A hailstorm can leave a car damaged. Some hailstones can be as large as softballs, breaking windows, car wind shields, and even leaving their lasting impression on the fenders, hoods, and roofs of vehicles. Windshields are not too hard or expensive to replace, with the help of insurance, but fully restoring the body of a car be a different matter. Some dents can be so substantial that an auto body shop will choose to replace a piece instead of repair the existing part. So building carports from free standing carport plans helps shield a car from the elements.
Carport Plans
There are a few different ways to get carport designs. One is to look online. Doing a keyword search on Google or Yahoo for “carport design” will reveal some free plans and also some that can be purchased. Browsing through various plans will give options in length, height, and width. Some wider designs are meant for two or more cars.
Another avenue is to purchase a book on garages and carports. In the book, “Smart Guide: Garages & Carports” a complete look is given for building a carport. Not only are carport designs and plans discussed, but also insights are given from the start of the project to the end. Chapters include an overview in the first chapter. Then in progression it lists needed tools and material, laying out foundations, framing, installing roofing, and finishing the project. There are also two chapters devoted to garage plans and projects.
Carports Designs and Plans
Carports can be built as free standing. They also can be built as an integral part of the home. Typically integral carports designs continue the style and colors of the existing home across to the carport. Siding, roofing, trim work, and paint are all chosen to coordinate. This prevents the carport addition from looking like an after thought. Blending a home and carport together gives a much better appearance than one that is simply ‘stuck on’ as an after thought.
Most carport kits come with a steel superstructure and then either metal or poly sides and roof. A metal carport kit is entirely of metal. But when someone follows carport plans then the shelter usually is wood framed. Also, either asphalt shingles or metal roofing is used, based on the homeowner’s preference and also what matches the other existing buildings and the home itself. Some carports are left with open sides. Other times a home owner may want to put siding on the west or north side of the shelter, since that is the side which receives the brunt of the weather. The more sides that are added the more protected the vehicle inside will be.
Carport Foundations
High winds can be a concern so some carports are built with an opening at the top of the wall, at the base of the roof line. This allows air to pass freely through. No matter which style of carport is chosen, it is very important to treat the shelter just like another high quality addition to a home. One way to do this is to be sure to either dig footers and anchor the superstructure to it, or pour a cement slab and sink anchor bolts into the cement to attach the carport to.
Cement work is very inexpensive, typically a few dollars per square foot, so going to the expense of a cement pad or monoslab is a good idea. A backhoe is also needed to level the site, install French drains around it, and evenly spread a thin layer of gravel before the pad is poured. To help with drainage many contractors will rake the gravel out an additional six to twelve inches away from the footprint of the metal carport. The presence of the gravel also reduces the amount of dirt that will splash back up onto the sides during a storm. The gravel also prevents the bottom of the wood or metal siding from extra exposure to moisture. Topsoil traps water, similar to a sponge. So any siding that is left directly exposed to it will likewise be exposed to ground water.
Free Standing Carports To Completion
Free standing carport plans are many and locating one that matches your project scope shouldn’t be too time consuming. Whether you plan to built it yourself or hire a contractor the small investment in books like, “Smart Guide: Garages & Carports” can be invaluable. There are also free garage plans now our our site.
Carport Options
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