Can a Gazebo Be Used as a Carport? (How to Make This Work)

Gazebos are becoming more and more popular among new and old homeowners. If you’ve ever had an extra car on your property that doesn’t fit in the garage, you’ve probably thought about using your gazebo as a carport. Can gazebos be used as carports, though?

In most cases, a gazebo would need some construction work to be used as a carport unless your gazebo is coincidentally the perfect size, shape, and height to fit your car. However, it is possible to turn your gazebo into a carport with a few modifications.

Gazebos are usually hexagonal or octagonal in shape. These shapes are beautiful but not ideal to fit a car under, so in this article, we’re going to discuss the ideal shape and size that your carport should be.

This post contains affiliate links from Amazon and other stores. This means Yard Blogger may earn a commission if you make a purchase using any of our links. Please refer to our full affiliate disclosure policy for full details.

Gazebos and Cars

No one wants to leave their car outside 24/7. The sun can damage the paint on a car, and it’s overall not very safe. So if you have a gazebo in your yard, you’ve probably thought about pulling the car under the gazebo.

Let’s discuss whether this is a good idea.

Will My Car Fit In My Gazebo?

That depends on how big your gazebo is. The average car is about 14 feet long and 6 feet wide, so if your gazebo is bigger than 14 x 6 feet, it will fit your car underneath it. There are some other factors to look at, though. 

You need to make sure that your gazebo is easily accessible with your car to and from the street. Also, if your gazebo is in a hexagonal or octagonal shape, your car will most likely not fit underneath it.

How Much Weight Does a Gazebo Hold?

Good quality permanent gazebos can hold quite a lot of weight on their roof. Some can hold up to 1000lbs of snow, but every manufacturer suggests different parameters for their design.

Most gazebos can also handle a heavy downpour of rain since the water will roll off the roof of the gazebo. There shouldn’t be any spot where water or debris could accumulate.

Hanging things from the roof of your gazebo won’t really impact the weight it can hold.

Can I Use a Permanent Gazebo to Store My Car?

Using your permanent gazebo to store your car is not a good idea. These gazebos are most often built in the backyard, making it difficult to get there quickly. They are also usually raised off the ground. 

Gazebos are usually in a hexagon or octagon shape, with multiple posts running from the ground to the roof. These are not wide enough to fit a car through, and even if they are, it doesn’t mean that you should.

You might also enjoy our post on If Gazebos Are Safe in Wind

Are Hardtop Gazebos Worth Turning Into Carports?

It depends on the size of your current hardtop gazebo, and it might require some remodeling of the structure. A carport is usually 12 x 20 feet and 7 feet high. If your gazebo is too short or not tall enough, it would not be worth it to turn it into a carport.

If your hardtop gazebo is the right size and is placed in a convenient spot, it can be used as a carport, but moving a gazebo or remodeling is a lot of effort.

Instead, buy/build a new carport the correct way.

Do You Need Planning Permission for a Gazebo With a Roof?

You need planning permission to build a gazebo. This is because a gazebo is seen as a permanent structure (even if it has no walls). Be sure to get the appropriate permits from your municipality before building a gazebo.

You are required to get a permit for safety reasons and to ensure the structure is built according to codes and regulations set by the state.

You are not required to get permission to set up a temporary gazebo, though. 

Can I Just Cover My Gazebo to Use It as a Carport?

You need to make sure that your gazebo is in the right shape and size. A rectangular gazebo that is at least 12 x 20 feet and placed on thick concrete should work as a carport.

If you have a pergola that is the right size, you can hire a contractor to build an aluminum roof on the structure.

In the meantime, you could use a polyester material similar to that of a pop-up material or just some netting. 

Other Gazebo Questions

Gazebos could technically be used to store your car if it’s big enough. But will the roof be strong enough to protect your car?  Will heavy snow or rain cause the roof to collapse on your car?

Let’s discuss the possibilities.

How Much Weight Can a Steel Gazebo Hold?

Steel is an incredibly strong metal, and it can hold approximately 300,000 pounds per square inch. It’s stronger and more durable than aluminum but is also 200% denser. This means steel is a very heavy metal.

Due to this extra weight and strength, steel is often used for gazebos, but rust is one big disadvantage. Steel rusts quite quickly, although you can use galvanized steel.

The weight of the steel makes the gazebo more sturdy and less likely to bend under pressure.

How Much Weight Can an Aluminum Gazebo Hold?

Aluminum can hold a weight of about 70,000 pounds per square inch. It’s significantly less than steel, but it’s still more than enough to handle a lot of snow. Aluminum is about a third of the weight of steel.

This weight difference could be an advantage. After all, it’s easy to install or a disadvantage because it can bend when under immense pressure.

Aluminum is rust-resistant, so for people who live close to the ocean, this is a big selling point.

You might also enjoy our post on If Gazebos Are Safe in Lightning

What Is the Strongest Gazebo?

Steel gazebos are a lot stronger than aluminum gazebos. Steel can hold up to three times the weight of aluminum, although this extra strength comes with extra weight and density.

Aluminum gazebos are more lightweight and rust resistant, although not as strong as steel. If you live in an area with heavy snowfall throughout the year, we would recommend a steel gazebo.

