About Our Carports
Our carport range covers everything from a single small car to a multi-vehicle commercial bay. We stock two material types. Palram Canopia builds aluminium carports with polycarbonate roofing. Palmako builds wooden carports in slow-grown Nordic spruce. Across 31 in-stock models, prices start from £1,570 for the Arcadia 4300. The largest unit is the Oslo 20x30 at £10,400. Every model ships with free UK delivery. For other outdoor cover, see our patio covers.
A carport shelters your car or caravan without the cost of a brick garage. The Palram frames use powder-coated aluminium, so they never rust and need no painting. The roof panels are polycarbonate, the same tough material used in riot shields. They block 100% of UV rays yet still let daylight through. That keeps the space bright, not dark like a metal-roofed shed. For garden gazebos and entrance cover, browse our Palram gazebos and door canopies.
Why We Chose This Range
"We tested dozens of carport brands before choosing Palram Canopia and Palmako. The reason is simple. The polycarbonate roof panels do not yellow or crack. Many budget carports use cheap PVC that turns brittle after two UK summers. Palram panels are rated to a 150kg per square metre snow load. We have Arcadia carports we fitted in 2016 that still look new. The Palmako timber range uses glulam arches, not flimsy shed timber."
Matt, Founder of Greenhouse Stores💡 Tip: Measure your car, then add 60cm on each side for door clearance. A 3m by 5m carport fits most family cars. SUVs and 4x4s usually need the 3.6m width.
🔧 Matt's Installation Tip: The Concrete Cube Rule
A carport works like a giant wing. Wind catches the underside and lifts hard. You cannot bolt the posts into paving slabs or tarmac. They will rip out in the first storm. For each post, dig a hole roughly 50cm square and 50cm deep. Fill it with concrete and bolt the post bracket into the cured cube. That ballast is what keeps the carport grounded in a winter gale. On tarmac, cut through it first. Tarmac softens in summer and cannot hold an expansion bolt.
Matt's Pick for Standard Driveways
Best For: One family car on a normal driveway
Why I Recommend It: The Arcadia 5000 is our best seller. At 3.6m by 5.0m it fits any standard car with room to spare. The built-in guttering carries rain away from the doors. Two people can assemble it in a weekend.
Price: from £2,280
Compare Our Carport Range
| Model | Material | Roof | Price From | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arcadia 4300 | Aluminium | Flat polycarbonate | £1,570 | Small cars, tight driveways |
| Arcadia 5000 ⭐ Matt's Pick | Aluminium | Flat polycarbonate | £2,280 | Most family cars, best all-rounder |
| Arcadia Alpine 6400 | Aluminium | Flat polycarbonate | £3,550 | Motorhomes and caravans, taller clearance |
| Palmako Karl 11.7 | Nordic spruce | Open timber | £2,199 | Traditional look, open sides |
| Oslo 20x30 | Galvanised steel | Multi-wall polycarbonate | £10,400 | Farms, businesses, several vehicles |
Quick Guide: Carport vs Garage
A carport costs far less than a brick garage. It also goes up in a day or two, not weeks. Open sides keep air moving, which dries a wet car faster and helps stop chassis rust. Most carports count as Permitted Development, so no planning permission is usually needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a carport cost in the UK?
Our carports run from £1,570 to £10,400. A single-car aluminium carport sits around £1,600 to £2,600. Wooden carports start near £2,200. Commercial Oslo models cost more. All prices include free UK delivery.
Do I need planning permission for a carport?
Most carports fall under Permitted Development rights. No application is needed if it covers under half your garden and sits within your boundary. It must also stay under 2.5m at the eaves near a boundary. Conservation Areas and Listed Buildings have stricter rules. Always check with your council first.
Can I bolt a carport straight to my driveway?
No, every post needs a concrete foundation. Tarmac softens in summer and cannot hold expansion bolts under wind uplift. Paving slabs crack and shift. Cut through the surface, dig 50cm cube holes, and pour concrete pads. Bolt the post brackets into the cured concrete.
What is the best material for a carport?
Aluminium with a polycarbonate roof needs the least upkeep. It never rusts and never needs painting. The panels block all UV yet still let in daylight. Timber suits period homes and handles heavy snow well. Wooden frames do need treating every few years.
Will a carport protect my car from frost?
Yes, a carport cuts frost on your car sharply. The roof stops heat escaping to the open sky overnight, which is what causes windscreen frost. It also shields paintwork from tree sap, bird mess, and UV fade. Many customers stop de-icing after fitting one.
Ready to shelter your car? Browse all 31 carports above, or ask our team for sizing help before you buy. Every model ships free across the UK.
Looking for enclosed storage instead? See our patio covers for over-patio shelter, or our door canopies for entrance cover.