Aluminum Carport: Weight, Corrosion Limits and What It Costs
An aluminum carport is a roof on an aluminum frame, usually with polycarbonate or aluminum pan panels. Aluminum has about one-third the density of steel, 2.70 against 7.86 g/cm³. HomeGuide's January 2026 update prices installed aluminum at $8–$20 per sq ft, against $8–$15 for steel.
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What is an aluminum carport made of?
An aluminum carport is a roofed vehicle shelter on an aluminum frame, with roof panels of polycarbonate or aluminum pan. Canopia by Palram says its carports are made of "aluminum frames and polycarbonate roof panels," and ScreenHouse sells aluminum carports with flat pan and W pan roofs.
An aluminum carport stands on its own posts or attaches to a house wall. Search results for aluminum awnings and carports mix the two product types, so this guide covers shelters sold as carports; for canopy-style roofs, see carport canopy options.
A custom aluminum carport is made to order in a chosen size and finish instead of from a stock kit. The prices below are for listed kits and units, so a custom quote can fall outside them.
Outside the United States the same metal is spelled aluminium. For the other materials and roof styles, see the material and roof style guide.
How much lighter is an aluminum carport frame than steel?
An aluminum carport frame weighs about one-third as much as steel for the same volume, because aluminum has a density of 2.70 g/cm³ against 7.86 g/cm³. Density is mass per unit of volume, and the table sets aluminum beside steel on four published properties.
| Property | Aluminum | Steel |
|---|---|---|
| Density | Aluminum2.70 g/cm³ | Steel7.86 g/cm³ |
| Stiffness (modulus) | Aluminum70 GPa | Steel200 GPa |
| Heat expansion | Aluminum13 millionths per °F | Steel6.5 millionths per °F |
| Installed cost | Aluminum$8–$20 per sq ft | Steel$8–$15 per sq ft |
Steel is about 2.9 times as dense as aluminum (7.86 divided by 2.70). Modulus, the measure of stiffness, is 200 GPa for steel and 70 GPa for aluminum, and aluminum expands about twice as much when heated, 13 against 6.5 millionths per °F. These ratios are arithmetic on the cited values, not a test by the Editorial Team.
A frame's weight also depends on wall thickness and section size, and density and modulus describe the metal, not a finished carport. For the steel side of the table, see the steel carport page. For wind and snow ratings and alloy details, see aluminum carport wind, snow and alloy checks.
Does an aluminum carport rust or corrode?
An aluminum carport has no iron to rust, but its protective oxide film can break down in chloride-rich air and where steel fasteners touch it in a wet joint.
Bare aluminum forms a thin oxide film in ordinary weather, a surface layer that protects the metal under it. A review in the Journal of The Electrochemical Society describes aluminum's corrosion resistance as coming from protective, passive oxides. In chloride environments, it says, the film becomes unstable and breaks down locally, which causes pitting corrosion.
Chlorides are the salts in sea air and road salt, so coastal sites and roads treated for ice carry more of them. Galvanic corrosion is a separate case: two different metals touch in a wet joint and one corrodes faster. The Aluminum Association says to paint or coat the other metal, with 300-series stainless steel, zinc and cadmium as the exceptions.
| Condition | What happens to aluminum | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Ordinary weather | What happens to aluminumBare aluminum forms a thin protective oxide film | SourceJournal of The Electrochemical Society review, Chloride Ion Interactions with Oxide-Covered Aluminum Leading to Pitting Corrosion, read 2026-10-06 |
| Coastal air | What happens to aluminumChlorides break down the oxide film | SourceJournal of The Electrochemical Society review, Chloride Ion Interactions with Oxide-Covered Aluminum Leading to Pitting Corrosion, read 2026-10-06 |
| Road salt | What happens to aluminumChlorides break down the oxide film | SourceJournal of The Electrochemical Society review, Chloride Ion Interactions with Oxide-Covered Aluminum Leading to Pitting Corrosion, read 2026-10-06 |
| Steel fasteners in a wet joint | What happens to aluminumGalvanic corrosion unless the metals are isolated; the Aluminum Association says to paint or coat the other metal, with 300-series stainless steel, zinc and cadmium as exceptions | SourceAluminum Association, Designing Aluminum Structures FAQs, 12 October 2020 |
| Finish and warranty | What happens to aluminumWarranty terms differ by seller: ScreenHouse lists 5 years and the Arizona Wave listing a 10-year limited warranty; read what each covers | SourceScreenHouse and ShedsDirect pages, checked 2026-10-05 |
Canopia calls aluminum "rust-resistant, maintenance-free," and HomeGuide says aluminum is "naturally resistant to rust and corrosion." Each statement describes ordinary weather, and the table adds the conditions that change it. Warranty terms also differ by seller, so read what each covers.
