The sun is baking down and the children need some shade to take the heat off them as they play outside - now is the time you need a carport.
When the skies cloud over and the rain pours down, the sturdy structure comes into its own again, providing a shelter for them to enjoy the great outdoors without getting soaked.
Carports are a versatile addition to a home
Carports are a versatile addition to a home - and they can even provide protection for your car!
If you do not have a garage for your car but want to give it some shelter from the weather, a carport can be a practical alternative.t will also give you cover when the weather is wet or wintry, especially when you have things to unload or load into the car.
A carport can be more than just a shelter for your car. A carport won't just be a benefit for the car owner
It can also provide a covered area in which to store a caravan or boat. Garden furniture can be stacked under it, and you can also clean your lawnmower there. It can even provide a spot to dry the washing.
Security is also a bonus, as once under cover your car will be less likely to be vandalised or stolen.It can also act as a useful covered work space.
Constructing such a carport can be a suitable DIY project.
Start by making sure your drive is in tip top condition before you embark on any work.
A carport is basically a roof on legs. It can either be free-standing or a lean-to structure attached along one edge to the wall of the house.
Carports Available in DIY Kit Form
You can buy one in kit form or design and build one to your own specification.
The typical carport kit will come with all the necessary parts that you will need and will make it easier for you as you will not have to design one from first principles.
The carport's roof can be supported by slim steel posts, which are often supplied in the models which come in kit form, or with timber posts or brick piers.
There is a major advantage in using posts rather than a side wall for supporting the roof. The spaces between them mean that you can open the doors on that side of the car much more easily. In an enclosed garage of the same floor area doors can be a problem..
With a lean-to type, flashing strips will seal the junction between the carport's roof and the house wall. Guttering will carry away rainwater.
A nice finishing touch is to paint your carport to match the colour scheme of your house.