Build a carport: easier than expected. That's how it's done

Do you need a weather-protected parking space for your vehicle? We show you how you can build a carport yourself with a ready-made kit.

Table of contents Table of contents Build your own carport: easier than you think

• Step 1: materials
• Step 2: excavate the foundation
• Step 3: attach the H-anchor
• Step 4: Check with a spirit level
• Step 5: fix the H-anchor
• Step 6: screw in the screws
• Step 7: screw the carrier together
• Step 8: put on rafters
• Step 9: assemble headbands
• Step 10: lay out roof tiles
• Step 11: attach walls

Table of contents Table of contents Build your own carport: easier than you think

• Step 1: materials
• Step 2: excavate the foundation
• Step 3: attach the H-anchor
• Step 4: Check with a spirit level
• Step 5: fix the H-anchor
• Step 6: screw in the screws
• Step 7: screw the carrier together
• Step 8: put on rafters
• Step 9: assemble headbands
• Step 10: lay out roof tiles
• Step 11: attach walls

A carport offers many advantages, among other things your car is protected from precipitation, there is usually also space for bicycles and the lawn mower. Before you get started, however, please check whether you need a building permit. It is also important to know whether there are electrical or water pipes at the desired location. Finally, it would be worth considering whether to include a wall box for the electric car.

Like every construction project, the carport also requires precise planning and cost calculation. The following list of materials gives a first overview.

Step 1: materials for the carport

For the foundation you need:

• Dig hole and spade
• wheelbarrow
• Mason bucket
• Trowel
• Watering can
• Garden concrete
• bucket
• Spirit level
• boards
• hammer
• Mortar stirrer
• Screw clamps
• Wooden cladding
• H anchor
• Tape measure
• Guideline

For the carport you need:

• Kit (our example is from WEKA) and assembly instructions
• Spirit level
• Tape measure
• pencil
• Drill and cordless screwdriver
• Hammer, fine or circular saw
• Cone drill
• Screw clamp
• Wrench
• boards
• silicone

If you want to build a carport yourself, you need a lot of materials.

Photo: WEKA Holzbau

Step 2: excavate the foundation

Each supporting post of the carport is based on a point foundation. Set the distances exactly. Use a yardstick or a tape measure and mark the distances with a guide. Use a spirit level to ensure that the alignment cords are straight. You can find out which distances you need from the respective assembly instructions.

To remove turf, dig an 80 cm deep hole with the spade or earth digger. So the foundation is below the frost line. Insert the wooden formwork and mix the concrete according to the package information, then pour it in gradually. If you puncture the concrete again and again, air bubbles can rise and escape.

Mix the concrete and pour in gradually. We recommend piercing the concrete again and again so that air bubbles can escape.

Photo: WEKA Holzbau

Step 3: attach the H-anchor

As soon as the formwork is filled, you can mark the position of the H-anchors, which are used for the posts, with pencil and the guide line. Work exactly here so that there are no deviations between the individual foundations. Place one H-anchor each in the specified place in the damp concrete. Smooth the concrete with a trowel.

The H-anchors can now be attached at the predetermined location.

Photo: WEKA Holzbau

Step 4: Check H-anchor with spirit level

Use a spirit level to check whether your H-anchors are level anywhere. If necessary, you should adjust them.

You can use a spirit level to check whether the H-anchors are really level.

Photo: WEKA Holzbau

Step 5: fix the H-anchor with screw clamps

Fix the H-anchors with a screw clamp and boards. You should let the concrete dry for at least three days. How long the respective drying time is, please read on the package of your concrete.

Fix the H-anchors with a screw clamp and boards.

Photo: WEKA Holzbau

Step 6: pre-drill holes and screw in screws

Align the posts in the anchors vertically and check with a spirit level. For a firm hold during the next step, you can fix the H-anchor with screw clamps. Now pre-drill the holes for the machine screws, screw in the screws and tighten with the wrench.

You can now screw in the screws and tighten them with the wrench.

Photo: WEKA Holzbau

Step 7: screw the beam to the post

Place the supporting purlins on the long sides and pre-drill the holes. Then screw the beams to the posts.

For the roof, the load-bearing purlins are placed lengthways and screwed to the posts.

Photo: WEKA Holzbau

Step 8: put on rafters

Align the first and last rafters first and screw them onto the purlins using the angles provided in the kit. Tension a line on the outside as a stop, put on the other rafters, align and fasten them.

First align the first and last rafters, then put on the remaining rafters.

Photo: WEKA Holzbau

Step 9: assemble headbands

The sloping stiffeners are called headbands. They are mounted between the posts and purlins and provide additional stability.

The so-called head straps provide more stability between the posts and the purlins.

Photo: WEKA Holzbau

Step 10: lay out roof tiles

Now lay out, adjust and attach the roof tiles. Place the first and the last profile wave of the individual panels on top of each other. Before mounting, apply silicone to these overlapping profiles and press firmly.

Before the walls are attached, the roof tiles must be laid out and attached.

Photo: WEKA Holzbau

Step 11: attach side and back panels

The side and rear walls are not included in the kit, but belong to the additional accessories. In order to extend the life of the wood and to protect it from UV rays and moisture, it pays to treat the material regularly with a wood protection for the outside.

Use wood protection for the walls. How to extend the life of the walls.

Photo: WEKA Holzbau