What you should know about installing a car port

What you should know about installing a car port
Carports offer protection for your car from the weather. Whether it is raining or snowing, a carport is a freestanding structure which provides protection and ventilation to vehicles. It can be attached to a wall and doesn’t need to have four walls surrounding it. It’s a good option for people who simply want to protect their vehicles from the elements.
You might consider a carport as a simple construction project and something you can do on your own. However, there are certain things you should consider before building a carport.
Things to keep in mind before building a carport
Before you build a carport, have everything planned out.
- Make sure you are aware about the council development regulations. There are certain local rules and regulations regarding construction in a residential area. Knowing all the proper laws will protect you from breaking them and getting served with legal notices. Make sure paperwork is done and the plans are approved. Get permission from the local council before you start constructing a carport.
- Once you have got the permit, get the building material. Wood and metal carports are common. You can customize the design by getting the exact material you have in mind. If you are using wood, it should be pressure treated lumber which would be able to withstand harsh weather conditions. If you’re thinking about using metal, purchase galvanized aluminum or steel.
- After picking the material you should take the measurements. An average car would require a carport which is 16 feet long and 9 feet wide. Place the rectangular frame on the ground and level it properly. You might need to pour in ground cover if there are spaces within the ground.
- Once the ground has been layered, dig holes for the post. The holes must be spaced equally around the rectangle of the carport. They need to be two feet deep and if you are aiming to build a stable carport structure, you can go for four feet deep holes. If you live in an area with high wind or where it snows a lot, it’s better to go for deeper holes for the post.
- Use heavy duty posts to ensure that your carport remains a stable structure. Each post needs to be at least nine feet high on one side and 11 feet high on the other side to create a slant for the roof. This is done to drain the rainwater. The higher post should be near to the side of the carport which is closer to the house so that water doesn’t drain into the foundation of the house. Cover the holes with 6 inches of concrete before setting the post into them.
- The next step is to fasten the rafter to the side beams. The rafters offer support to the ceiling. These need to be secured with the back and front beams and should be installed at equal distance. Once the rafters have been fixed, fasten the roof boards onto the rafters.
- Once the roof has been installed, inspect the carport structure to look for loopholes. If you see excessive movement on one side you will need to check the structure again for stability and take the necessary measures.
- You can customize the carport according to your requirement. Paint the wood any color or Polish it a particular shade. You can even add a little fence around the corners to create an aesthetic look.
Explore Brisbane’s custom carports experts.