Carports

A carport gives your car proper shelter without the groundwork, the expense or the planning fuss of a full garage. Ours are built in solid pressure-treated timber with a shingled apex roof, so they settle onto a driveway in a way a steel or plastic shelter never quite manages — and they keep frost off the windscreen, sap and leaf-fall off the paintwork, and you dry on the walk to the front door.

Because the sides are open, a timber carport is also far easier to live with day to day than a garage: no doors to heave up, no squeezing past a wall with an armful of shopping, and plenty of light. Most people find they end up using the space for more than the car — bikes, bins, logs, or a table and chairs in the summer.

Which size do I need?

• Single — one car with room to open the doors, plus space alongside for bikes, bins or a motorbike.
• Double — two cars side by side. The usual choice for a household with two cars sharing one drive.
• Triple — three cars side by side, or two cars and a proper covered working or seating area.
• Four cars — a genuine multi-bay structure for larger drives, holiday lets, yards and small fleets. It makes a handsome covered entertaining space too.

What to think about before you order

• The base. A carport needs a firm, level surface to stand on — an existing concrete, block-paved or tarmac drive is usually ideal, as the metal post holders anchor straight down into it. More on choosing a base.
• Planning. Many carports fall under permitted development, but the rules are different in front of the house, in a conservation area or alongside a listed building. Read our planning permission guide.
• The roof. Our timber carports are finished in building-grade asphalt felt shingle tiles, with a choice of black, green, brown or red.
• Getting it built. They arrive flat-packed for self-assembly, and we can arrange installation through our trusted local team if you would rather not tackle it yourself.

Measuring up. Work to the clear width between the posts rather than the overall width, and allow room to open car doors on both sides. If you run a van, a 4x4 or a roof box, check the entrance height under the beam as well as the height at the ridge — we are happy to check the figures with you.

Not sure which size suits your drive? Give us a call and we will talk you through the sizes. Our Display Site at Buzzards Valley, Tamworth B78 3EQ has buildings up to walk into. Our display buildings can be viewed seven days a week — ring or book if you’d like someone to show you round. Ring 01543 398778 to check what's on show at the moment.