What does an aluminum carport cost per square foot?
Aluminum carport listings read on 5 October 2026 ran from $10.29 to $32.41 per sq ft, and HomeGuide gives $8–$20 per sq ft installed. The table lists published prices only. See the carport kit buying guide for what a kit includes.
| Source | Product and size | Area | Price | Per sq ft | What the price covers | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Select Sheds | Product and sizePalram Canopia Arizona Wave, 10x16 nominal | Area160 sq ft | Price$1,789.99 | Per sq ft$11.19 | What the price coversKit as listed; installation not stated | Date2026-10-05 |
| Home Depot | Product and sizePalram Canopia Arizona Wave, 10x16 nominal | Area160 sq ft | Price$2,987.47 | Per sq ft$18.67 | What the price coversKit as listed; installation not stated | Date2026-10-05 |
| ShedsDirect | Product and sizePalram Canopia Arizona Wave, 10x16 nominal | Area160 sq ft | Price$3,379.95 | Per sq ft$21.12 | What the price coversKit as listed; installation not stated | Date2026-10-05 |
| Global Industrial | Product and sizePalram Canopia Arizona Wave, 10x16 nominal | Area160 sq ft | Price$5,185.00 | Per sq ft$32.41 | What the price coversKit as listed; installation not stated | Date2026-10-05 |
| Home Depot | Product and sizeIMAGACFUN aluminum frame single carport, 17.5 x 9 ft | Area157.5 sq ft | Price$1,620.99 | Per sq ft$10.29 | What the price coversUnit as listed; installation not stated | Date2026-10-05 |
| Home Depot | Product and sizeMondawe aluminum carport, 17 x 9 ft | Area153 sq ft | Price$2,561.00 | Per sq ft$16.74 | What the price coversUnit as listed; installation not stated | Date2026-10-05 |
| Wayfair | Product and sizeAluminum and polycarbonate single carport, 17.44 x 9 ft | Area156.96 sq ft | Price$2,884.95 | Per sq ft$18.38 | What the price coversUnit as listed; installation not stated | Date2026-10-05 |
| Florida Aluminum Systems | Product and sizeAluminum Carport Kit, 10x14 | Area140 sq ft | Price$2,199 | Per sq ft$15.71 | What the price coversKit as listed; installation not stated | Date2026-10-05 |
| Alan's Factory Outlet | Product and sizeSteel, 20x20 vertical roof | Area400 sq ft | Price$1,995.00 | Per sq ft$4.99 | What the price coversFree set up and delivery, as listed | Date2026-10-05 |
| Alan's Factory Outlet | Product and sizeSteel, 20x40 vertical roof | Area800 sq ft | Price$4,095.00 | Per sq ft$5.12 | What the price coversFree set up and delivery, as listed | Date2026-10-05 |
| Alan's Factory Outlet | Product and sizeSteel, 24x20 vertical roof | Area480 sq ft | Price$2,495.00 | Per sq ft$5.20 | What the price coversFree set up and delivery, as listed | Date2026-10-05 |
| Alan's Factory Outlet | Product and sizeSteel, 12x25 regular roof | Area300 sq ft | Price$1,595.00 | Per sq ft$5.32 | What the price coversFree set up and delivery, as listed | Date2026-10-05 |
| HomeGuide | Product and sizeAluminum carport, installed | AreaPer sq ft | Pricen/a | Per sq ft$8–$20 | What the price coversInstalled | DateUpdated 2026-01-16 |
| HomeGuide | Product and sizeSteel carport, installed | AreaPer sq ft | Pricen/a | Per sq ft$8–$15 | What the price coversInstalled | DateUpdated 2026-01-16 |
Area basis: the four Arizona Wave rows use the nominal 160 sq ft printed on the listings. The maker's published footprint is 16 ft 3 in by 9 ft 6 in, about 154 sq ft. Per sq ft is price divided by area. Figures are published values at the dates shown, not quotes, engineering advice or a rating for your address.
Four things move the number: kit-only against installed pricing, nominal against actual area, the seller and the roof system. The Arizona Wave 10x16 ran from $11.19 to $32.41 per sq ft across four sellers, a spread of 2.90 times on one product and one nominal size. ScreenHouse pan-roof systems ran from $4,432.42 to $11,148.07 with no area stated, a spread of 2.52 times. None of the eight listings says whether installation is included.
Alan's Factory Outlet steel listings ran $4.99–$5.32 per sq ft with free set up and delivery as listed. They are listing prices on one day, shown for comparison and not as a ranking.
