Your own car requires not only regular maintenance, but also reliable shelter from the scorching sun, hail and heavy snowfalls. Carport is the optimal solution for those who do not have the opportunity to build a permanent garage, but want to extend the life of the paintwork and interior of their car. Self-construction allows you to significantly save your budget and be confident in the quality of the work performed by selecting materials specifically for your needs.
The process of erecting such a structure requires careful preparation, correct choice of location and compliance with technological standards. In this article we will analyze in detail all the stages: from choosing the type of foundation to installing the final coating. You will learn how to calculate the snow load, which pipes are best to use for the frame and why the correct geometry of the roof slope is important.
Before purchasing materials, you need to decide on the type of construction. Freestanding a canopy will require more materials and time to install supports, but will give more freedom in choosing a location. Attached to the house This option is easier to install, since one side already has support, but requires special attention to waterproofing the junction with the wall of the building. The choice depends on the area of ββfree land and your financial capabilities.
Site selection and structure design
The first step is choosing a site. Soil must be dense enough to withstand the weight of the structure and wind loads. You should not build a shed in a low area, where water accumulates after rain, or under old trees, whose branches can damage the roof. The ideal place is a flat area with a hard surface or the possibility of creating one.
At the design stage, the dimensions of the future shelter are determined. For one passenger car, the minimum width should be 3 meters and the length should be 5-6 meters. This will provide comfortable parking and the ability to open the doors without touching the support pillars. The height of the canopy usually varies from 2.2 to 2.5 meters, which allows even SUVs with a roof rack to drive under it.
Important to consider compass rose in your region. If the area is open and windy, the structure should be made more massive and, possibly, windbreaks should be provided on the leeward side. You should also consider a drainage system so that water flowing from the roof does not erode the foundation and create puddles under the car.
Calculation of materials and preparation of tools
To build a reliable frame, it is most often used profile pipe square or rectangular cross-section. The pillars are usually made from 80x80 mm or 100x100 mm pipe, and the purlins and trusses are made from 40x40 mm or 60x40 mm pipe. The metal must be treated with an anti-corrosion primer before assembly to prevent rusting at welding points.
The choice of roofing material depends on budget and aesthetic preferences. Polycarbonate (cellular or monolithic) transmits light, creating a feeling of open space, and is easy to install. Corrugated sheet or metal tiles will provide complete UV protection and will cost less, but will require a more powerful frame due to weight. Slate and ondulin are also popular, but require careful sealing.
βοΈ Necessary tools and materials
Don't forget to prepare special fasteners. For polycarbonate you need thermal washers, which compensate for the thermal expansion of the material. For metal tiles, you need self-tapping screws with an EPDM rubber washer. Using conventional fasteners without protection from moisture will lead to leaks and corrosion of the roof in the first season of operation.
Foundation and installation of support pillars
The reliability of the entire structure directly depends on the quality of the foundation. For a light canopy it is most often used columnar foundation. The holes for the pillars are dug below the freezing depth of the soil (usually 0.8β1.2 meters) to avoid squeezing out the supports in winter. The diameter of the holes should be 20-30 cm larger than the diameter of the pillar.
A layer of 10-15 cm of sand and gravel is poured into the bottom of the hole and compacted thoroughly. Then the support is installed, leveled and fixed. The space around the pillar is filled with concrete. To strengthen the structure, you can use ready-made concrete blocks or βglassesβ into which metal pipes are inserted.
β οΈ Attention: When installing poles, be sure to check their verticality in two planes. Even a slight misalignment at the installation stage will lead to misalignment of the entire roof and uneven distribution of the snow load, which can cause a collapse.
If the canopy is adjacent to the house, one side is attached to the wall of the building. For this purpose it is used anchor bolts or a chemical anchor that provides a super strong bond. The attachment point is covered with a metal apron strip and sealed so that water does not flow behind the wall of the house.
Installation of frame and truss system
After the concrete has hardened (usually 3-7 days), you can begin installing the top trim. Horizontal beams are laid on the pillars and connected by welding or bolts. If the span exceeds 4-5 meters, it is recommended to install farms - triangular structures that give the roof rigidity and allow it to withstand a large weight of snow without deflection.
You can make trusses yourself from a profile pipe of a smaller cross-section or buy ready-made ones. The distance between trusses is usually 1 meter. All welds must be cleaned with a grinder (grinder) and covered with a layer of primer and paint to protect against corrosion.
Secrets of welding trusses
When welding trusses, do not make a continuous seam along the entire length; it is better to use tacks every 5-10 cm. This will reduce the thermal deformation of the metal and prevent the structure from bending (βleadingβ the pipe).
For arched polycarbonate canopies, the frame pipes must be bent. At home, this is done using a pipe bender or by making cuts on one side of the pipe (which reduces strength and therefore requires caution). Ready-made arched trusses are sold in hardware stores and greatly simplify the process.
