| > | | | | When we would return from going someplace in |
| These aren't just your father's old carports | | | | the car, it was the carport that welcomed us |
| anymore. Oh no, now you can find carports in all | | | | home. The car barely fit, but it was home. When |
| sorts of shapes (canopy, domed, rectangle, | | | | we would have water fights with our Dad, the |
| pitched-roof), sizes (short and fat to big and tall), | | | | carport became a place of relative protection. He |
| materials (polyethylene, steel, fiberglass), and | | | | did have the hose after all, so we couldn't totally |
| prices (hundreds to thousands). Carports can be | | | | escape, but the carport offered at least the |
| anchored securely or freestanding. What type of | | | | sense of refuge. And it is where I learned to first |
| carport do you need? Carports are not garages. | | | | ride a bike. Wow, how warm and fuzzy can |
| Well, that's obvious right? I mean, they are not | | | | carports make one person feel. |
| completely enclosed. They don't usually have built | | | | But enough of that. What I really want to talk |
| in storage or shelving. They are open for all the | | | | about is some of the details and benefits that |
| world to see. They are just carports. But that's | | | | modern carports offer. I'm not talking about the |
| the great thing about them. They are a place to | | | | built on carports common in the 1970's. I am |
| put your car, boat or RV and that's pretty much | | | | talking about the ultra modern, snazzy structures |
| it. Simple, functional, relatively inexpensive, and | | | | and covers that serve as carports today. These |
| sometimes even moveable. They come in all | | | | things range from being simple quality canopies like |
| sorts of configurations, from metal, to wood, to | | | | the ones made by companies like King Canopy, to |
| canvas. And, they range in price from the | | | | carports that are enclosed professional grade |
| hundreds to the thousands of dollars. But more on | | | | storage spaces that can be closed off from the |
| that later. First, I just have to take a little trip | | | | elements and made secure. |
| down memory lane. | | | | The Jewett-Cameron company makes carports |
| I don't think that carports are usually associated | | | | that act as shelters for recreational vehicles, |
| with fond memories, but they are for me. When I | | | | modular boat storage, car and truck storage, and |
| was a kid I lived in a house that had an attached | | | | even workshop type canopies. These carports |
| carport. Sort of a lean-to structure built onto the | | | | are domed shaped and come in a wide variety of |
| house. It didn't have a closeable door so was | | | | sizes. The nice thing about these is that they are |
| always open in the front. It wasn't very big but it | | | | built to last and can be assembled almost |
| holds a special place in my memories because it | | | | anywhere. |
| was where so many magical moments happened. | | | | And finally, carports like those made by Rhino are |
| There was something wonderful about it. For | | | | heavy duty open sided steel covered structures |
| example, when the thunderstorms would roll in | | | | that give greater protection than canvas carports |
| we would go outside and listen to the rain while | | | | and are just as portable. They also come in a |
| we stood protected and dry under the carport | | | | variety of sizes so you are sure to find one that |
| roof. I can almost smell and hear it in my | | | | will work for you. |
| memory. That space also served as our fort | | | | So, as you can see, besides providing fond |
| when we played cowboys and Indians. And it was | | | | memories for kids, they provide great |
| always "safe" when we played hide-and-go-seek. | | | | functionality for adults! |