DIY Approach For Building A Flat Roof Carport: Part One
I am just about to start to build a flat roof carport. I have spent some time considering what type of carport would be cheapest and easiest to build. Although I suppose the cheapest and easiest would be a metal carport kit, I wanted to have the build it myself experience so that eliminated carport kits as an option.
I have researched the necessary steps that I will have to take in order to get going with this project, and the very first thing I need to do is apply for my building permit. As I understand, since this will be a fairly basic type of structure, my plan that I submit with the permit application need not be a CAD drawing or anything fancy like that. Of course I will have to include accurate measurements, heights, and distances from existing structures etc, as well as electrical diagrams and such, but this is certainly something I can draw up myself after having consulted an engineer regarding spans and loads.
The only hiccup that I ran into when applying for my permit, and this was not so much a hiccup as an oversight on my part, was the fact that my property taxes are going to increase as a result of building my new carport. I shouldn't have expected any different, of course the carport will increase the value of my property, therefore my taxable value will increase. One minor comfort is the fact that my carport is not going to increase my taxes nearly so much as a fully enclosed garage would.
My next step is to sketch out what I want the carport to look like. I know it will be made primarily from wood. I prefer the look of wood over most other materials. Also, when using wood as a material there are some nice lattice work and finials that can be incorporated into the design. I want the carport to have a Victorian look that compliments my house. Home Depot has a wide range of wooden decorative finishing details to give me inspiration. I will browse there sometime this week.
The final step before actual construction is to get my plans approved by an engineer. I have a lot of building experience but it is best to have a certified engineer go over the plans carefully before I even start the foundation. I think there is a very good chance that I might use the flat roof as the base for a second story addition at some point in the future. I don't have the money to do the second floor addition right now but I want to have the option in the future. Accordingly, an engineer can help me calculate the load I need to plan for. I may do the second story addition in steps. Perhaps in a year I will build a deck with outside access.
So that's as far as I've gotten so far with planning my big summer project - I just need to wait for the ground to dry out a bit since the spring has been pretty muddy, but I'm hoping to start digging some footings by the beginning of June. Even though I only have weekends to build my new carport, and I will certainly lose a few to fishing trips and weekends at the cottage, there's still no reason that I shouldn't get the whole thing built and finished off before fall. That will give me plenty of time to finish the details and painting before it starts snowing. - 2368
I have researched the necessary steps that I will have to take in order to get going with this project, and the very first thing I need to do is apply for my building permit. As I understand, since this will be a fairly basic type of structure, my plan that I submit with the permit application need not be a CAD drawing or anything fancy like that. Of course I will have to include accurate measurements, heights, and distances from existing structures etc, as well as electrical diagrams and such, but this is certainly something I can draw up myself after having consulted an engineer regarding spans and loads.
The only hiccup that I ran into when applying for my permit, and this was not so much a hiccup as an oversight on my part, was the fact that my property taxes are going to increase as a result of building my new carport. I shouldn't have expected any different, of course the carport will increase the value of my property, therefore my taxable value will increase. One minor comfort is the fact that my carport is not going to increase my taxes nearly so much as a fully enclosed garage would.
My next step is to sketch out what I want the carport to look like. I know it will be made primarily from wood. I prefer the look of wood over most other materials. Also, when using wood as a material there are some nice lattice work and finials that can be incorporated into the design. I want the carport to have a Victorian look that compliments my house. Home Depot has a wide range of wooden decorative finishing details to give me inspiration. I will browse there sometime this week.
The final step before actual construction is to get my plans approved by an engineer. I have a lot of building experience but it is best to have a certified engineer go over the plans carefully before I even start the foundation. I think there is a very good chance that I might use the flat roof as the base for a second story addition at some point in the future. I don't have the money to do the second floor addition right now but I want to have the option in the future. Accordingly, an engineer can help me calculate the load I need to plan for. I may do the second story addition in steps. Perhaps in a year I will build a deck with outside access.
So that's as far as I've gotten so far with planning my big summer project - I just need to wait for the ground to dry out a bit since the spring has been pretty muddy, but I'm hoping to start digging some footings by the beginning of June. Even though I only have weekends to build my new carport, and I will certainly lose a few to fishing trips and weekends at the cottage, there's still no reason that I shouldn't get the whole thing built and finished off before fall. That will give me plenty of time to finish the details and painting before it starts snowing. - 2368
posted by Frank Potter at 12:50 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home