If you are thinking about having a carport built, you will no doubt need to figure out what style you will build. There are a number of different styles, some more suited than others for different sizes and carport purposes. Of the many options available, attached or detached, single or multi-bay, gable end, hip roof, flat roof, or single slope, the last one, also known as a lean to carport, has a lot of advantages that may not be as obvious as you might think.
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.
Another space saving carport design is the attached flat roof carport. Much like the attached single slope carport, the attached flat roof carport uses the existing dwelling as a support wall. The key to constructing a flat roof carport is too make sure it has a safe loading bearing capacity and to include a small slant to the roof to assist in water runoff. Your local carport distributor should be able to answer most technical questions. If you have further questions about load bearing capacity of a carport or the angle of the roof, you should consult with an engineer.
When it comes to space requirements, the length of your carport is often a bit more flexible. This is actually an ideal place to gain valuable storage space when building a carport in tight spaces. If you extend your carport beyond the space required to park your car or other vehicle that you intend to store, then you can add storage lockers at the back for securing smaller items. If you have enough space you could even build a storage or workroom at the end of your parking space.
Adding a covered storage or parking space is something a lot of people would love to do, and is a great way to add value to your house. If space is too tight to add a full size garage, then considering a lean to carport might enable you to add covered parking to a space that is too small for a full size garage.
To find out more information, click here or visit the website Metal Carports.
