How to Design a Carport

Apartments and townhomes typically have carports instead of garages.

Apartments and townhomes typically have carports instead of garages.

Curb appeal plays a big part in your carport design. You want to match the carport to your home's architectural style to make it look as if it was part of the original construction. Otherwise, your carport will look like an add-on and may detract from the value of your home. Check local building codes to ensure your carport design is in compliance and pull the necessary permits before building.

Finding a Spot

Examine the area around your home for a suitable place to situate the carport. Ideally place it adjacent to the home where you can enter through a mudroom or a kitchen. You can also build it behind your home, if that offers a more suitable fit with your home's design and existing landscaping scheme. Carports usually have at least one or two sides that stay open to the weather without a closing garage door. You can also add a carport in front of your existing garage for additional vehicle protection if you do not have access to the side or back of your home.

Plan Drawings

Measure the area you have in mind for the carport to determine how much room you have. Transfer the measurements to graph paper to create a to-scale drawing. Work your design out on paper first, because it is a lot easier to change a paper design than it is once you start building your carport. Consider the direction the wind typically blows in your region, as that is the side to enclose. The local building jurisdiction will also require to-scale drawings and renderings for your carport's design.

Roof Designs

Carports can have flat roofs, pitched roofs or single-sloped shed roofs. Design the roof to match your existing rooflines, or at least, include the same pitch in your carport design used in the construction of your home's roof. For instance, if your home has a 4-in-12 pitch, the house raises 4 inches for every 12 inches of horizontal run. Many Californian Victorian homes have steeper pitches up to a 6-in-12 pitch or greater and may need a carport designed with a similar pitched roof for cohesiveness. Even if you decide on an angled shed roof, for the best look, match its pitch to the home's roof.

Construction Materials

The materials you build your carport with should be part of your overall design and match the color and texture of the exterior of your home. If your home has stucco siding, adding an enclosed side to your carport with this exterior finish can tie in the carport to the home's architectural style. Also, match the roof's finish materials to the home's roof for a fully unified look.

Photo Credits

  • Ross Setford/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
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