owner looks after it, rather than any fixed duration.

The third feature regarding wooden door panels is weight. There is no question that wood panels are significantly thicker and heavier than either metal of vinyl (it’s also the main reason why these alternative materials first started to appear in commercial applications that required very large garage doors).

This is not necessarily either a good or bad thing, it’s simply a fact, but there’s no doubt that the chunkier appearance of wooden door panels looks nicer and exudes an air of quality.

Also, the concept of “secure garage doors” is something of an oxymoron when looking at most standard metal doors, but wooden doors are intrinsically more robust. Wood is also a naturally effective insulator and outperforms all man-made materials used for garage door panels, though once again it’s not quite so simple, since it is quite simple to fit garage door insulation to any metal door (either pre-installed or using a DIY kit) and immediately turn the tables. And the reason you can’t so easily do the same with a wooden panel? It’s already too thick and heavy to take another layer of insulating foam.

So that’s a short and hopefully informative introduction to the subject of wooden garage doors and their enduring popularity. If you’re actively looking to make a purchase then why not check out this guide to buying a garage door for more tips and ideas.

Of course, there’s also always the option of consigning your garage to a more useful purpose in life (how about using your garage as a gun safe or a games room, or a gym or anything really other than a place to park a car)? Then simply sort the car out with a carport (and in keeping with my own prejudices I’m specifically suggesting that you consider one of the many excellent wood carport kits currently available because, well frankly wood carports look great and other types look for the most part outright plain and utilitarian and that’s not what I want stood next to my house).

However, many carport designs tend to be very utilitarian in their appearance and many homeowners therefore are looking for alternatives to these basic types of designs. By far one of the most common and sought after types of carports are wood carports. The reason is very simple: wooden carports are often highly attractive and will enhance rather than detract from the visual appeal of your property as a whole.

One of the major benefits to going with this particular material for your carport is that it tends to be much more flexible in terms of modifications and customization/ It’s also easier to assemble than the heavier and more industrial carport designs utilizing steel or aluminum for those considering DIY carport construction.

You can usually find a variety of styles of storage units both in a retail setting, at a carport resale or retailer, or you online at the many different Internet-based carport sales websites. Online sites typically offer much better deals than a brick-and-mortar store. Choosing a carport style comes down to the usual factors such as cost vs budget, but also form and function. The latter are necessarily exclusive either; it is quite possible to have a highly functional carport without sacrificing appearance.

When it comes down to deciding what type of wood you should use for your carport, it’s generally sound advice to go with a softer type of wood. This is because these types of woods tend to be much easier to shape and fashion into the form or design that you are aiming to achieve. This is particularly helpful for those of you who may be installing these yourselves. The type of wood that is generally recommended if you’re going to go the softer wood is treated pine timber, or alternatively, what is commonly known as Oregon wood. Either of these is ideal for this particular type of structure.

• These structures provide extra overhead storage space to house a car or other vehicle if you don’t have a garage or if your garage is not large enough to house all of your belongings plus your vehicle(s).
• They don’t cost nearly as much as a garage to build or install.
• There are many different styles to choose from and you can go with a very basic or even a portable model costing less than a hundred dollars or you can custom build a structure that almost rivals a garage but with a few less bells and whistles.

The picture below shows imaginative use of bamboo (from Bambutec) to construct a lightweight and attractive frame over which has been attached clear corrugated plastic. It gives an idea of what you can achieve with a carport if you think outside the traditional boxes a bit.

Obviously there is no security as such with an open carport, but then again it depends on what exactly you’re trying to protect. Modern cars are so well protected with their own built-in anti-theft devices that these days car thieves often have to first break in to your house to steal the keys before they can then steal the car! A carport is designed to shelter a car from the elements and frankly it is at little more risk of being stolen from an open carport than an apparently locked garage (for more on this subject read this article on secure garage doors).

A carport can also bring some surprising benefits if you’re prepared to reconsider the whole concept, and in particular the use of materials. So if you’re not that bothered about using natural wood, then why simply opt for say aluminum (boring!) when you could instead use solar panels as a roof. As this picture illustrates, a “solar carport” can look incredibly stylish as well as providing useful amounts of free electricity. In fact, if the main roof of your house is unsuitable for mounting solar panels for one reason or another (trees, aspect, strength, etc) then this could be a great workaround.

Other advantages of moving your car from the garage to a carport include (perhaps surprisingly) better protection against rust in the bodywork; a carport protects against the elements i.e. sun, rain and frost to a degree but it also provides better airflow around the car. It is well known that parking a car in a garage will ensure that any moisture on the car will sit there and over time slowly corrode the metal.

