Carports: A Touch Of History
Carports may seem like a very modern idea, but really this idea is about 100 years old now. With vinyl, poly, and other space age materials, carports get a very recent feel to them. But wooden carports can be found dating all the way back to the early 1900’s 1909 to be exact.
With the passage of the horse drawn carriage, the horse-less carriage swept across America and Europe. And so with any new gadget, toy, or tool the need arose for a place to keep the car. Many cars did not have tops, so leaving them sitting in the driveway exposed to the elements did not appeal to the owners. Some homeowners converted their barns into garages.
By the 1930’s people incorporating carports into the design of their homes. Even ritzy homeowners, that architect Frank Lloyd Wright worked for, had carports included in their blue prints. At first some people were not so sure about a ‘carport’ but Wright reassured them with points such as a car did not need a special stable like a horse does. Just a protected place was all a car needed.
Compared to garages, carports are less expensive and also offer more ventilation than garages. Carports can be free standing or attached to a wall or another building. Most often carports have three sides. Some homeowners only choose to have a roof, or a roof an done side. It is simply a matter of preference and functionality. If you plan to use the carport for more than just a car, such as a sheltered place to sit or picnic under, only having a roof may be very appealing.
The carport, with a 100 years of background, has evolved to meet the needs of homeowners. As new materials were invented, creative people expanded the carports to utilize them. An example of this is the poly covered carports. Light, strong and various colors, this material is very good for carports. Metal framed carports also have an important role in the world of carports.
Category: Car Care
