The History of Carports
The metal carport is Wholesale Direct Carports’ namesake and the most simple of our metal buildings. Carports are commonly known and referred to, but have you ever wondered how carports actually came to be? What was once known as a downright luxury is now a normal storage unit for vehicles, equipment, and more. Wholesale Direct Carports is here to breakdown how carports made their entrance into the industry and became a booming product across the globe.
How It Began
The term “carport” comes from the French term “porte-cochère”, meaning a covered portal. Frank Lloyd Wright, a renowned architect, coined the term when he used a carport in one of his home designs back in 1936. When asked why he implemented a carport into his famous “Usonian” style homes, he claimed, “A car is not a horse, and it doesn’t need a barn.” He then added, “Cars are built well enough now so that they do not require elaborate shelter.” To back up his claim, he used the inexpensive and effective alternative of a carport to protect the cars of the property. Little did he know, he would be setting a trend that would still be alive and well – nearly one hundred years later.
Rising Demand For Carports
As more people were exposed to the innovative carport design, the more people would start to install them on their properties. One of the main reasons being to protect their cars from the harsh elements, but another was to eliminate clutter and better utilize the space. Additionally, the carport was beneficial because it required less resources to build than a garage and served multiple different purposes. Not only did it store cars and outdoor equipment, it also doubled as a covered entryway, a place to entertain guests or even just a shaded spot to spend time on a hot summer day.
Evolution Of Design
While the original carports had a simple design of a flat roof with pillars, the design itself has transformed quite a bit over the last century. At Wholesale Direct Carports, we work with the top manufacturers in the industry to provide you, the customer, the best possible material at the most affordable cost. Our customized carports give you the ability to create a one–of-a-kind design to complement the existing buildings on your property as well as suit your needs. A few ways you can customize your carport is by choosing from our three different roof styles, color schemes, and accessories. Other custom options including additional walls, wind protection and color matching can be added during the design process, just ask our expert metal staff to learn more.
Carports have been around for over a century, proving they are a great asset to properties and are here to stay. We at Wholesale Direct Carports have everything you’re looking for when it comes to creating and installing your ideal carport. We also offer other metal buildings including enclosed garages, RV carports, metal barns and more. Interested in learning more? Get a free, no-obligation quote online or give us a call today, we’re happy to help!