Joe's Gutters & Patios
Custom Aluminum Carports in Greater New Orleans
Built to Handle Louisiana Sun, Rain, and Hurricane-Force Winds. Protect Your Vehicles, Boat, or Equipment. No Rust, No Rot, No Maintenance.
Same-Day
Call Back
Owner Supervised
Installs
No Trip Fee
Estimates
Financing Friendly
Options
Vehicle Protection
From Louisiana sun, rain & storms
Boat & RV Covers
Custom-sized to your trailer
Properly Anchored
Built to Louisiana wind load code
6 Color Options
Match your home exterior
Owner-Supervised
Derel on every job
Free Estimates
On-site, no trip fee
Greater New Orleans homeowners know what Louisiana sun does to a vehicle left outside year-round — faded paint, cracked dashboards, and interior heat that makes the car unusable until you've run the AC for 10 minutes. Add 63 inches of annual rain, constant humidity, and hurricane season, and the case for covered vehicle storage becomes compelling.
Joe's Gutters & Patios
builds custom aluminum carports throughout Jefferson Parish and Orleans Parish — freestanding structures and house-attached units, sized and configured for single vehicles, two vehicles, boats, RVs, and outdoor equipment. All-aluminum construction: no rot, no rust, and virtually no maintenance beyond an occasional wash.
Why a Carport Makes Sense in Greater New Orleans
Louisiana sun fades paint, cracks dashboards, and superheats interiors. New Orleans averages 220+ sunny days per year — consistent overhead cover significantly extends vehicle life and interior comfort.
Greater New Orleans averages 63+ inches of rain per year — more than any other major US city except Miami. Covered parking protects against constant moisture exposure and the paint damage that accompanies it.
Hurricane season (June–November) brings regular tropical storm threats. A properly anchored aluminum carport provides protection and peace of mind that an uncovered parking area doesn't.
Many Greater New Orleans homes have side yards or rear yards too narrow for a full garage addition but suitable for a carport structure that achieves most of the same protection.
Boat and watercraft storage is a significant need throughout the West Bank and coastal parishes. An aluminum carport sized for a boat trailer provides weathering protection at a fraction of monthly storage facility cost.
RV and trailer storage — protecting larger vehicles from Louisiana's elements while keeping them accessible at home.
Carport Types and Configurations
Single-Vehicle Carport
Standard single-vehicle carport — typically 12–14 feet wide and 20–24 feet deep for a full-size vehicle with clearance on the sides. Available freestanding or house-attached. The most affordable option for basic vehicle protection.
Two-Vehicle Carport
Double-width carport for two vehicles side by side — typically 20–24 feet wide. Can be house-attached (sharing the home's wall as one side of the structure) or fully freestanding. Popular for homeowners without a garage who need protected parking for two vehicles.
Boat and Trailer Carport
Custom-sized for boat trailers, pontoon boats, and watercraft. We take the exact dimensions of your trailer (length, width, and height with the boat on it) at the estimate and build with adequate clearance on all sides. Heights are typically 12–14 feet for taller boats or lifted trailers.
RV and Oversized Vehicle Cover
Large-span structures for Class A and Class C motorhomes, fifth wheels, and oversized trailers. RV covers require careful structural engineering for the span widths involved — we size the beam and post system appropriately.
Attached Carport
A carport attached to the home using the house wall as one support side. Requires attachment to the home's structure with a ledger board, proper structural anchoring, and a permit. More integrated appearance than a freestanding structure and uses the home's wall for support, often requiring fewer posts.
Freestanding Carport
A fully independent structure that doesn't attach to the home. Requires post footings with concrete for stability. Can be positioned anywhere on the lot. Does not penetrate the home's envelope, which simplifies waterproofing.
Roof Panel Options for Carports
The same panel options available for patio covers apply to carports. For most vehicle protection applications:
Flat Pan
the standard choice for carports. Provides complete weather protection at the most efficient cost. Rain noise is less of a concern for a carport than a patio cover since you're not sitting under it.
Insulated Panels
worth considering for boat or RV storage where protecting sensitive materials from heat buildup under the cover is a priority.
Carport Permits in Jefferson Parish and Orleans Parish
Freestanding carports may or may not require a building permit in Jefferson Parish depending on size, height, and proximity to property lines. Attached carports almost always require a permit. We assess the permit requirement at the estimate. Permit applications are the homeowner's responsibility.
Key considerations that typically trigger a permit requirement: structure larger than 400 squarea feet, permanent concrete footings, location within a certain distance of property lines, attachment to the home's structure. These are factors we identify at the estimate.
