This step by step woodworking project is about double carport plans. If you want to build a simple shelter for two cars, a large carport is a good solution, both from cost and convenience considerations. There are many designs and plans to choose from, so we suggest you to study the alternatives, before choosing the project you are going to do. Follow our tips and instructions, as any homeowner with basic woodworking skills can get the job done, in just a weekend.
Taking into account this project is about an outdoor construction, we recommend you to choose the lumber with great attention. Make sure all the pieces are in good condition and perfectly straight. In addition, choose pressure treated lumber, pine or cedar, as they will resist over time to harsh conditions, if treated with the appropriate products. Always pre-drill the lumber, before driving in the screws, to prevent the wood from splitting. See all my Premium Plans HERE.
Projects made from these plans
Cut & Shopping Lists
- A – 6 pieces of 4×4 lumber 84” long POSTS
- B – 4 pieces of 2×6 lumber 240” long SUPPORT BEAMS
- C – 30 pieces of 2×4 lumber 157” long, cut at 30º at both ends RAFTERS
- C – 15 pieces of 2×6 lumber 243” long, cut at 60º, 1/2” plywood gussets BOTTOM RAFTERS
- D – 10 panels of 2×4 lumber 21 1/2” long BLOCKINGS
- E – 150 sq ft of 5/8” grooved plywood, 60 pieces of 2×4 lumber 7” long OVERHANGS
- F – 600 sq ft of 3/4” tongue and groove plywood ROOFING
- G – 600 sq ft of tar paper, 600 sq ft of asphalt shingles SHINGLES
- H – 2 pieces of 1×6 lumber, 260” long TRIMS
- 6 pieces of 4×4 lumber – 8′
- 4 pieces of 2×6 lumber – 20′
- 15 pieces of 2×6 lumber – 22′
- 30 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 16′
- 10 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 8′
- 1 piece of 1/2″ plywood – 4’x8
- 18 pieces of 3/4″ plywood – 4’x8′
- 6 pieces of T1-11 siding -4’x8′
- 3 tube form
- 6 pieces of post anchor
- 500 pieces of 2 1/2″ screws
- 500 pieces of 1 1/4″ screws
- wood glue, stain/paint
- 600 sq ft of tar paper
- 600 ft of asphalt shingles
Tools
Hammer, Tape measure, Framing square, Level
Miter saw, Drill machinery, Screwdriver, Sander
Post hole digger, Concrete mixer
Time
One weekend
Two car carport plans
Two-car-carport-plans
Building a double carport is a complex woodworking project, but you can get the job done by yourself, if you use proper plans and follow the right instructions. In addition, you need to buy durable materials and plan everything from the very beginning.
Top Tip: Add front and back overhangs to the construction, if you want to enhance the look of the carport. Cover the front and back gable ends with 5/8” grooved plywood.
Double carport plans
Anchoring the post into concrete
First, decide the anchoring system you are going to use for this project. If you live in a windy area, it is advisable to set the posts in concrete, otherwise you should secure the constructions with braces. Dig 3′ deep holes, set the posts into place, align them one with another and secure them with 2×4 braces. Pour the concrete and let it dry out.
Alternatively, install adjustable anchors or you attach the posts to a concrete slab, using anchors.
Laying-out-the-carport
The next step is to lay out the carport accurately. Therefore, we recommend you to use batter boards and string, as in the plans. Apply the well-known 3-4-5 rule to all the corners, to make sure they are right angled.
In addition, make sure the diagonals of the carport are perfectly equal, otherwise make the necessary adjustments. Plumb all the posts with a spirit level, also checking if their tops are horizontal.
Installing-the-crossbeam
Let the concrete to dry out for a couple of days, before continuing the woodworking project. As you can see in the image, you need to install the cross-beams to both sides of the carport. After leveling them, drill pilot holes trough the beams and trough the posts. Next, install 7” carriage bolts to lock the beams into place.
Top Tip: Lock the beams into place with several C-clamps, before driving in the carriage bolts.
Carport-trusses-plans
Next, you have to build the trusses on the ground, using our free plans. As you should easily notice in the image, you have to cut the both ends of the bottom rafter at 60º, while the ends of the rafters shoudl be cut at 30º.
You could use 2×6 lumber for the bottom and for the intermediate rafter, while the rest of the components should be cut out of 2×4 lumber. Drill pilot holes trough the components, before inserting the 3” wood screws.
Installing the gussets
As you can see in the image, you need to secure the joints with 1/2” plywood gussets. Use a circular saw to make all the cuts, as accurately as possible. Drive in 2” screws trough the gussets, to secure them into place tightly.
Top Tip: You don’t have to install the intermediate rafters for the trusses placed in the interior of the carport, but only for the ones placed at the front and back of the carport.
