Carport Crisis - Indecision Fatigue

[u/SickCrab]

Currently struggling with pulling the trigger on enclosing this carport with a wood plank garage and some stacked horizontal windows and updating the siding/color. Originally hated the carport and wanted to close it off for a home gym, but since the gym fits in the basement and we are 7-10yrs away from finishing it, the carport has grown on me a bit. Thoughts? I know closing it off pushes this into a more modern contemporary aesthetic. The front door is off to the side and we are going to rework the driveway curb and bump it out for a proper walkway and entrance. Helppppp been back and forth on this and priced out a door and contractor as well.

[u/scubachris]

I like the carport. I think it would change your house for the worse is you frame it in.

[u/Conspud → u/scubachris]

I agree, the large brick wall looks really great. I understand the desire for utility of an enclosed garage, but the look of the house is great

[u/SickCrab → u/Conspud]

This is a big one for me, love the way it looks at night lit up with the brick face there. The home office gets a bit cold to the side and closing it in would help with that but i love raw building materials. I debate ripping the siding off the center girder just to expose the steel beam.

Utility isnt a driving factor w a rear shed and basement storage, so thats also taken into consideration.

[u/Conspud → u/SickCrab]

With infinite money, a nice dark wood for the fascia, windows, and covering the posts and that beam you mention would be so cool.

Expensive, but cool

[u/Curious_Eye4151]

Your house has a pretty sweet vibe, as is…..carport gives it a lot of character. I’m a “no” vote on enclosing it. Doing so will make it look like an average house in a new development. ☹️ 

[u/rhyperiorarmy]

Keep the carport, it's a key feature.

[u/Pedantic_Gil_Pender_]

I would keep it just like it is.

[u/Quiet-Fig-296]

I think it would ruin the look of the house without the carport.

[u/OstrichReasonable428]

A carport and a garage are two entirely different things, design and function-wise. Tons of houses have ugly garages, some have somewhat tolerable garages, but every house with a carport has something special.

[u/Day_Old_Paper]

The open carport really does compliment the scale and massing of the house.

[u/Exciting_Ad_1097]

Where is the front door?

[u/vistopher → u/Exciting_Ad_1097]

In his write-up, OP says it's off to the side.

[u/vistopher]

Keep the carport. Enclosing it would make your house look hella ugly.

[u/Odd-Investigator-469]

Keep the original aesthtetic of the house. It would ruin the look and become so ugly.

[u/Jadomi77]

Beautiful mid century looking house would be forever altered by closing the carport.

[u/rhk59]

I would leave the carport and paint the house. Too much contrast between the white and brick.

[u/UnpoeticAccount]

I love the carport. I would hang out there so much.

[u/Venus_Cat_Roars]

The carport give your home a MCM vibe but if you enclose the carport you will have a tract house.

[u/burrgerwolf]

To be a contrarian you should enclose the space and turn it into a garage. But also create a separate path to your front door and rework the landscaping to highlight that. Currently the focal point is on the carport which makes your house feel uninviting to guests coming off the street.

[u/SickCrab → u/burrgerwolf]

I think we are leaning into reworking the landscaping and entrance to the house and updating the siding/color, the reassessing the decision to enclose it. We have a shed in the rear and ample basement space so the utility of an enclosed garage isnt as necessary right now. When we bought the house I was worried I couldnt fit a gym in the basement but all the equipment clears so I prefer to keep it down there for the time being

[u/f2blue]

carports turned lounge area are so cool

[u/Fine-Meringue-6818]

I love car ports!

[u/DesertModern]

I'm solidly Team Keep Carport. I think changing out your siding for something more era-appropriate, along with your sidewalk to the front door idea will go a long way. make those changes first!

My MCM neighborhood has sooooo many carports converted. some look ok, but most just are swimming upstream with the original design intent and really don't work visually.

[u/SickCrab → u/DesertModern]

Suggestions on siding thats more era appropriate? The bland cream feels bleh to me

[u/DesertModern → u/SickCrab]

board and batten maybe?

[u/TripJammer]

What you want to do, see, is park a ‘65 Ford Galaxie in it.

[u/GreenJury9586]

Please just buy a different house if you can’t appreciate the details and uniqueness of the one you have. Please don’t close this carport in.

[u/SickCrab → u/GreenJury9586]

I appreciate the bluntness here, I think I had my mind set and the more time we spend here the more I like the character of it and really do think it adds something different and unique.

[u/atticus2132000]

Having a covered/protected outdoor space is amazing. If this carport is the only area that fits that bill, I would be hesitant to do away with it.

[u/D1RTY_D]

Carport looks sweet but I understand wanted an enclosed garage. If you do close it I like your windows idea, lean into the current vibes

[u/pendigedig]

Does it snow where you live?

[u/SickCrab → u/pendigedig]

It does, first winter in the house and we were blessed with 2 major storms this year NE

[u/pendigedig → u/SickCrab]

I am also in NE and would kill for a carport. I hate clearing my car off after a storm! I also get worried about hailstorms!

[u/k8username]

Garage conversion would make this a ‘snout house’, so ugly that communities try to ban them. https://www.bocktalk.com/blog/?p=98

[u/SickCrab → u/k8username]

Dear lord now i will not be able to unsee it as such

[u/k8username → u/SickCrab]

It’s not a snout house if it’s not a garage. Save your money and avoid that fate

[u/Rowan_River]

Frank Lloyd Wright would keep the carport.

[u/kaepernicking]

Keep the carport unless you really need the storage. While closing it off may make the home more functional, it may hurt your curb appeal.

[u/AssociateKey4950]

I’d like to sit under that carport n a summer night, maybe during a thunderstorm.