Owners of two cars are often faced with a dilemma: to build a full-fledged garage or limit themselves to open parking. Carport for two cars from farms becomes the optimal solution that combines protection from precipitation and affordable cost. Unlike massive capital buildings, lightweight metal structures require less construction time and do not require a complex foundation.
Usage profile farms allows you to cover large spans without installing intermediate supports, which is critical for comfortable parking of two vehicles. This design ensures the rigidity of the frame even under strong wind loads. The correct choice of truss geometry and pipe cross-section guarantees the durability of the shelter for decades.
In this article we will analyze in detail all the stages of creating a reliable canopy. You will learn how to calculate the snow load, which truss design to choose, and what mistakes beginners make when concreting pillars. For a span of 6 meters, the optimal truss height is considered to be 1/12 of the span length, that is, about 50 cm, which provides the necessary rigidity without wasting metal.
Advantages of truss-based metal structures
The choice in favor of truss structures is due to their high load-bearing capacity with minimal weight. Triangular or arched truss distributes the load evenly along the entire length, transferring forces to the support posts. This allows you to use a thinner profile for purlins, saving the budget on metal purchases.
Speed of installation is another significant argument. Finished elements can be welded in the workshop and brought to the site for quick assembly. You don't need heavy construction equipment, just hand tools and a couple of helpers will be enough. In addition, metal does not shrink like wood and does not require complex maintenance like concrete.
It is worth noting the versatility of such solutions. The canopy can serve not only for parking, but also as a recreation area or storage of equipment. If necessary, the structure can be dismantled and moved to another location, which is impossible to do with a permanent garage. Profile pipe It can be easily painted and protected against corrosion using modern compounds.
Design and calculation of loads
It is necessary to begin construction with competent calculations. Snow and wind load - the main enemies of light structures. In the central regions of Russia, the weight of snow cover can reach 180 kg per square meter, and when ice forms, the load increases many times over. Ignoring these factors will lead to deformation or collapse.
For two standard D-class cars you will need a site measuring at least 6x6 meters. If you plan to park SUVs or minibuses, it is better to increase the dimensions to 7x7 meters. The height of the lower belt of the truss must be at least 2.5 meters to ensure free passage and opening of trunks.
Use online snow load calculators for your region to accurately determine the required profile section. Do not take data by eye.
When designing, consider the angle of the roof. For polycarbonate, the minimum angle is 8-10 degrees, for metal tiles - from 15 degrees. A smaller angle will result in accumulation of snow and dirt, which will increase the weight of the structure. Farms must be designed to work as part of a spatial system connected by girders and connections.
Selection of materials and tools
The basis of the frame is profile pipe. For racks, a profile of 100x100 mm or 80x80 mm with a wall thickness of 4 mm is usually used. The lower and upper chords of the trusses are made from a 40x40 mm or 50x50 mm pipe, and the braces are made from a 20x20 mm or 30x30 mm profile. The use of less durable metal is unacceptable.
For roofing, cellular polycarbonate or corrugated sheeting is most often chosen. Polycarbonate allows light to pass through, creating a cozy atmosphere, but requires high-quality UV protection. Corrugated sheeting is more reliable and durable, but it will be dark underneath. Fasteners must be zinc coated to protect against rust.
- 🛠️ Tools: welding machine (inverter), grinder with metal discs, screwdriver, building level, tape measure, stepladder.
- 🧱 Materials: profile pipe of various sections, polycarbonate/corrugated sheeting, roofing screws with EPDM washers, cement, sand, crushed stone.
- 🛡️ Protection: primer for metal, enamel for exterior use, anti-corrosion rust converter.
The quality of welding plays a decisive role. The seams must be welded along the entire perimeter of the connection, without burns or lack of penetration. After welding, be sure to clean off the slag and check the geometry of the structure. Electrodes or the wire is selected in accordance with the steel grade, usually st3 or 09G2S.
Step-by-step instructions for building a foundation
The foundation is the base of the entire structure. Most often used for truss canopy columnar foundation or bored piles. The strip foundation here is redundant and economically infeasible. The support points should be located strictly along the axes of the future trusses.
