How to Build a Timber Frame Carport

It is common for families these days to have multiple vehicles. In fact, they often have more vehicles than they do spaces in their garage. There are a few ways to deal with this type of problem. You could expand the garage, leave the cars exposed to the elements, or build a carport to protect the car or cars. If you have a traditional style home a timber frame carport is an ideal solution, which begs the question “how to build a timber frame carport?” Below, we’ll take you through the process.

Why and How to Build a Timber Frame Carport

Before we get into the hows of building a timber carport, let’s take a quick look at a couple of the reasons why you should consider this type of structure over others. 

• Reason 1: A carport is less expensive than a garage – A carport is a basic shelter that provides cover for your car but generally has little or nothing in the way of amenities. This makes it an affordable option.
• Reason 2: A timber carport is attractive – A carport created using solid oak beams and rafters is as beautiful as it is durable. It’s an attractive addition to any property.
• Reason 3: A carport can make your property more valuable – A property with the capability of sheltering multiple automobiles will have a higher market value than one with a one-car garage.
• Reason 4: Carports are easy to assemble – If you use a one or two-car garage timber frame kit from Trade Oak everything you need to assemble it will be provided.

Now that you have a better idea of why you might want to opt for a timber carport, let’s look at exactly how you would go about building one.

Design Considerations

A carport is a simple structure. That simplicity is one reason why it’s so affordable. Its simplicity also means that you have a lot of choices when it comes to how the finished carport will look. For instance, you can choose whatever type of roof you want, you can choose plain or decorative posts, you can enclose part or most of it, add decorative headers, choose the type of shingles and more. 

Here are some things to consider that should help you determine the style of your timber frame carport.

• The wood must be able to withstand the range of temperatures prevalent in the British Isles.
• If it rains a lot where you live your roofing tiles must be dependably water-resistant.
• If it snows during the winter the roof should be slanted.
• The style of the roof should be similar to the style of the roof on the main house.
• If you live in a particularly windy area you might consider enclosing one or more sides.

Materials

Obviously a timber frame carport is going to require wood for the posts and rafters. But what type of wood? 

• Pine is affordable, but is not really a good choice for framing that’s going to be exposed to the elements because of its tendency to warp and twist. 
• Cedar is insect resistant (important for outdoors), very handsome and easy to work with. However, it’s fairly soft and does not make an ideal framing wood. 
• Fir is easy to stain, easy to work with and very durable. However, it’s susceptible to insects. 
• Redwood is beautiful and insect-resistant. However, it dents easily and is very expensive due to being quite rare. 
• Green oak is the ideal choice for a timber carport. It’s extremely durable, highly rot-resistant, easy to work with, relatively plentiful and costs less than some other woods.

Design and Build or Use a Kit?

You can design and build your own timber frame carport, and too many DIYers out there this idea is quite appealing, at least on the surface. However, dig a little deeper and you discover it’s a process that’s more complicated than it seems at first, and it can get very expensive since you will likely need to:

• Hire someone to create the plan for you.
• Purchase just enough material to finish the job (the smaller amount of quality timber you purchase the higher the unit price). 
• Hire a contractor to do the actual construction.

You can, of course, try and build it yourself, but remember this type of structure will need to stand up to inspection by the local council, and if it fails to pass you may even be forced to tear it down and start over.

Fortunately, there’s a better way. If you purchase a timber frame garage kit from Trade Oak Building Kits you’ll save money on the design and the materials (since we buy in such enormous quantities). You can also be certain that the carport frame from Trade Oak will stand up to whatever the elements have in store, easily pass inspection and last for decades.