Whether you don’t have a garage or simply need some extra shelter, you can build a carport onto an existing home. Cut back on homebuilding costs by adding a DIY carport to your house.
What are the Benefits of Building a Carport?
If you have never owned or used a carport, you may be wondering if it’s worth the investment. Whether or not you need a carport primarily depends on the weather where you live. If you are located in an area that regularly experiences bad weather then a carport is an excellent way to protect your car.
Benefits of building a carport include the following:
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Protection from sun, wind, rain, and hail
Most people understand that hail can significantly damage their vehicles. However, few realize the long-term toll that harsh wind, rain, and sun can also take. Weather plays a large role in small dings, dents, and chips that appear in your car over time. A carport offers protection from the elements and therefore a better chance of preserving your vehicle’s paint job.
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Temperature control within the car
Have you ever gotten into your car on a hot summer day, placed your hands on the steering wheel, and immediately felt like your fingers were on fire? More than likely, that’s because your car was sitting in direct sunlight. Adding a carport to your home provides shade for your car, so you don’t have to worry about hot steering wheels or seatbelts.
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Increased lifespan of your vehicle
The better care you take of something, the longer it will last. Not only does a carport protect your car from cosmetic damage, but it also preserves its overall lifespan and value.
How Can You Build a Carport onto Your Home?
Fortunately, a carport is a relatively simple project that you can complete on your own in a weekend. The process for adding a carport to your home looks a little something like this.
1. Decide what type of carport to build.
First and foremost in your carport plans, determine how big of a carport you need. If you own more than one vehicle that needs shelter, make sure you have a suitable area for building your carport. Additionally, consider what type of materials you want to use for your carport, as well as what type of roof best fits your location’s climate.
2. Prep the site.
If you aren’t building your carport over an existing driveway, you need to prep the ground for your vehicle. After measuring your vehicles and deciding on your carport’s square footage, clean and level the ground by spreading gravel and landscaping fabric in alternating layers.
3. Dig holes and add posts.
Evenly measure the corners of your carport and dig a deep hole in each. Place tubing ports in each corner, and set anchor bolts in place before pouring freshly mixed concrete into the holes, leaving the tops of the anchor bolts sticking out of the concrete. Allow the concrete to set before attaching wooden corner posts to the anchor bolts. Keep in mind that if your carport is particularly large, you may require extra support on the edges or in the middle of the port.
4. Finish the framing.
Once your corner posts have been anchored, finish framing by screwing beams and rafters to the top of the carport. Make sure you use heavy-duty bolts to keep the integrity of the structure safe and sturdy.
5. Attach a roof.
Once you finish building your frame, it’s time to add a roof. Remember, you should choose a roof based on your local climate. If the sun is usually hot and harsh, consider a solar-reflective roof. If you experience a lot of ice and hail at your home, make sure your roof is extra strong. A typical wooden roof consists of plywood and shingles, with pipe gutters offering a place for rainfall to drain.
What if You Want to Build a Metal Carport?
You don’t have to build a carport out of lumber. Many homeowners prefer metal carports because they are a little easier to work with and slightly more cost-effective. To build a metal carport, you will need to use power tools to assemble a steel frame instead of a wooden one. In fact, if you aren’t comfortable working with either metal or wood, you can purchase DIY carport kits that provide step-by-step directions for the materials you are working with.
Who is Next Modular?
If you’d like to know more about the benefits of modular homebuilding, do not hesitate to call us today. At Next Modular, we know that choosing a home is likely one of the most important financial decisions you will make. As an experienced modular home builder, we are committed to being your guiding light through this process.
