A Comprehensive Guide to Installing a Metal Carport Kit

Purchasing a vehicle is a significant investment, and it’s only natural to want to protect that investment. A Metal carport kit offers a robust and cost-effective solution to shield your cars, trucks, SUVs, and other vehicles from environmental elements like harsh UV rays, wind, rain, snow, and debris.

These kits typically include steel framing, supports, roofing panels, fasteners, and anchoring systems. The beauty of these metal carport kits lies in their DIY nature, allowing you to handle the installation yourself.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of building your own metal carport using a kit, ensuring that even first-time buyers can approach this project with confidence.

Prior to investing in a metal carport kit, it’s crucial to thoroughly understand and adhere to local building codes and regulations.

These codes vary significantly based on your geographical location and can have a substantial impact on numerous aspects of your carport project, such as permissible size, design specifications, allowable placement, and even the type of materials you can use.

Ensuring compliance with these codes is not only a legal necessity but also guarantees that your carport is safe, structurally sound, and harmonious with community standards. Failure to comply can lead to legal issues, fines, or even the need to modify or dismantle your carport after installation.

The quality and durability of your carport largely depend on the steel gauge and grade used in its construction. Higher-grade steel ensures greater strength and resistance to wear and tear, significantly enhancing the longevity and resilience of your carport.

The gauge of the steel is equally important; it refers to the thickness of the steel components. Thicker steel (indicated by a lower gauge number) provides more structural integrity and resistance to damage from environmental factors like wind, snow, and physical impact.

Selecting the right combination of steel gauge and grade is crucial for ensuring your carport is robust, durable, and capable of withstanding various environmental conditions over time.

At Future Buildings, we use  Galvalume Plus™ Steel, one of the most durable, corrosion-resistant metals available and come with a 50-year rust-perforation warranty.

All our steel is purchased directly from ArcelorMittal Dofasco to ensure consistency of quality grade steel and optimal pricing. Read more about Galvalume Plus™ Steel at their website here.

The coating applied to the steel of your carport plays a pivotal role in its longevity and maintenance requirements. High-quality coatings, such as galvanized or powder-coated finishes, provide essential protection against rust and corrosion. Our steel building kits are manufactured out of Galvalume Plus™ Steel.

This protection is particularly crucial in areas with high humidity, frequent rain, or salt air. A good coating not only extends the lifespan of your carport by preventing degradation of the metal but also maintains its aesthetic appeal over time. Additionally, coatings can offer extra benefits, such as UV resistance, which helps preserve the colour and finish of the carport against sun exposure.

Selecting a carport with a superior coating ensures that your investment remains in excellent condition for many years, minimizing the need for frequent maintenance or repairs.

When choosing a metal carport kit, it’s important to have a clear understanding of the assembly and installation process. Some kits are designed with simplicity in mind, ideal for those with basic DIY skills, while others might require more advanced construction knowledge or even professional assistance.

Evaluate the complexity of the kit by reviewing the instruction manual or consulting with the manufacturer. Consider the tools and equipment you’ll need, the estimated time commitment, and whether any additional help is required.

It’s also beneficial to check if the manufacturer offers customer support, video tutorials, or installation services to assist you in case you encounter challenges during assembly.

Understanding these factors in advance can help you prepare adequately and ensure a smooth installation process.

Before proceeding with the installation of your carport, it is essential to ensure that the site is perfectly level. Use proper levelling tools and techniques to check the evenness of the site.

This step is crucial as an uneven foundation can lead to significant structural issues in the future, such as misalignment of parts, undue stress on certain areas of the carport, or even complete structural failure in extreme cases.

When installing a metal carport kit on a dirt foundation, special consideration must be given to the anchoring system. The anchors for a dirt foundation are specifically designed to provide stability in less stable soil conditions.

These anchors typically go deeper into the ground to secure the carport effectively and prevent shifting or tilting over time, especially in areas prone to high winds or unstable soil conditions.

Installing a metal carport kit on a gravel foundation requires anchors that are capable of penetrating and holding firmly in loose and potentially shifting material.

Gravel foundations offer improved drainage and can be a cost-effective option, but they need the right type of anchoring to maintain the stability of the carport.

A concrete foundation is the sturdiest option for a metal carport kit installation. It provides a solid, immovable base, greatly enhancing the overall stability and durability of the structure. When installing a carport on a concrete foundation, it’s crucial to use concrete anchors specifically designed for this purpose.

These anchors are embedded into the concrete, creating a permanent and secure bond that can withstand high winds, heavy loads, and other stressful conditions.

For metal carport kits installed on an asphalt foundation, it’s important to use anchors that can be securely embedded into the asphalt without causing any structural damage. Asphalt provides a relatively stable and level base, but it requires anchors that can adapt to its flexible and somewhat less durable nature compared to concrete.

Preparing for footings involves assessing soil type, determining the depth of the footing based on frost lines and load requirements, and ensuring that the footings are level and stable. It’s crucial to follow the guidelines provided with your kit for specific footing requirements.

Installing a caisson footing involves drilling deep into the ground to reach stable soil and then filling the hole with concrete. A baseplate can be added to the top of the caisson for additional stability, ensuring a solid anchor point for your carport.

A spread footing distributes the load over a broader area and is ideal for softer soils. It involves digging a wider, shallower hole and filling it with concrete, creating a stable base for your carport’s columns.

The installation of a carport canopy includes assembling the frame according to the kit’s instructions, securing it to the foundation, and then attaching the roofing panels. Ensure that all connections are tight and secure for maximum stability and weather resistance.

At Future Buildings, we provide metal carport kits that are designed for ease of installation. Our kits come with clear instructions and all the necessary components to ensure a smooth DIY project.

Whether you need a simple shelter for your vehicle or a more elaborate structure, our kits are adaptable to your specific needs.

You can check out all our building styles below.

If you are interested in learning about our straight wall style of steel buildings, check out our sister company, Toro Steel Buildings.

Interested in learning more or ready to purchase your metal carport kit? Let us help you protect your investment with a durable, reliable metal carport.

For an estimate or information about our other steel building kits, contact us online or call us at 1-800-668-5111 today.

Also Read: RV Metal Carport Kits: Buying & Installation Guide