11′, 12′ or Single-Slope Car Shelter: Which Should You Choose?

iNTEMPERY buying guide · Product details and prices checked October 11, 2026.

Trying to choose between the 11-foot, 12-foot and single-slope shelters? Think about an ordinary day: parking, opening the door, carrying groceries or buckling in the kids. The right shelter gives you enough room for those things, fits your driveway and stays within your budget.

The 11 × 20 ft shelter is a common purchase at iNTEMPERY. This guide compares 20 ft lengths, rather than starting prices that may refer to different lengths.

11′, 12′ and single-slope shelters compared

The single-slope range comes in several widths. The main table uses the 11 × 20 ft version.

Prices are for the selected variants, before taxes and applicable charges. Prices and promotions may change; check your selected variant before ordering. Compare listed dimensions with the actual clearance at your property.

Why are the tubes different?

Making a shelter wider does more than give your car extra room. The arches also have a longer distance to span. And at the same length, a wider roof carries more snow when the load per square foot is the same.

That is where tube size and wall thickness come in. With the same outside dimensions, a thicker wall can help a tube bend less. A larger tube can also be stiffer without having a thicker wall. Its shape and the direction of the load matter too.

The 11′ uses 1¼ in. round tubes. The 12′ uses mini-oval tubes listed at 1¾ in. The single-slope also uses mini-oval tubes, measuring 1¾ × 1⅜ in. That is why the frame is worth a look when comparing two shelters, even if they seem similar at first.

What does “16 ga” mean?

It means 16 gauge, a way of describing the thickness of the tube wall. Measurements such as 1¼ or 1¾ in. describe the outside size of the tube.

The number works the opposite way from what you might expect: within the same gauge system, 14 gauge is thicker than 16, while 18 is thinner. The exact thickness in millimetres depends on the material and gauge system.

Why galvanized steel?

All three models use galvanized steel. The zinc coating helps protect the steel against corrosion, which matters for a shelter that spends winter outdoors.

Let’s look at which one suits you

The 11 × 20: when you want a shelter without spending more than you need to

If your car fits comfortably and you can open the doors easily, the 11 × 20 may be all you need. It is the least expensive of the three configurations shown here, at CA$522.50 for the shelter.

Check your vehicle’s height before deciding. The clear opening is 6 ft 6 in. Remember roof bars or a cargo box you keep on the car in winter. If everything fits, you can put the difference toward anchors or installation.

See the 11 × 20

The 12 × 20: a little more room, every day

Does one extra foot really make a difference? When you are getting out with grocery bags or leaning in to buckle up a child, you may appreciate that space.

The 12′ gives you roughly six more inches on each side of a centred car, before accounting for the frame. It also offers 7 ft of clear height, six inches more than the 11′.

For the 20 ft models, the price difference is CA$237.50. If parking already feels a little tight, it is worth checking whether your driveway has room for the 12′. You will use that extra space every time you use the car.

Here is a simple check: park where the shelter will go, open the doors and walk around the vehicle. You will soon get a feel for how much room you need.

See the 12 × 20

The single-slope: think about where the snow will land

Is your parking space right beside your neighbour’s? That is a good reason to consider a single-slope shelter. The roof slopes in one direction, so snow sliding off it is directed to that side. With the right orientation, you can direct it toward a suitable area on your property rather than the neighbouring parking space.

You will need room on that side for the snow to collect without blocking a door or walkway. We can look at that with you before choosing the location. The roof will not necessarily clear itself after every snowfall; the shelter still needs monitoring and snow removal following the manufacturer’s instructions.

The straight side can also be useful when your driveway runs alongside the house. Send us a photo so we can look at the windows, roof overhang and available room together.

It comes in 9, 11 and 12 ft widths. At 20 ft long, the 9′ and 11′ cost CA$855.00; the 12′ costs CA$1,140.00. Clear height is 6 ft 6 in. and overall height is 9 ft 6 in. Even in a narrow driveway, remember to leave yourself room to get out of the car.

See the single-slope shelter

Is the cover different?

All three models have an 8 oz woven polyethylene cover, stabilized against UV. You do not need to move up to the 12′ to get a heavier listed cover. Your decision will mainly come down to space, frame and roof shape.

The 11′ and 12′ have two windows.

The single-slope shelter has four windows: two at the front and two at the back. It can be installed either way around, depending on which side you want the roof to slope toward. You therefore keep two windows at the front whichever orientation suits your driveway.

Before ordering, grab a tape measure

A few minutes now can help you avoid choosing a shelter that feels too tight. Check:

• Driveway width at its narrowest point, and the room you need to open the doors.
• Available length, leaving access to the garage and enough walking room.
• Vehicle height, including accessories. Check how high the liftgate rises when open.
• The surroundings: walls, fences, anchors and a place for snow to collect.

Also check your municipality’s or borough’s requirements. If you are unsure, send us your measurements and a few photos. You do not need to have picked a model before calling.

What should you budget for the whole project?

The table prices include the shelter, cover, screws and paving protectors. To get your total, we then need to look at what else you need:

• Anchors. They need to suit your surface and shelter. Paving protectors protect the ground but do not replace anchors. Take a look at our permanent anchors.
• Delivery. Give us your postal code to confirm the cost and availability.
• Installation. Would you rather have us handle it? See our installation services, or ask for a price with your shelter.
• Spring dismantling. You can plan both visits with an installation-and-dismantling package.

The advertised warranties are three years on the cover and ten years on the metal frame, subject to the applicable conditions.

All prices are in Canadian dollars, before taxes and applicable charges. Checked October 11, 2026; prices may change.

Still deciding?

Should I pay more for the 12′?

If you need the extra space and your driveway can accommodate it, it is worth considering. But if you are already comfortable with the 11′, you do not have to go bigger.

Will my SUV fit in the 11 × 20?

It depends on its measurements and accessories. Check the 6 ft 6 in. opening, door space and liftgate. Send us those details if you would like us to look at it with you.

Can a single-slope help keep snow away from my neighbour’s parking space?

Yes. Its roof lets you choose the side toward which snow will slide. Orient it toward an appropriate area on your property and allow enough room for accumulation.

Can you install the shelter too?

Yes, you can add our installation service. Give us your postal code and a few details about the driveway so we can confirm costs and availability.

Sources and references

• iNTEMPERY: 11′ single, 12′ single and single-slope shelter — dimensions, materials, inclusions, advertised warranties and variant prices checked October 11, 2026.
• Steel Tube Institute — Handbook of Welded Carbon Steel Mechanical Tubing: section properties and the role of tube dimensions in bending.
• Metal Supermarkets — How Metal Thickness Works: metal gauge explanation. A metal supplier, not a car-shelter retailer.
• GalvInfo, International Zinc Association — How Zinc Protects Steel: the role of metallic coatings in corrosion protection.

The technical references explain materials; they are not performance tests of these shelter models.