The Things We Learn
I built it with what I knew then, and fourteen years later I knew a little more.
There's The Bruegger-Monster - such a great pooch! That's what the back yard at 173 looked like back in 1997, chain link fence, iron pole and the angle-iron carport with the plastic (?) roof. The yard went through some subtle evolutionary changes those first five years, then came the great re-do of 2001 and 2002! Picket fences went up, and the roof of the carport was replaced:
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Just starting the dismantling. |
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Kai, a friend from Germany helped build the roof. |
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Looks like I was a little ungrateful for the help! |
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This shot looks kinda posed! |
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Because of city codes, I really didn't want to take the carport down, but I did want a more substantial look to the posts, so I bolted wood to the angle iron to give it a totally different look!
Fourteen Years Isn't Failure
Looking back, I don't consider that first rebuild a failure at all. Quite the opposite. It did exactly what I needed it to do at the time.
Like a lot of homeowners, I was working with the knowledge, tools, and budget I had in 2002. Some of my decisions weren't the ones I'd make today, but that's how learning works. Every project teaches the next one.
That was all 14 years ago! And here's why that is impressive to me - I did it wrong, and it still lasted that long! For the roof deck I had used OSB, didn't put Ice and Water or even tar paper on it, didn't use pressure-treated lumber, and installed a tiny drip edge. Like I said - it held up pretty good all these years, but finally tragedy struck (don't you love melodrama??):
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Old Houses Are Good TeachersOne of the nice things about doing your own work is that you get to learn from your younger self. This wasn't one of those projects where I found hidden disasters or shook my head wondering, "What was I thinking?" Instead, I mostly found little improvements that experience had taught me over the years. Better materials. Better flashing. Better water management. Same basic design, just a little wiser. You can't really tell here, but the rain gutter had fallen off. |
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Here's a better shot after removing the metal roofing. |
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After totally removing the roof, I put new cross-supports in using pressure-treated lumber this time!
And I also used a combination of Ice-and-Water Shield (almost all of the roof was covered because I had so much left over from the gable project) and a small amount of tar paper. And for the sake of uniformity, I switched the roof material from brown to aluminum to match the shed.
Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young. - Henry Ford
Building on Yesterday
This time around I wasn't reinventing the carport. I already knew what worked. The posts were still solid. The overall design still fit the yard. All I really wanted was to give the roof the kind of construction I'd learned over the previous fourteen years of projects. Sometimes remodeling isn't about changing everything. Sometimes it's simply about making a good idea even better.
Looking Back
One of the unexpected pleasures of writing this blog is being able to compare photographs taken years apart.
At the time, each project felt like its own little accomplishment. Looking back now, those projects tell a much bigger story. The fences changed. The landscaping matured. Trees grew taller. Even the carport quietly became part of the history of 173.
It's funny how you don't notice those changes while you're living them.
Another Chapter
A little better huh? Hopefully, in view of the fact that I "did it right" this time - maybe we'll get even more than 14 years out of this!
That's one of the things I enjoy most about old houses. They're never really "finished." Every decade or so something deserves another turn at the workbench, not because it failed, but because time, weather, and experience slowly suggest a better way.
This carport has now lived through two major rebuilds during our years at 173. With any luck, maybe someone else will be writing about rebuilding it again long after I'm gone.
Next project!! Thanks for reading!
George
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best roof pitch for a carport?
A minimum slope of about 1/4 inch per foot is often recommended for metal roofing, while steeper pitches generally shed snow, leaves, and rain more effectively. In snowy climates, a steeper roof can significantly reduce winter maintenance.
How do you prevent a carport roof from sagging?
Proper beam sizing, adequate post spacing, correctly sized rafters, and good structural connections all help prevent long-term sagging.
What is the best roofing material for a carport?
Metal roofing is one of the most popular choices because it sheds water and snow effectively, requires little maintenance, and can last for decades.
How deep should carport footings be in cold climates?
Footings should typically extend below the local frost line to prevent seasonal movement caused by freeze-thaw cycles. In many northern areas this means 42–48 inches or more.
Why do some carports fail prematurely?
The most common causes are inadequate footings, undersized structural members, poor drainage, and insufficient bracing against wind and snow loads.
Should a freestanding carport be braced?
Yes. Diagonal bracing helps resist lateral movement caused by wind and prevents the structure from racking over time.
What is the biggest lesson people learn when rebuilding a structure?
Most rebuilding projects reveal that planning, drainage, and structural details matter far more than appearance. The second version is often better because experience guides the decisions.
Keywords
carport rebuild, DIY carport, carport renovation, carport construction, outdoor structure, pressure treated lumber, carport roof design, backyard projects, old house improvements, DIY building project