Are you struggling to find the right carport design to fit your home? There is no denying adding a carport to your home increases its value and often reduces car insurance costs as well. So, it’s clear it’s a worthwhile investment for any homeowner. But where do you even start?
Here you’ll find our detailed guide on the best types of carport designs in Australia to get you started. There are many elements to consider when deciding which carport is right for your home, including cost and style preferences.
We also highlight the importance of selecting a design which compliments your home whilst a remaining practical investment.
4 Types of Carport Designs Australia 2020
1. Hip roof carport design.
The hip roof style is one of Australia’s most popular carport designs as their simple frame and rafter layout allows for a practical and sturdy design. They are made to withstand wild weather, thanks to their aerodynamic design, coupled with large overhanging eaves. In Australia — particularly the coastline — building for these conditions is crucial.
Did we mention these carports are completely customisable, with the design working flawlessly with both single, double or even triple carports for those who need a little extra room? Consult your local carport and pergola specialist to find out which carport design suits your local area.
2. Dutch gable carport design.
Even though they aren’t as popular as hip roof and skillion carport designs, you’ve probably seen a dutch gable carport around your neighbourhood. Put simply, a dutch gable carport follows the same basic design as the aforementioned hip roof, however the roof line features a gable (triangle design) on the front-centre. However this gable does require extra structural support than other designs, thus increasing the labour and material costs.
3. Gable carport design.
Matching the front facade of your home is absolutely paramount when choosing a new carport design, which is what makes the gable carport design extremely popular amongst Australian homes. Many homes built between the 1970s and 2000s were built with gable roofs, meaning that the gable roofed carport perfectly compliments many Australian homes.
Gable roofs are also the most customisable style, with options often available to customise the material of the front infills and pillars to match your home.
4. Skillion carport design.
The skillion carport design is the most basic carport design available. The flat-roofed option is a favourite amongst budget-conscious homeowners who simply want a carport design that ‘gets the job done’. For all the Ikea flat-pack lovers out there, many carport and pergola specialists will offer DIY skillion packs.
There are two main elements to consider when looking into adding this ‘open-sided’ design to your home:
- Firstly, height, due to the nature of one side of the roof being slightly higher than the other to allow for drainage. Therefore when deciding on height ensure there is clearance for all vehicles on each side.
- Secondly, you must determine which side you wish for the roof to slope, remembering this also determines the side with the guttering. Or better yet, consult a carport specialist in your local area.
Other Frequently Asked Questions About Carport Design
What is a carport?
Traditionally used to store and partially protect vehicles, a carport is a covered structure, which can either be free standing or attached to a home. This is different from a garage, which traditionally offers full protection of contents often connecting directly into the home.
How to build a carport?
Building a carport is often beyond the average person’s basic DIY skills. However, for those of us feeling particularly proud of our abilities, many carport specialists have Ikea-like flatpack carport design options.
These DIY carport packs are designed for easy assembly, with only common household tools required. Contact your local carport specialist to find out what DIY options they have available in your region.
Do I need a building permit for a free-standing carport design?
The short answer is yes. However, each state has adopted slightly different regulations.
To find out what is required for your local area, jump on your local council website. If a building permit is not obtained, there is unfortunately the potential for your carport to be legally removed from the property.
How much does a carport cost?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer for this one. Like any structural build, the price varies greatly depending on carport design, materials and labour costs. DIY carport kits will often be the cheapest option, with some starting from as little as $1,000 whilst a fully customised carport design could set you back over $6,000.
As with any build, it’s easy to be caught out by unexpected costs, which can blow your budget. One of the most common unexpected costs is surface preparation. The amount of surface preparation required and cost of said work will depend entirely on the location of the carport. To put this into perspective, a carport on uneven or sloped ground will be more costly than one built on a pre-existing flat driveway.
Council fees are another often unaccounted for cost. As mentioned prior, it is important to obtain a council permit for a carport build. Trust us, it’ll cost you more in the long run if you don’t. Our top tip is to find out if your local carport and pergola specialist can help you out with council permits — they are the experts after all.