Carport Issues

 
Welcome to Carport Issues

If you are looking for a low cost face lift for your home then you should consider building a carport.  We aim to  provide inspiration about:

• The issues surrounding the best construction materials to use?
• The issue of style for your needs?
• The issues surrounding being an owner-builder?

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.

Construction

You will be surprised at the wide range construction methods and materials available to your and great way to find out your choices is to cruise your local neighbourhood.  You will find materials that lend themselves to decorative finishes like timber, or sturdy wide spans like steel.  The strength of your carport will be determined by the roofing material you choose.  Some materials are much heavier than others and so posts and roof framing also needs to be similarly strong if you choose the heavier option.

Batten It Down So It Won't Blow Away

It is most important that your new carport is anchored correctly to stop it blowing away in high winds.  If it leans up against your house then a good place to start is bolting it securely to the side wall.  If it is free standing then the posts need to be cemented into post holes or bolted to the concrete base.  Exactly how this needs to be done depends your local building authority, so I recommend you check it out thoroughly before you start.

Top Choices

Whatever you decide to use for your roofing material will dictate the finished looks of your carport.  Steel sheets are functional and strong and allow for minimal falls to keep the profile of your carport to a minimum.  Conversely tiles will require a much larger fall so that you don't get water backing up and leaking into the roof space.  You can even choose some form of bituminous sheeting such as malthoid, but it's a bugger work with and in my view look pretty crappy.

Build It Yourself

Once you decide on the construction materials you can get an architect to draw up your design.  Once you have done that its a choice of DIY or builder.  I recommend a builder but there are lots of good carport kits available these days if you want to save design and construction costs for you new carport.