Carports offer many benefits; they protect vehicles from damaging weather conditions, protect you from weather conditions, and protect your family and friends from you.
However, carports are often expensive, and constructing a carport on your own can be a difficult project.
If you’re interested in building a carport on your own, but have no idea where to start, this guide is for you.
17 DIY Car Port Plans
#1: The L shaped car port
This design is simple to construct, economical, and has lots of storage space.
Steps in building a carport using this plan:
- Draft an L-shaped frame with dimensions you’re happy with to serve as the foundation. Be sure to use pressure-treated lumber or other weatherproof material for longevity.
- Construct the frame of the L-shape using 16d nails.
- Ensure that the frame is square by measuring all sides and adjusting until perfect 90 degrees angles are achieved.
- Use hinges to attach the door frame on one side of your carport framework, leaving space for your doorway in doing so. The hinge should be installed with its slanted portion facing upward.
- Attach the other door frame to the opposite side of your framework and use a latch to fasten them together.
- Nail a one by four across the top of your carport, at an exact distance from its edge. This will serve as a rail for securing the walls panels later on.
- Add the roof of your carport. Cover it with roofing felt and shingles and install a drip edge along its perimeter.
- Add the walls panels and secure them to the rail you affixed at the top using screws or nails. Ensure that they are perfectly vertical before nailing them into place, then trim any excess off the bottom.
- Add a door and windows if you wish, or leave it as is for a carport with larger storage space.
#2: The shed style car port
This design is beneficial for those who have a driveway that accommodates two cars. It’s also great for storing objects that would otherwise clutter your yard or garage.
Steps in building a carport using this plan:
- Draft the frame of the shed carport by measuring what you think will work best for your space and needs, and make sure to draft the blade walls to match it. This type of design can also accommodate two doorways, one at either end.
- Construct the framework by using nails to join 2x4s or other weatherproof materials.
- Add the roof of your carport. Cover it with roofing felt and shingles and install a drip edge along its perimeter.
- Install door trims at both ends of your car port’s blade walls, leaving enough space for a door to fit.
- Add the walls panels and secure them at the top by using screws or nails to attach them to your door trims. Ensure that they are perfectly vertical before nailing them into place, then trim any excess off the bottom.
#3: The a frame car port
This design is best suited for more spacious homes or parcels of land, where you can accommodate a wide carport that’s big enough for two vehicles.
Steps in building a carport using this plan:
- Draft an A-frame design with dimensions you’re happy with to serve as the foundation. Be sure to use pressure-treated lumber or other weatherproof material for longevity.
- Construct the frame of the A-shape using 16d nails.
- Ensure that the frame is square by measuring all sides and adjusting until perfect 90 degrees angles are achieved.
- Add a door to one side of your carport to serve as an entryway, leaving enough space so it can swing open without hitting the wall.
- Nail a one by two across the top of your carport, at an exact distance from its edge. This will serve as a rail for securing the walls panels later on.
- Add the roof of your carport. Cover it with roofing felt and shingles and install a drip edge along its perimeter.
- Add the walls panels and secure them to the rail you affixed at the top using screws or nails. Ensure that they are perfectly vertical before nailing them into place, then trim any excess off the bottom.
- Add a door and windows if you wish, or leave it as is for a carport with larger storage space.
#4: The gable style detached car port design
Are you working with a smaller space? This design is perfect for accommodating a medium-sized vehicle, and it can be built in one weekend.
Steps to building a carport using this plan:
- Draft the frame of your gable carport by measuring what you think will work best for your space and needs, and make sure to draft the blade walls to match it. This type of design only accommodates one doorway.
- Construct the framework by using nails to join 2x4s or other weatherproof materials.
- Add the roof of your carport. Cover it with roofing felt and shingles and install a drip edge along its perimeter.
- Install door trims at one end of your car port’s blade walls, leaving enough space for a door to fit.
- Add the walls panels and secure them at the top by using screws or nails to attach them to your door trim. Ensure that they are perfectly vertical before nailing them into place, then trim any excess off the bottom.
#5: The attached shed car port
This design is beneficial for those who have a driveway that accommodates two cars. It’s also great for storing objects that would otherwise clutter your yard or garage.
Steps in building a carport using this plan:
- Draft an A-shape design with dimensions you’re happy with to serve as the foundation. Be sure to use pressure-treated lumber or other weatherproof material for longevity.
- Construct the frame of your carport using nails and screws and build it in place, rather than setting it down and moving it later on. This ensures stability and efficacy.
- Add a door to one side of your carport, leaving enough space so it can swing open without hitting the wall.
- Nail a one by two across the top of your carport, at an exact distance from its edge. This will serve as a rail for securing the walls panels later on.
- Add the walls panels and secure them to the rail you affixed at the top using screws or nails. Ensure that they are perfectly vertical before nailing them into place, then trim any excess off the bottom.
