The addition of a wooden carport to your existing home or other structure can make a lot of sense. Not only does it provide extra protection from the elements, if done correctly it can give your house an upgraded look. A properly proportioned carport with the additional of some fancy wooden finials or trim work can really add value to your house.

You may have always dismissed carports thinking they were only useful for storing your vehicles. Even if you don’t need extra vehicle storage, there are plenty of other uses for either attached or detached car ports. Think of it as simply a roofed structure which is not completely enclosed. You could use the weather protected space in the summer or winter for all sorts of things – storage for items other than cars, a summer outdoor dining room, a covered porch, etc.

A quick internet search for carports will mostly result in metal carport kits that can be ordered online and shipped within days. It is more difficult to find a wooden carport kit online. However, it is possible to find plans for a wooden carport online. Many companies can email plans within hours of receiving payment. These plans are all certified by engineers. As long as you follow the plan carefully you will have a structurally sound carport.

If you aren’t happy with a metal carport kit, and don’t feel qualified to build a wooden carport by yourself from plans, then another very good option is to search online or in magazines to find a picture of a car port that suits the style of your house, and have a plan created from the picture. If you know a good local contractor, they should be able to take the picture and with your size specifications engineer a building plan that conforms to local building codes.

Actually, there are a few metal carport models that are manufactured to replicate the look of a much more substantial wooden carport. Larger ‘lumber’ and textured surfaces give these car port kits the wood look that is generally more esthetically appealing over a standard steel carport kit. If you don’t mind giving up the woodworking project that a build-it-yourself wood carport project entails, then a metal carport that looks like painted wood might be the way you choose to go.

Adding covered storage space in your driveway or side yard will always come in handy. By choosing a wooden carport designed to suit the style of your house, you have the opportunity to add value to your property with minimal time and cost investment. The value you receive from the versatility the extra storage space affords will be more than worth it.

Keep reading about wooden car ports by visiting The Carport.