Building a Carport

A carport is a small shelter, which can be freestanding or attached to your home, that provides some protection to your vehicle. Though it won't provide the same level of protection as a garage, it does offer an effective way to shield your vehicle from the elements. So, if you want to build a carport yourself, follow the advice below.

There are two main things to consider before you start building your new carport. First, you'll need to find out if your are allowed to build a carport on your property. As with any major construction project, you'll probably need permission from your municipality before you start building the carport. The other main thing is to figure out whether you can handle the project or not. Though you can find do-it-yourself kits containing everything you need to build one, it can still be pretty challenging.

If you, or your hired professionals, are using a kit to construct the carport, follow the included instructions. However, the process of building a carport should go a little something like this:

• First, you'll need to figure out the dimensions of the carport. These should be included in the instructions of your kit. If doing it completely on your own, you can figure this out by parking your car where you plan on building the carport and making a layout that will sufficiently surround the vehicle. You can lay out some string according to those dimensions, which will help you figure out the placement of the posts.

• The next step is to mark off where you will put the posts. They should be placed about 9 feet apart on the two long sides. If attaching the carport to your home, you'll still need to put in posts against the house.

• Once the post locations are marked off, you can start putting them in. First, dig a hole for each post of about 1 foot diameter and about 1 or 2 feet deep. Then, fill in the holes with cement and place a stirrup bracket into the center of each hole, making sure each one is level.

• As you wait for the concrete to set, you can cut a 2x6 inch notch into the top of each post, which will help when putting the top of the carport together. Once the concrete is dry, place the posts into the brackets, attaching them with carriage bolts.

• At this point, place the bearers that will make up the sides of the roof along the tops of the posts (they should lock into the grooves you already created). Secure the bearers to the posts with carriage bolts. If your carport is going to be attached to the house, you can use coach screws or masonry bolts to attach the bearers to the house.

• After the bearers are attached, you can put up the rafters. These should be placed across the bearers at about every 3 feet and attached with joist hangers and nails.

• Finally, you can attach the roofing material to the bearers and rafters, using roofing screws with rubber washers. Make sure the roof overhangs the structure to allow rain to run off.

Now that your carport is built, you can leave it is as or customize it however you want. The important thing is that you have a brand new structure to shelter your car.