Carport: definition, design and price

A carport is an open canopy, either leaning against your home or free standing, that serves to protect your vehicle from the elements. It is a more economical alternative to a garage. A carport can also be built without a building permit if it is less than 20m2.

🚗 What is a canopy?

Le awning carport. This is an alternative to the garage: while the garage is a closed shed, the shed is open on the sides. it self-supporting structure with a roof supported by pillars. Usually it is built opposite the house, but it can also be independent.

The canopy allows protect your car bad weather: rain, snow, wind, heat, falling branches, etc. Therefore, it must cover the entire vehicle and be suitable for it.

The carport can be constructed from different materials: wood, aluminum, etc. It can be designed to accommodate more than one car, in which case it is large in size. You can even install a motorhome shelter.

Carport can be custom built or purchased from major brands such as Leroy Merlin, Castorama and other shelters or garden shops. Then you will need to install the carport on a pre-prepared flat surface, such as a wooden or concrete floor.

🚘 Why choose a canopy?

A carport is a carport that leans against your home or is a freestanding carport. Open on the sides, it has a roof that shields your car or vehicle from the heat while keeping it in the shade, rain or snow.

Compared to a closed garage, a carport has a number of advantages:

• East economic : with the same area, a carport is about 25% cheaper than a wooden garage and half the price of a brick garage;
• East easy to assemble : the structure consists of supports and a roof, which makes it a shelter that is easy to assemble, since it is enough to have a flat surface for its installation;
• East easy to maintain, especially if it is aluminum;
• He does not need to benefit from building permit.

Finally, the carport is durable, easy to access, and can be made from a wide variety of sizes, shapes, and materials. It can be custom made or purchased as a ready-to-assemble kit.

🛠️ How to build a carport?

Depending on its size and the town planning regulations of your municipality, a declaration of works or even a building permit is required to build a canopy. It is also necessary to prepare a site with a foundation or concrete screed. You can finally install a carport at this location.

Material:

• gloves
• Protective glasses
• helmet
• Ladder or stepladder
• Tools
• Canopy kit

Step 1. Prepare the structure

Depending on the size of the canopy, the regulations require you to request permission. If your carport is less than 5 m2 on land that is not in a secured area, you do not need anything. On the other hand, your carport won't be enough.

Therefore, you must file a declaration of works if the construction area is between 5 and 20 m2 or if your land is in a protected area. If the area exceeds 20m2, you need to obtain a building permit for a shed.

To complete a declaration of work, you will need to indicate the characteristics of the canopy. You will need to fill in Deer № 13703 * 06... Be sure to inquire about the legislation of your municipality, which may have specific urban planning rules.

If the area of ​​the carport is more than 20 m2, you will need a building permit. You will need to fill in Deer № 134006 * 06... The term of study is longer: count at least 2 years from the date of file submission. If you are issued a building permit, it is valid for 3 years.

Step 2: Prepare to install the awning.

Before building, of course, you need to decide on the location of the carport. You don't need to lean it against the house: the canopy can indeed be free-standing. On the other hand, it is important to build a carport on a level surface.

If not required, we advise you to pour a concrete floor slab or install a wooden floor for the carport. In any case, you absolutely need to level the area and lay the foundation on which you are going to build the awning to make sure it is safe.

Step 3: assemble the carport

You have a choice: buy a set of awnings that you just need to assemble, or custom made. The second option is preferable for cars of non-standard dimensions, for example, motorhomes. Be careful with your choice of material: aluminum requires minimal maintenance, metal is more expensive, and wood is durable but requires maintenance.

To assemble a carport, start by installing anchor points. Find them on the ground and mark their position before installing the pole supports. Then assemble the structure following the directions for using the canopy.

Finish by straightening the structure: place the struts in their supports and secure the cross members, and then secure the roof. You will need help at this stage. Note that you can also install a carport by a professional, although this will cost you more.

💰 How much does the carport cost?

The canopy price depends on several criteria:

• If it is built sur-Mesure or if it is a kit;
• His measurements ;
• Son material (aluminum, metal, wood ...);
• If he self-supporting or leaning against the house.

In addition, the canopy can be closed or semi-closed, personalized with a discount or secured: in this case, prices also increase. Finally, it is obvious that the price is not the same depending on whether you assemble it yourself or install it by a professional.

count up to 3000 € for a self-supporting carport – 5000 €, if the carport is for 2 cars. The price of a shed near your house usually goes up to 2000 €.

Now you know everything about the canopy! Its main advantage over a garage is obviously the price and construction, which is shorter and stricter than a garage. However, be sure to check the town planning regulations in your municipality before building a carport.