Wooden carport with profiled columns and a hip roof No. 2

In short: Wooden carport No. 2 is a completely open structure whose large hip roof is held up by a row of profiled wooden columns with diagonal braces. Under the roof there is a spacious, dry place for cars, and the decorative columns turn the carport into an attractive accent of the yard. The size, finishing and equipment are agreed with each customer individually.

A carport that decorates the yard

In the photo the carport stands on a paved driveway next to a two-story house with a balcony. It has no walls: the roof is held up by wooden columns alone, so through the structure you can see the lawn, the flower boxes and the facade of the house. A solution like this lets you cover a large area without closing off the yard.

The roof is a hip roof, covered with brown bitumen shingles in a hexagonal pattern. Its edge is bordered by a wide wooden bargeboard that visually joins all the columns into a single frame. The brown covering is a slightly warmer shade than the dark roof of the house in the background, but the two roofs go well together.

The greatest decoration of this carport is its columns. They are not simply rectangular timbers: in the middle of each column there are carved profiles that widen and narrow, recalling the posts of old porches. At the top each column branches into two diagonal braces that support the roof beams and form the shape of the letter Y. When there are many such columns, they make a rhythmic row that can be seen from afar.

The wood is covered with a light, warm yellow coating. At the bottom of the columns you can see steel supports with which they are fixed to the base. This way the wood does not rest directly on the ground or the paving and dries faster after rain.

In the background you can see other details of the yard: a trampoline, flower boxes, young bushes and a wide meadow behind the house. The photo was taken on an overcast autumn day, when the first yellow leaves already lie on the lawn. Even under a gray sky the light wood of the carport stands out and looks warm.

What the photo shows

A short summary helps you quickly understand which solutions were used in this typical example.

What makes an open carport for cars convenient

An open carport is the simplest way to protect a car from the weather without building an enclosed garage. The roof holds off rain, snow and hail, and in summer it casts shade, so the interior heats up less. In autumn leaves do not fall on the car, and in spring neither does tree pollen or seeds.

Because the carport has no walls, you can drive into it from several sides. That is especially handy when several cars stand in the yard: you do not have to move them so that one can leave. There are no gates either, so you do not have to open and close them every day.

Air circulates well in an open carport. After rain or driving through snow the car dries quickly, and no dampness or unpleasant smell builds up under the roof, as sometimes happens in enclosed rooms. In winter you do not have to clear snow off the roof and windows in the morning: it is enough to sweep only the driveway.

A big roof serves not only cars. When the cars are out, you can set up a table for a celebration under the carport, leave the children’s bicycles there or keep garden furniture. In the photo wooden flower boxes stand under the roof, which shows that the carport has become part of the yard and not just a parking lot.

Compared with an enclosed garage, an open carport takes up less visual space and needs no doors, gates or windows. That also means fewer parts that have to be maintained or adjusted over time. If you do not need to lock the car away and the main thing is protection from the weather, a carport is often the most practical choice.

Profiled columns and braces up close

Profiled columns are a solution that makes a carport look more like an architectural element than a technical structure. The carved narrowings in the middle and at the top of the column soften the massive timber, and the light coating emphasizes their shape. When a house with a balcony and ornate railings stands next to it, such columns help the carport look like part of the same homestead.

The diagonal braces have a structural purpose too. They join the columns to the roof beams and help the structure stay stable when the wind blows or snow lies on the roof. Because the braces project in both directions from the column, they are distributed evenly and, seen from the driveway side, look like a uniform ornament.

The number of columns and the spacing between them depend on the size of the roof. When planning, it is worth thinking about where the cars will stand and through which gaps they will drive in, so that the columns do not get in the way of opening doors or turning comfortably. A wider gap is usually left where cars enter most often, and narrower gaps can remain at the sides, where cars do not drive.

Where to put a carport

In the photo the carport stands where the driveway ends, close to the house. That is a logical place: after getting out of the car there are only a few steps to the door, and the driveway from the street to the carport stays short and straight. The paving under the roof and around it forms a single pad, so you can turn the car around without driving across the lawn.

When choosing a place, take a few things into account:

• the carport should not block the windows of the house, especially those that let in the most light;
• under large trees more leaves and twigs will fall on the roof, so you will have to clean it more often;
• the place should be level and dry so that water does not stand under the roof after rain;
• it is worth leaving enough room around the columns for opening the car doors.

A large open carport is clearly visible from the street and from the doorstep of the house, so it becomes the face of the yard. That is exactly why decorative columns and a warm wood color were chosen in this example: the structure looks neat and cozy and not like an industrial shelter. Flower boxes between the columns soften the look even more and link the carport with the lawn.

If you plan more wooden structures in the yard, for example a gazebo or a storage shed, it is worth matching their roof coverings, wood color and column shape in advance. Then all the buildings in the yard will look like a single whole, even if they are built at different times.

What to discuss when ordering a wooden carport

Laukbaldis shows only typical examples, so the photo is a starting point and not a final drawing. Before calling, think about:

• The number and size of the cars. Whether it will be passenger cars or also a taller SUV or minibus.
• The direction of entry. From which sides cars will drive in and where it is best to leave wider gaps between the columns.
• The shape of the columns. Profiled columns look decorative, but a simpler version can also be discussed.
• The color of the roof covering. It is worth matching it to the roof of the house so that the two structures look like one ensemble.
• The foundation. In the photo the carport stands on a paved pad, and the columns are fixed with steel supports.

Next to a carport you often need an enclosed place for tools as well. In that case it is worth looking at the carport with a storage shed No. 1 or the carport for several cars with a storage shed No. 10. A very similar solution in a different yard setting is shown by the wooden carport for a yard No. 3. You will find all the examples in the section wooden storage sheds, garages and shelters, and for structures meant for relaxing, among the wooden gazebos.

Care and ordering

An open carport has no walls, so the most attention goes to the columns and the roof. Every spring inspect the bottoms of the columns near the steel supports, where moisture and snow linger longest. If the coating has turned pale or the surface has become rough, renew it with a product meant for exterior wood. Dust and cobwebs can collect in the profiled places and at the joints of the braces, so it is worth wiping them off now and then.

In autumn remove leaves from the roof, especially if large trees grow nearby, as in the photo. In winter do not let a thick layer of snow build up, and push snow cleared from the driveway away from the columns.

UAB “Laukbaldis” has worked since 1996 and makes wooden yard structures, gazebos, saunas and oak outdoor furniture. Call +370 687 25388 and quote No. 2. During the call you will discuss how many cars need to fit, from which sides they will drive in, what shape of columns and what color of roof suit you. Since the website shows only typical examples, the carport is made to fit your yard and your needs.

Frequently asked questions

How many cars fit under this carport?

That depends on the size of the carport, which is agreed individually. The photo shows a large carport with many columns, but the exact number of cars is worth discussing when you order.

Can a storage shed be added next to the carport?

Yes, an open carport can be combined with an enclosed storage shed under one roof. You will find examples of such solutions in the same category.

How do profiled columns differ from plain ones?

Profiled columns have carved narrowings and widenings in the middle, so they look more decorative than plain timbers. The shape of the columns can be chosen when you order.

How are the columns fixed to the base?

In the photo the columns stand on steel supports, so the wood does not rest directly on the paving or the ground. The specific foundation solution is discussed according to your yard.

How do I order this carport?

Call us and quote product number 2. We will discuss the number of cars, the directions of entry, the shape of the columns and the color of the roof covering.

How do I look after a wooden carport?

Every year inspect the bottoms of the columns and the coating of the wood, and recoat the places that have turned pale. In autumn remove leaves from the roof, and in winter do not let a thick layer of snow build up.