Aside from it being a focal point, what comes to your mind when you see a towering carport? Does its height exude power, durability, or artistic flair? Whatever it is, height adds emphasis to the appearance or vibe of the carport. And more importantly, it also affects a house or the structures within your property.
Height standard
Typically, a carport’s type is based on the number of vehicles to store or about its dimension—width or length in feet. You rarely find information that highlights a carport’s height. A good explanation for this is that width and length measures cover already the basics of what total area you need. The height may only depend on the symmetrical value of the buildings around it.
However, if you check the different carport types—single, double, or tandem, and triple, it emerges that the standard height of a carport is 12 feet tall. This 12 feet standard height pertains mostly to the side legs or posts used in the side clearance. It is not the measurement of the center clearance, which has different post sizes and the peak height, considering the addition of the roof. The roof’s size or headroom varies depending on the roof style—A-Frame, Vertical or horizontal, and regular or rounded.
On the legal side, different local authorities impose certain height limits on vehicle shelters because of safety concerns. An example of such is if one is attached and a little bit taller, it may add a burden to an existing structure. If it is freestanding, it may cover a nearby path walk, which should be well-lighted and visible to the public. Thus, sometimes even if you want to make it taller your carport builder will advise not to do it.
What is important to note about the height is the posts or side legs, whether they are seven or 12 feet. It is a sensible basis if you think about your vehicles. This is also how most government agencies count the carport’s height. They check how tall the posts are from the ground till the start of the roof, in the wall sides.
Height factors
Though there is standard height, the good rule of thumb is still to check your vehicles’ heights. Maybe you have an RV, camper van, and minibus. Normally an RV is fit for a 12-feet tall carport but what about the others? And a carport’s height is also crucial for special vehicles like convertibles or those with gullwing or scissor doors.
You don’t want your carport unfit for any of your vehicles or cramped inside. This prone them to have scratches or scrapes. And who knows if constant bumps or even one-time collisions trigger a serious accident. And, on the other side, a towering carport is also not good. It may create bigger open sides that end up exposing small vehicles to elements such as UV rays, rain, or hail.
So plan and make meticulous considerations of your carport’s height. Adjusting its height later may be doable, but it is not recommendable. A reason for this is you may be required to get a permit from your local authority. This is because any repair or alteration for carports is covered by local building codes. Ultimately, make sure to always find ways to strengthen your metal carport.
