If you are looking for a way to protect your vehicle without having to park it in your garage, building a carport is a great option. These are relatively easy to put together, or you can have one built for you on your property. There are many ways to have a carport, without requiring you to install it over concrete. Here are some tips to follow when having a carport built or installed.

Choose the Carport Location

Depending on your property, there are a few different places you might want to have the carport installed. There are carports attached to structures, and stand-alone ones. If you have a detached garage with space next to it, that is often the ideal place. There is likely already paving in the area, and the garage prevents you from needing the entire structure built. You only need some posts and a roof built. Other options include installing it next to a mobile home or manufactured home, on asphalt at the end of your driveway, or on soil if you have a large side yard.

Install Electrical and Plumbing First

With a carport, it can be helpful to have utilities, such as electrical and plumbing, installed. With electrical wiring, you are able to get lights in the carport so you can see when you are parking in the evening or early mornings when you are heading to work. It also helps to have plumbing when you want water access for washing your car or when you need to wash your hands during basic auto repairs. If installing a carport or having one built, make sure you have the proper plumbing and electrical lines installed first.

Use the Right Anchor

The carport needs to be secured to the ground, regardless of the type of surface it is being installed on. There are different types of anchors depending on the location of the carport. For example, if you are installing it on a concrete slab, you will use a concrete anchor. If the concrete is not yet poured, the posts will be placed inside holes with wet concrete so that the concrete dries and secure the posts in the process. There are also asphalt anchors that are barbed and mobile home anchors, which allow it to be secured to soil.

Add the Roof

The final step of the process is to add a roof to the carport. This is one of the most important aspects, since it is what helps protect your vehicle from weather conditions like rain, snow, and hail. There are different options for roofing, from PVC sheets to aluminum or metal. Make sure the roof is built at a pitch so rain and snow can flow down the roof instead of sitting on it and accumulating, causing damage.

For more information and options, talk with local contractors, such as those at Apollo Patio Roofing.