For every cost layer in one place, see the full carport cost breakdown.
How do aluminum, steel and wood carports compare?
An aluminum carport differs from steel and wood carports in weight, corrosion behavior and price per square foot, and the comparison table sets the sourced figures side by side. By HomeGuide's January 2026 ranges, aluminum costs the same at the low end and more at the high end: installed aluminum is $8–$20 per sq ft against $8–$15 for steel.
Use the comparison tool to set aluminum beside steel or wood for weight and stiffness, corrosion or cost. Each value shows its source and date, and the table below holds the same figures for readers without scripts.
| Attribute | Aluminum carport | Steel carport | Wood carport |
|---|---|---|---|
| Density | Aluminum carport2.70 g/cm³ | Steel carport7.86 g/cm³ | Wood carportNo sourced figure on this page; see the wood carport page |
| Stiffness (modulus) | Aluminum carport70 GPa | Steel carport200 GPa | Wood carportNo sourced figure on this page; see the wood carport page |
| Heat expansion | Aluminum carport13 millionths per °F | Steel carport6.5 millionths per °F | Wood carportNo sourced figure on this page; see the wood carport page |
| Corrosion or decay behavior | Aluminum carportOxide film; chlorides and steel fasteners break it down | Steel carportZinc coating on galvanized steel (G90 defined on the metal carports page) | Wood carportGround-contact rating on the post end tag (wood carport page) |
| Installed cost per sq ft (HomeGuide, 2026-01-16) | Aluminum carport$8–$20 | Steel carport$8–$15 | Wood carportNo sourced figure on this page; see the wood carport page |
| Materials-only cost per sq ft (HomeGuide, 2026-01-16) | Aluminum carport$5–$15 | Steel carport$5–$10 | Wood carportWood kit listings $7.54–$12.77 per sq ft on 2026-10-05 |
| Detail lives on | Aluminum carportThis page and the aluminum specs page | Steel carportMetal carports and steel carport pages | Wood carportWood carport page |
Which aluminum carport parts can you replace?
An aluminum carport is built from posts, beams, roof panels and fasteners, and sellers list the roof panel by profile and thickness. Aluminum carport parts fall into those four groups, plus the slab or footings underneath.
Aluminum carport posts, also sold as aluminum carport support posts, stand on a slab or footings, and the Arizona Wave 10x16 needs one or the other. Aluminum carport roof panels come as polycarbonate or aluminum pan, and some listings call the same item aluminum carport panels.
| Part | What the listings read state | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Posts | What the listings read stateAluminum posts stand on a slab or footings; the Arizona Wave 10x16 needs one or the other | SourceCanopia by Palram and ShedsDirect pages, checked 2026-10-05 |
| Roof panels | What the listings read statePolycarbonate panels (Arizona Wave, 10-year limited warranty); flat pan .024 and .030 in. and W pan .019, .025 and .032 in. (ScreenHouse, 5-year warranty) | SourceShedsDirect and ScreenHouse pages, checked 2026-10-05 |
| Fasteners and joints | What the listings read stateWhere aluminum touches another metal in a wet joint, the other metal is painted or coated; 300-series stainless steel, zinc and cadmium are the exceptions | SourceAluminum Association, Designing Aluminum Structures FAQs, 12 October 2020 |
| Beams and rails | What the listings read stateWall thickness is stated in decimal inches; none of the 14 seller pages read for the aluminum specs page names an alloy or temper | SourceSeller pages, checked 2026-10-05; aluminum specs page |
| Replacement parts | What the listings read stateThe listings read give no replacement-part stock list; ask the maker which profiles and thicknesses it stocks | SourceSeller pages, checked 2026-10-05 |
For aluminum carport post replacement, the maker or a parts seller has to stock the profile you need, so ask for the carport aluminum post section and its wall thickness. ScreenHouse lists flat pan in .024 and .030 in. and W pan in .019, .025 and .032 in., so match pan type and thickness before you order carport aluminum parts.
If you plan to assemble a kit yourself, see the DIY carport kit steps.
Where does an aluminum carport fit: attached, RV or coastal?
