12x20 Carports

A 12 x 20 ft carport covers one car, SUV or pickup with room to open both doors, or a boat on its trailer, and keeps snow, ice and sun off it for a fraction of the cost of a garage. In this size you choose between Arrow's all-steel carport in two heights, open or closed in on one or two sides, and the Sojag Samara; current prices are in the list below.

The Arrow carport is a 2 in. square-tube steel frame under a galvanized steel roof, rated for wind and snow load, that goes together with slip-fit joints and self-drilling screws. It comes in two heights, 8′6″ and 10′7″ overall, so measure your tallest vehicle with its roof rack. The enclosure versions add 29-gauge galvanized steel walls on one side or two. The Sojag Samara is a rustproof aluminum frame under a high-pitched galvanized steel roof, with a wide opening between the posts. Two cars need a 20x20 carport; for cover in winter only, see car shelters.

12x20 carport FAQ

What fits under a 12 x 20 carport?

One car, SUV or pickup with room to open both doors, or a boat on its trailer. The Arrow 12x20 is 11′10″ wide and 19′9″ deep inside, so measure the trailer, tongue included, before you choose.

Which height do I need?

The taller Arrow stands 10′7″ overall against 8′6″ for the lower one, and costs a little more. Choose it for a van, a lifted truck or a roof box, and check your vehicle's height against the model's drawing before you order.

Open, or with side walls?

Open is the cheapest and the easiest to park under. A 29-gauge steel wall on the side facing the prevailing wind cuts drifting snow and rain; two walls make the carport a covered bay you can also use for storage.

Does a carport need a permit?

Usually, because it is a permanent accessory structure: most municipalities set a maximum size and setbacks, and some require a permit. The rules differ from those for a temporary winter shelter, so check your bylaw before you order. Snow-load ratings explained shows how much a roof has to carry where you live.

Guides for 12x20 Carports

All guides

Snow Load Ratings Explained: What PSF Means for Canadian Carports & Garages

Snow load ratings are the most useful spec on a carport, portable garage or utility shelter — and the one buyers most often skim past. Here is what psf actually measures, which ratings really exist on the Canadian market, and how to match one to the winter your address gets.
10 min read
Best Outdoor Structures for Canadian Winters: Carports, Garages & Sheds

Need year-round vehicle and equipment protection in Canada? Compare steel carports, portable garages (ShelterTube vs ShelterCoat), and permanent steel buildings. Snow load ratings, climate zone recommendations, and sizing guides for every Canadian province.
7 min read
Carport Enclosure Kits in Canada: Sides, Rear Walls & Fit

An open carport keeps snow off the roof of your car but does nothing about the wind. Here is how carport enclosure kits are sized, which face to close first in a Canadian winter, and when steel panels beat a removable fabric enclosure.
9 min read
Winter Car Shelters in Canada: Sizing, Anchoring & Timing

The garage is full, the second vehicle sleeps outside and the forecast has started to mention flurries. Here is how to size a winter car shelter to your vehicle, read the cover specifications, anchor it on asphalt or gravel, and stay inside your municipality's seasonal window.
10 min read