What are my Carport Design Options?
Whether your garage is full of things other than your vehicles, it’s too small, or you don’t have one at all, adding a carport is a great way to protect your vehicles – and yourself – from the elements. It’ll protect your vehicle from the hot sun in the summer, it will keep you dry when you bring groceries home on a rainy day, and it keeps snow, hail and the next door neighbour’s frisbee from landing on your car.
Broadly defined under Australian regulations, a carport is any unenclosed structure with a roof that is designed to accommodate at least one vehicle. However, the broad definition allows you to get creative with your design.
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Carport Regulations
It’s usually best to work with a company that has experience building carports specifically, not just any construction company. In Australia, carports need to meet certain regulations regarding their size, location, distance from other structures and the street, and appearance. Make sure that you check on your local requirements before you commit to any design. For those in WA, check out our last article on what it takes to get a carport built in WA.
Carport Regulations
It’s usually best to work with a company that has experience building carports specifically, not just any construction company. In Australia, carports need to meet certain regulations regarding their size, location, distance from other structures and the street, and appearance. Make sure that you check on your local requirements before you commit to any design. For those in WA, check out our last article on what it takes to get a carport built in WA.
Consider Your Carport Needs
First, consider what you might need. Ask yourself a few questions to get going.
- How many vehicles does should the carport accommodate?
- Where is there room for a carport?
- How much space do I have to build a carport?
- Will the carport be attached to another structure or a standalone structure?
- What kind of maintenance will the carport require?
As you are creating your carport design, you will need to balance what you want with what is legal, affordable, and possible. It’s always a good idea to look for inspiration, whether you drive around your town and look at carports locally or you search the internet.
You may consider adding lighting to a large carport, one that is in a dark or shady area or simply for convenience. You may even add solar panels to the roof to supply electricity rather than wiring it to your home.
When it comes to maintenance, the best place to start is with the materials and construction of your carport. Consider what you are willing and able to do, the cost of maintenance, and the permanence of your current design or whether you’d like some flexibility with it.
Carport Materials
The material your carport is made from can make a big difference in the way it looks, how long it lasts, and how functional it may be for you. Consider the types of weather your carport will be facing. Treated timber, metal, or durable plastics may be a great way to maintain the new look of your new carport with little maintenance. If your carport will be attached to another structure, you might want to use the same or similar materials on both structures.
Recent carports have been designed with pressure treated timber or metal beams, which when included in a well-designed carport, can create a durable, functional, and aesthetically pleasing carport.
Carport Appearance
Sometimes, carports get a bad rap. However, a carport can be as visually appealing as any other structure on your property. In Western Australia, regulations prevent carports from obstructing the view to or from the street – they are required to be a specific size and distance from other structures depending on the property on which they are built.
A simple, functional carport may be made of simple materials, with a flat top and little or no accessories. However, as this is currently in line with the Scandinavian design trend that has spread around the globe, simply matching the materials to the rest of your home can create a lovely carport.
A more ornate carport could offer a few extras, including lighting, gutters, and a pitched roof – especially if this is the way your home or other structures on the property are designed.
Author bio: Marcus Fulker is the Managing Director of Great Aussie Patios – Perth’s family owned and run patio and carport builders.
You might also like: 2020 How much does a carport cost?, What it Takes to Get a Carport Built in WA
Source: What are my Carport Design Options?| Hi pages
