It’s essential to use a permanent anchor for car shelter because it will secure it into place like no other DIY reinforcement. The permanent anchor for car shelter also protects your investment in place. Because it’s permanent, you’ll feel more confident with the structure’s stability and construction. You’ll be leaving your car shelter outside and exposed to the elements, and having a permanent anchor will keep you secured as opposed to using something else like concrete blocks.
To fully understand the importance and usage of a permanent anchor for car shelter, you have first to appreciate car shelters. Is it worth it to have a car shelter? And if so, what are the types of car shelters, and how do you anchor them?
Is It Worth To Have A Car Shelter?
There’s no doubt that it’s worth it to have a car shelter. A car shelter gives you the ability to have short-term and long-term options for a car storage space. If you can’t decide whether you should get a garage, the permanent and temporary types of car shelters can solve your dilemma.
Car shelters are shelters for cars, meaning they will protect your car from the elements outside. We think of our cars as investments, and to keep them from deteriorating, we need to shelter them from windy, snowy, and rainy conditions. In fact, some shelters can even protect the car from UV rays that we often ignore, thinking they’re not as detrimental.
Instead of not leaving your car inside storage and risking damages from the weather, using a car shelter will save you on repair costs. And as a bonus, you don’t have to waste time and effort in cleaning your car from the dust and dirt that accumulated from being left outdoors.
Lastly, car shelters also make good investments because it acts as extra storage. Depending on its size, you might be able to house two vehicles inside. You can even use it as additional storage for other types of equipment besides a car.
Types Of Car Shelters
The two types of car shelters are freestanding and attached. You can also classify them as temporary for the freestanding car shelters and permanent for the attached car shelters. Both use anchors, and you can classify them into temporary and permanent anchors as well.
Freestanding car shelters
Freestanding or temporary car shelters are so-called because you can relocate them to another area. You are still securing them using anchors, but you can bring the structure to another place later on. This makes them useful for people who want portability with their car shelters.
Freestanding car shelters are also made of fabric for easier portability and installation. However, this material is still durable to protect your car from the wear and tear outside. The tarp-like material may also have a powder coat finish to prevent corrosion, and are also treated to protect against UV rays.
Attached car shelters
Attached car shelters, on the other hand, are structures that are meant for permanent use. Compared to freestanding car shelters, they are made of galvanized steel with a vinyl coating to prevent rusting. Because of this structure, they make the best choice for those who live in an area exposed to the wind gusts that demands a strong shelter and permanent anchoring.
Why Anchoring A Car Shelter?
You need to anchor a car shelter to secure it into place. This will improve the structure’s stability against the various conditions outside. Think of the anchors as what locks your shelter onto the ground.
You might be thinking, “why can’t I just use concrete blocks?” Using concrete blocks is not as secured as anchors. Even if they are solid, they will still be unstable against the elements outside.
If you want, use concrete blocks, sandbags, or water bags in addition to anchors. The combination will create a more reliable grip, especially if your area has harsher weather.
Temporary vs. permanent anchor for car shelter
For freestanding or temporary car shelters, you will also use temporary anchors. This makes it easier for you to relocate your shelter, but still, secure them in place. However, if you’re securing the shelter on a paved surface, you’ll need permanent anchors.
Temporary anchors are only usable over earth surfaces. On the contrary, permanent anchors will work even on a paved surface. Therefore, using a permanent anchor for car shelter will fortify it into place and withstand the various challenges outdoors.
How To Anchor The Car Shelter?
Whether it’s with temporary or permanent anchors, the instructions for anchoring the car shelter may vary depending on the manufacturer. However, you can distinguish the installation of the two types of car shelter anchors. The temporary anchors are easier to install, while the permanent anchors have additional requirements to consider.
When anchoring a car shelter, always remember that each rib must have an anchor for improved stability. You may also need tools and a specific type of anchor depending on the foundation of your shelter. Therefore, what you’re using to anchor your car shelter on grass or dirt is not the same with what you’ll use if your foundation is concrete.
Anchoring car shelter with temporary anchors
Temporary anchors are the ones that usually come with temporary car shelters if you order them. You can consider them as the basic anchoring kit that you can install yourself. And depending on your area, you might need to comply with the municipal laws regarding the use of temporary anchors.
You can also classify ground anchors as temporary anchors. These anchors are what you’ll use on surfaces like grass or dirt because you can easily push them in. However, they still provide a secure grip to the ground.
Anchoring car shelter with permanent anchors
Similar to the installation of temporary anchors, you may need to consult with your municipality about the installation of permanent anchors. This is vital since some places do not allow the erecting of car shelters.
Permanent anchors are your concrete anchors. They are more heavy-duty, which makes them perfect for areas with harsh weather conditions. They will also work on paved surfaces as opposed to temporary anchors.
It allows you to fix your structure to the ground. At the same time, it also allows one to detach the shelter and move it to a different location or completely disassemble it.
These concrete anchors are made of corrosion-resistant metal. Therefore, they will securely fix the car shelter in concrete for many years. However, anchoring with permanent anchors is more demanding.
You can either hire an expert to install permanent anchors or install them yourself. The installation is a straight forward technique, once you have all required the tools, purchased anchors, and a concrete mix to do it correctly. Otherwise, it’s better to have someone knowledgeable to do it for a safer and more reliable installation. You’ll also be able to avoid potential mistakes that can cost you more in the long run.
Conclusion
Having a permanent anchor for car shelter is essential because it’s the most secure way of fastening the shelter into place. They are built for heavy-duty use, and they will secure the shelter even on a paved surface. This will strengthen the shelter’s construction and stability for better resistance against the elements.
However, these reinforcements will only work if you properly know how to anchor the car shelter. Consult a professional when dealing with permanent anchors as they have the knowledge and tools to do it safely.