Are you planning for a DIY metal carport? Or are you wondering where to begin? Or simply curious? Whatever the reason may be, making your own project is challenging but exciting at the same time. But everyone needs a handy little guide while doing a DIY project.
So, without any delay, let’s jump into the topic – how to DIY a metal carport.
Let’s do a little pre planning before building a carport, shall we –
SET LOCATION
You will need to fix a location on your property where you want to build a garage. It would be best if you choose a place with some shade from the tree. If there are no trees, that’s okay too.
SET A BUDGET
Exactly how much do you want to spend on your steel carport project? Defining a budget is best at the beginning to avoid overspending. You can set a budget for accessories such as – gutter, insulator, trim, skylights, electricity, etc.
DECIDE SIZE
Now, get ready with your measuring tape. What size metal carport do you want? Or what size steel carport can be made at your selected location? Set the dimensions aside. Now, how high are your vehicles? Usually, a mid-size sedan can easily fit in a standard 12 feet high carport.
DECIDE TYPE
What type of roof would you like to have? You have three options – regular, horizontal & vertical. If you live in coastal areas or areas subjected to harsh weather conditions, we would advise you to go with a vertical roof. Their ridges run perpendicular to the ground. So, all debris will slide off due to gravity.
DECIDE FOUNDATION
Wait…one last thing remaining. What kind of foundation would you like to have? You can have dirt & gravel, asphalt, or concrete. You can also choose level ground as a base for one car carport.
GET PERMIT
This is extremely important. Depending on the area, you may or may not be required to get a permit for building a carport. For example, in California, you are not required to apply for a permit for up to 120 sq. ft. size with no permanent foundation.
Without a permit, your steel carport may get removed from your property. You may get fined, too. So, ensure you have a permit before you begin construction.
ACQUIRE TOOLS
Basic tools are – a shovel, hammer, string line, carpenter’s square, G-clamp, ladder, wrench, circular saw, angle grinder, nail gun, stapler machine, hammer drill, rivet gun, hardhat, earplugs, goggles, etc. Although you probably will be having most of them in your home.
Now, let’s begin the construction of the steel carport step by step:
STEP 1: CLEARING UP THE SITE
You can begin installation on uneven ground. So, please clean up your site, level it up, and remove any rocks, boulders, or plantations.
STEP 2: LAYING FOUNDATION
Have you decided to go with the simple ground? Then a level up ground will work best as a base, not to mention it is the most affordable base option. If you choose concrete, you have to pour it a couple of weeks before beginning construction, along with the post holes.
STEP 3: DIGGING POST HOLES
For a stronger base, post holes are required. As the name suggests, this is where your post will be attached. If you have chosen the base rail as an option, you can skip this part & start assembling the base rail to secure the post to it.
STEP 4: PLACING ANCHORS
Anchors are point that connects the ground & the rest of the structure firmly. Again, if you have a base rail, you can simply attach your post to it.
STEP 6: ATTACH POST
Post is what supports your roof. Attach all your posts firmly with the help of nails & tools. Tighten it with a wrench.
STEP 7: ATTACHING FRAMES
A frame is the skeleton of your steel carport. After you are done with posts, you need to install frames followed by braces.
STEP 8: ATTACHING PANELS
Install bows & hat channels. Then, attach any side panel. Note that your carport must be opened from at least two sides. If not, it will be considered as a garage.
STEP 9: ROOFING
And finally, the roof panels go on top with a ridge cap on it. Furthermore, you can use metal trim around the edges of the roof along with a gutter if you like.
And you are done. Pat your back, and you did a great job!
In a nutshell:
Installing a DIY metal carport was never so fun. You can also get your own steel carport from a trusted metal supplier. Don’t forget to compare different quotes before finalizing your purchase.
A steel carport is one of the simplest structures that you can do by yourself. Make sure you make your purchase from a certified builder who offers high quality steel at a reasonable rate. If you have no prior knowledge of construction, we recommend you get professional help.
Getting things messed up will only consume your time, money & energy. But if you have hands on experience with buildings, a DIY metal carport will be a fun project for you.