How to Build a DIY Carport: 4 Types of Carports

A carport is a covered parking structure that is used to protect vehicles from rain, snow, hail, and dust. A carport may be attached to a home in place of a garage, or it may be built as a freestanding structure. Carports often simply consist of a roof supported by beams with at least one open side. In addition to protecting your car, carports can be used as covered patios, extra storage space, or as a base to support solar panels. Building your own carport is an easy woodworking project that adds function and value to your property.

There are a variety of free building plans on home improvement websites that you can browse to get carport design ideas. Here are four types of carports to offer you some do-it-yourself carport ideas.

1. 1. Portable: Portable carports may be constructed from DIY carport kits or they may come prefabricated. They typically consist of corrugated metal roofs attached to steel or aluminum beams that can be moved because they are not built into the ground. There are also car canopies which are portable carports that are covered in a thick, durable tarp.
2. 2. Freestanding: Freestanding carports are unattached to any other structure and can be as simple as four posts supporting a roof, similar to pergola. Freestanding carports may be portable and lightweight, or they can be permanently attached to the ground.
3. 3. Attached: Attached carports are attached to one side of your home at the roofline with one wall of your home acting as support for the carport roof. This type of carport can be built as a breezeway between your house and garage with materials that match the design of your home. This can increase the curb appeal and value of your home.
4. 4. Custom: Custom carports are built to the homeowner’s exact specifications. These are ideal for irregularly-sized (or oversized) lots or to protect large automobiles. Custom carports may be ordered as a kit or come prefabricated but will tend to cost slightly more than a standard carport or a freestanding carport that you design yourself.

Before deciding if a carport is right for your property, it is wise to consider the following factors.

1. 1. Building codes: Consider your local building authority’s rules and regulations before you install your own DIY carport. Keep in mind that a structure with three enclosed sides technically becomes a garage, making it subject to different building permits than a carport needs. If your neighborhood is part of a homeowners association (HOA), you will need to disclose your carport plans to them before making any significant changes to your front yard. Their guidelines may restrict you from building the structure.
2. 2. Utility lines and easements: You will need to secure permanent carport posts at least three feet deep in the ground on your property. This means you will want to check in with your local utility company to make sure that you won’t damage any water mains or electrical conduits while you’re digging. Utility companies will often send a representative out to your property to mark buried lines. Be aware of any easements on your property, which can limit where you can build new structures on your property.
3. 3. Effect on property value: Strong, well-built carports can increase the market value of your home, meaning that you may need to pay more in property taxes.
4. 4. Building materials: Choose your materials based on the type of carport you plan on making. For a long-lasting and permanent structure, lumber will weather nearly every climate nicely. A metal carport may need to be refurbished after a few years, but it’s also cheap and quick to build.

Gathering the supplies you need to build a DIY carport is as simple as making a quick trip to the hardware store. Below is a list of the basic building materials you will need to construct your own carport.

1. 1. Roof sheeting: Depending on your desired materials, you will need wooden, plastic, corrugated metal, or galvanized metal roof panels to make the top of your carport.
2. 2. Concrete, gravel, and metal anchors: You will need a bagged concrete mix, gravel, and metal anchors to help secure your support beams into the ground.
3. 3. Posts: Your posts will be holding up your support beams and should be made from four to six 4x4 pieces of strong lumber. You can also use metal for your posts, but lumber is easier to work with.
4. 4. Support beams: Support beams will be the pieces of wood on which your trusses and roof will rest. You will need four pieces of 2x6 lumber.
5. 5. Braces: Braces are short pieces of wood that attach your support beams to your posts for added stability. You will need two braces for each post.
6. 6. Caulk: You will need to make sure the roof of your carport is weather-proof by adding caulk or other sealants to the crevices in your structure.
7. 7. Hardware: You will need a series of pilot screws to fasten your pieces of lumber together.
8. 8. Gravel and shovel: You will need gravel and a shovel to level out the space you’re making for your carport.

Follow this simple step-by-step tutorial to build a freestanding carport with wooden support beams.

1. 1. Measure your carport space. Standard single carports are 16 feet long by 9 feet wide, but this will only accommodate cars as large as a mid-sized sedan. If you want to make a two-car carport or an RV carport, measure a larger space. Measure your carport space out by marking out your plot to your desired dimensions, noting where your six posts will go. You will be placing three, equally spaced posts along the long side of your carport. Level out your excavation space with a shovel and gravel or sand.
2. 2. Dig your post holes. After you have measured and leveled the ground, dig six, two-foot-deep holes for your posts. If you live in an especially windy area, make your holes about four feet deep.
3. 3. Set your posts. Pour six inches of gravel into each hole and insert your six 4x4 posts with metal anchors attached. Pour your mixed concrete until the holes are filled and let these harden to become your post footers. Allow the concrete one full day to harden before you continue your project.
4. 4. Install your support beams. Fasten your 2x6 pieces of wood to the tops of your support beams to make the frame for your carport. Use screws to secure the beams to the top of your six support posts, making sure everything is level throughout.
5. 5. Build your roof. Fasten six 2x4 rafters to the top of end support beams. Secure the front and back two rafters flush against your support beams and place the remaining four equidistant from one another along the length of the structure to join the two lengths of support beams. Then place plywood sheets on top of the rafters and fasten in place with screws. With your plywood secure, now is the time to attach your aluminum, corrugated metal, PVC, polycarbonate, or standard shingle roofing panels.
6. 6. Add your braces and finish. When your roof is finished add your 12 braces (two for each post) at 45-degree angles to attach your support beams to your posts. Finish by adding a liberal amount of caulk to any seams in your roof and staining or painting the exposed wood.

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