Metal Carports: Types, Gauge, Roof Styles and 2026 Costs
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A metal carport is an open-sided roof on a steel or aluminum frame. October 2026 listings run from about $400 for a small kit to $3,000-$12,000 installed. Gauge, roof style and size explain most of that gap, and each is sourced and dated below.
On this page
What is a metal carport?
A metal carport is a roof on a steel or aluminum frame, with open sides, built to cover vehicles. Most listings describe galvanized steel, which carries a zinc coating. Aluminum frames are the other metal option.
Sellers name five parts: legs, braces, trusses, roof panels and trim. Carport.com notes that leg height, not the peak of the roof, sets vehicle clearance.
Sellers offer a metal carport as a kit or as an installed build, and Table 1 labels every price with one of the two. Steel and aluminum both count as metal, though the listings and tables here are mostly steel.
Two tables carry the numbers on this page. Table 1 lists dated prices by build type, and Table 2 turns gauge and coating into thickness.
How much does a metal carport cost in 2026?
Listed prices for a metal carport on October 5, 2026 ran from $398.99 for a 10x15 big-box kit to $10,200.20 for a seller-installed 24x35 build. Cost guides give installed ranges up to $12,000. Table 1 keeps four layers apart and shows the seller, size, date and what each price covers.
| Layer | Seller | Size as listed (ft) | Listed price | Date | What the price covers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Big-box kit | Walmart (Netaje) | 10x15 | $398.99 | 2026-10-05 | Kit only |
| 1. Big-box kit | Wayfair (EROMMY) | Not listed | $1,462.00 | 2026-10-05 | Kit only |
| 1. Big-box kit | Tractor Supply (Arrow) | 12x20x7 | $1,134.99 | 2026-10-05 | Kit only |
| 1. Big-box kit | Home Depot (Epicpoplar) | 20x20 | $2,090.00 | 2026-10-05 | Kit only |
| 2. Maker and dealer kit | VersaTube | 20x20x7 | $2,099 (regular $2,607) | 2026-10-05 | Kit, delivery shown |
| 2. Maker and dealer kit | Alan's Factory Outlet | 20x20, vertical roof | $1,995.00 | 2026-10-05 | Delivery and installation in qualifying areas |
| 2. Maker and dealer kit | Alan's Factory Outlet | 30x30, vertical roof | $4,935.25 | 2026-10-05 | Delivery and installation in qualifying areas |
| 3. Seller-installed | Direct Metal Structures | 20x20, 9 ft eave | $1,910 | 2026-10-05 | Installed |
| 3. Seller-installed | Metal America | 18x20 | $1,799.99 | 2026-10-05 | Installed |
| 3. Seller-installed | American Metal Buildings | 20x20x11 | $3,473.00 | 2026-10-05 | Installed |
| 3. Seller-installed | American Metal Buildings | 20x21 | $3,866.00 | 2026-10-05 | Installed |
| 3. Seller-installed | American Metal Buildings | 24x20 | $5,000.00 | 2026-10-05 | Installed |
| 3. Seller-installed | American Metal Buildings | 26x35x10 | $7,932.50 | 2026-10-05 | Installed |
| 3. Seller-installed | American Metal Buildings | 24x35 | $10,200.20 | 2026-10-05 | Installed |
| 4. Cost guide | HomeGuide | 20x20 | $3,200 to $8,000 | Updated 2026-01-16 | Installed range |
| 4. Cost guide | Angi | 20x20 | $4,000 to $12,000 | Updated 2026-05-03 | Installed range |
Each price is the listing price on 2026-10-05, and a crossed-out price is not used. A kit price covers the structure only, so installation, slab and permit are extra. See carport kit options and what they include for which kits include legs, panels and hardware. For the next step after pricing, read the CarportBay metal carport kit guide.
Big-box kit prices
Home Depot, Tractor Supply, Walmart and Wayfair listed metal carport kits at $398.99 to $2,090.00 on 2026-10-05. The lowest was a Netaje 10x15 kit at Walmart, and the highest was an Epicpoplar 20x20 kit at Home Depot. All four prices are kit-only.
Maker and dealer kit prices
VersaTube listed a 20x20x7 kit at a special price of $2,099 against a regular $2,607. Alan's Factory Outlet lists a 20x20 vertical roof at $1,995.00, a 30x30 vertical roof at $4,935.25 and carports starting at $1,295.00. Alan's states delivery and installation in qualifying areas, so check terms on each listing.
Seller-installed prices
American Metal Buildings listed a 20x20x11 carport at $3,473.00 and a 24x35 carport at $10,200.20. Direct Metal Structures listed a 20x20 from $1,910, with a 9 ft eave. Metal America listed an 18x20 at $1,799.99, and ProBuilt Steel Buildings listed a 20x24 regular roof at $2,735 to $4,500.
