Thread: Car cover as a shed?

Without sides it will make it convenient for somebody to nick you gear

Throw in the $89 enclosure kit (sides, front & back) and you have the makings of a temporary work space. Can be clean & dry assembly area or a dirty spray booth, grit blasting etc. Particularly if you don't have the shed space. Would think that temporary short term is the key feature.

I have a small shed in my Sydney backyard and extended the roof sideways to double the size of the shed with this side awning. I have a workbench under it and I end up working most of the time under the awning then in the shed. What I noticed is that even the stuff I leave on the bench is out of the rain, the steel surfaces that are not protected, do rust. The old makita drop saw I tend to live on the bench keeps getting rusty and so do hand saw or any such tools. If they are inside the shed they do not.
Yet I like working in the open, reminds me of my teenage times as a blacksmith apprentice. The "shed" was an awning along the 4 walls with a large opening in the center, cold in winter, decent in summer, wet when it rained and easy to clear the smoke.

They should only be thought of as "temporary" covers as they degrade out in the elements. The covers are affected by sun, wind and rain. Even though the poles are described as "powder coated" - this is only on the outside - the internal is just metal and in some cases "already rusting" because of condensation. Mostly the metal is of a very light gauge and will collapse after subjecting to the elements. Anchoring to the ground and guying the structure also has problems. Better off with a purpose made structural Carport/Awning.
Just my two bobs worth
regards, Ned Black

I used one to cover a caravan while I had the roof off to repair and reseal. I got about 6 months use from it. It cost $50 as ex layby and discontinued stock. I felt I got value as it was mostly during winter. It was not very strong. It finally died due to wind damage. I had all the legs supported by star droppers. The frame bent.

Dean

Originally Posted by Marc

I have a small shed in my Sydney backyard and extended the roof sideways to double the size of the shed with this side awning. I have a workbench under it and I end up working most of the time under the awning then in the shed. What I noticed is that even the stuff I leave on the bench is out of the rain, the steel surfaces that are not protected, do rust. The old makita drop saw I tend to live on the bench keeps get ting rusty and so do hand saw or any such tools. If they are inside the shed they do not. .

That's been my observation as well.

Another potential problem is the lack of a floor will allow moisture from the ground, especially if the cover is enclosed as it will trap the moisture.

My two BIL installed a couple side by side under the pepper trees in the Rocky family home. The floor is large concrete tiles covered with lino. The roofs have had a couple of blue tarps thrown across them and el-cheapo brooms are attached to the roofs to had extra support.

They always cook, watch tv and drink under them. There is quite a lot of stuff, no machinery, and things like paper towel, salt etc are no more affected by humidity than that inside the house.

They get a hose down every month or so.

They are the alum framed jobs not powder coated. They are at least 20 years old and far from temporary.