#6: The quonset style car port
This design is perfect for both small and large driveways, and it’s a breeze to build.
- Draft an A-frame design with dimensions you’re happy with to serve as the foundation. Be sure to use pressure-treated lumber or other weatherproof material for longevity.
- Construct the frame of your carport using nails and screws and build it in place, rather than setting it down and moving it later on. This ensures stability and efficacy.
- Add the roof of your carport. Cover it with roofing felt and shingles and install a drip edge along its perimeter.
- Install door trims at one end of your car port’s blade walls, leaving enough space for a door to fit.
#7: The Garage style car port
Are you working with a large amount of space? This design incorporates a door and windows to let in natural lighting, or you can add a garage door if preferred.
- Draft the frame of your garage-style carport by measuring what you think will work best for your space and needs, and make sure to draft the blade walls to match it. This type of design only accommodates one doorway.
- Construct the framework by using nails to join 2x4s or other weatherproof materials.
- Add the roof of your carport. Cover it with roofing felt and shingles and install a drip edge along its perimeter.
- Add windows to one end of your carport’s blade walls using hinges. Be sure that the window opens inward.
- Affix the walls of the blade in place, ensuring that they are perfectly vertical before nailing them into place. Nail trim over excess material on the bottom of the wall panels.
#8: The portico style car port
This design is perfect for those who want to stand under shelter, whether parking or taking a break from the rain.
- Draft the frame of your portico-style carport by measuring what you think will work best for your space and needs. This type of design can accommodate one or more doors.
- Construct the framework by using nails to join 2x4s or other weatherproof materials.
- Add windows and a door with hinges, making sure that both open inward. Be sure to affix trim with nails over excess material on the bottom of the wall panels once you’ve finished building.
#9: Solar Carport
Over the years, I’ve built a few carports and storage sheds. I’ve also put in a few outdoor showers and a few outdoor kitchens. I’ve been meaning to build a carport and storage shed for a while, but with the ever-present threat of winter, I was reluctant to start. Well, with the first snow storm of the year, I decided it was time to dig out my tools and start. This solar paneled option was one that I considered- it’s a real high-tech build and ultimately not the one I chose to do. But it’s great inspiration if you’re into solar energy!
#10: Roofline Tarp Carport
#11: $55 Tarp Carport
#12: Glass topped DIY carport kit
#13: How to Make a Homemade Carport Cheap
#14: How to Build a Lean to Carport
#15: Shed & Carport
#16: DIY Carport on a Budget
#17: DIY Carport Garage Shelter
Building Considerations
A carport can be an excellent addition to your home, providing an area to protect your vehicle from the elements while adding slightly more living space to your yard or driveway.
Building a carport is relatively easy and requires only basic carpentry skills. It’s not that difficult to make one either with your own two hands or with some help. You can build your custom carport or prefabricated one; either way, you are sure to love the finished project.
Below are some of the things you should consider when building a carport.
#1. Carport Height and Size
Before building your carport, you have to think about how high it needs to be. The roof must not be too low, or an accident is bound to happen when vehicles drive in and out of the carport.
#2. Materials
Cars will be parked inside the carport regularly. If the floor is not sturdy enough to hold heavy vehicles, accidents are sure to happen.
#3. Cooling
For a carport to function correctly, it should have ventilation to prevent overheating from trapped heat and sunlight. Heat and sunlight can cause damage to cars that cannot be repaired.
#4. Location
The carport location is an important aspect, mainly in an area where high winds come through often. A big gust of wind could easily blow over a poorly built carport and cause severe damages such as broken windshields and dents in the body.
The location also determines how much sunlight the carport gets. If it is located in an area where there’s heavy shade, vehicles won’t get enough sun to properly cool down, so that you will have taken cars out of the structure during peak summer days.
In Summary
A carport is an excellent way to protect your vehicle from the elements. Making it yourself can be affordable, and you will have more control over the design of the building.
This is a guide about building a DIY carport- it can either be done in one day or stages, depending on the time and money available. If you want to build it in steps, you will need to think about storage.
You will be able to park your car under the structure while building it, but storing your vehicle somewhere else is necessary if you can’t manage that. We’re certainly glad you asked!
If you are looking for carport plans, this article is sure to be of help. It contains a few carport design ideas as well as step-by-step instructions on how to build your very own DIY one at home!
Carports are a great way to turn your vehicle into a space that you and it can be proud of. You can take the time to enjoy working with your hands and watch your dreams come together one step at a time.
If you follow the plan as outlined, you’ll have an excellent carport in no time! Keep practicing and become your best DIY self. All of these plans can be built at home without hiring a contractor. Use these do-it-yourself carport plans to create the perfect parking spot for your car.
Hi, my name’s Elena Coolidge. I’m a DIY enthusiast who loves building fun woodworking plans. These DIY plans are fun hobby projects for enthusiasts or even more advanced builders that want to build things like bunk beds, end tables or even a duck box!
