What to Know Before Building Carports – NC Experts Give Advice
A good carport is a uniquely convenient thing to have. Unlike full-blown garages, they are much lighter structures, typically made of steel and covered with fabric, so there is no clunky nuisance on your property. Most of them are free-standing, too, which means you can disassemble them and put them back together in any spot in your yard that you like, instead of being bound to one place. If you would like a less permanent structure, something you would feel less guilty about if it got damaged, check out this article for a step-by-step DIY approach.
However, if you want guaranteed protection from the elements and crazy temperatures, and you would rather not tangle with the welding equipment yourself, then it would be a good idea to step back and leave the work to dedicated professionals. Before you do, though, there are some things to keep in mind.
Brush up on council development regulations
When it comes to construction work and development efforts in residential areas, there are specific rules and regulations to follow. These tend to somewhat vary on the local level, so make sure you confirm them with your relevant local authorities. Either check it all out online, if possible, or go directly to their offices when you have some time.
Get all your paperwork in good order before you call any contractors. Get all the permits you will need, submit your plans for approval, and generally get the administrative stuff out of the way. This will ensure that you do not get charged with any unintentional law-breaking, and it will save you a lot of stress along the way. Imagine having to stop in the middle of your construction because of one missing paper!
Know your materials and measures
Before you buy any materials, you will need to measure the ground where you intend to build your carport. Most of the average cars will fit into an enclosure that is around 16 ft long and 9 ft wide. To get your measures right, you will need to properly level the soil, and then lay a carefully measured rectangular framework in your intended spot. Pros at Carports NC also advise that you pour out some ground cover wherever it looks necessary.
Once you have the ground measured and ready, you can purchase the materials for building. Typically, a carport will be either made of metal or wood. If you intend to have a metal construction, go for galvanized metal. If you would prefer to have your building done in wood, then whichever type of lumber you go for, make sure it is pressure treated. This will ensure that the carport can support its own weight and will stay stable in adverse environmental conditions.
Make the structural framework safe
When it comes time to dig the holes for the posts and start pouring concrete for the foundations, you will need to get smart with your stability and drainage. Most builders will make the holes for the posts around 2 ft. deep. However, if you live in a very windy climate, or if your area sees a lot of snow, you will need to at least double that to stay safe. So ask your contractors to dig 4 ft or deeper – and do not be ashamed of asking their advice, either.
As for the posts themselves, there needs to be a height difference. Whatever height you decide to set your car post roof at, get posts in those dimensions on one side of the framework, and then taller ones on the opposite side. The height difference between them needs to be at least 2 ft. This will ensure that your roof stands slanted, which will allow snow, rain, hail, dead leaves, and so on to slide right off instead of accumulating. The piling up of this stuff can seriously damage your structure. If you build your carport next to your house, put the taller posts closer so that the slant leads away from your home. You can learn more about building slanted roofs at this link: https://www.thespruce.com/roof-pitch-determines-roofing-materials-1821975
Do you have hacks of your own? Leave a comment!