Metal vs. Wood Carport Cost Guide
The material layer prints apart by frame: Frame A prints metal at $20 to $40 per square foot and wood at $15 to $35 in its cost-by-material table, while Frame B prints metal at $8 to $20 installed. This guide prices that layer apart.
Orange County, CA · Updated 2026 · Costs shown as ranges — your quote will vary by installer and scope
Material classes, priced apart in both frames
| Frame | Material line, as published | 2026 band |
|---|---|---|
| Frame A (cost-by-material table) | metal, per square foot | $20-$40 |
| Frame A (cost-by-material table) | wood, per square foot | $15-$35 |
| Frame A (cost-by-material table) | polycarbonate, per square foot | $12-$20 |
| Frame B (per-square-foot installed) | metal, per square foot installed | $8-$20 |
Every figure here is a published line inside its own frame, never folded into the other. Frame A's table prices material classes per square foot; Frame B prices metal installed per square foot, a different reading kept apart at $8 to $20 against Frame A's $20 to $40. The project whole prices on the carport installation hub; the configuration layer on the attached vs. freestanding guide.
Steel and aluminum lines, as published in Frame A
| Metal line | Frame reading | 2026 band |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminum, per square foot | Frame A, as published | $10-$15 |
| Structural steel, per square foot | Frame A, as published | $4-$16 |
| Galvanized steel, per square foot | Frame A, as published | $5-$20 |
The metal layer prints at two scopes inside Frame A, kept apart: type lines, aluminum at $10 to $15, structural steel at $4 to $16, and galvanized steel at $5 to $20 per square foot, and its class line at $20 to $40. Frame B prints no type split: its metal line is the single installed rate in the first table.
Wood and polycarbonate lines, as published
| Material line | Frame | 2026 band |
|---|---|---|
| Wood, per square foot | Frame A table | $15-$35 |
| Polycarbonate, per square foot | Frame A table | $12-$20 |
| Wood and polycarbonate installed totals | Frame B | not printed |
The wood line prints in Frame A's table at $15 to $35 per square foot, and polycarbonate at $12 to $20. Frame B prices metal only, so no wood or polycarbonate total prints in that frame: a wood total on a quote reads against the Frame A table line and the hub's size frames.
Size totals read against the material lines, by frame
| Size total line | Frame | 2026 band |
|---|---|---|
| Single-car 12x20 install total | Frame A | $2,400-$7,200 |
| Double-car 20x20 install total | Frame A | $4,000-$12,000 |
| 12x20 installed total, metal | Frame B | $2,000-$4,800 |
| 20x20 installed total, metal | Frame B | $3,200-$8,000 |
Material class reads inside the size frames, never instead of them. A metal quote can be checked against both frames apart: Frame A totals by size class, and Frame B installed totals for metal at each footprint.
Reading a material quote, as reported lines only
A material quote should name its class and frame on every line: the Frame A table line for wood or polycarbonate scope, or the Frame B rate for metal scope.
- Material class named beside every per-square-foot band
- Metal-type lines shown apart from the metal class line
- Frame B totals read as metal totals only, as published
- Wood totals read against the Frame A table line, never as Frame B lines
Frequently asked questions
How much do metal and wood carports cost per square foot, as published?
Frame A prints a cost-by-material table: metal at $20 to $40 per square foot, wood at $15 to $35, polycarbonate at $12 to $20. Frame B prints a different reading of metal only, at $8 to $20 per square foot installed, never blended with Frame A.
What do steel and aluminum lines price at, as published?
Frame A prints metal-type lines of aluminum at $10 to $15 per square foot, structural steel at $4 to $16, and galvanized steel at $5 to $20, each apart from its metal class line at $20 to $40 per square foot.
What does the installed frame print for metal, as published?
Frame B prints metal at $8 to $20 per square foot installed, delivery and installation on level land included as published, with totals of $2,000 to $4,800 at 12x20, $3,200 to $8,000 at 20x20, and $4,800 to $12,000 at 30x20.
What does the polycarbonate line price at, as published?
Frame A prints polycarbonate at $12 to $20 per square foot in its cost-by-material table. Frame B prices metal only and prints no polycarbonate line.
Do wood carport totals print in the installed frame, as reported?
No. Frame B prices metal carports only, so no wood total prints in that frame. Wood reads against the Frame A table line at $15 to $35 per square foot and the Frame A size totals on the hub.