Last updated: May 2026
An open carport is a covered structure with a roof that is open on all sides, and in most cases it is not attached to another structure and stands alone.
A carport is designed to protect all types of vehicles from the weather elements. Installing a carport to protect your vehicle from extreme heat, sun damage, tropical storms and hail is a good investment. Not only to protect the asset – a carport may also add value to your home. In this blog, we’ll talk about the benefits of open carports as well as ideas for yours.
Why should you build an open carport?
Carports not only protect cars (as the name might imply) – you can also protect other important assets such as: motor homes, caravans, camper trailers, boats, trailers, horse floats, 4WDs, motorcycles, bicycles, buses, tractors and farm equipment, and heavy machinery.
The open carport itself can also be used for other purposes (when vehicles are elsewhere) – outdoor entertaining, barbecues, children’s parties, gardening, drying washing on wet days, etc.
Keep in mind that at DeKing we use a wooden frame and the roof is colorbond, corrugated, clear multiwall, clear corrugated, or a combination of roofing types.
These images below are just to show you how they could be positioned.
Grand Entrance to the home
These open carports mirror the home décor and design, but they are not attached to the home itself and are open on all four sides. They are all completely different in style but they all make a lovely entrance to the home and give the vehicles a safe place too.
Carports with the character of beautiful exposed wooden beams
The following photographs display the natural beauty of timber being used in carport designs.
Space down the side of the home
This carport makes use of the unused space at the side of the house. Carports can be built anywhere on the property (check local government regulations), so positioning one at the side or back of the property may be the best design for your home. The added benefit of these positions is that the vehicles are not right on the road frontage, so they may offer more protection from theft, etc.
Space and storage at the back of the home
This open carport includes the addition of a small lockup area at the front. It is open on three sides with a storage and/or workshop area at the front. It also has electricity connected for power and lighting.
Practical and yet so simple
Your open carport doesn’t need all the bells and whistles. This is an awesome example showing the simplicity and practicality of the open carport situated at the front of this house allowing lots of space for entertaining and/or vehicles.
An open carport that is both stylish and modern
The next few examples display how to create a stylish and sleek looking carport to complement a modern styled home.
DeKing can help you create and design your open Carport and bring that vision to life. Offering expert advice and using only quality products, you can rest assured your investment will last long into the future.
Deking Decks services Brisbane, Northside, Southside, Redlands, Logan, Ipswich, Moreton Bay, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast
For the carport roofing material you can choose from colorbond, corrugated, clear multiwall, clear corrugated, or a combination of roofing types.
CARPORT COST?
Use our Patio Roof Calculator (patio roof flyover or attached) to estimate the cost of your carport or Contact Us to get a more accurate estimate.
The best overall material for a carport is steel (particularly Colorbond). It offers unmatched durability, requires minimal maintenance, and can withstand harsh weather.
Yes, you can put doors on a carport to convert it into a secure, enclosed space. However, because carports are typically engineered as open structures, you will almost certainly need to reinforce the front frame to support the weight and wind load of a garage door.
Yes, you often do. Always talk to professionals who know how to navigate getting the right permits for your area.
To instantly elevate a carport, treat it as an architectural extension of your home rather than just a parking spot. The best aesthetic upgrade to achieve a high-end look is to match the roof and trim colours to your house.
A good carport clearance height depends on your vehicles. Standard cars require 2.4 metres, but for larger clearance to accommodate roof racks, SUVs, or 4WDs, a minimum of 2.7 to 3 metres is recommended.
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