Aluminium carports resist corrosion without galvanising and without paint, and KB Carports builds them in three standard footprints — 5 m × 3 m for one car, 6 m × 6 m for two and 7.5 m × 5 m for three. They are the default specification on exposed coastal plots where maintenance access is hard, at a clearance height of 2.1 m to 2.4 m, with soap and water as the full maintenance routine.
Why choose aluminium over steel?
Because aluminium resists rust and corrosion on its own: it does not need the galvanisation that protects steel carports Cape Town from rust, and its lower weight simplifies the build. In coastal areas that inherent rust resistance translates into low maintenance and a longer lifespan.
| Property of aluminium | What it means for the carport |
|---|---|
| Low density — lighter than steel | Simpler installation and reduced labour costs; less stress on supporting structures; very basic kits are within reach of a DIY build |
| Natural rust and corrosion resistance | No galvanisation required; suited to South Africa’s coastal regions with salty air and humid climates; longer lifespan at the coast |
| No painting needed | Cleaned with soap and water — no repainting or rust prevention in the maintenance schedule |
| Easily shaped and formed | A wide range of modern designs, including bespoke structures built to the property |
Aluminium carport styles
| Style | Roofline | Suits |
|---|---|---|
| Flat roof | Single flat plane | Minimalist, modern properties; the simple, clean and often cost-effective aluminium option |
| Gable roof | Classic pitched roofline | Good water runoff and a more traditional look in a lightweight material |
| Cantilever | Roof supported from one side | Striking, open designs with unobstructed access under the span |
| Custom | Built to the property | Bespoke designs tailored to specific property requirements and aesthetic visions |
Installation requirements
- Professional installation: recommended to ensure structural integrity and longevity, especially on larger or complex designs. DIY installation is realistic only for very basic kits.
- Foundation: a solid foundation — typically a concrete slab or footings — for stability and proper anchoring.
- Coastal fixings: aluminium resists rust, but the fixings and connectors must be corrosion-resistant too.
KB Carports installs custom carports in Cape Town, including aluminium structures specified with corrosion-resistant fixings for coastal sites.
What aluminium costs against other materials
Aluminium usually has a higher upfront material cost than a basic steel carport. Three factors run the other way over the life of the structure:
- Reduced maintenance: long-term savings on painting and rust prevention.
- Longevity: rust resistance extends the carport’s lifespan, offsetting the higher initial cost over time.
- Lightweight installation: easier handling of lighter material lowers installation costs.
Check current carport prices in Cape Town before settling on a material.
Aluminium carport prices
Aluminium is quoted per site rather than off a price list, because the section sizes and the number of posts are set by the span and the wind exposure at your address. For a frame of reference, KB Carports’ published 2026 rates for a 6 m × 6 m double run R13 500 for a shade-net shadeport, R24 990 in wood and R34 800 in steel, installed. Aluminium carries a higher material cost per metre than steel but removes the galvanising and repainting from the build.
Four things move an aluminium quote:
- Span between posts — a cantilever carrying the roof from one side needs heavier sections than a four-post frame of the same area.
- Roof sheeting — IBR, polycarbonate and aluminium sheet each price differently.
- Coastal specification — marine-grade fixings and connectors, which cost more than the standard equivalents and are not optional within a few kilometres of the sea.
- Ground conditions — footing depth is set by the soil and by what is already in the driveway.
Published figures for every material and size are on carport prices in Cape Town.
Aluminium carport sizes
Aluminium is built to the same standard footprints as the rest of the range. These are the sizes most Cape Town driveways take:
| Bays | Standard size | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Single | 5 m × 3 m | One car, or one car and bins alongside |
| Double | 6 m × 6 m | Two cars side by side — the most requested size |
| Triple | 7.5 m × 5 m | Two cars plus a bakkie, trailer or boat |
Aluminium’s advantage shows up in the cantilever: because the frame is lighter, the roof can be carried from one side over a wider opening before the sections have to grow. That is what makes it the usual answer where posts would block a narrow driveway or a gate swing. Full dimensions and clearance heights are on standard carport sizes.
Modern and custom aluminium carports
Aluminium is the material people ask for by name when the brief is a contemporary one. It extrudes into clean, square sections, it takes a powder-coated finish in any colour, and it does not need the visible bracing a steel frame of the same span would. A flat roof in charcoal or off-white against a plastered wall is the most-requested modern build we do in aluminium.
Custom work is where the material earns its cost. Because sections are lighter to handle and simple to cut and form, a one-off shape — a curved leading edge, a roof that steps around an existing eave, a structure that ties into a boundary wall — is realistic in aluminium where the same shape in steel becomes a fabrication exercise. For roof styles across every material, see carport designs.
Looking after an aluminium carport
Aluminium forms its own oxide layer, so there is no galvanising to wear through and no repainting cycle. Maintenance is genuinely soap, water and a soft brush, once or twice a year, and more often within sight of the sea — not because the aluminium is at risk but because salt deposits sitting on the surface will dull a powder-coated finish and can attack the fixings.
- Rinse the frame after a run of south-easter wind if you are on the coast.
- Check the fixings once a year — the frame outlasts the fasteners, and a corroded connector is the usual failure point on a coastal structure.
- Clear the roof and gutter line of leaves so water is not standing against the sheeting.
Anything already showing rust streaks, sagging sheeting or a loose post is covered under carport repairs.
Is aluminium the right choice for your home?
Aluminium suits South African homeowners who want a lightweight, rust-resistant and stylish carport with low maintenance and a modern look — particularly on coastal properties. Request a free quote to price an aluminium structure for your home.
Comparing carport materials? Compare carport prices in Cape Town and steel carports Cape Town before you request a quote.
Get a price for your carport. KB Carports builds and installs across Cape Town — request a free quote or call 062 397 4233.