Being able to protect your pride and joy from the harshest weather conditions is super important in Australia – especially with how much sunshine and rain we get a year! We’re not just talking about cars, either – give your caravans, boats, race trailers, and specialist vehicles the protection they deserve with a strong, dependable carport.
Here at Apollo Patios, we specialise in durable carport roofing which protects your prized possessions all year round from rain, snow, hail, and the unforgiving sun. From simple steel roof sheets to more complex insulated roofing, we stock something for everyone.
Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about the roofing materials we offer and which might work best for your carport.
Why is steel the best carport roofing material for Australian conditions?
Steel is the best roofing material for carports to withstand the harsh weather conditions Australia showcases. Not only is steel incredibly durable, but it also has excellent weather-resistant characteristics to last for years. It’s also relatively cost-effective, so you can enjoy premium protection for a surprisingly affordable cost.
Steel is a super popular choice for carport roofing thanks to the variety of colours you have to choose from, as well as the low maintenance. There’s no need to repaint as time goes on or worry about patching up repairs, because the steel is strong enough to withstand even harsh weather.
Apollo Patios steel carport roofing materials
Steel is super robust, and when rollformed offers a solid roofing material. We test all of our steel against Australian conditions to make sure it can withstand our varying climates, from one extreme to the next. From damaging, relentless sun rays to torrential rain, you can rest assured that our steel roofs are dependable and safe year-round and are designed for longlasting colour retention. We also offer a comprehensive warranty (up to 15 years) on our paint finish.
Steel carport roofing
Steel carport roofing is one of the most popular options because of its incredible durability. Our steel roofing is proudly Australian-made, manufactured in each key region we service.
Steel is also aesthetically pleasing thanks to the impressive number of colours available. While steel may seem like a bigger investment than alternatives out there, you’re paying for a long-lasting material that will set you up for years to come, making it one of the most cost-effective options out there.
Why do we recommend steel carport roofing?
- Popular due to its versatility: Each project is manufactured and cut to measure, prior to delivery to your home, this ensures accuracy and saves wastage onsite
- Cost-effective: Our steel is strong enough to last for decades, so you don’t have to worry about wasting your money on something you’ll need to replace within a few years
- Range of different profiles to choose from: You can choose from a variety of profiles to complement your home, aligning it with the style and architecture of your property
- Low maintenance: Steel will require very little cleaning and maintenance from you, so your roof will look newer and pristine for longer
- Large span: Our steel is uniquely roll-formed into various steel profiles to offer a stronger span, letting you cover more surface area without needing more posts and struts to hold it up – this makes it perfect for larger carports designed for campervans, boats, and more!
- Custom heights: Our unique carport system allows you to customise the clearance height specifically to suit your specialist vehicle
Our Single skin carport roofing materials
We’re thrilled to offer our single skin roofing options, made from high-quality steel. We offer two different profiles for you to choose from, including Unilink and Outdoor Flat MkII, so you can pick which works best for your individual style and what you want out of your carport.
The Outdoor Flat sheeting is thicker than industry standards to offer improved durability and weather resistance. The Unilink profile is a dependable roof option that can span an impressive 4.7 metres without the need for any unsightly posts. Each offers a unique profile style for your outdoor space.
Why do we recommend single skin carport roofing?
- Affordable: Our single skin roofing uses only one metal roof skin roll-formed into the profile of your choice, an affordable roofing material that doesn’t sacrifice on quality
- Impressively strong over large spans: We manufacture our single skin roofing from high quality steel, allowing for us to offer large spans without unsightly battens to hold it up, so you can enjoy better access to your vehicles
- Flexible design choices: We offer a range of different roof designs and styles to choose from, including a modern flat roof or traditional gable style with extra headroom for vehicles – and we can build our carports to your specific requirements
- Easy to maintain: Steel will require very little cleaning maintenance from you, so your roof will look newer and pristine for longer – we provide expert guidance to ensure you meet your warranty obligations
- Resilient to the growth of mould: A big bonus of our single skin roofing is the paint system we use is resilient to mould growth, reducing the requirements of maintenance and keeps your roof in better condition for longer
Our Insulated carport roofing materials
One of the most popular carport roofing options is quickly becoming insulated panelling because of the extra benefits over and above standard steel roofing sheeting. Our insulated roofing has been designed, engineered, and manufactured to offer year-round protection, and keep your vehicles at a moderated temperature, so you can rest assured that your vehicle is safe no matter what the weather.
Insulated roofing offers a combination of products: a sturdy roof sheet combined with insulation and an underskin – a finished ceiling look. Being two different steel surfaces in one (top and bottom skins ) allows for different colours on the top and bottom. As an added bonus, it can also be used as wall panels, offering excellent thermal comfort and a reduction in radiant heat transfer, making it perfect if you want to use your carport as a storage space or outdoor hangout space.
