Tight Spaces Might Require A Single Sloped Carport
Deciding to build a carport is just the first of many carport decisions you will have to make. You will need to determine the right size, the right location, the right type of structure and finally the right type of roof line. Once you are generally determined the above mentioned questions you will have to choose your preferred building materials. There are many different carport roof style options including a flat roof, a gable roof, a barn roof or a single slope/lean to roof.
In many cases, the amount of space available to build in is limited, and a concrete obstacle that needs to be dealt with. This could be because you have a small lot, or there are already buildings in much of the available space, or it is just not an option to locate your building in certain locations because of accessibility. In these cases where you have a limited amount of ground area available, a lean to carport can solve a lot of the problems where a free-standing building would simply not fit.
If size is your biggest concern, then a lean to carport is probably the first design that you should consider. Where space is tight, this design allows you to minimize the footprint of the carport. Since one of the walls of the carport is actually the wall of your house, there is no loss of space outside of the wall, or where the supporting posts for that wall would normally be. This is especially handy if you tend to drive small cars. If you don’t typically drive oversized SUVs or you are not planning on getting a Hummer, then you can use a lean-to design to fit a carport in a space that may not be suitable for an oversized enclosure.
You should also look into flat roof carport designs if you are trying to fit your carport in a small space. The lean-to carport is generally 3 sided, which means you save space where the fourth wall meets your house. A flat roof carport is just as well suited to this style of building. You will need to make sure there is a minimal slope to allow for water run-off, but in general, you can just as easily build a three sided attached flat roof carport and save as much space as building a lean-to carport. Make sure that you properly calculate the structural requirements of the roof for your areas snow or ice accumulations, or ensure that your local carport company does this for you before you decide on an appropriate model.
When you are trying to fit your carport into a tight space, it is usually the width that is the biggest constraint. If you have some extra room length-wise, then it is a good idea to consider making your carport a little longer than is actually required. This gives you the flexibility to add some extra items in storage at the back. Another good idea for extra storage is to add a bank of storage lockers, or close in the end wall and add shelving. Both of these ideas give you extra storage, as well as the additional weather protection that an additional wall (or part wall from the storage cabinets) affords. I have seen a nice carport design with a closed in wall at the end, a couple of storage cabinets, and a workbench, which I thought would be very handy to have in my carport.
Deciding to add a carport to your house will no doubt increase the value of your property, and is simply a great way to protect your vehicles or belongings for the lowest possible investment. You might not think you have enough space for covered car parking, but if you are willing to build a lean to carport, you may be able to fit it in.
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