How to Create Your Own Portable Carport

Protecting your car from wind, rain, and other elements is a great idea, and can be accomplished very simply with a portable carport. A carport canopy is a durable device that fits over your car and protects it from the sun and rain if you do not live in a place with a garage. Building a carport at your home is easy too, as long as you have the right materials. This canopy is a very safe way to protect your investment and help you avoid costly repair bills in case of a sudden hail storm.

Step 1 - Mark Your Carport

Mark out the carport roughly in a rectangle measuring 10 feet wide by 20 feet long. Put up a wood profile from each corner and in the middle of each side to create a base. The two center posts will do the bulk of the work in holding the carport up. Each corner post needs to be a 4x4 board with the center posts having the same thickness. This will give the car port durability as well as stability.

This carport will be anchored into the ground with anchoring lines extending from the canopy. Since you will not be digging holes into the ground for each post it can be moved around to your desired location easily. Each corner post needs to have a height of nine feet as well, allowing for plenty of room to get your car underneath it.

Step 2 - Construct the Frame

Use the joist hangers, the rafters, the end rafters, and the bolts to create a rough frame of the car port. Basically, the framing should look like you are framing a small house. The four corner posts and the two center posts (one on each side) are your supporting walls while your rafters will form an angled peak like a roof. This allows for extra room underneath the carport canopy once it is erected. The sloping roof line will allow for rain, leaves, and snow to slough off of the canopy once it is put on. The galvanized bolts provide strength and support.

Step 3 - Install the Canopy

The canopy itself is best made out of sealed canvas material. This is durable and can withstand the elements for years. Tightly drape the canvas over the frame you have created and anchor it into the ground with anchoring lines run from the grommets. The canopy needs to be big enough to fit over the frame and hang down at least one foot on each side. If you need to move the canopy the wood is portable enough to be moved by a few people at once if you just undo the anchoring lines and re-anchor them elsewhere.