Laying roofing
Installation of the roof begins with laying the sheathing if hard material is used (metal tiles, slate). The pitch of the sheathing depends on the type of material and the angle of inclination of the slope. For polycarbonate, the lathing is made from the same profile pipe, the pitch of which is calculated based on the thickness of the sheet and the snow load.
Polycarbonate sheets are laid with a protective layer (usually marked with film) facing up. When fastening, the screws are twisted strictly perpendicular to the surface. Drag Self-tapping screws cannot be used - this will lead to cracks, and under-tightening will lead to leaks. There must be a thermal washer between the screw head and the sheet.
| Roof material | Weight 1 sq.m | Service life | Difficulty of installation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cellular polycarbonate | 1.5 - 2.5 kg | 10-15 years | Low |
| Corrugated sheet | 4 - 6 kg | 20-30 years | Average |
| Metal tiles | 4 - 5 kg | 30-50 years | High |
| Ondulin | 3 - 4 kg | 10-15 years | Low |
The joints of roofing sheets, especially those adjacent to a wall or between slopes, require special attention. Use special ridge elements and seals. Sealing joints with silicone sealant for external use is mandatory - this will prevent water and dirt from getting under the roof, which is especially important during slanting rain.
Arrangement of a site under a canopy
Simply parking the car on the ground under a canopy is not the best solution. Over time, dripping oil and gasoline will cause stains, and after rain there will be dirt under the wheels. The best option is to concrete the site or lay paving slabs. This will ensure the cleanliness and durability of the coating.
When concreting, it is necessary to make a slight slope (about 2 cm per 1 meter) towards the drainage ditch or storm drain. This will ensure rapid drainage of water. If tiles are used, a sand cushion with a slope is also made under it. An alternative could be an embankment made of medium-fraction crushed stone, which has excellent water permeability.
If you are making a concrete pad, add fiberglass to the solution or use reinforcing mesh. This will prevent cracks from appearing when drying and operating under the weight of the car.
Additionally, electricity can be installed under the canopy. This will allow you to install lighting for parking at night or an outlet for connecting a car compressor and other devices. Wiring should be laid in corrugated pipes, protected from moisture and mechanical damage.
β οΈ Attention: All electrical installation work under a canopy must be carried out in compliance with fire safety regulations. Use a cable marked VVGng-LS and be sure to install a circuit breaker and an RCD.
Common mistakes and care tips
One of the most common mistakes is saving on pipe cross-section. In pursuit of cheapness, owners install thin racks, which become deformed at the first snowfall or gust of wind. Snow load in the central part of Russia it can reach 180 kg/mΒ², and the frame must withstand this weight with a margin.
Temperature gaps are also often forgotten when installing polycarbonate. The material expands in the sun, and if you fasten it βtightlyβ, it will burst or tear out the fastenings. Use oval holes for fasteners or special profiles.
The main secret to the longevity of the canopy is regular painting of metal elements and cleaning the roof of leaves and dirt at least twice a year.
Caring for the structure is simple: check the condition of the paint on the metal, touch up scratches if necessary. Remove fallen leaves from the roof, which can clog gutters and create unnecessary stress. Wash polycarbonate with a soft sponge and soapy water, avoiding abrasives.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions
Do I need to register a carport as a building?
According to the legislation of the Russian Federation, light sheds without a foundation (or on screw piles), without permanent walls and not permanently connected to utility networks, are often considered temporary buildings and do not require registration with Rosreestr. However, if the shed is capital, with a deep foundation and electricity supplied, it can be considered a real estate property. It is recommended to clarify this issue with the local administration or BTI.
What roof angle is optimal for a canopy?
The optimal angle of inclination depends on the roofing material and the amount of precipitation. For polycarbonate, the minimum angle is 10-12 degrees, but it is better to do 15-20 degrees for better self-cleaning from snow. For metal tiles and corrugated sheets, the recommended angle is from 15 to 30 degrees. Low-slope roofs become overgrown with moss more quickly and are less easily cleared of snow.
Is it possible to make a canopy out of wood instead of metal?
Yes, wooden canopies look aesthetically pleasing and fit into the landscape. However, wood requires constant treatment with antiseptics and fire retardants (fire protection). The metal frame is more durable, cheaper to maintain and allows longer spans without intermediate supports. Wood is more susceptible to rotting in places of contact with wet soil.
How to calculate the amount of snow on the roof?
The formula used for the calculation is: S = Sg * ΞΌ, where Sg is the weight of snow cover per 1 mΒ² of horizontal surface (taken from snow load maps for your region), and ΞΌ is a coefficient depending on the angle of inclination of the roof. For flat roofs ΞΌ=1, for pitched roofs it decreases. Always take a calculation with a margin of 20-30% in case of abnormal snowfalls.