How to Build a Carport Out of Steel Pipes [6 Easy Steps]

If you’re on the budget, it’s smart building your home additions yourself. Carports are a great alternative to garages. Building a carport on your own may be a lot easier than you think. Especially if you love steel pipes for DIY.

So, you’re wondering how to build a carport out of steel pipes?

To build a carport out of steel pipes you will have to follow few steps. First, get the measurement of the carpet. Then dig holes for the posts and set them and build a scaffold. It will be attached to the support beams. Painting and final touches are optional.

Does the process seem a tad hard to grasp? Don’t worry. This article glazes over most of the key aspects of building steel-pipe carports!

Keep reading!

Is It Cheaper to Build a Carport Out of Steel Pipes?

Yes! It’s a lot cheaper than metal-built carports. Carports are essentially open arrangements to placing your vehicles in.

Usually, metal carports can cost from $3500 to $4000. Contractors add to the overhead costs. Costs reach up to $10000 if you use labor.

Deciding to build the carport on your own saves you a lot more! Steel is also cheaper than other alloys used for pipes and more durable too. So it really is the best option to choose from.

Materials You Need to Build a Carport

Aside from the obvious steel pipes, you need a few other materials for a great build. Here’s a list of a few things. These are also a great addition to the steel pipes for your carport!

Roof Sheeting

Plywood, corrugated metal sheets, or other roof panels to build the top of your carport. This is essential for the top of the carport

Anchors

A bag of concrete mix, metal anchors, and gravel is needed. Use them to secure the posts into the ground. Gravel and the anchors provide structural integrity for the posts.

Posts

They hold up the support beams. The measurements should be six 4×4 sturdy lumber. Metals posts can be used as alternatives.

Support Beams

These are the wood pieces on which the roof will stay. Four pieces of 2×6 lumber are needed. 

Braces

Small wood pieces help connect support beams to the posts to solidify the whole structure. Two braces for each post is recommended. 

Caulk

To make the roof of the carport weather-proof you need to use caulk. It’s used on the fissures of the structure.

Gravel

These tiny rocks with the help of a shovel help you level out uneven spaces. They also provide structural integrity for the posts in the ground.

How to Build a Carport Out of Steel Pipes (Step by Step)

Below we are discussing how to build a carport step by step by using steel pipes.

You can follow this simple 6 step tutorial to build a freestanding steel carport.

This requires only the materials we mentioned above and some power tools!

Step 1: Measure the Footprint of Your Carport

To build your steel carport, you first need to realize the carport according to your vehicle.

Custom single carports are roughly 16 feet long and 9 feet wide. But this only accommodates cars upto the size of a sedan.

For SUVs or Pick-ups, you need to measure for a larger dimensional footprint. Plot out where the six posts of the carport will go according to your desired dimensions. Plot 3 posts each, equally spaced on the long sides.

Step 2: Dig the Holes for Posts

After the leveling is complete, you can start digging. Excavate 6 holes. Each at a depth of slightly more than 2 feet to 4 for windier areas.

Step 3: Set the Posts

After the silt, comes gravel. You should pour roughly half a foot of gravel into each hole. You then insert 6 of your steel pipes (posts) with anchors attached.

Pour mixed concrete to fill the holes. Let these harden for 24 hours for full effect. For making a metal carport taller you can add extensions to your posts.

Step 4: Install Scaffolding

You now make support beams to attach to the posts. This is essentially adding the foundation of the roof to the posts.

Now fasten the rest of your steel scaffolding to the tops of your support beams. This is to make the carport frame. 

Use screws to secure the scaffolding and fuse. Make sure all the scaffolding for the roof is level throughout.

Step 5: Roofing

First, you add rafters on the top side of the scaffolding. Then, place plywood sheets on the rafters. Fasten all these elements with adhesives and then screw them in.

After the plywood is securely placed, you add your desired top. This can be corrugated metal, PVC, or shingle roofing panels. 

If you are using steel pipes, place them along the angles of the roof. The gaps between the pipes must be fused to prevent the dampening of the plywood.

Step 6: Finishing Touches

When your roof is finished with scaffolding and support beams, attach it with the posts. Make sure to bolt the beam ends to the posts at a 45 degree angle.

For the last few touches, you add a huge amount of caulk to the gaps after fusing. Then paint as you desire.

Now you might be wondering how to build a carport out of metal. Don’t stress! Thus pipes made from other metals are comparable and have the same procedure.

Steel is essentially better than any metal you can opt for. No need to look for different ways to implement the same thing!

FAQs

Can you make a carport out of wood?

Yes, you can make a carport out of wood. It is very cheap to do so. You can easily build a wooden carport with zero to no building experience in carpentry. Wood is the easiest and requires the fewest specialized equipment.

What size posts should I use for a carport?

The size depends on the dimensions of the carport. It also depends on the height of the structures. The lowest designation required for a carport post is up to 8 feet, towering. It goes to 4-by-4 inches in breadth. Bigger posts can go up to 10 feet high and it must be 6-by-6 inches.

Can you build a room out of your carport?

Yes, certainly. But only if you follow the required building codes for building the carport itself. You can always remodel your carport and turn it into a living space. You may find it difficult to have much leg room though!

Conclusion

Building a carport out of durable steel pipes helps you pocket some extra savings. Using steel pipes instead of expensive alloy metals is always the better option. We hope now you have a better idea of how to build a carport out of steel pipes.

Something to note – it’s cheaper to rent out the equipment for your project. For those who don’t have projects on the regular, this saves a pretty penny.

We hope this article was of help. Thanks for reading!

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