Why listed prices span $400 to $12,000
Build type is the first reason, because a kit, a seller-installed build and a cost-guide range are different products. Size is the second reason, since a 10x15 kit and a 24x35 build differ by 585 sq ft. Roof style, leg height and gauge add more variation. Some sellers also list certified models apart from regular ones. Slab and permit sit outside every kit price. Cost guides give per sq ft figures for a 20x20: HomeGuide lists $8 to $20 and Angi lists $10 to $30.
What do gauge and coating mean on a metal carport?
Gauge on a metal carport is a steel thickness number, and a lower gauge number means thicker steel. Coating is the zinc layer on the steel, and G90 is the coating weight sellers name most often.
Spec Decoder
Pick a steel gauge, optionally compare a second gauge, and see thickness, the percent difference and the G90 definition.
Table 2 lists thickness for each gauge on the Metal Supermarkets mild steel chart, and it holds every figure the Spec Decoder can show. For more on steel frames, see steel carport gauge and coating.
| Gauge | Thickness (in) | Thickness (mm) | Where sellers use it |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | 0.1046 | 2.656 | Frame upgrade listed by Carport.com; frame listed by Metal America |
| 14 | 0.0747 | 1.897 | Standard frame listed by Carport.com and Alan's Factory Outlet |
| 24 | 0.0239 | 0.607 | Reference row on the chart |
| 26 | 0.0179 | 0.455 | Reference row on the chart |
| 28 | 0.0149 | 0.378 | Reference row on the chart; the chart ends here |
| 29 | Not listed | Not listed | Roof sheeting listed by Carport.com and Alan's Factory Outlet |
12 gauge is about 40% thicker than 14 gauge. 14 gauge is about 29% thinner than 12 gauge. 24 gauge is about 60% thicker than 28 gauge. 26 gauge is about 20% thicker than 28 gauge.
G90 is a zinc coating weight. It means a minimum average of 0.90 oz per sq ft of coating, both sides combined, or 275 g/m2, tested to ASTM A924/A924M (GalvInfo Note 1.1).
Sellers list 14-gauge frames and 12-gauge frames, and 12 gauge is the thicker steel. Carport.com lists a 14-gauge frame as standard with a 12-gauge upgrade. Alan's Factory Outlet shows 14-gauge, 2.5 in tubing and 29-gauge sheets on its 20x20 vertical roof model.
Actual thickness will vary due to tolerances. Values come from published steel gauge and coating references, so confirm the gauge and coating on your seller's spec sheet.
Which roof styles do metal carports come in?
Metal carports come in three roof styles, and each seller uses its own names for them. Alan's Factory Outlet lists regular, boxed-eave and vertical roofs. American Metal Buildings lists regular, A-frame and vertical roofs.
| Seller | Roof style name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Carport.com | Regular | Arched roof with horizontal panels and rounded corners |
| Carport.com | A-frame (boxed-eave) | Gable roof with horizontal panels |
| Carport.com | Vertical | Boxed-eave shape with vertical panels |
| Alan's Factory Outlet | Regular-style, boxed-eave, vertical-roof | Names as published on the carports page |
| American Metal Buildings | Regular, A-frame, vertical | Names as published on the metal carports page |
Carport.com pairs A-frame with boxed-eave as one style, so the two names point to the same gable shape. Check each seller's own wording before comparing two quotes.
Eagle Carports lists a vertical roof upgrade at +$400 to $1,200 on top of a base price. Alan's Factory Outlet states that roof color options carry no extra charge on custom carports. When two quotes name different roof styles, compare style to style before comparing price to price.
What sizes and leg heights do metal carports come in?
Metal carports are listed from 10x15 kits to 30x30 and larger custom builds. Table 4 shows the sizes and leg heights named sellers publish.
| Seller | Size as listed (ft) | Leg height as listed |
|---|---|---|
| Walmart (Netaje) | 10x15 | Not listed |
| Tractor Supply (Arrow) | 12x20x7 | 7 ft |
| VersaTube | 20x20x7 | 7 ft |
| Direct Metal Structures | 20x20 | 9 ft eave |
| American Metal Buildings | 20x20x11 | 11 ft |
| American Metal Buildings | 26x35x10 | 10 ft |
| Alan's Factory Outlet | Widths 12 to 100, lengths 20 to 100; 30x30 listed | 6 to 16 ft |
Footprint runs from 150 sq ft for a 10x15 kit to 900 sq ft for a 30x30, which is width times length.
Alan's Factory Outlet lists widths from 12 to 100 ft, lengths from 20 to 100 ft and leg heights from 6 to 16 ft. American Metal Buildings groups its carports as 1-car, 2-car and 3-car, at about 12 ft, 18 to 24 ft and 26 ft or more in width.
