How to build a carport for your home
How to build a carport – If your home is without a garage, or even if your garage serves as more of a shop or storage space than a place to keep your vehicles, you might consider setting up a carport.
These relatively simple structures provide nearly the same level of protection, and can add to your home’s resale value. If you are a moderately skilled handyman, the following steps should guide you through the process.
Modern carport
Before you get started on any additions to your home, the first thing that you should do is check with the local building codes in order to make sure that you are in compliance. In most locations, it is the builder’s responsibility to ensure that they are not violating any regulations when they undergo a project of this kind.
Don’t dig anywhere in the ground without first verifying that there are no power or gas lines, water mains, sewer pipes, sump pumps, or storage tanks. You should have basic knowledge of construction before undergoing this kind of project.
Start by outlining the location of the carport using string. Take care to check that the outline is square. While it helps to use a square tool, you will want to measure the diagonals to make sure that they are the same as well. Mark the positions for the posts. The posts should be spaced about nine feet from one another.
The next step will be to set the posts. Dig a hole at least one foot deep and one foot wide for each post. If the carport will be free-standing, they should be somewhat deeper. Pour mixed concrete into the hole. You will be placing a stirrup bracket into the center of each concrete pad. Support it using two pieces of scrap wood, and check it with a level. Allow the concrete to dry completely.
Before attaching the posts to the stirrup brackets, you will need to cut notches out of the top of the posts for the bearers. The bearers will connect the posts together on either side, parallel with the direction of the driveway. We recommend using 2″x6″ bearers. The notches should be vertical in the posts.
Set the posts in the brackets. Check to make sure they are level before drilling the hole for the carriage bolt and securing it in place. Once all of the posts are in place, use a string line to make sure that the posts are all level on each side. The posts on one side should be lower to allow for drainage off of the roof.
When attaching the bearers, use two carriage bolts for each post. If you attach it to the home, use masonry bolts or carriage screws.
You will then measure and attach the rafters. The rafters run perpendicular to the direction of the driveway, across the carport. The rafters should be attached to the bearers using joist hangers and galvanized nails. They should be spaced about once every three feet in most cases. Be sure to check your building codes.
The most common roofing material is corrugated metal or plastic. You can use whatever material you like. Just make sure that it is securely fixed to the bearers and rafters. Roofing screws and rubber washers are recommended. The material should hang at least a few inches beyond the edge for drainage.
You can attach fascias to the rafters with nails in order to give the carport a more professional appearance. Gutters and drains are optional, as is paint or wood stain. If you choose to go in this direction, consider Amerimax gutter guards, as they are quickly becoming the industry standard.
While this guide is a great place to start, we highly recommend that you plan out your carport using grid paper in order to determine how much wood will be needed, what angles will be used, and to ensure that the project isn’t flawed from the ground up.
Carports are a great way to protect you, your family, and your vehicles from the wear and tear of the outside elements and the rougher seasons of the year. For other great home improvement ideas, be sure to visit our Rival crock pot home page and see how others are learning to live the slow-cookin’ lifestyle.
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