The process begins with marking the site. Pegs and cord mark the locations of the pillars. Then, using a drill with a diameter of 200-300 mm, holes are made with a depth below freezing of the soil (usually 1.2-1.5 meters). A sand cushion 10-15 cm thick is poured into the bottom of the pit.
⚠️ Attention: Metal posts cannot simply be dug into the ground. The underground part of the pipe must be treated with bitumen mastic or wrapped with roofing felt, otherwise corrosion will destroy the support in 5-7 years.
Metal pillars are lowered into the finished wells, set strictly vertically in level and concreted. Concrete grade M200-M250 is poured in layers, always bayoneted to remove air. Hardening of concrete takes 7-14 days, during which the supports cannot be loaded.
☑️ Foundation stages
Assembly and installation of trusses
It is more convenient to install the trusses on the ground, assembling them into separate modules, and then lifting them onto supports. First, the lower and upper chords are welded, then the braces are welded. Triangular truss easier to make, but arched looks more aesthetically pleasing and snow melts better.
To lift heavy structures, a winch or crane is used. The trusses are installed on the tops of the pillars and secured with temporary braces. After aligning all elements according to level and plane, major welding of the units is performed. The pitch of the trusses is usually 2-3 meters.
Between the trusses, purlins from a profile pipe of a smaller cross-section are welded. They serve as the basis for fastening the roofing material. The distance between the purlins depends on the type of roof: for polycarbonate - 70-100 cm, for corrugated sheeting - up to 150 cm. All welds are cleaned and primed.
Secrets of perfect welding
Before welding, the ends of the pipes should be beveled at an angle of 45 degrees for better penetration. When joining pipes of different diameters, use “ears” or gussets to distribute the load.
It is important to control the geometry during the assembly process. Misalignment of the truss even by a couple of centimeters can result in the roofing sheets not falling into place or forming “pockets” for water. The permissible deviation from the vertical for pillars 3 meters high is no more than 5 mm.
Roofing and finishing
Installation of roofing material is the final stage. Sheets of polycarbonate or corrugated sheets are laid overlapping (one wave) and secured with special self-tapping screws with rubber washers. Thermal washers for polycarbonate, they compensate for the thermal expansion of the material, preventing deformation of the holes.
When working with polycarbonate, it is important not to overtighten the screws so as not to crush the cells. The ends of the sheets must be covered with special profiles and sealed with vapor-permeable tape so that moisture and dust do not accumulate inside. Metal tiles or corrugated sheets are attached to the deflection of the wave.
| Parameter | Polycarbonate | Corrugated sheet | Metal tiles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight 1 m² | 1.5 - 2.5 kg | 4 - 6 kg | 4 - 5 kg |
| Light transmission | Up to 85% | 0% | 0% |
| Noise insulation | High | Low (noisy when it rains) | Average |
| Service life | 10-15 years | 20-40 years | 30-50 years |
After installing the roof, they begin painting the frame. The metal is degreased, primed and 2-3 layers of weather-resistant enamel are applied. This not only improves the appearance, but also creates an additional barrier to moisture. The color of the canopy should be in harmony with the house and the surrounding landscape.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it necessary to make a concrete platform under a canopy?
A concrete or asphalt platform is desirable to avoid dirt and puddles under cars. However, you can limit yourself to filling with crushed stone or laying paving slabs, which is cheaper and easier to do.
Which profile is better: round or square?
For racks, a square profile is more convenient (easier to weld and join). For trusses, a round pipe is sometimes more advantageous in terms of wind resistance, but a square (profile) pipe is easier to install and connect assemblies for a beginner.
Is it possible to assemble a canopy without welding, using bolts?
Yes, you can use shaped elements (crab systems) and bolted connections. This allows you to assemble the structure without a welding machine, but such a canopy will be less rigid and will require regular tightening of the bolts.
How to calculate the amount of snow on the roof?
The standard snow load depends on the region (from 80 to 320 kg/m²). Multiply this figure by the area of the roof projected onto the ground. To be safe, multiply the result by a safety factor of 1.4.
A well-made truss canopy lasts more than 20 years, protecting cars from hail, sun and snow, and increases the liquidity of real estate.