Free Carport Plan

A do-it-yourself free carport plan for a medium size carport.

Carports aren’t cheap, especially wooden ones. The cheapest is steel, but seldom would it match your front door. But if you have some skills in carpentry, why not put it in good use and install your own wooden carport with this free carport plan.

Materials needed for the Free Carport Plan

For the foundations, you need to have:

* cement: 143 pounds (65kg)
* sand: 572 pounds (260kg)
* stone: 572 pounds (260kg)
* anchor plates x 2 (any design), with bolts
*if you have a better alternative to where you prefer your structure to be standing, then revise this to fit your purpose.

Timber (SA Pine):
* Uprights: 4 x 8 ft (2,4m) ex 4"56 inch (114mm) x 1"52 inch (38mm)
* Spacers: 4 x 10 inches (250mm) ex 4"56 inch (114mm) x 1"52 inch (38mm)
* Bracing corners: 2 x 29"2 inch (730mm) ex 6"08 inch (152mm) x 1"52 inch (38mm)
* Roof framework/beams:
1. 1 x 17 ft (5,1m) ex 4"56 inch (114mm) x 1"52 inch (38mm)
2. 2 x 10 ft (3,2m) ex 4"56 inch (114mm) x 1"52 inch (38mm)
3. 2 x 8 ft (2,4m) ex 4"56 inch (114mm) x 1"52 inch (38mm)
4. 4 x 5 ft (1,5m) ex 4"56 inch (114mm) x 1"52 inch (38mm)
5. 1 x 10 ft (3m) ex 4"56 inch (114mm) x 1"52 inch (38mm)
6. 6 x 15 ft (4,5m) ex 4"56 inch (114mm) x 1"52 inch (38mm)
* Fascia: 1 x 13 ft (4m) ex 6"08 inch (152mm) x 1"56 inch (38mm)
* Cover strip:
1. 1 x 29 ft (8,8m) x 1"76 inch (44mm),"-36 inch (9mm) (or several smaller lengths to fit)
2. 1 x 4 ft (1,5m) x1"76 inch (44mm) x "-36 inch (9mm)
3. 1 x 13 ft (4m) x 1"76 inch (44mm) x "-36 inch (9mm)
* Half rounds:
1. 3 x 4 ft (1,5m) x "-76 inch (19mm)
2. 1 x 10 ft (3m) x "-76 inch (19mm)
3. 6 x 15 ft (4,5m) x "-76 inch (19mm)



Shade cloth:
* 45 ft (13,5m) cut to fit between beams: 6"8 (2m) x 15 ft (4,7m), cut to 8 ft (2,4m) width (1 with splayed corner)
* 3"4 (1m) x 10 ft (3,2m), cut to 5 ft (1,6m) with (cut diagonally to form a triangle)
* 3"4 (1m) x 5 ft (1,7m), cut to 8 ft (2,4m) (for entrance)

NOTE: The shade cloth is cut slightly longer than the beams so there is enough to fold over the cover strip.

Connectors and fasteners:
* 10 x 4 inch (100mm) x "-2 inch (5mm) cuphead bolts with washers
* 7 x 4 inch (100mm) x "-32 inch (8mm) Rawlbolts
* 24 x 3 inch (75mm) x No 10 ("-196 inch (4,9mm)) countersunk screws
* 3 inch (75mm) wire nails
* 1"6 inch (40mm) wire nails or staples

Starting the Free Carport Plan

1. Measure and mark the position of the two upright posts, 13 ft (4m) from edge to edge. These are anchored just above ground level on metal base plates. Various anchor plates are available, all of which are sit in concrete footings.
2. Dig trenches for the two footings, at least 20 inches (500mm) x 20 inches (500mm) x 20 inches (500mm) and fill with concrete. Set the post anchor bases in the concrete and allow the concrete to set thoroughly.
3. First step is to bolt upright posts together to form two pairs. Insert spacer blocks leaving a gap of 37"6 inch (940mm) between each block. Brace with scrap timber an then use cuphead bolts with scrap timber and then use cuphead bolts with washers to secure the spacers to the uprights.
4. Cut the corner bracing pieces as illustrated and slot into place 7"6 inch (190mm) above the second spacer. Position the fascia between each pair of upright timbers, so that it is flush with the upper surface.
5. Now assemble the framework of the roof structure. You will need to cut notches to accommodate the roof beams. These should be about 1"4 inch (35mm) x 2 inch (50mm) deep (depending on the finished size of you planed timber) and set at 32 inches (800mm) center. Lay three lengths of timber, end-to-end on the ground as they will be affixed to the wall: 8 ft (2,4m) + 10"6 inch (3,2m) + 10"6 inch (3,2m), mark the centers and cut notches. First bolt the 4 ft (1,5m) length above the doorway so that it is level with the fascia attached to the uprights. Bolt the remaining three lengths to the garage wall in this same configuration as they were laid on the ground (with the first 8 ft (2,4m) length abutting a 10"6 inch (3,2m) length. The second 10"6 inch (3,2m) lengths spans the gap between carport and front door and is screwed onto the 4 ft (1,5m) length of timber affixed to the wall above the doorway). Screw the 10 ft (3m) length diagonally across the end as illustrated.
6. Now affix the beams starting at the diagonal end. Slot one end of the timber into the notch against the wall and skew nail to secure. Screw to the diagonal timber through the front of the structure using the countersunk screws. Repeat with remaining beams, screwing into the fascia in the same way. You will not be able to affix the two remaining 4 ft (1,5m) long beams until the 8 ft (2,4m) length of timber is affixed between the last 15 ft (4,5m) beam and the short length above the doorway.
7. If you are painting the carport, do so before affixing the shade cloth. Then starting at the doorway, pull the 5"6 ft (1,7m) length of shade cloth over the beams, so that there is excess cloth on both sides. Staple or secure with 1"6 inch (40mm) nails. Continue systematically along the structure, ensuring each length is well secured and taut.
8. Roll the loose ends of cloth over the cover strips and nail in place along the garage wall, the wall at the entrance and the fascia. Finally, nail half rounds along all beams and along the diagonal beam.

This free carport plan is taken from:
http://www.shade-cloth-diy.com/carports/carports.shtml