A DIY Shade Port
Making your own shade port allows you to customize the size and the style of the shelter. You have control over the construction, so you know it is well built. You also determine the size and shape, based on your specific needs. Make a large structure to shade your car, or make a smaller structure to shade a sandbox or play area for your children. Whatever size you choose to make it, you will be happy with the outcome of this DIY-friendly project. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Post hole digger
- Cement
- 4-by-4 lumber
- 2-by-2 lumber
- Wood screws
- Truss hangers
- Drill
- Saw
- Tarp
- Staple gun
- Staples
Instructions
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1
Measure the area you want to cover with your shade port. For carports, open the car doors and add an additional foot on each side so you can enter and exit the vehicle while remaining under the shade port.
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2
Dig a 4-foot hole at each corner and fill the hole halfway with cement. Let the cement dry overnight. Position your 4-by-4 posts on the center of the cement and fill the remaining 2 feet with cement. Use your level to make sure the posts are straight. Look for the air bubble to be centered to check for level. Let the cement dry overnight.
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3
Construct a frame for the tarp roof. Create two equal size trusses, which are triangles, out of 2-by-2 lumber. Add braces to the trusses for added stability.
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4
Set the truss hangers on top of each post and screw them to the posts. Set your trusses inside the truss hangers so both trusses are going in the same direction -- like north and south or east and west.
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5
Add braces made of 2-by-2 lumber to connect the trusses to each other. Add one brace at each end, one in the center and use two at the peak of the trusses. Screw the braces to the trusses with wood screws and a drill.
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6
Place a heavy duty tarp over your frame and wrap it under your roof framing. Staple the tarp to the inside of the framing with a staple gun.
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Tips & Warnings
The exact measurements for your shade port depends on its intended use. A carport shade port will need to be taller than a shade port for your children's sandbox.
Have the lumberyard or home improvement store cut your lumber to the correct dimensions for you.
Make your tarp removable by adding tarp snaps to the tarp and the roof.