An aluminum carport suits sites where frame weight, corrosion exposure or an attached roofline decides the choice. If you are weighing frame weight for a portable build, see portable carport frame options. Wind and snow ratings come from each maker's page, and aluminum carport wind, snow and alloy checks list what to ask for.
| Use | Fact that decides it | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Attached to a house | Fact that decides itAn attached carport shares the house wall and roof edge, and the same spec checks apply | SourceAluminum specs page |
| RV | Fact that decides itAn aluminum RV carport needs leg height that clears the RV; RV carport clearance and length carries the length and height arithmetic | SourceRV carport page |
| Coastal | Fact that decides itIn coastal air such as Miami, chlorides break down the oxide film, so ask about finish and fastener metals. For attached aluminum terraces and patio covers, Miami-Dade County requires the current Notice of Acceptance, sealed drawings and a permit application | SourceMiami-Dade County, Sheds, Utility Storage and Aluminum Terraces page (undated, read 2026-10-06; names patio covers, with no mention of carports) |
For two vehicles, see double carport sizes and 2 car carport sizes; the same material choices apply across those pages.
Aluminum carport questions
These seven answers use the same figures as the tables above.
Aluminum carport listings read on 5 October 2026 ran from $1,620.99 for a kit to $11,148.07 for a pan-roof system. HomeGuide (updated 16 January 2026) gives $8–$20 per sq ft installed. These are published prices, not quotes.
Not by HomeGuide's ranges: installed aluminum is $8–$20 per sq ft against $8–$15 for steel as of its January 2026 update. Materials alone are $5–$15 against $5–$10, and prices vary by build type and seller.
No, aluminum has no iron to rust. It can still corrode in coastal air, near road salt and where steel fasteners touch it in a wet joint, so ask what the fasteners are made of.
Aluminum has about one-third the density of steel, 2.70 against 7.86 g/cm³. A frame's weight also depends on its wall thickness and section size.
Replacement depends on whether the maker or a parts seller stocks the profile you need. ScreenHouse lists flat pan in .024 and .030 in. and W pan in .019, .025 and .032 in., so match both before ordering.
Listings show polycarbonate panels, as on the Palram Canopia Arizona Wave, and aluminum pans in flat and W profiles, as on ScreenHouse. The roof type affects light, noise and price, so check each listing.
It depends on size and location. IRC 2021 section R105.2 exempts one-story detached accessory structures of 200 sq ft or less from a building permit, and your local building department decides the rest.
Sources and dates
- Aluminum Design Manual figures as quoted in Kissell, Introduction to Aluminum as a Structural Material; AISC Steel Construction Manual, 14th ed.; University of Florida materials page, checked 2026-10-05. Aluminum density 2.70 g/cm³ and steel 7.86 g/cm³; modulus 70 and 200 GPa; expansion 13 and 6.5 millionths per °F. Carried from the aluminum specs page.
- Aluminum Association, Designing Aluminum Structures FAQs, 12 October 2020, checked 2026-10-05. In a wet joint the other metal is painted or coated, except 300-series stainless steel, zinc or cadmium.
- Journal of The Electrochemical Society, Chloride Ion Interactions with Oxide-Covered Aluminum Leading to Pitting Corrosion: A Review, checked 2026-10-06. Aluminum is protected by passive oxides; chloride ions make the film unstable and cause breakdown and pitting.
- HomeGuide, metal carport prices, updated 2026-01-16, checked 2026-10-06. Aluminum $5–$15 materials and $8–$20 installed; steel $5–$10 and $8–$15; slab $5–$10 per sq ft, permits $75–$300, leveling $200–$1,000; 20x20 $3,200–$8,000.
- Select Sheds, Home Depot, ShedsDirect, Global Industrial, Wayfair, Florida Aluminum Systems and Alan's Factory Outlet listing pages, checked 2026-10-05. Eight aluminum listing prices and four steel listing prices. Dated observations, not quotes.
- ScreenHouse aluminum carport page, checked 2026-10-05. ScreenHouse flat pan .024 and .030 in., W pan .019, .025 and .032 in., 5-year warranty; systems $4,432.42–$11,148.07.
- ShedsDirect product page and Canopia product page, checked 2026-10-05. Palram Canopia Arizona Wave 10x16: aluminum frame, polycarbonate panels, slab or footings, 16 ft 3 in by 9 ft 6 in, 10-year limited warranty at ShedsDirect.
- Canopia, How to Choose a Carport (modified 2023-06-25), checked 2026-10-06. "aluminum frames and polycarbonate roof panels"; "rust-resistant, maintenance-free". Attributed words only.
- International Residential Code 2021, section R105.2, checked 2026-10-05. One-story detached accessory structures of 200 sq ft or less are exempt from a building permit.
- Miami-Dade County, Sheds, Utility Storage and Aluminum Terraces, checked 2026-10-06. Attached aluminum terraces and patio covers need the current Notice of Acceptance, sealed drawings and a permit application. Undated; names patio covers, with no mention of carports.
Go back to the material and roof style guide or compare kits in the CarportBay buying guide. For a kit's contents, see the carport kit buying guide.
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