Building a carport – How to do it?

Building a carport is an appealing project for many homeowners. You may be wondering if such a project is worth doing, but you don’t have to worry. Such an investment is worth it, and it is understandably more affordable than building a brick garage. It’s not just about protecting your car from inclement weather, but a carport can also increase the value of your property and add a practical and aesthetic dimension to it. In this article, you will learn what you need to know before you start building a carport.

Carport – Building Permit

One ​​of the first questions that needs to be answered when planning to build a carport is whether you need to obtain a building permit. However, this depends on how large a carport you want to build. According to current legislation in Slovakia, if a carport, or any other structure, has an area of ​​up to 25 m², it generally does not require a building permit; a minor construction report is sufficient. However, if you are planning a larger carport, for example for two cars, you should definitely contact the local building authority, where they will tell you exactly what formalities you need to complete.

In short, you do not need a building permit for a carport if you meet the following criteria:

• built-up area up to 25 m², 
• 1 floor above ground, 
• height max. 5 m, 
• distance from the land border min. 2 m,
• burial to a depth of 3 m, 
• soil with at least 50% permeability.

Suitable dimensions of a carport

If you decide on a project to build a carport, the question will certainly come to your mind as to what size is most suitable. Of course, it depends on whether you want to park one car or two under it. It is also important to consider whether you have an SUV or a classic motor vehicle and whether you plan on having another type of car in the future.

However, in general, standard carports for one car have a minimum size of 3 x 5 meters, which is a sufficient size for a regular passenger car. However, if you own a larger car, SUV, or plan to park more vehicles under the carport, you will need more space. In this case, the width should be at least 6-7 meters.

In addition to the parking area itself, it is important to think about the height of the carport. The ideal height should be at least 2.5 to 3 meters, which will ensure sufficient space even for taller vehicles or roof boxes.

Carport tips

You can find various types of carports on the market, which differ not only in material but also in the method of construction. The most common types include:

• Wooden sheds – A traditional, aesthetically pleasing and environmentally friendly solution. However, in this case, you need to treat the wood regularly to make it weatherproof.
• Metal sheds – These sheds are durable and low-maintenance. They can be made of aluminum or steel, with steel sheds being more robust but also more expensive.
• Plastic carports – Lightweight and easy to maintain, but less resistant to mechanical damage. The advantage is a wide range of colors, thanks to which you can match this carport with the facade of your house.
• Combined carports– They can combine different materials, such as wood and metal, which brings the advantages of both materials.

How to build a carport yourself?

If you like to tinker and are not afraid of such a project, you may be interested in how you can build a carport yourself. This project should initially include the exact dimensions, the materials from which the carport will be made, and a construction plan. Choosing the right roof for your carport is also key. A gable roof is better able to withstand snow and rain, but its construction is more complex and expensive. A hip roof is easier to implement, but may be less resistant to strong winds.

You can come up with and draw a carport project yourself, or, if you don’t know how to build one, you can entrust it to a professional.

Follow these steps during construction:

Preparing the ground: It is important that the ground on which you will build is firm and level. If not, level or reinforce the terrain.

Foundations: Build the foundations of the shelter. Concrete footings are often used for wooden shelters, which will ensure the stability and durability of the structure.

Frame construction: Build the frame of the shelter according to the project. Use quality wood or metal profiles to achieve a strong and durable structure.

Roof: Attach the roofing to the frame. It can be sheet metal, tiles, or another material of your choice. It is important that the roof is sufficiently resistant to rain, snow and wind.

Surface treatment: Finally, treat the shelter with a suitable coating or other protection that will extend the life of the material used.

Prefabricated hall as a suitable alternative

If you do not know how to build a carport, or you do not want to deal with such a construction and project, we have the ideal solution for you, which is in the form of a prefabricated hall. Prefabricated halls are usually made of steel structures, which are very durable and can provide much more protection than a regular shelter.

You can buy such a tarpaulin hall for under 2000 euros, and thanks to it you will ensure that your car will be perfectly protected from weather influences from all sides. The construction of such a hall is also relatively simple. You can build it yourself according to the instructions. However, if something is not clear to you, we can send our technicians to install it, thanks to which your new carport, in the form of a tarpaulin hall, can be ready for you within 24 hours. The advantage of a prefabricated hall is its size, durability and the ability to adapt to your needs. For example, if you need more storage space for tools or even a workshop, a prefabricated hall can offer a tailor-made solution. And if you add another car to your household, you can modularly extend this hall in two-meter increments, which is another advantage.