Vertical Installation of Metal Carports

Groundwork

• Always check local building codes before you begin carport installation. Building codes may require that you obtain a permit and even have a site inspection before beginning work on your carport. After this, prepare the surface for your carport. A carport frame needs to rest on a flat, preferably paved, surface. A paved driveway works for this purpose. If your driveway contains dirt or another loose material, you should ideally pour a flat, even concrete slab for your carport frame. When pouring concrete, make sure to create an area large enough for your carport.

Base Installation

• Base installation begins with assembling the two parallel metal beams that make up the base. If you purchase a frame for installation, your carport should come with all the screws or bolts you need for this job. Once you construct these beams, measure out the area of your frame on your paved surface and lay the beams in place. Use a heavy drill with a masonry drill bit to drive heavy screws, pins or bolts through the carport base into your concrete or paved surface to anchor the base. Use the fasteners provided with your carport for this, or purchase fasteners, according to the manufacturer's recommendation.

Frame Installation

• Frame construction constitutes a simple process requiring little more than fastening a series of vertical metal poles to your base. The base should possess areas designed for attaching these poles, so adhere to this structure exactly. Once you finish attaching these vertical elements, create the ceiling of the frame in the same manner, by attaching the ceiling poles to the tops of the wall poles. Use fasteners recommended or provided by the frame manufacturer. Additional pieces like braces, arms or even trusses may need to support the roof above the wall beams; install these before or with the ceiling to avoid collapse.

Roof Installation

• Roofs come in various degrees of disassembly. Some carport roofs arrive as a number of small metal panels, while others come as a limited number of large sheets. In both cases, roof installation entails placing these sheets over the ceiling of your frame and attaching them to the ceiling of the carport with bolts or screws. Always wear gloves and protective boots when working with metal roofing; it can cut you badly if you mishandle it.

Tools and Materials

• Basic tools you need for carport installation include a drill and masonry drill bit, metal snips, a hammer, measuring tape, a level, work gloves, safety goggles, an adjustable wrench, a vice grip and something for marking, like chalk. When it comes to materials like screws and bolts, always use materials with equal weather resistance to the material of your carport. For instance, never use a screw made from material that rusts quickly with a galvanized steel roof sheet, because it may ruin the weatherproof qualities of the roof.