ᐅ Enclosing a carport using two curtains as side walls?

The house I want to buy does not have a garage but has a very large carport with space for three cars. I would like to enclose part of it so I can securely store my bicycles (and a few garden tools) there. However, I don’t want to build a heavy structure, partly because of the cost and partly because it would affect the aesthetics.

I am mainly considering something like a heavy-duty curtain on two sides (see plan, 2nd image), which must be very durable and weather-resistant but also removable with minimal impact. The curtain could be opened on the front side, while on the side it could be fixed and locked. Theft protection would probably be minimal, but in a small rural town with low crime, this is (hopefully) less of an issue. Also, particularly valuable items will not be stored there.

Can you give me some advice and ideas? My concept for this project is still very vague! Thanks in advance!

In that case, you might want to check the hardware store for fence panels on clearance. They are probably even cheaper than a heavy, weatherproof, and UV-resistant curtain.

By the way, the only alternatives that come to mind are truck tarpaulin or a sunshade sail. I would doubt the aesthetic appeal of the first option, and the second is likely quite expensive in the size you need. But feel free to have a look around.

That is a very good idea, thank you. There are quite nice PVC fence panels available with complete privacy screening, which also offer protection from dust and bad weather. However, I have the problem that the asphalt floor of the carport is sloped because the house is built on a hillside. The fence panels would need to be mounted on a base. What is the best way to do this? I do not want the costs to skyrocket, but spending a few thousand euros is acceptable.

There are surface-mounted post anchors available for posts sized 7x7 or 9x9 cm (3x3 or 3.5x3.5 inches). At the top of the carport, you can additionally secure the post using flat brackets or similar connectors. The sections are then positioned from post to post.

There are also tarpaulins for porches and similar uses, but I found them relatively expensive. Almost any tarp can probably be cut with a simple knife. So it is just weather protection. A fence, on the other hand, can serve as theft protection if built properly, but offers little protection against the weather. The question is what exactly you want.

I know I’m undecided and a bit confused 🙂 . Ideally, I would like a shed where I can store 2 bicycles, a repair stand, and workshop equipment. That’s probably not feasible. Everyone has advised me against making major structural changes because the house actually looks very nice as it is, and the resale value would decrease. Therefore, it needs to be something easily removable. It can certainly cost a few thousand, but not 50,000! I really like the idea with the fence panels!