A carport is something that has become less of a feature on a driveway every year. It is still fairly common on older terrace houses in the UK but you do not really see it much in Dublin anymore.
The purpose of a carport is to provide you a place to park your car whilst still being on the driveway. It will protect the car from the elements and give you a place to step out onto without getting wet. Kind of a like a garage but with no walls or garage door on it!
Now you may wonder, why not just have a garage instead? Well, building a garage is a lot more complicated and will cost you significantly more as well. You can get more detailed information on carports here.
Benefits of a Carport
No planning permission required, no walling, no new surface, no doors, no windows and very little maintenance. The only maintenance you will require is going to be on the roof.
A car port can be built with no walls by simply using support beams (metal preferably) which are bedded into the ground and will support the roof of the new car port.
If it is backing into a wall, you do not need any extra support, otherwise, we recommend tying it into the side of the house to give it some extra support.
Carport vs. Garage
Building a new garage, especially if you did not have one previously, will require planning permission. It will require a bricklayer for the walls and a roofer to do the roof. Now you can just get a builder, who can handle that all for you but you will be paying extra for this.
A new garage requires a new base foundation, a concrete or similar styled floor, concrete footings for walling, windows, generally a side door and a main front garage door.
As you can see, this will start to pile up in costs after a while and there is a maintenance required that goes along with it. Oiling the garage door, spring cleaning, guttering systems, regular roof maintenance and more.
Things to keep in mind when building a carport
As with all DIY jobs, there are tricks and tips for doing things more efficiently and effectively. These are a few tips to bear in mind when building a carport from scratch.
- Make sure you have everything you need onsite before starting the job. Running out of materials halfway or not having the right tool handy can turn a day job into one that takes several more hours or even days to complete.
- If you’re using timber for your carport make sure it is covered and stored off the ground before use, particularly if it is likely to be exposed to bad weather.
- Always measure twice before cutting anything, because mistakes do happen and replacements can be costly and time-consuming.
- Don’t put your carport under any trees if possible. If you intend on pruning or removing any existing trees make sure to contact your local council before doing so.
- Clean out your carport gutters regularly to reduce the fire risk.
- You may not need a building permit if the carport you are constructing is replacing an existing one of approximately the same size, but always check with your local council to make sure.
- Wear appropriate safety gear when cutting and drilling metal and always get help when there’s heavy lifting involved.
