An earthquake is one of the most dramatic forces that can be exerted on a building. While high winds can certainly damage a structure, having the ground shake underneath a building takes things to a new level. If you live in an area prone to earthquakes and are considering adding a carport to your property, you might want to think about how your carport may fare should an earthquake strike. We’ll take a closer look at that topic in the article below.
The Power of an Earthquake
Any earthquake, but particularly a powerful earthquake, will pose a dangerous threat to structures. The reason for this threat is simple: earthquakes stress buildings in a way that they are not used to experiencing. Rather than a vertical load due to gravity or heavy items being placed in or on the building, earthquakes create lateral forces. Even a strong building may not be prepared to deal with what it will experience when a quake arrives.
Fortunately, there are some advantages associated with metal carports that give them a better chance in an earthquake than their wooden counterparts. With steel, your building will have more give and flexibility, allowing it to withstand greater shock without being damaged. In other words, the metal can move with the quake, shifting back and forth slightly throughout the event. With any luck, it will still be standing when the shaking stops and it can then be inspected to see if any serious damage was done.
Bring In Reinforcements
If you know that you live in an area that’s earthquake prone, such as California, you may want to invest in extra support and reinforcement for your carport when it is designed and installed. While every carport sold by American Carports, Inc. is a durable, sturdy structure, we can go above and beyond our standard measures to give your carport a better chance of making it through an earthquake.
It’s also worth thinking about putting your carport on a solid foundation right from the start. Pouring a concrete slab, rather than installing your carport on bare ground, will help it to stay firmly in place during such a dramatic event. Building on concrete will also make your carport more useful throughout the year, so this is an upgrade worth considering even if you aren’t worried about quakes.
Earthquakes Aren’t the Only Threat
An earthquake can pose a serious threat to the health of your carport, but this is not the only kind of natural disaster you should prepare for. If you live in an area where high winds are common, preparing for those storms is crucial. Extra anchors could help your carport stay where it belongs when significant gusts move in.
Built to Last
Carports from American Carports, Inc. are designed and built to last. We want every customer to get great value for their investment, and that means building quality carports with strong materials. The Build & Price tool we offer here on our site allows you to customize your own structure and add various useful features. If you want help from our team, take a moment to contact us and we will be glad to assist.
There are no guarantees when encountering an earthquake, but starting with the best foundation and working with a trusted carport company can give you a running start to protecting your property for natural disasters.
