Steps to Building a Carport

Whether you are looking to protect your vehicle from hail damage repair Denver CO or just need a place to keep your vehicle out of sight, building a carport is the best way to go about it if you don’t already have a garage.

This article will cover the steps that you will need to take to plan, design and build your own carport.

Get a Permit

Before you launch into erecting a carport, you will need to check with your city about how to get the necessary permits to build it. Every city has a planning office that deals directly with homeowner projects, so chances are you will be able to talk to a real person about what you are planning to do.

Purchase the Materials

The most popular materials that are used to build a carport usually include wood or metal. Depending on the climate you are in, you’ll want to make sure that you use the materials that will stand the test of time. Pressure-treated lumber is a great option for drier climates and when built correctly, is much sturdier than other structures.

Galvanizes metal carports are cheaper, but ultimately less structurally sound in the long run. If you are in a hurry to get your car underneath something, go with this option. Just know that it may not protect your car from everything.

Start From the Ground and Go Up

You’ll want to make sure that you level and measure the ground correctly to fit your vehicle size. If you are using wooden poles to erect the roof, dig holes that are deep and wide enough to take at least a single bag of concrete mix to hold them in place.

Work your way up by flying the trusses in with the help of a friend or two, and anchor them into the verticle posts.

If you don’t want to deal with the hassle of building your own structure, there are plenty of ready-made kits on the market.

Seal the Roof

Regardless of climate, it’s always a good idea to seal the roof once you put it on. This can be done by layering your shingles correctly after you have caulked the seams of the plywood underneath.

Now that you know how to consider these steps carefully, make sure that you get a full set of detailed plans before you start. If you are unsure of whether or not you can do it yourself, you might consider hiring a contractor to do it for you.