Our Reviews
What Our Customers Say
★★★★★
"Derel and his crew did a wonderful job repairing my home after tornado damage. They installed new gutters and took care of minor repairs that I could find no one else to do. Professional, hard-working, prompt and reliable. Derel was regularly on site supervising. A refreshing experience. Highly recommend!"
— Daniel V. · Gretna, LA
★★★★★
"From the estimate to the completed job, everything was spot on. I like the fact that it's a father and son operation and a local company. The patio came out flawless and the guys cleaned up after themselves. We were very happy and will highly recommend them to all our friends and family."
— Troy B. · Metairie, LA
★★★★★
"I absolutely will get all my work done through Joe's Gutters! Professional, patient, thorough! Can't ask for any better company. Next — my carport!"
— Stella R. · Harvey, LA
Aluminum Carport vs. Garage Addition — Making the Right Choice
For many Greater New Orleans homeowners, the choice is between a carport addition and a full garage. Here's an honest comparison for Louisiana properties:
Cost
Starting around $3,500–$8,000
Typically $25,000–$60,000+
Permit complexity
Simple — standard structure permit
Full construction permit, inspections, zoning review
Construction time
1–2 days once permitted
4–8 weeks typically
Property value impact
Modest improvement
Significant increase
Lot requirements
Minimal setbacks needed
Requires adequate lot size, setbacks, easements
Weather protection
Rain, sun, and wind protection
Full enclosure — maximum protection
Security
No — open structure
Lockable — full security
Louisiana suitability
Excellent — handles our climate, quick to build
Excellent but expensive and complex to permit
For most Greater New Orleans homeowners who don't already have a garage and want vehicle protection, a carport is the practical answer — it achieves 80% of the weather protection at 10–15% of the cost, and it can be built in days rather than weeks. If security is the primary concern, a garage is the right answer. If protection from the Louisiana sun and rain is the main goal, a carport solves it efficiently.
How We Build Aluminum Carports — Construction Details
Post Footings — The Critical Foundation in Louisiana Soil
Carport posts must be anchored in concrete footings that extend below the active soil layer. In Greater New Orleans' clay-rich soil, footings that are too shallow or too small will shift as the soil expands and contracts seasonally. We size our footings for Louisiana soil conditions — typically larger and deeper than the minimums that work in drier climates.
Post Sizing and Bracing
Post size is determined by the span, wind load requirements, and the height of the structure. Louisiana's hurricane-zone wind load requirements mean we use heavier post profiles than contractors in lower-risk states. We also add knee bracing at the post-to-beam connections on larger structures for additional lateral stability.
Roof Panel Installation
Panels are installed from one end of the carport to the other with proper overlap and sealing at each seam. All panels are fastened with appropriate hardware rated for the wind load — not just stapled or clipped. Integrated gutters are recommended for carports where drainage could affect vehicles or property.
Structural Connection Details
All Joe's carport structures are built with solid structural connections at every post-to-beam and beam-to-rafter joint. not to minimum code, but to the standard that actually holds up.
FAQs
Aluminum Carport FAQs
How much does an aluminum carport cost in New Orleans?
Aluminum carport pricing depends on size, configuration (attached vs. freestanding), panel type, and footing requirements. Single-vehicle freestanding carports start around $5,500–$10,000 for basic configurations. Two-vehicle and boat covers are priced larger. All estimates are free and done on-site.
Do I need a permit for a carport in Jefferson Parish?
Depends on size and attachment. Freestanding small carports sometimes don't require a permit. Attached carports and any structure over certain sizes almost always do. We assess at the estimate; permits are the homeowner's responsibility.
Can you build a carport to fit my boat trailer?
Yes — we regularly build carports for boat trailers, pontoon boats, and watercraft of all sizes. We take the exact dimensions of your rig at the estimate (length, width, height with the boat on it) and build with appropriate clearance.
What is the difference between a carport and a patio cover?
Functionally, they're the same structure — an aluminum-covered structure. The difference is application: a patio cover is attached to the house over a patio, designed for outdoor living. A carport covers a driveway or parking area for vehicles. The construction is essentially identical; it's the location and purpose that differs. This is also why many Louisiana homeowners search "aluminum carport" when looking for a covered outdoor living structure.
How do aluminum carports hold up in Louisiana weather?
Our aluminum carports are built with solid concrete footings and quality structural connections. A cheaply built freestanding carport with shallow footings will not hold up — we don't build that way.
How long does carport installation take?
Most carport installations are completed in 1–2 days once materials are on-site. If concrete footings are needed, allow 24–48 hours for the concrete to cure before the structure is built on it.
Can a carport be painted or does it come in colors?
Our aluminum panels come in six factory baked-enamel colors: White, Ivory, Wicker, Clay, Bronze, and Black. The finish is applied at the factory before forming — it's not painted on-site. This means it doesn't chip, peel, or require repainting.