Plan a Carport

Planning your new carport isn't as difficult as you may think.  

1. Plan for the right construction materials?
2. Plan to make your new carport style in sync with your current home?
3. Plan to build it yourself or get a builder instead?

Plan a Carport

If you are looking for a low cost face lift for your home then you should consider building a carport.  A new carport can add beauty and value to your home, and also add lots of protection and convenience for you and your car.  Not only will your car thank you with decelerated sun damage to the paint and interior, but also you pets and family members will also think that getting out of your car into a dry all-weather area is the best thing since sliced bread.

What to Make it From

Your new carport can be built from just about any sturdy building material you can think of.  Piers can be either timber or steel posts, or more interestingly made with brick or cement block construction.  No matter the material of choice it has to be strong enough to take the roof frame (usually made from timber or steel tubing) and the roofing material.  The key choices are that it be strong, decorative, easy to paint and easy to access and maintain.

Strong Securing Is Required

You will be surprised about the insurance that a few simple bolts will provide you.  Take for example timber posts sitting on stirrups that are anchored into concrete footings.  You could be cheap and drop in a couple of nails, but if you use a couple of 3 or 4 inch coach bolts, or even better drill right through and use a bolt with a thread and nut.  Whatever choice you make, make sure you anchor all the points of weakness for maximum strength.

Your Carport Roof

The roofing material for your carport is best matched to the roofing material of your house if possible.  But remember the style of roofing material used will dictate the strength required in the roofing frame.  Heavy materials will be more expensive and require stronger and more substantial frames.  It is for these reasons that many people opt for sheet steel.

Can You build It Yourself

Building your own carport as a DIY officianado can be very rewarding.  I suggest you hasten slowly because the cost of a major error can more than wipe out any savings you may make by doing it yourself.  It's lost of fun to DIY, but I recommend you at least get quotations from a registered builder and compare