Everyday Car Storage

Carter

Carter

Administrator
I have a car port that is about 3 years old. The cover has decayed so I put a tarp over it which is only a band aid. This spring I would like to tear the cover off and put something in its place. Any ideas on what I can use for the roof and sides? Its "house" shaped. I was thinking plywood but that decays rapidly also.

I also want to dig the ground out inside it and lay down some of that cement you mix with water and make it slightly higher than the driveway itself so no water can run into it. That stuff seems cheap so I can buy an ass load, but I wonder how long it takes to dry. I need it nice and level.

I keep my subie in there so I want something nice.

 
that cement is cheap, but you're right, you'll need an assload alright. a 3" thick pad that's 10x16' (car footprint) is 40cu ft. it adds up quick.

maybe marine plywood wouldnt rot as fast? its probably expensive though.

 
I put translucent corrugated fiberglass roofing over my sun porch at least 10 years ago, and it's still fine. can't remember what it was called (age thing) but it's standard Home Despot/Lowe's/EBS kind of stuff. As I recall it wasn't real pricey. They have clear, or green if you want more shade.

why not fill the carport floor with 1" crushed rock? you can heap it and pile it or level as needed. Got a 3-yard load last year in me driveway for like $110.

 
put Advantec on the roof
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It repels water quite well. Thought even plywood with decent topper wont rot too fast.

+1 on the gravel as well. you'd need it anyway if you decided to fill it with concrete later.

 
I put translucent corrugated fiberglass roofing over my sun porch at least 10 years ago, and it's still fine. can't remember what it was called (age thing) but it's standard Home Despot/Lowe's/EBS kind of stuff. As I recall it wasn't real pricey. They have clear, or green if you want more shade.

why not fill the carport floor with 1" crushed rock? you can heap it and pile it or level as needed. Got a 3-yard load last year in me driveway for like $110.
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I agree on both

 
hmmm I like the roof and floor idea. I did want a "hard solid" floor though so I could jack up as needed, My driveway is all dirt and not level.

 
You could start with the crushed stone, but ultimately you'll want a concrete pad. Why not 'start' a garage? Start with a pad for an oversized one car, or half of a two car. Build a structure around it, roof with Advantec and asphalt shingles. If you do a single car with the gable on the side, you can expand sideways and it won't look silly.

More money, but more value and more usable, maybe.

 
hmmm I like the roof and floor idea. I did want a "hard solid" floor though so I could jack up as needed, My driveway is all dirt and not level.
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I use some 12" wide 3/4" pine board under my jack and jack stand, works for me when i'm on dirt (my garage floor is dirt)

 
3/4" plywood about 12-14" square is a much better jackstand pad...3/4 pine is brittle enough to split easlly under hard edges of stands.

BTDT
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always use a plywood pad under the jack as well...the jack needs to be able to move forward/backward as you pump up or down, otherwise it tends to pull car down off jackstands.

also BTDT !

 
pine boards were what I had on hand. They kept the front end of my GTi in the air for just about two months. ;D same ones I used as ramps to get the snow blower in and out of the element. (the one I didn't use to hold the car up has become part of the kitchen cabinets and a new shelf for the book shelf in the office.... )

guess I have super duper pine boards 8)

 
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