Metal Carport and Shed Roof Types
A small roof still has to shed a summer downpour and stay down in a storm. What changes from one type to the next is how it's framed and what it ties into.
Attached Carports
An attached carport often sits under a nearly flat roof that runs off the side of the house. That low slope rules out most panels unless the laps are sealed: the Florida code allows lapped metal panels down to 1/2:12 with lap sealant, against 3:12 without, and standing seam down to 1/4:12. The tie-in to the house wall or main roof is where these leak, so it needs proper flashing, not a bead of caulk.
- Inside city limits: a roof under 4:12 needs codes review approval before the permit issues
- Panel choice: standing seam if the slope is very low; sealed-lap 5V or ribbed panels above 1/2:12
Freestanding Carports
A freestanding carport is a steel or aluminum frame with metal roof panels. HomeGuide splits them by frame metal and build type:
| Carport type | Typical cost (HomeGuide) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Steel frame | $8 to $15 per sq ft installed | |
| Aluminum frame | $8 to $20 per sq ft installed | Favored in humid areas |
| Prefab kit, installed | $8 to $18 per sq ft | Standard sizes |
| Portable fabric-roof cover | $400 to $1,200 | Not built for high winds |
When the roof on an older steel carport fails, check the frame before buying a new kit. If the posts aren't rusted at the base, new panels and screws on the old frame are worth pricing against a replacement.
Detached Garages
A detached garage usually has a real roof deck and pitch, so it's re-roofed like a small house: tear-off, deck repair, underlayment and panels. Matching the house is the common goal. If the house has standing seam, the garage can too; if it has shingles, a 5V or ribbed panel suits a garage at a lower price. See 5V crimp metal roofing.
Backyard Sheds and Workshops
Sheds are where thin metal turns up. HomeGuide lists 29 gauge at $1 to $3 per square foot for material and ties it to sheds and mild climates. Most homes use 24 or 26 gauge. For a workshop that holds tools or a vehicle, the heavier sheet is worth the difference. On any shed with exposed screws, the washers age like they do on a house roof. See metal roof screw replacement.
Why Tallahassee homeowners call Tallahassee Metal Roof Co.
- Free referral, no charge to homeowners
- Your request reaches a single metal roofing contractor, not a list
- Ask for panel, gauge and Product Approval number in writing
- Free, no-obligation estimate from the roofer
Permits and Price on Small Metal Roofs in Tallahassee
Permit threshold
Inside city limits, the City requires a roofing permit for any repair or installation over 100 square feet. A 12 by 20 foot single carport is 240 square feet, so it qualifies. Leon County uses the same 100 square foot line for roof repairs outside the city. See metal roof replacement for the offices and fees.New structures
Building a permanent carport is a building permit, not just a roofing one; HomeGuide puts that permit at $75 to $300 nationally.Colored screws
HomeGuide notes painted screws add $0.50 to $1.00 per screw, worth it where the roof is seen from the house.Site work
A concrete slab for a carport runs $5 to $10 per square foot in HomeGuide's guide if one isn't already there.Trees
A carport under an oak catches falling limbs. Ask about the panel gauge with that in mind.
Carports sit at eye level, so the screw pattern shows. Ask where the screws go and whether they'll run in straight rows. Send a photo and rough measurements; the job goes to the crew we refer small metal roofs to, who can quote it in writing.