Polycarbonate vs steel carports: which suits your home?
Both protect your car well, and we sell both. Our Canopia by Palram kits pair polycarbonate roof panels with an aluminium frame, come in set sizes and arrive with step-by-step assembly instructions. Our custom design carports are steel, with Colorbond or similar roof panels, are made to the size you design, and are manufactured in Australia from Australian-made steel. The right choice comes down to the look you want, how much light you want underneath, the size you need and who will build it.
Polycarbonate carports: Canopia by Palram kits
Polycarbonate is a tough roofing material that can be opaque or tinted. In our Canopia carport kits the roof panels sit on a powder-coated aluminium frame joined with galvanised steel connectors. The panels are described as virtually unbreakable, high impact, shatter resistant and 100% UV protected, which means they do not turn yellow or become brittle over time. The kits are ready to assemble, with pre-drilled profiles, pre-cut panels and step-by-step instructions.
Steel carports: our custom design kits
Our custom design carports have steel roof sheets, Colorbond or similar, on a steel or galvanised steel frame. They are manufactured in Australia from Australian-made steel. Steel roofing is very common on Australian homes, so a steel carport can match an existing roof closely, and it gives full shade.
You design the size online, as a single carport or a double carport. The kit arrives ready to assemble, but it comes with an engineering design rather than step-by-step instructions, so it suits a local builder or an experienced DIY builder. We can help you find an installer in your area.
Polycarbonate vs steel at a glance
| Polycarbonate (Canopia kit) | Steel (custom design kit) | |
|---|---|---|
| Roof | Polycarbonate panels: opaque or tinted, depending on the model | Steel roof sheets, Colorbond or similar |
| Light underneath | From full shade to around 10% light, depending on the panel | Full shade |
| Frame | Powder-coated aluminium with galvanised steel connectors | Steel or galvanised steel |
| Made | Canopia by Palram | Manufactured in Australia from Australian-made steel |
| Sizes | Set sizes for each model | The size you design online |
| Look | Modern, with curved or flat roof styles | Traditional, can match a steel house roof |
| How it is built | Step-by-step instructions; suits DIY or an installer | Engineering design instead of step-by-step instructions; best built by a local builder or an experienced DIY builder |
| Price at time of writing (Oct 2026) | From $3,075 | From $4,850 (single) or $6,750 (double) |
The three panel types in our Canopia carports
Not all polycarbonate is the same. Our Canopia carports use three main types, and the panel affects shade, light and look more than anything else.
Opaque twin-wall panels for full shade
These are 6 mm twin-wall panels in matte opaque grey with Heat Block Technology, which stops the sun shining through. The Colorado uses them, with 2% light transmission and a roof described as up to 5ยฐ C cooler. The Arcadia and the taller Alpine use opaque grey 6 mm panels too. Choose these if you want the closest thing to the shade of a solid roof in a polycarbonate kit.
Corrugated solar grey panels with some light
The Sydney Wave carports use corrugated solar grey panels that let about 10% of the light through, so the space underneath is shaded but not dark. The Arizona Wave 5000 Double uses bronze corrugated panels with the same 10% light transmission.
Square-profile panels
The Atlas 5000 and the Arizona Wave 5000 use grey square-profile (grecca) panels that are high impact and shatter resistant, giving a clean, modern roof line.
Weather ratings
Where the manufacturer publishes ratings for a Canopia kit, we show them on the product page. For example, the Colorado is tested to winds up to 110 km/h and 70 kg/mยฒ of snow, the Sydney Wave carports to 120 km/h and 65 kg/mยฒ, and the Arizona Wave 5000 Double to 120 km/h and 75 kg/mยฒ. Custom design carports are engineered for the design you order. If a product page does not list a rating, ask us before you rely on one.
Which one suits your home?
- You want full shade and a cooler space in a ready-made kit: a Canopia carport with opaque twin-wall panels, such as the Colorado or Arcadia.
- You want shade but a brighter space, for example next to a window or a living area: a corrugated solar grey roof such as the Sydney Wave.
- You want to match a steel house roof, or need a size the kits don’t come in: a custom design steel carport, built by a local builder or an experienced DIY builder.
- You want to build it yourself with step-by-step instructions: a Canopia kit. The assembly instructions are on each product page.
Frequently asked questions
Do you sell steel carports?
Yes. Our custom design carports are steel, with Colorbond or similar roof panels, manufactured in Australia from Australian-made steel. You design the size online.
Can I build a steel custom carport myself?
It comes ready to assemble with an engineering design rather than step-by-step instructions, so it is best suited to a local builder or an experienced DIY builder. We can help you find an installer in your area.
Do polycarbonate carport roofs go yellow?
The panels in our Canopia carports are 100% UV protected and are described as not turning yellow or becoming brittle over time.
Is the frame steel or aluminium?
Canopia kits have powder-coated aluminium frames with galvanised steel connectors. Custom design carports have a steel or galvanised steel frame.
What warranty do your Canopia carports have?
Most of our Canopia carport kits come with a 10-year limited manufacturer warranty. The warranty for each model is on its product page.
Compare the range
See every size, panel type and price in our carport kits range, or design a custom steel carport to your own size. If you are not sure which suits you, send us a message and we will help you choose.
