If you need extra space to keep a car, you don’t have to install a garage. A timber carport is a practical and beautiful alternative and it can really enhance the facade of your house as a whole.  Here are some of your design options.

Attached or Freestanding?

When it comes to timber carport design, the first thing that you have to do is to decide whether it will be attached or freestanding.  An attached carport is located in front of, beside or behind your house and is mounted to it in some way.  A freestanding carport on the other hand can be located wherever you have the most space for it.

Design to Your Home

As your new timber carport will be built onto or near your existing home, it is important that you incorporate elements of your home’s design in the carport design during the planning stage.  This could be as simple as using the same roof shape, or using the same finials that you have on the house.  You could paint the carport in the same colour as the trim on the windows and doors, or in a colour that complements your home’s existing colour scheme.  You could also use the same roofing material if you wanted!  The goal is to create a timber carport that meshes perfectly with your home without looking like an afterthought.

Options in Timber Carport Designs

If you’re a little stuck with where you should go in regards to your timber carport designs, we’ve put together some ideas to help you get started.  One excellent idea is to harness the natural beauty of the timber by using a gorgeous hardwood such as Western Red Cedar or Merbau and staining it to bring out the colour and grain of the timber.  Another idea is to experiment with roof shapes.  You can opt for a simple flat roof or an elaborate gable or double gable roof (read a comparison in our article Flat Roof vs Gable Roof Carports).  The roof can be trimmed by decorative fretwork or finials to bring an extra element of elegance and class to the carport.  Yet another design option is to turn the support posts from drab to fab by actually having them carved into elaborate designs.  This is a more expensive option as you have to use thicker support timbers but you can create something truly fantastic.
 
Check out timber carports at your local carports supplier.