Installing the roof trusses
Place the trusses on top of the crossbeams, plumb the with a spirit level and lock them into place with 3 1/2” wood screws. Drill pilot holes trough the rafters before inserting the screws into the crossbeams, to prevent the wood from splitting.
Use our free plans to place the trusses at an appropriate distance. Afterwards, you have to increase the rigidity of the structure, by fitting 2×4 blocks between the rafters.
Installing the overhang
Cover the front and the back gable ends with 5/8” grooved plywood and secure the panels into place with 1 1/4” nails. Afterwards install a truss, as in the image. In addition, if you want to enhance the look of the two car carport, you should install the front and back overhangs.
Top Tip: Secure the end rafters to the carport, using several 7” 2×4 blockings. Drill pilot holes at angle, and secure the blockings to the carport.
Installing the roofing sheets
Afterwards, install the 3/4” tongue and groove plywood sheets into place, and secure them to the rafters, every 8”, with 2” wood screws. Use the stretcher bond pattern when installing the sheets, as to give support to the construction.
As you have to adjust the size of several sheets, we recommend you to use a circular saw with a fine blade, to perform the cuts. Insert 2” nails trough the plywood sheets in the rafters, every 8”.
Installing the trims
The next step is to cover the whole surface of the roof with tar paper, starting with the bottom. Make sure the tar paper overlaps at least 2”. Cut a 14” strip of paper and cover the top ridge. Fit the side drip edges under the felt, while the front and back drip edges should be placed over the paper.
Top Tip: Align the shingle tabs properly, making sure they overhang at least 1/2” on both sides (aside from the trims).
Double carport plans
Last but not least, you have to take care of the finishing touches. Therefore, fill the holes with wood putty and let it dry out for about several hours. Afterwards, sand the surface with fine-grit sandpaper, along the wood grain. Make sure the shingles are installed properly and fill the gaps with silicone.
Top Tip: Vacuum the residues before applying the primer and the coats of paint, as to get a professional result.
This article was about double carport plans. If you want to see more plans for your backyard, we recommend you to check out the rest of our projects.
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25 comments
Can I do a double carport with a flat roof without support 4×4’s on the center and interior
You can, but you would need to use some engineered beams that will support a lot more wight that regular lumber. You need an engineer to determine the materials for the job. I have designed a 2 car carport with a flat roof. You can see plans here: http://myoutdoorplans.com/carport/2-car-carport-plans/
How much for a kit. shipped to north Texas. And will trusses be pre-fabed
I am not in the business of building kits. This site is only about designing great plans for DIY-ers.
HI, I’m currently building my dogs Kennel and already have a 26×26 concrete slab. I was thinking of doing a roof like this carport style, maybe 30×30? What would you recommend or do you have any plans that might work for me? Thanks, Rey
I have plans for a 20×20 picnic shelter. You can take a look over the plans at: http://myoutdoorplans.com/gazebo/20×20-picnic-shelter-plans/
Hi Julian, thanks for all the great plans. If I wanted to increase the width of this to 30′ rather 20′, would I just adjust lengths or would I need a modified version with supports along the middle (between the cars)?
I would add an extra post the middle.
Plan looks nice on paper… but has anyone actually built from this plan? Where might one find a 22′ long 2″ X 6″ for example. Have yet to find any place local that sells anything longer than 16 foot.
I am wanting to construct a 24’w x 32’d carport and attach it to my mobile home, do you have anything like this??
I don’t have something that large on the blog. That would need proper engineering.
Great plans. If I want to construct my carport 20 wide x 24 long. Can I keep with 3 posts per side if I increase my posts to 6×6 and beams to 2×8’s? cheers!
That would probably work, but the best thing to do is check the local building codes.
For the 2×6 board used for the bottom of the truss, I don’t know where to find 20′ long 2×6’s. Could this be 2-10′ boards joined togetter?
Home Depot and Lowe’s have it. Just take a look over their sites.
Thank you so much for creating these plans! We are thinking of a car port and this was by far the best plans we saw online. Thank you for laying it out so clearly and including the material list!
But where are the plans?
Please read the FAQs: http://myoutdoorplans.com/faq/
Oh OK, so there are no plans as such.
What do you mean? These are the plans, and you can save or print them.
These are not “plans” I can take to my municipality to get a building permit. I would call these building guides, but not plans.
Would these plans be able to be modified to be a 24 wide x 20 long carport? would the trusses and rafters be strong enough to hold up?
I recommend you these plans: http://myoutdoorplans.com/carport/2-car-gable-carport-plans/ Use 2×10 or 2×12 for the bottom rafters.
Do I need to put the gussets on the front and back of the trusses?
Yes, on both sides of the truss.