Leaving for a summer cottage for the whole weekend, it is worth taking care of protecting the car from external factors that can affect the appearance of a passenger car. This issue is especially relevant for owners of suburban lands located in the forest. Various organics fall from the trees every now and then, which, if untimely interfered, can spoil the car’s paint layer.
A carport can help to avoid unnecessary work. Its design can be various - from capital with a brick frame to a quick-detachable design based on a polyethylene film. In one case or another, you have to invest a certain amount of money.
Types of Canopies
Any carport consists of:
- roofing;
- bearing frame;
- supporting structure;
- flooring (base).
We describe the main features that distinguish different types of canopies from each other.
Firstly, they differ in the materials that were used to create the frame. There are only two of them - either they are made of wood (beams), or welded from metal structures.
Secondly, the type of roof. The geometric parameters of the roof affect its appearance. As with the construction of any structure, there are several types of roofs :
- arched form;
- single slope;
- gable.
The third distinguishing feature that the carport possesses is the type of roofing material:
- polycarbonate;
- tarpaulin;
- soft tile;
- corrugated board.
Start of construction
In any, not even the largest construction business, it is better to start with the preparatory work. Before starting construction work, it is worth determining the place where the carport will be located. It is necessary to take into account the following points. For obvious reasons, this should be a convenient place for entry and exit of vehicles. If you have a garage or a house, it may be worth making one supporting side adjacent to these buildings.
Having decided on the place, you can develop a draft canopy for the car. To solve this problem, you can choose two directions: apply to professional firms specializing in the creation of canopies or independently search for information regarding the construction of such a necessary structure as carports. Photos will help to visually determine the course of further work.
Choosing a suitable design and deciding on the project, you will already have an idea of the amount of required material and the total estimated cost of all work. Based on this, it will be possible to make some amendments to the estimate in the direction of appreciation or, conversely, cheaper.
Preparatory work
Regardless of the type of canopy and the material from which it is made, the base should be leveled and concreted. This is done for several reasons.
Firstly, there is less likelihood that the machine will spontaneously begin to roll. Secondly, there are many chemical liquids in the car, if a malfunction occurs in any system, they can start to flow. Spreading them can cause unwanted soil contamination. Thirdly, it is aesthetically pleasing and practical. When the “iron horse” is wet-cleaned, dirt forms on the ground, which inevitably gets into the car’s interior.
The dimensions of the concrete base under the canopy should be selected according to the size of the roof. As a rule, the average dimensions of cars are five meters in length and two meters in width. For reliable protection, the size of carports should exceed these dimensions. Minimum can be considered:
- car length plus one meter;
- vehicle width plus two meters;
- height should be the height of a person plus one meter.
Concrete site must be simultaneously with the foundation work.
Canopy foundation
Due to the fact that our climate is replete with moments when wind force pulls trees with roots and snow outgrowths exceed meter height, the construction of a reliable base for canopy supports is an important issue. Although the carports in the country house have rather simple forms, the foundation for it is not an easy task.
There are several ways to make piles:
- use self-submersible screw piles;
- large diameter pipes;
- monolithic concrete piles.
Screw piles are gaining popularity - a fairly quick and reliable way to create a foundation. After the piles are buried, it is recommended that concrete be poured into the pile pipe for structural strength.
The arrangement of the foundation of the pipes is done in a similar way, with the exception of preparing the hole for installation. Digging is carried out to a depth of a little more than a meter and a width of two diameters of a steel pipe. A steel pile is installed, concrete is poured from frost-resistant grades.
The concrete foundation is much more complicated. It requires the construction of formwork and assembly of the reinforcing mesh.
Wood frame
The use of wood as a supporting structure allows you to build the main frame rather quickly. In addition, a wooden canopy for a car allows you to fit into the general landscape design of a summer cottage.
For the manufacture of racks, a bar with a section of 150 by 150 millimeters is used. For the organization of cross-ties, a bar with a section of 100 by 100 millimeters or 100x80 millimeters is suitable. The step of installation of vertical racks should not exceed two meters. To build a simple canopy for one parking place, six vertical racks are required.
It is necessary to take into account the snow loads on the roof itself. The entire mass will be borne by horizontal connections. Optimum for the bars, which are the basis for the roof, are considered dimensions of one and a half meters.
Wooden carport for a car requires periodic maintenance. All wooden structures are subject to aging and decay. To prevent premature wear of wooden surfaces should be coated with special compounds that are designed to protect them from external influences.
Steel frame made of metal
Metal canopies for cars allow you to produce frames of complex shapes. At the same time, their strength remains at a high level at any time of the year. The main profiles that are used in construction are:
- channel;
- corner;
- trumpet;
- box section profile.
Such structures are fastened by welding. Depending on the type of shape, an arch canopy with a significant distance between the supports is possible between the rack spans.
Metal canopies practically do not require care, unlike wooden structures. Every few years, refresh the paintwork and all.
Roof
For the construction of the roof, any modern roofing material is suitable. It all depends on the initial construction budget.
The most popular is polycarbonate. It received its wide distribution due to its relatively low cost and speed of installation. In addition, it passes part of the sunlight, which in some cases is its undeniable advantage. Due to its cellular shape, it has good elasticity and strength. Does not suffer from exposure to ultraviolet radiation.
Corrugated board, like cellular polycarbonate, has a convenient shape that allows you to quickly install it on the roof. Does not require special preparation of the frame. Due to processing by hot galvanizing - it is durable.
Soft roofing is a premium segment in roof waterproofing. The cost of such material is quite high, and the installation requires the use of special tools and the possession of certain skills. It is also necessary to prepare the base before applying soft tiles.
Conclusion
Carports in the country house minimize the cost of organizing a decent place to store your "iron horse". In addition, access to the car is not difficult during maintenance work.