The Architect’s Guide to Carports
Our Austin Architects Share the Benefits of Adding a Carport to Your Property and Design Considerations to Keep in Mind
Your dream home is not complete without a convenient spot for you to park your car when you drive up. Whether building new construction or renovating, you will need to consider parking in your design plan. Garages are popular among homeowners, but carports also provide practical covered parking that could be a better solution when the property presents limitations or needs more parking than a garage can supply. Our Austin architects share the benefits and everything you need to know about carports in our guide.
What is a Carport?
A carport is a roofed structure open on at least one side used to shelter cars, motorcycles, and other vehicles. Architects can design carports in a range of styles using various materials to meet the design preferences of homeowners. Carports are less expensive to build than garages and serve as a great covered parking option, especially for properties that can’t accommodate a garage or need to supplement garage parking.
Carport Design Considerations
Here are some of the top carport design considerations to keep in mind before you build.
Types of Carports
Attached Carports
Attached carports are anchored to the home, often connecting to a garage, side entrance, or other easily accessible space like a mudroom. When designing an attached carport, architects must consider how it will tie into the other structural elements of the home to create a cohesive look on the exterior.
Stand-alone Carports
Stand-alone carports are freestanding structures independent from the main house. This style of carport works well placed along the side or back of the property. When not used for parking, stand-alone carports can also serve as a pavilion to gather under for outdoor entertaining.
Carport Rooflines
Angled
You can choose from many angled roof styles for your carport design, from a classic A-frame to a modern single-slope. When designing the carport roof, architects will consider the overall look of the home’s exterior to pick a slope that echoes the lines of the structure. While the carport is a practical feature, it can be accentuated to create a bold design impact.
Flat
Flat carport roofs are simple and occupy minimal visual space on the home exterior. However, you could also utilize a flat roofline to create an upper-level deck that connects to the home. This option is a great way to maximize the vertical space and expand the home’s living area.
Location Considerations for Carports
Driveway Access
Driveways and carports go hand in hand. Consider driveway access while planning your carport design. Your driveway can lead to the front, side, or back of the home, and the best position will depend on the site orientation of your property.
Proximity to Garage
If your home design also includes a garage, consider placing your carport off the front or side of the garage area. Carports are a great way to maximize the garage, allowing the interior to be used to conceal storage or house a workspace.
Home Entry Points
Carports protect your vehicle from the rain, snow, and sun. With the proper placement, they can also protect you! Placing your carport off a home entry point provides a covered area to access the house while staying protected from the elements. Place your carport off the kitchen or mudroom to make bringing in the groceries or unloading after the kids’ sports practice a breeze. In our Woodview project, we added a carport off the guest suite to provide secondary parking with covered access.
Additional Carport Design Elements
Privacy Walls
Carports can be open on all sides or concealed with privacy walls. Adding breezeblock, wood slat, corrugated metal, and lattice makes the carport feel more like a garage while offering additional protection from the elements.
Landscaping
You can also create privacy for the carport by planting large box shrubs and climbing vines. Adding in landscaping is a beautiful finishing touch to make the carport feel like a cohesive and intentional part of the home’s overall design.
Parking Pad Materials
You can continue the same material from your driveway onto the carport parking pad or add visual interest with a contrasting option. Choices include scored concrete, pavers, brick, gravel, or even durable ground covers.
Carport Benefits
Here are some of the top carport benefits.
Adds Covered Parking
The No. 1 benefit of carports is additional covered parking for your home. Carports are an efficient and cost-effective way to protect your vehicles from the elements and provide sheltered access to home entries.
Expands the Garage
For homes that already have garages, carports provide additional parking for guests and family members. Adding a carport also frees up garage space which can function for storage or a workshop.
Doubles as a Patio
With strategic placement and design, carports can double as beautiful covered patio spaces when not used for parking. Consider placing your carport off a side or back entry point to maximize it for patio use and complete the design with stylish finishes.
Meets City and HOA Regulations
Many cities and HOAs have codes and regulations that limit garage size based on the home’s square footage. In cases where it’s not permissible to build a large garage, carports provide an easy solution to expanding covered parking while adhering to building codes.
Park in Style
The addition of a home carport allows you to park in style. If you’re considering adding a carport to your home but don’t know where to start, we can help. Contact our Austin architects today, and let’s get started designing.