DIY Add On House Carport

Considerations

• You will first want to check with your neighborhood association board or zoning professionals about any potential regulations regarding carport construction. Dependent upon the community you live in, they may require a licensed builder to approve your plans before you begin. When selecting the site to build your carport you will need to take the ground condition into consideration. The type of ground or soil will determine the type of materials you will need to use for construction and if the area is exposed to excess moisture you will need to provide ample drainage. Areas that tend to remain soggy or wet will need materials such as pressure treated lumber to prevent rotting and water damage. In order to maximize the potential for increasing your home value make sure that you choose building materials and colors that coordinate well with your home.

Construction

• Before beginning construction you will need: 5 support posts, 17 joists, 2 headers, 4 front beams, 2 end beams, 8 front braces, 4 side braces, blocking to fit between the rafters and roofing materials that closely resemble the materials used on your house. These materials will provide you with what you need to build a basic attached carport.

  First install the posts and there are many methods of doing this. The key to installing posts is to make sure that you choose the best supportive method for your structure while accounting for environmental factors that may cause wear and tear. Securing your posts with concrete is ideal if you live in an area where the temperature drops below 20 degrees Fahrenheit or is exposed to a lot of rain. When using concrete as support make sure that you dig the post holes deeper than you would when using brackets. Not only does concrete take more room, you also want to make sure that it is poured deep enough into the ground to withstand shifting that occurs in the ground over time. You may need to trim your posts once you have set the posts in concrete or brackets.

  Use galvanized bolts and angle brackets when drilling and bolting the beams and rafters together. Once the beams and rafters are in place the structure is ready for additional support brackets. If the structure is set in concrete then you will not need additional support brackets. After determining that the structure is steady and secure you can begin installing the roof.