What Makes a Gazebo Permanent?

A gazebo is considered a permanent structure if it is anchored in the ground, cannot be taken apart and put together with ease, and cannot be moved. Gazebos made of brick, concrete, wood, steel, etc., are all considered permanent structures.

Gazebos that can be taken down or put up in a matter of minutes are not permanent structures. These are ideal for multiple uses, such as the beach and sports events. They are designed for convenience and ease of use.

Can a Gazebo Stay up All Year?

A temporary gazebo should not stay up all year because it’s not designed to handle extreme weather conditions. Permanent gazebos are built to last for decades and to withstand mother nature so that they can stay up all year.

These extreme weather conditions could be strong winds, thunderstorms, snow, hail, etc. Pop-up gazebos are not designed to deal with these weather conditions.

The material of the canopy will most likely start to deteriorate. 

Which Gazebo Is Best for Parking a Car In?

Generally, gazebos are not preferred to store your car under. If you have no other option, though, it’s a good idea to use a gazebo with a sturdy frame. Galvanized steel is usually a good option since it needs less maintenance.

The EROMMY Hardtop Galvanized Steel Gazebo is the perfect size (12 by 20 feet) for a singular car.

The rust-resistant aluminum and water gutter design makes it less susceptible to weather conditions but is also ideal for safeguarding your car.

Weather Concerns

Weather conditions are a part of life, and we should always be aware and prepared for any possible weather pattern.

Man-made structures are not always invincible to mother nature, so how do we ensure our cars and gazebos are safe?

Do Gazebos Hold Up in Wind?

Pop-up gazebos, also known as temporary gazebos, do not hold up in the wind well. The frame is made of lightweight materials, like aluminum and polyester. They’re known to lift off the ground or tear the canopy in strong winds.

Permanent gazebos are a lot more sturdy. These are usually made of wood, brick, or metal and are firmly anchored in the ground.

These gazebos are also a lot heavier, so it would take hurricane-force winds to damage permanent gazebos.

How Much Wind Can a Gazebo Withstand?

Pop-up gazebos can withstand about 35 miles per hour (55 kilometers per hour) wind speeds before getting permanent damage. Permanent gazebos can withstand up to 150 miles per hour (240 kilometers per hour).

To be on the safe side, we would not recommend keeping your pop-up gazebo up during high wind speeds. Even if it seems like the gazebo might be okay, you should not take the risk.

Permanent structures would be able to withstand a lot higher wind speeds.

Can a Gazebo Withstand Snow?

Similar to rain, pop-up gazebos could handle a light flurry to moderate amounts of snow. Good quality and sturdy gazebos are very important if you’re planning to use them in snowy conditions.

A sturdy gazebo must be anchored into the ground with pegs or tied down with weights.

Although even a sturdy gazebo would not be able to handle a snow blizzard, so if heavy snowfall is expected – rather pack up your gazebo.

Can Gazebos Be Used in Rain?

Gazebos are not only perfect for sunny and hot days but also for rainy days. It’s a perfect (and portable) solution to stay dry while still enjoying your favorite sport or recreational activity.

Gazebos can handle rain to a certain degree. You should stay dry under your gazebo in a light drizzle or even in a steady stream.

However, during a heavy downpour and strong winds at the same time, you probably won’t have the same result.

Will Gazebos Rust?

Gazebos that are made of steel are naturally more prone to rust, while aluminum gazebos will not rust. Metal oxidizes when exposed to oxygen, although aluminum actually uses this as an advantage.

Aluminum only oxidizes a thin layer all over the metal, which forms a protective coat. This protects your gazebo against environmental conditions.

Steel, however, can begin to show signs of rust quite quickly, especially if exposed to water (like rain).

Related Questions

Can I Turn My Pergola Into a Carport?

You can turn your pergola into a carport, you would only need to add a roof over your pergola. Many homeowners decide to do similar roofing as their house to make the structure fit in with their property.

You can hire a local contractor to install steel, aluminum, or any material roof that you desire. Take environmental factors into consideration when choosing a roof, like the amount of snow and rain you get per year.

Does a Gazebo Add Value to a Home?

Gazebos definitely add value to a home because it is seen as a unique feature and a separate space to spend time with friends and family. Many new homeowners actively seek out houses with gazebos.

You won’t regret installing a gazebo when you decide to sell your home, it can bump up your value by a few thousand dollars.

Although this is only if it is a professionally done gazebo and you kept up with maintenance.

What Is the Best Color for a Gazebo-Turned Carport?

The best color for a gazebo-turned carport would be the same color as your house. This will make the carport and the house seem harmonious on the property. If this is not possible, you should look at neutral colors.

A carport should not stand out with bright, vivid colors, it will probably look out of place. The best solution would be to use neutral colors like gray or beige.

Another option could be to use muted colors like muted red or muted yellow. 

Final Thoughts

Gazebos can be used as carports if it ticks all the boxes. Is it big enough? Is the roof strong enough? Is it easily accessible on the road? Can the floor hold the weight of my car?

If you answered yes to all of these, go ahead and use your gazebo as a carport.