And of course, parking your vehicles under a carport means you can make use of extra garage storage, free up auxiliary space to work or play in or whatever you want really. No need to make space for the car or be careful not to scratch it moving the lawnmower for instance. This additional flexibility is also likely to be reflected in the overall value of your property too.

If you are looking for a more permanent structure, then a wooden carport may be a good option for you. These blend in nicely with the existing structures of most homes, whether they are attached to the home or even if they stand alone. Also, because they are constructed from wood they can be finished to coordinate with the home’s exterior by staining or painting the wood to match. Because wood is inherently versatile and easy to work with, you can build a wooden structure in just about any size or shape you need and can add a flat roof or an angled roof, depending on your preference.

If you want something that is less expensive to erect and/or more portable because you want to be able to set it up and take it down whenever you need to (or possibly you want to be able to take it with you on the road when you travel) then you might want to consider a model made from a nylon or canvas cover instead. These covers are draped across a framework made usually from PVC or a lightweight metal such as aluminum. These portable structures will still provide ample protection but will obviously result in a rather different look and feel compared to permanent wood carports.

In between these two extremes you then have a large range of prefabricated metal carports that are for many people a reasonable compromise between the ultimate in looks and quality versus the rather more flimsy portable car shelters.

You also have your choice of using wood or metal carports. The wood structures are not as easy to assemble and disassemble as the metal ones are, but the main advantage of wood carport kits to a homeowner is that they are generally far more attractive.

If on the other hand looks are not a priority and you want a structure that is easy to transport you would be better off choosing a metal one. This is more advantageous for a business use such as a construction company that might want a vehicle shelter for on the job use. The metal units are also widely used as more permanent fixtures in some business structures such as businesses that have a drive-thru area.

You will also want to consider the type of posts you want to use with your carport. If you want the unit for business as a more permanent structure you might want to choose concrete posts as they are more durable and will hold up over time. You can also use the structures to add additional parking shelter for an apartment unit that might not have any type of shelter or garage units. When installing a structure in a residential are you will need to adhere to any regulations that are enforced by the city. It would be best to find out what building restrictions there might be before choosing the size of the unit you want to construct.

Wooden carports in particular are a great addition to any property where you want to park a car and give it some protection from the elements, just make sure you put a little thought into your purchase so that you get one that is suitable for your needs.

As a benefit, wood is a much better aesthetic fit for most contemporary houses. Wood selections come in enough varieties to find a finish that is a good match for the building material already existing on the home. Wooden carports are also far more eye-catching than steel (or at least, more eye-catching for the right reasons) which means it can actually add value to your property rather than have a detrimental affect.

But perhaps what gets so many people interested is the ability to purchase a beautiful wooden carport in kit form. Wood carport kits provide the homeowner with an opportunity for a relatively simple do-it-yourself project. Consisting largely of wood materials, it is something average homeowners can construct by themselves. Anyone who has for example previously built a wooden deck or similar garden structure will have little difficulty getting to grips with a wooden carport kit.

If however there are no instructions for your kit and/or you are buying all raw materials, it is possible to download a variety of building plans from the Internet. If you have any carpentry experience, it is possible to surf the Internet for images of carport designs you like then draw up the plan yourself.

Wood carports themselves vary from the common open carport that consists of basically just the upright timbers with a frame and roof on top, through to fully enclosed carports that in many respects are very little different to a regular wooden garage. Don’t forget though that any substantial wooden structure such as a carport will require at the very least secure footings for the main uprights, and you may want to consider laying foundations and/or a concrete slab on which to actually park, depending on your own specific circumstances and needs.

Options to consider when looking to buy a wood carport kit include cost obviously, but that itself is typically just a function of other aspects. Clearly the overall size of the carport in terms of how many and what size of vehicles it can shelter is a major factor. But equally important is whether or not the carport is partially or fully enclosed. Some people opt to erect a wall on just one side to act as a visual screen or to offer protection against a prevailing wind. But it is possible to go completely to town, with walls on all sides, main doors and even make use of the roof space with dormer windows and so on.

Whether or not to enclose your carport depends on what levels of security you’re hoping to gain (though at the end of the day, it’s still a wooden building, so very high security is not really achievable) and also on what uses you have in mind. Some folk use an enclosed carport in much the same way as a regular garage and store tools and use it as a working space, others find an open carport can double as a useful shelter for an inflatable pool or hot tub in the summer. Then there is the issue of whether to construct a standalone carport or attach it to the house or garage, usually in a lean-to configuration.

