Every winter, it's the same routine: scraping the windshield, chipping away ice, heading out earlier to clear snow off the car before work. A temporary car shelter solves this problem for a fraction of the cost of a garage — but you still need to choose the right size. Here's how to get it right.
Determining the Width: It's About Your Vehicle, Not Just Your Lot
Width is the first thing to nail down, and it depends directly on what you drive. A compact sedan fits comfortably in an 11-foot-wide shelter, like the Classic Car Shelter. Once you're talking SUVs, trucks, or if you want to open your doors without hitting the frame, a wider model like the PLUS 12 Car Shelter (12 feet) gives you much more comfortable clearance.
If you have two vehicles to protect, there's no need to buy two single shelters side by side: a double shelter designed for two cars is sturdier, more wind-stable, and generally more economical than two separate structures.
Length: Think About Your Longest Vehicle, Not the Average
Length should be calculated based on the largest vehicle that will use the shelter, plus extra room to open the rear doors or hatch. Our models come in lengths from 12 to 40 feet: a truck or SUV with a rear cargo rack usually needs at least 20 feet to stay comfortable.
Clearance Height: The Criterion Too Often Overlooked
A sedan is fine with a standard 6'6" clearance height. But if you drive an SUV or truck, or your vehicle has a roof rack or cargo box, height becomes critical. Several of our models, including the PLUS 12 Car Shelter, offer 7 feet of clearance, and the 7'6" option is available on standard models for taller vehicles.
Single, Double, or Utility Shelter: Identify the Right Use
Single shelter: ideal for protecting one vehicle from snow and ice during the Quebec winter.
Double shelter: designed for two vehicles side by side, like our TA-R lineup, with a reinforced structure to handle snow load over a larger surface.
Utility shelter: perfect for an storage shelter, an ATV, a boat, or seasonal equipment rather than a car.
Our Advice
Before ordering, measure your vehicle (length, width including mirrors, height including any roof rack) and add at least 1 to 2 feet of clearance on each side. A shelter that's too tight makes getting in and out difficult in winter, when snow already reduces the available space.
Still torn between two sizes? Browse our full range of car shelters or reach out through our contact page — we can help you choose based on your vehicle and your lot.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Measuring without the mirrors: a width that looks sufficient on paper can become too tight once the mirrors are folded out, especially in high winds when you need to keep the doors closed tight.
Forgetting room to shovel: a shelter that's the right width for the car but leaves no room to move around it with a shovel or snowblower makes winter upkeep harder.
Underestimating height with accessories: a roof rack, antenna, or cargo box can easily add a few inches that need to be factored into the calculation.
Choosing the minimum size instead of a comfortable size: a shelter slightly larger than necessary costs a little more but makes every entry and exit easier all winter long.
Check the Space Available on Your Property
Beyond your vehicle's dimensions, make sure to measure the actual space available on your property, taking into account the minimum setback distances required by your municipality from property lines. Also plan for space to pile cleared snow next to the shelter — it builds up quickly and can block access if space is tight to begin with.