Why do we recommend insulated carport roofing?
- Two in one ceiling finish: The underside of an insulated carport appears as a ceiling, giving you a more finished look that looks more like a ceiling than a metal roof
- Also suitable for wall panelling: Our insulated carport roofing material can also be used to build walls, giving you and your vehicle even more protection from harsh weather
- Insulation comes in different thicknesses: We offer varying levels of insulation, as either a preference or to achieve a specific span
- Works with our integrated accessories: We also offer a number of integrated accessories for you to choose from, including downlights and fans that are serviced via concealed channels, so no electrical wiring is visible
- Heat moderation: Insulated roofs reduce radiant heat transfer so your vehicle is kept at a moderate temperature throughout the year, protecting it from all climate changes
Carport roofing materials for waterside living
Living by the water might be your dream come true, and we can understand why! But what does this mean for your carport roof? Building near water often means your property is subjected to harsh environmental conditions that can take its toll if it’s not been built with the correct materials. The same can be said for your carport! Luckily, we’re experienced in these challenges and are experienced in choosing the right roofing materials for this sort of environment.
Our waterside living carport roofs are made with UniCote Coastal, which is pre-painted steel designed with anti-corrosive properties and featuring a 30% thicker protective coating with the magic of added magnesium. We recommend UniCote Coastal for waterside living as this product is engineered and tested specifically to perform in the harshest Australian coastal conditions.
Why do we recommend unique roofing materials for carports built near water?
- Unique conditions call for extra protection: Living by the water comes with its own set of unique set of challenges, but our roofs are designed to offer market-leading protection with minimal maintenance
- Designed with advanced anti-corrosive properties: Our waterside living carport roofs are highly resistant to the damaging effect of salt spray, humidity and extreme weather conditions – we even provide a pre-purchase Warranty Pre-approval!
- Enhanced coating: The coating used is 30% thicker and incorporates a groundbreaking technology to provide improved protection and safeguard your investment
- Advanced paint technology: This material uses advanced paint technology and a multi-layer paint system that includes a primer and topcoat perfect for withstanding harsh coastal elements, this paint system can protect against corrosion, UV rays, and physical wear
- Industry-leading warranty: Our warranties are industry-leading, and our team can guide you to provide a warranty that is specific to your property and planned building location
Other carport options
The carport roofing options we’ve looked at so far are definitely the best for long-term solutions. However, if you’re renting or are only looking for a temporary solution, there are some DIY options you can try out. Let’s take a look at these below.
Portable carport kits
You can buy portable carport kits to position outside your home to protect your vehicle from the elements. These may be a suitable temporary option if you’re unsure of whether a permanent carport is worth it for your situation or not. Renters may also find them useful as they don’t leave any lasting damage to the property and can be taken with you to your next property. These portable carports can also be used over festive periods when lots of guests are staying over.
These limit direct light to your vehicle, and the waterproof materials let rainwater run straight off the tarp cover, but that’s it in terms of weather protection. Unfortunately, these carport covers cannot be used permanently, so the value for money often ends up being lower.
Potential drawbacks of portable carport kits
- Potential local building regulation setbacks: Unlike permanent carports where you’d need to check with the council about planning permission, portable carports still require you to explore your local building regulations, as they may not support this
- Not a permanent solution: Temporary carport kits are not designed to be used permanently and their materials won’t hold up well over time, meaning you get less for your money in the long run
- Less weatherproof protection: Portable carport kits are made of lightweight materials that aren’t as protective as permanent carports, so your car might still be damaged from storms, wind, hail, and blazing hot temperatures
Here at Apollo Patios, we don’t offer portable carport kits because we believe our customers deserve only the best, and that means excellent value for money on a carport that will last them years. However, whether you choose a portable or permanent option will depend on what level of protection you’re after for your vehicle, as well as how long-lasting you want your protection to be.
Where to go from here?
So, now you’ve got a better idea of what material and design you’d like your carport roof to be made from. The next step is to get in touch with one of our experts at Apollo Patios to walk you through your options and make sure your vision can be turned into a reality. We’ll be able to understand your needs and offer you a variety of materials that are best suited for them.
For example, are you looking for basic protection only, or do you want something that offers a ceiling and lights too? Are you living next to a big body of water and need to factor that into your building plans?
Talking us through your situation gives us the clearest picture possible to make sure we’re on the right track when planning the design of your carport.
You don’t always need a permanent carport if you only need something temporary for your family to use over the holidays or are renting your property. You might choose a temporary carport kit, which we don’t offer, but bear in mind that these offer much less protection from the elements and aren’t designed to last.
However, if you’re after a long-lasting carport made of excellent quality materials with an industry-leading warranty, then we’re here to help. We offer free consultations to help you as much as we can, so what’s the hold up? Get in touch so we can get the ball rolling on your dream carport now!