If you choose to install a wooden shelter in preference to a steel one or a even a traditional garage, it can be quite difficult to find a wood carport kit online. There are not many, but there are a few online retailers. Some of them offer pre-cut wood that you will only need to fit together and nail or screw. Carport kits are very affordable and can considerably decrease in price if you have the building skills to construct the shelter yourself. One of the advantages of using a kit, rather than a bespoke custom design carport, is that very often you can buy a copy of the plans in a form suitable to submit for planning permission (if required in your location).

Another good reason to opt for a wooden structure is that it is the best material for later upgrades or changes that you make to your house. You can add walls to them or add new shelves or storage bins. With so much versatility as an affordable option to a wooden garage, it is no wonder that wood materials are making such an impression at national home shows.

There is no doubt that integral garages can significantly affect the temperature of rooms adjacent to and above the garage area. The garage door itself can represent the largest single source of heat loss in your home and this all mounts up in terms of additional heating in the winter and cooling in the summer.

Just as your garage doors are the largest, most visible, yet most frequently overlooked aspect of your property, so the garage space itself is almost certainly the largest un-insulated space in your home. Like many so-called “green” initiatives, insulating this large space helps conserve energy which is not only environmentally beneficial but also translates directly into saving quite a bit of money (as well as making your house more comfortable to live in).

If you live somewhere that is not susceptible to extreme climatic conditions then a wooden garage door provides much better intrinsic insulating properties than a steel door since wood is a very good natural insulator. However, extreme weather and large temperature fluctuations can mean that because wood garage doors are already quite heavy they are effectively impractical when it comes to adding heavy duty insulation. In these situations a well insulated metal door may be the better option (there are many considerations to weigh up in the debate over steel vs. wood garage doors).

There are several methods of garage door insulation that you can use. One of the best ways of providing good garage door insulation is to check with the door’s manufacturer. Some garage door companies sell kits that are designed to work with their doors, which can make insulating the garage door very easy and effective, although the overall price might be a little higher. But if you’re in the market to buy a new garage door rather than upgrade an existing one then it makes a lot of sense to have this option pre-installed for you.

An off-the-shelf insulated garage door will look better, last longer and out perform an after-market kit. It is also possible these days to purchase insulated wooden garage doors, combining the quality and good looks of a traditional wood panelled door with a fully insulated metal one. These comprise an outer skin of real wood that has been professionally treated and finished to resist the elements and look great. The inner skin is again real wood, which can be finished in any style you can think of (faux wood panelling, fake interior walls, etc). Sandwiched between these two layers of wood is a thick layer of polystyrene insulation which provides superb insulation (often better than the walls) and also reduces the weight that would otherwise be present in a solid wood door.

Alternatively, you can purchase garage door insulating kits that are not designed specifically for one brand of door, but which work well on most garage doors. These generic insulating kits are often a bit less expensive than those provided directly from the door manufacturer but are still quite effective.

Garage door insulation kits use one of 4 basic materials:

• Fibreglass panels are pre-formed units covered with a protective, washable vinyl finish. They usually come with an integral fastening system and you would typically use about 8 panels for a single door.
• Foam panels are similar but consist of an expanded polystyrene interior with a laminated plastic covering to protect the panel and make it easy to clean. These panels are fitted into the channels of the door frame rails and a typical kit is usually sufficient for a single door.
• Insulating foam (polystyrene) is injected behind a plastic membrane that is fitted flush to the inside of the door; the foam then bonds to the surface of the door which keeps it in place and ensure complete coverage.
• Reflective foil is for solid (i.e. wooden) garage doors that thus don’t have the integral space and cannot take the additional weight of panel inserts. It is a very simple system whereby the foil is cut to shape and simply stuck to the inside of the door. It is generally available in varying degrees of thickness o suit.

You can also purchase your own garage door insulation supplies and do the job yourself without using a kit. There are three main areas on a garage door that benefit from insulation.

• First, you can use foam panels on the inside surfaces of the garage doors to provide extra insulation to the door itself, especially if the doors have glass windows.
• Second, the weather stripping on the sides of the doors needs to be in good condition. If this weather stripping has pulled loose or is in poor condition, this should be replaced to keep cold air from getting in around the edges of the door.
• Third, the garage door should have a compression bubble on the bottom edge that will effectively seal the bottom of the door when it is closed, keeping cold air from getting in. This should be checked, and if it is missing or it has become stiff, brittle or cracked, it should be replaced.

Now, when it comes to security in the modern world, most people are familiar with the idea of taking sensible precautions to protect their home by fitting locking bolts to windows and deadlocks on entrance doors. Yet when it comes to the garage it’s surprising how many folk assume that the flimsiest security measures will suffice.

