Carports are important for maintaining your car. They keep your vehicle sheltered from sun and weathering and can act as a storage space for garden and sporting equipment. DIY metal carports are easy to construct and can be built in a day. The benefit of building your own carport is that you can customize it as much or as little as you like.
Preparation
Determine the length, width, and height for the carport. The best way to determine the length and width is to measure the length and width of your car. If you want to build a small carport, allow for at least 4 feet extra around the sides of the car and at least a foot beyond the front and back end. You need extra room on the sides to open and close car doors and have enough room to walk along the car. If you want to include storage in the carport, add approximately 6 feet from the sides of the car measurement. This will allow enough room for 2-foot-deep storage cabinets or shelves.
Construction
Purchase metal poles from a hardware store that are about 3 feet longer than the highest point of your vehicle. The highest point of most cars is the antenna, so make sure the antenna is up to determine the height. You will need about a foot of the post to pierce the ground for stability and about 2 feet of room above the vehicle when it's parked underneath. Mark your length and width in a square in the area where you plan to build the carport. Use a piece of metal for the frame every 2 to 4 feet on three sides of the carport. Remember to leave the entryway open. If you have a circle driveway, consider leaving the front and back open to drive in and out in one direction.
Stand on a ladder to reach the top of the post and hammer them into the ground until they pierce in about a foot. When all the poles are in place, add the roof. Use a single piece of thin metal sheeting to make the roof. Select a piece of sheet metal that is longer on all sides of the carport except the entryway (and exitway if you have it) by 6 inches to a foot. Hammer down the area of the sheet that extends beyond the metal posts until it forms a right angle. If you have chosen to have a back to the carport, use metal cutting shears to cut slits in the two corners where the sides meet the back. This will enable you to hammer down all three sides. Screw the side flaps with a strong screw gun into each of the metal poles to complete the roof.
Considerations
Make sure that the carport is built within your property limits. Review your home's zoning information if you are unsure about your precise property lines. Also check with your state or local building permit department about the possibility of needing a building permit before construction. Most states have a website with information about building requirements, so conduct a quick Internet search to begin your research. If the webpage does not have this information, use the contact information on the page to speak with a representative directly. It's important to acquire any necessary permits before breaking ground to avoid fines and other associated fees.
Related Posts:
Use A Micronta 4003 Metal Detector
Metal detecting is a fun hobby anyone can engage in. Micronta metal detectors are inexpensive and can usually be found at stores such as Radio Shack. They are simple to use and fairly intuitive fo...
When To Use Aboveground Concrete Piers On Decks
Precast piers offer sturdy support for many decks.Above-ground deck piers are precast, tapered concrete blocks with a wide base that are intended to rest directly on the ground or a concrete base....
Run With Flat Feet
Having flat feet (or pes planus or fallen arches) does not automatically disqualify you from running. If you use your flat feet as an excuse why not to go for your marathon dream, it most likely i...
Homemade Flag Pole
Constructing your own flag pole can be cheap and easier than you think. Parts are easy to find if you have a flag supply company near your home, but they are especially easy to find on the Interne...
Recover Outdoor Cushions
You can recover your outdoor cushions yourself, using your choice of fabrics.Lounging on cushioned outdoor furniture is a common way to enjoy your outdoor living area. The soft cushions found on s...