Leg height sets vehicle clearance. Eagle Carports puts a triple-wide or RV cover at about 30x20 ft or larger, or 12 to 14 ft tall.
Which type of metal carport fits your use?
A metal carport type follows the use, and each block below gives one fact and points to the page that goes further.
2 car
American Metal Buildings groups 2-car carports at 18 to 24 ft wide and 21 ft deep. Read about a 2 car carport or a 2 car metal carport.
RV and camper
Eagle Carports puts a triple-wide or RV cover at about 30x20 ft or larger, or 12 to 14 ft tall. See metal rv carports and RV carport sizing.
Lean to
NorCal Carports describes its lean-to metal structures as single-slope designs, from 12 ft wide for one vehicle to 30 ft wide for three. See lean-to metal carport options.
Portable
Alan's Factory Outlet describes a portable carport as a movable, standalone shelter, often a canvas or polyethylene cover on a steel frame.
Custom
Alan's Factory Outlet lets a buyer set the width, length and height of a custom carport, with popular builds from 12x20 to 60x80.
Can you add sides or a shed to a metal carport?
A metal carport can stay open, be partly enclosed or be fully enclosed. Alan's Factory Outlet offers side or end paneling for partial or full enclosure.
Alan's also lists a carport with storage, which adds utility building parts, and American Metal Buildings lists more than 100 customization options, including enclosed sides. Eagle Carports lists walls, doors and enclosures at +$800 to $3,000+ on top of a base price. Metal America listed a 20x20 enclosed carport at $3,799.99 on 2026-10-05. A quote should say whether it covers an open, partly enclosed or fully enclosed build. For storage, see adding a shed or storage area.
Do metal carports rust, and how long do they last?
Rust on a metal carport depends on the zinc coating, and seller pages tie rust resistance to coating and gauge. G90 is a coating weight of 0.90 oz per sq ft, both sides combined (GalvInfo Note 1.1).
Metal America states that a 12-gauge frame earns a 20-year rust warranty instead of 10. That is the one numeric warranty link found, and it is the seller's statement.
| Seller | Applies to | Stated lifespan | Study cited for the figure | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eagle Carports | Metal garage | 30 to 50+ years | None | 2026-10-05 |
| Quality Metal Carports | Metal carports | 20 to 40+ years | None | 2026-10-05 |
| Carport Kingdom | Metal carport | 20 to 30 years | None | 2026-10-05 |
| Carports Advisor | Metal building | 30 to 50 years | None | 2026-10-05 |
| Metal America | Metal carports | 20 to 30 years or more | None | 2026-10-05 |
| Garage Buildings | Metal garage | 40 to 60 years | None | 2026-10-05 |
Seller lifespan claims run from 20 to 60 years, and none of the six pages cites a study or warranty data for its figure. Treat each as a seller claim and compare warranty terms in writing.
Panel gauge and profile are covered in roof panel options and profiles.
Metal, wood or aluminum: how do carport materials compare?
A metal carport, a wood carport and an aluminum carport differ in frame material and in listed price. Table 6 sets the three side by side, with each price band attributed to the source that published it.
| Material | Frame | Price band | Source | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metal | Galvanized steel, with a zinc coating | $3,000 to $10,000 | Eagle Carports blog, 2025 | Seller price band; gauge and coating are in Table 2 |
| Wood | Wood framing | $6,000 to $15,000 | Eagle Carports blog | Seller price band. See wood carport framing and cost |
| Aluminum | Aluminum frame | Not listed | n/a | No price band listed in the sources checked. See aluminum carport frames |
Eagle Carports' blog compares metal and wood buildings at $3,000 to $10,000 and $6,000 to $15,000. Both are seller price bands that vary with size, roof style and installation. Read them as seller guidance, not as a market average.
Does a metal carport need a permit or a slab?
A permit for a metal carport depends on footprint and local rules, not on the metal. IRC 2021 R105.2 exempts one-story detached accessory structures of 200 sq ft or less.
A 10x15 kit covers 150 sq ft, under the model-code line of 200 sq ft, and a 20x20 covers 400 sq ft, over it. Local rules can differ from the model code.
This information comes from the code cited above. Confirm current requirements with your local building department before beginning construction.
A concrete slab adds cost. HomeGuide lists a slab at $5 to $10 per sq ft, which is $2,000 to $4,000 for a 400 sq ft pad. Eagle Carports lists site prep and installation at $0 to $2,000+, depending on the site. Anchoring follows the seller's installation spec and local code. For a self-installed kit, see DIY carport kit installation steps.
What should you check before buying a metal carport?