Not only do many people’s garages in fact contain items of considerable value, to a burglar they also often provide an easy route into the main house.

Even if you don’t keep an expensive car or several in your garage, you quite likely have a good stock of tools ideal for assisting a break-in and if your garage is integral to or otherwise adjoins your house it also provides excellent cover for anyone attempting a break-in to really go about their business completely unobserved. Most integral garages also provide an obvious weak link – direct access via the internal door to the house.

It should be obvious what the answer is: secure garage doors. Unfortunately, the majority of budget vinyl and steel garage doors just aren’t up to the job. They have woefully ineffective locking systems that the average person could defeat with a bit of effort and most burglars can dispense with in seconds. They are also of course made from materials that are either easy to deform or break.

Due to the more robust nature of wooden garage doors, these often have much better locks but are still no match for a determined intruder who is likely to deploy considerable force, using either a jemmy (a powerful steel crowbar) to pull at weak spots or simply kicking the panels in.

However, there are garage doors available that can withstand a prolonged attack from even the most determined intruder. In Europe the certification covering anti-intrusion (ENV 1627) specifies a number of classes, where for example a Class 1 certified door is resistant to attempts to break it down or the application of hook and traction from outside.

ENV 1627 Class 3 high security doors are guaranteed to resist a sustained attack from even the most experienced burglars using a variety of tools for at least 20 minutes. Being essentially still wooden these doors still retain their elegant appearance but contain high tensile steel inserts within.

High security garage doors are not only effective as a deterrent against intruders, but can also serve as a primary component for constructing a safe room. A safe room (also often called a “panic room” – a term originally coined to enhance the dramatic appeal of a film of the same name) is a well protected enclosed space that can be used to shelter people and/or valuables from attacks of various kinds (criminals, storms and so on).

Given the high level of primary protection that high security garage doors offer they are also ideal as the basis for creating a secure garage gun safe for example, or even converting your garage into effectively a large safe for storing all manner of valuables.

There are pros and cons on both sides, but whichever you type you eventually decide upon, bear in mind that this is a long term decision since both steel and wooden garage doors can last easily a couple of decades or more according to the amount of use or abuse they’re subjected to and how well they are maintained.

Of the two, steel garage doors are more abundantly found in most typical domestic installations, thanks mainly to lower initial purchase cost and wide availability of suppliers, door designs and finishes. On the subject of door finishes, many garage door suppliers offer different warranties according to the selected finish, since some last significantly better than other (as with all things, the decision comes down to higher purchase price versus reduced maintenance costs).

As a rule steel doors are quite a bit lighter than solid wood but are prone to collecting dents and suffering deformities due to twisting and strains imposed by the opener mechanism. As a consequence you are more likely to find your self in need of a competent garage door repair services outfit at some point.

The most commonly found styles for steel garage doors include both raised and flush panel designs and in recent years any number of variations on “carriage style” garage doors, which mimic traditional carriage house doors but in fact are sectioned to roll up vertically. It is not uncommon these days to also find insulation offered as an option for steel garage doors, which not only helps render the garage a more habitable space but provides additional insulation for any walls shared with the house, saving on ongoing heating and/or cooling costs.

After steel, wood is the next most popular material for garage doors. Wood garage doors are on the whole more expensive and whereas a paint finish is optional on other materials, for wood it is mandatory and must be maintained to ensure the doors last properly. The main benefits that wood has over steel are:

• better looking;
• more customisable and hence more versatile;
• better intrinsic insulation properties;
• more robust and able to withstand knocks etc;

The ability to customise wooden garage doors to precisely match existing architectural features is in fact a major attraction for many people.

Wood garage doors, especially solid timber ones, are of course heavier than steel doors. However, there is an alternative that is lightweight, cheaper than solid wood, and environmentally friendly. Composite wood garage doors are manufactured from a tough amalgam of recycled wood and resin that is moulded to shape. The result has many of the benefits of a solid timber door but is considerably lighter – both physically and on the wallet.

Then there are considerations of physical security and insulation i.e. keeping out unwelcome visitors and weather. There is no doubt that “out of the box” wood panelled garage doors win out here; they are inherently more robust, thicker, heavier and provide decent natural insulation. However, if you’re looking for serious garage door security or heavy duty garage door insulation then a steel door might be the better bet.

Because of their basic strength coupled with inherent light weight, there is more scope to add additional reinforcement and insulating panels to a steel door. It also relatively cheap and easy to do as an after thought. This is not to say that you cannot achieve this with a wooden door, just that in general it will be more expensive and you will need to invest in a new wooden door that has already been factory fitted with internal reinforcing steel bolts and insulation.