A portable garage is a steel frame with a cover, sold as a kit you put up in a day. Most on Amazon.com cost $170 to $900, and enclosed steel versions run to $1,700. Here is what to check, in order. Every model we mention is in our portable garage table.
1. Fabric garage or metal carport
- Fabric garages have a PE cover over the roof and the walls, with zipper or roll-up doors. They keep dust, pollen, bird mess and light rain off a car, mower or boat. They cost $1 to $3 per square foot. The cover is the part that wears out, usually after a few summers of strong sun.
- Metal carports have a steel roof on open sides. The roof outlasts any fabric and handles more snow, but the sides stay open. They cost $2 to $5 per square foot.
- Enclosed metal garages (the Quictent 14x24 in our list) add steel walls and a door. You pay for that: $1,700 for 336 sq ft.
2. Size: measure the car, then add room
A 10x20 fits one midsize car with little room to open the doors. A 12x20 gives you that room. For a full-size pickup or a boat on a trailer, look at 12x26 or 13x24. Two cars need 20x20. Check the door height too: most fabric garages stand 8 to 10 ft at the peak, but the door opening is lower than the peak.
3. Cover weight and poles
Listings state the cover in grams per square meter. 180 g is common. 220 to 240 g (ADVANCE OUTDOOR, KING BIRD, PHI VILLA) is thicker and lasts longer. For the frame, look for the pole diameter and wall thickness. 1.5 in (38 mm) poles are standard, 2 in (King Canopy Hercules) is stiffer, and a wall under 1 mm bends more easily. Galvanized poles resist rust better than painted ones.
4. Wind and snow ratings
Most fabric garages publish no wind or snow rating at all. The Quictent 10x20 and 20x20 are the exceptions, at 40 mph and 9 psf. Among metal carports, the Quictent 20x20 states 30 psf. One metal carport listing even says it is not built for heavy snow. Whatever the rating, brush snow off a fabric roof after every snowfall: wet snow is heavy, and a sagging cover pools water and tears.
5. Anchoring
Wind lifts a portable garage like a sail. The light stakes in most boxes are not enough. On soil or gravel, use auger anchors at every leg plus the ratchet straps. On concrete, use expansion bolts. A 100 lb kit flies in a storm if it isn't tied down.
6. Warranty and spare parts
Expect 1 year on most kits. The Quictent 20x20 metal carport gives 10 years. ShelterLogic sells replacement covers, so a torn cover does not mean a new frame. For other brands, check whether a replacement cover is sold before you buy.
7. Permits
Many towns treat a shelter that stays up all year as an accessory structure, and some HOAs ban them in view of the street. Call your building department or check the HOA rules before you order a large one.
Next step
Compare the models side by side in the portable garage table. Want shade for the patio instead of the car? See the hardtop gazebo comparison.