A spec sheet for a metal carport should answer eight questions before you pay. The Spec Decoder above turns the first two into numbers.
- Gauge of the frame and of the roof panels, written as numbers.
- Coating class, such as G90, and its weight in oz per sq ft.
- Roof style, using the seller's own name for it.
- Leg height, and the clear height under the lowest beam.
- Width, measured outside to outside or leg to leg.
- Wind and snow rating, with the code edition it follows.
- What the price includes: installation, delivery, slab and permit.
- Warranty terms, in writing.
Ask each seller for the same eight answers in writing, so two quotes can be compared line by line.
Metal carport questions and answers
A metal carport is an open-sided roof on a steel or aluminum frame. Most are galvanized steel, sold as kits or installed by the seller. Sellers name three roof styles, and sizes run from small 10x15 kits to 30x30 and larger custom builds.
Listed prices run from about $400 for a small big-box kit to $3,000-$12,000 installed. Kits at Home Depot, Tractor Supply, Walmart and Wayfair were listed at $398.99 to $2,090 on 2026-10-05, and seller-installed builds of about 20x20 at $1,910 to $3,866. Kit prices exclude installation, slab and permit.
A kit is usually the lower-cost way to buy a metal carport, and an installed build adds labor. Big-box kits were listed at $398.99 to $2,090 on 2026-10-05 and seller-installed builds from $1,799.99. HomeGuide gives $3,200 to $8,000 installed for a 20x20. Kit prices exclude slab and permit.
Steel carports are galvanized with a zinc coating to slow rust. G90 is a coating weight of 0.90 oz per sq ft, both sides combined (GalvInfo Note 1.1). Metal America states that a 12-gauge frame earns a 20-year rust warranty instead of 10.
Sellers claim 20 to 60 years, and none of the pages checked cites a study or warranty data. Eagle Carports says 30 to 50+ years, Quality Metal Carports 20 to 40+, Carport Kingdom 20 to 30 and Garage Buildings 40 to 60. Treat these as seller claims and compare warranty terms in writing.
Sellers list 14-gauge and 12-gauge frames, and 12 gauge is thicker. On the Metal Supermarkets mild steel chart, 12 gauge is 0.1046 in and 14 gauge is 0.0747 in, about 40% thicker. Two sellers list 29-gauge roof panels, which are thinner than the 28-gauge value of 0.0149 in.
A permit depends on footprint and local rules, not on the metal. IRC 2021 R105.2 exempts one-story detached accessory structures of 200 sq ft or less. Confirm current requirements with your local building department before beginning construction.
Metal is the lower-priced material in the sources checked. Eagle Carports' blog compares metal and wood buildings at $3,000 to $10,000 and $6,000 to $15,000. Both are seller price bands that vary with size, roof style and installation.
Next steps for your metal carport
Compare the spec sheet for each metal carport you are considering against the checklist above, and keep the listing date with each price.
The CarportBay metal carport kit guide covers kits.
Sources
Gauge values come from the Metal Supermarkets chart and coating values from GalvInfo. Prices come from seller and retailer listings and cost guides, and the code text from a published local copy. All were checked on October 5, 2026 unless noted.
- Metal Supermarkets, sheet metal gauge chart: 12 to 28 gauge thickness for mild steel.
- GalvInfo Note 1.1, Rev 4.0: G90 coating mass and the ASTM A924/A924M test.
- Carport.com, metal carport building styles: roof style names, frame gauge and roof sheeting gauge.
- Alan's Factory Outlet, carports: roof style names, sizes, leg heights, enclosure options and prices.
- Alan's Factory Outlet, portable carport article: portable carport description.
- American Metal Buildings, metal carports: carport groups, roof styles and prices.
- Direct Metal Structures, 20x20 metal carport: 20x20 listing.
- Eagle Carports, metal carport prices: price bands by build type.
- Metal America, carports article: rust warranty statement for 12-gauge frames.
- NorCal Carports, lean-to metal structures: lean-to description.
- HomeGuide, metal carport prices: installed cost for a 20x20, page updated 2026-01-16.
- HomeGuide, cost to build a carport: slab cost per sq ft, page updated 2026-01-16.
- Angi, metal carport installation cost: installed cost range, page updated 2026-05-03.
- IRC 2021 section R105.2, Grant County, WA copy: work exempt from a permit.
Last verified: October 5, 2026
Last verified: October 2026. Prices were checked on October 5, 2026, and each price row shows its own date.
Related guides
- carport roof types comparedRoof styles, shapes and panels, and how to choose.
- vertical roof carports: cost and seller rulesPrice gap, seller claims and length rules.
- metal carport with a shedAdding a shed or storage area.
- galvanized steel carportsCoating, where rust starts and cost.