How to Build a Free-Standing Metal Carport

Connect two sets of four 2-by-4s to 192-inch aluminum strips by placing the aluminum stripping across the bottom of the 2-by-4s and screwing a sheet metal screw through the bottom. (You will end up with two sets of connected lumber.) For the last 2-by-4, screw an 8-inch strip of aluminum to the bottom of the board in the same way. This will act as a foot for the free-standing post.

Stand your two sets of connected lumber upright and parallel to each other 12 feet apart. Now hold them into place by setting cinder blocks in between each section of wood, on top of the metal strip. Place your last independent 2-by-4 directly between the rear-most 2-by-4s with a cinder block on it's strip as well. These will hold your frame in place over the next few steps.

Hold your 48-inch sheet metal in place along the sides of the carport. Use a power drill to screw each sheet onto the standing 2-by-4s one by one. Starting as close to the ground as you can, put one screw every three inches until you reach as close to the top as you can.

Hold the 144-inch sheet metal in place against the back of the carport. Be sure to mark where the middle 2-by-4 is. You will do the same with this as you did with the sides, screw from bottom to top every three inches into both corners of the sheet as well as up the middle where you marked the middle 2-by-4.

Place the 204-inch sheet metal on top of the entire structure, this will be the roof. This is a huge piece of metal, and you're going to need a friend or two to help you. Place it so that each edge has a six-inch overhang. You may want to cut it into smaller sections width-wise using a sheet metal shear, so you can go across in a few separate strips. If you do take this route be sure to overlap the sheets so that any precipitation will roll off the roof without getting into the carport. Using your drill, screw the roof into place by fastening it to the tops of each 2-by-4.

Hammer all the edges, except the front, of the sheet metal roof with the hammer so they bend downward. Once each edge of the metal is bent downward, you can use the power drill and sheet metal screws to attach the rubber stripping. The two 17-foot-long strips go on the sides and the 13-foot strip goes along the back. Hold the strips under the small overhang you created while screwing them into place. This stripping will hang downward from the roof to help keep the elements out of the carport.