Vehicle Storage Options Pros & Cons
As a vehicle owner, one of the decisions you need to make is how you are going to store your vehicles when not in use. Of course, you have many options to consider on this point. To help you decide on the right option for you, we are going to break down the pros and cons of some of the most popular vehicle storage options.
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Parking in an Uncovered Driveway
Let’s start our discussion by considering the simplest vehicle storage option—parking it in an uncovered driveway. If you have a driveway on your property, this option is as easy as just pulling the vehicle in and setting the brake. The obvious advantage here is the simplicity of the solution and the lack of any upfront cost.
Unfortunately, there are a few drawbacks to consider on this point. First, you’ll be leaving the vehicle exposed entirely to the elements, which is not ideal, especially if it is going to be stored for an extended period of time. Also, you’ll be taking up a spot in your driveway, which could be frustrating if you have other vehicles that are coming and going each day. So, while parking in an uncovered driveway is a reasonable solution for some people, the options listed below may provide more benefits.
A Carport or Lean-to
A significant upgrade to uncovered parking would be to leave your vehicle under a carport or lean-to on your property. These two types of structures offer similar advantages, with the main difference being that a lean-to is constructed adjacent to an existing building. Either way, you’ll be getting a roof over the top of the vehicle, which will go a long way to help protect it and preserve its condition.
The lack of side walls is the main drawback if you are looking at a carport or lean-to. The vehicle will still be exposed on the sides, meaning it might not be protected from rain or snow on a windy day, or any debris that may fly in under the roof. With that said, carports and lean-tos are still excellent vehicle storage options that will work nicely for most people, especially those in mild climates where stormy weather isn’t much of a concern.
Off-Site Storage Facility
When long-term storage is in your plans, you may want to think about keeping your vehicle somewhere other than on your own property. By going with an off-site storage facility to solve this problem, you’ll gain the advantage of not having it take up space on your land, and you may even be able to find covered or enclosed parking to protect the vehicle’s condition. Given the popularity of these kinds of facilities, it’s likely that there is one available near your home.
The obvious downside here is the cost. Simply put, it can quickly get expensive to keep your car in an off-site storage facility month after month. At first, paying only a monthly bill rather than investing in your own carport or garage might feel like a good deal, but you’ll come to see that you are spending far more in the long run to keep the vehicle in storage. Of course, it can be rather inconvenient to store a vehicle elsewhere if you need to access it frequently as well. This is still a suitable choice for someone who simply doesn’t have space on their own property to store the vehicle, but otherwise, it will likely be too expensive to be a serious contender.
Build a New Garage
Perhaps the best way of all to store your vehicle is inside an enclosed garage. Adding a detached metal garage to your property will provide you with a dry, protected place to keep your vehicle while it is not in use. Not only will you be protecting it from the elements outside, but you will also have a comfortable space to work on it during this storage period, if necessary. As a bonus, a garage will likely have more space available than just what is taken up by the vehicle, so you can use it for other purposes as well.
What’s the Right Answer for You?
It would be great if every vehicle could be stored in a garage, but that just isn’t realistic in every case. Whether you have room for a garage on your property or a small carport, using a metal structure to protect your vehicle from the elements will help keep it looking great for years to come. We hope this article has helped you determine how best to store your own vehicles. If you think a metal carport, lean-to or garage is the right choice for your vehicle, start your order with Carport Kingdom today!
