Advantages of Vertical Style Roofing for Carports
If you are new to the process of buying a carport, you might be surprised to learn that there are different roofing styles available for these structures. While the untrained eye won’t immediately notice a difference, a closer look reveals that some carports have horizontal roofs, while others are vertical in orientation. In this article, we’ll discuss what that means and why the vertical style may be the best pick for your project.
What’s the Difference?
Before we dive into the discussion of whether or not you should opt for a vertical roof, let’s make sure we are clear about what the terms “horizontal” and “vertical” mean in the context of a carport roof.
- A horizontal carport roof is one where the panels run parallel to the ground, from the front of the structure to the back. As you look up at the roof from ground level, you’ll see lines running from front to back, telling you that a horizontal roof has been used.
- A vertical design is the opposite. The panels run from the eaves up to the peak. In this case, the lines are going to run up and down, so you can look directly up the channels when viewing from the ground.
At first, this might seem like a minor difference. Sure, the carport looks a little different based on the orientation of these panels, but does it really matter beyond aesthetics? As it turns out, yes, it does matter. There are some performance advantages of a vertical roof orientation.
Two Big Benefits
If you are going to opt for a vertical roof on your carport, you’ll likely do so because of the two benefits we have highlighted below.
Shedding the Weather
Since a vertical roof features panels that run down towards the ground, this orientation is far better at dealing with the elements than a horizontal roof. With a vertical roof, rain or snow will be able to slide right off and fall to the ground. On a horizontal carport, however, water or debris can collect and get stuck, putting a greater load on the structure and creating a potentially messy situation. This can be particularly problematic when snow falls and piles up on the roof of your carport.
Structural Strength
When a carport is built with a vertical roof, additional structural support is needed to hold up those roofing panels. As a result, the whole building is stronger, which is a valuable trait in areas that deal with high winds or other harsh weather conditions. So, as with the previous point, the strength you get from a vertical carport can help your new building deal with the weather Mother Nature may bring your way.
Evaluate Cost
Of course, we can’t ignore the role that money plays in this decision. As you might expect, since additional structural support is used, a vertical roof is going to be more expensive than the horizontal option. The difference won’t be massive, but it is something to keep in mind as you go through the planning process.
For someone living in a harsh climate with difficult winter weather, the choice may be obvious. You’ll want the strength and ability to shed precipitation that is offered by a vertical roof orientation. The decision is a little trickier, however, if you live somewhere with generally mild weather. Most of the time, the horizontal roof setup will be just fine, so you might want to save the money. With that said, even mild climates get occasional storms so you may still decide that a vertical roof is worth the cost.
Choose the Roof That Works For You
While vertical carport roofing does offer advantages over horizontal styles, each project is unique. Think about the needs you have for this new structure, and reach out to our team if you need help making this choice. Check out our Build & Price that allows you to create the shape, size of your carport, and features, as well as get a free quote. Our goal is to make sure every customer receives the ideal building for their needs, whatever that happens to mean. We appreciate your time and hope to work with you soon.
