Same footprint, different price
| Carport (20 x 20) | Garage (20 x 20) | |
|---|---|---|
| From, installed | Written quote (a 12 x 20 starts at $1,699) | $6,499 (enclosed, roll-up door) |
| Protects from | Sun, hail, sap, most rain | All weather, theft, pests |
| Base | Ground, gravel, asphalt or concrete | Usually concrete |
| Permit | Sometimes | Usually |
| Install | Often a few hours to a day | Usually a day or two |
Prices: Metal America's Motley Cruiser carport and Grit garage, listed starting prices, Oct 2026 (carports, garages). Varies by region. A concrete slab for a garage is extra.
Pick a carport if
- You mainly need shade and hail cover.
- Budget matters most.
- You can't pour a slab, or don't want to.
Pick a garage if
- You need to lock things up.
- You want to work inside in bad weather.
- You get blowing rain, snow or dust.
In between
- Side panels: 3 to 6 ft panels on the sides block blowing rain for much less than full walls.
- Gable ends: close the triangle at each end.
- Carport with a utility room: open parking plus a lockable room at the back.
- Enclose later: possible, but usually costs more than ordering walls now.