Double Carport: Complete Guide to Design, Cost, and Installation
A double carport provides practical, cost-effective protection for two vehicles whilst adding value and functionality to your property. Whether you're protecting family cars from harsh Australian weather, creating additional covered space for recreational vehicles, or enhancing your home's kerb appeal, understanding double carport options, materials, costs, and regulations ensures you make informed decisions about this valuable home improvement. From basic steel structures to custom-designed architectural features, double carports offer versatile solutions for Australian homeowners seeking vehicle protection without the expense of building a full garage.
What Is a Double Carport?
A double carport is a covered structure designed to shelter two vehicles simultaneously, typically measuring 6 to 7 metres wide and 6 to 7 metres deep. Unlike garages with enclosed walls and doors, carports feature open sides allowing easy vehicle access whilst providing overhead protection from sun, rain, hail, and falling debris. The open design offers several advantages including lower construction costs compared to garages, easier vehicle manoeuvring and access, better ventilation preventing moisture buildup, and flexible usage for vehicles, outdoor entertaining, or storage.
Double carports suit properties accommodating multiple vehicles, families wanting protected parking for two cars, homeowners seeking cost-effective alternatives to garage construction, and properties with space constraints making garage construction impractical. The structure's versatility makes it one of Australia's most popular home additions.
Benefits of Installing a Double Carport
Double carports deliver numerous practical and financial benefits making them worthwhile investments for Australian homeowners.
Vehicle Protection: Australian weather conditions can damage vehicles significantly. Double carports shield cars from intense UV radiation causing paint fading and interior deterioration, summer hail storms inflicting expensive panel damage, heavy rain and moisture promoting rust and corrosion, bird droppings and tree sap damaging paintwork, and falling branches during storms. Protected vehicles maintain better condition and higher resale values.
Property Value Enhancement: Quality double carports increase property appeal and market value. Real estate agents consistently report that covered parking features rank highly among buyer preferences. Installing a well-designed double carport can return 50% to 80% of construction costs through increased property value whilst improving marketability when selling.
Versatile Outdoor Space: Beyond vehicle storage, double carports provide covered areas for outdoor entertaining and gatherings, children's play space during wet weather, workshop or hobby areas, boat and caravan storage, and additional storage for garden equipment and tools. This flexibility maximises return on investment throughout the year.
Cost-Effective Solution: Double carports cost significantly less than equivalent garage construction, typically ranging from $3,000 to $15,000 compared to $20,000 to $40,000 or more for double garages. Lower costs make carports accessible for budget-conscious homeowners wanting vehicle protection without major financial commitments.
Quick Installation: Most double carport installations complete within days rather than weeks or months required for garage construction. Faster completion means less disruption, earlier enjoyment of benefits, and quicker property value enhancement.
Types of Double Carports
Double carports come in various designs, materials, and configurations suited to different properties, budgets, and aesthetic preferences.
Flat Roof Carports
Flat roof double carports feature horizontal roof lines creating modern, minimalist aesthetics. These structures offer clean contemporary appearance complementing modern homes, cost-effective construction due to simpler design, and flexible height accommodating tall vehicles or creating elevated profiles. Flat roofs require adequate drainage preventing water pooling and proper pitch ensuring runoff.
Gable Roof Carports
Gable roof carports have traditional pitched roofs with two sloping sides meeting at a central ridge. Benefits include classic appearance suiting traditional homes, excellent water drainage and weather protection, increased headroom at centre, and architectural compatibility with most house styles. Gable roofs represent the most popular carport style throughout Australia.
Skillion Roof Carports
Skillion or lean-to carports feature single-sloped roofs creating contemporary designs. These carports work particularly well attached to existing buildings, offer modern aesthetic appeal, provide good drainage, and suit properties with space constraints. Skillion roofs efficiently direct water away from structures making them practical choices for various installations.
Attached vs Freestanding Carports
Attached double carports connect directly to your home sharing walls and often matching roof lines. Advantages include convenient access from house, integrated appearance with existing structure, potentially shared construction reducing costs, and protection from elements when entering vehicles. Freestanding carports stand independently anywhere on your property offering placement flexibility, no structural impact on existing buildings, easier future modifications or removal, and potential positioning optimising space usage.
Materials for Double Carport Construction
Material selection significantly impacts appearance, durability, maintenance requirements, and costs.
Steel Frame Carports: Steel represents the most popular carport framing material throughout Australia offering exceptional strength and durability, resistance to termites and rot, minimal maintenance requirements, cost-effectiveness, and versatility accommodating various roof materials. Powder-coated steel frames resist corrosion ensuring decades of service. Steel double carports typically cost $3,000 to $10,000 depending on specifications.
Timber Frame Carports: Timber carports provide natural warmth and aesthetic appeal suiting traditional homes, easy customisation and modification, and beautiful appearance when properly maintained. However, timber requires regular maintenance including painting or staining, treatments preventing termite damage, and eventual replacement of deteriorated components. Timber carports generally cost $5,000 to $12,000.
Aluminium Frame Carports: Aluminium offers lightweight strength, complete rust resistance, minimal maintenance, and modern appearance. Aluminium costs more than steel initially but requires virtually no ongoing maintenance. Prices typically range from $4,000 to $12,000.
Roofing Materials: Common carport roofing includes Colorbond steel sheeting offering durability, extensive colour choices, and bushfire resistance. Polycarbonate panels providing natural light transmission whilst blocking UV rays. Insulated panels controlling temperature and reducing noise. Tile or custom materials matching existing house roofing. Material choice affects aesthetics, performance, and costs.
Double Carport Dimensions and Planning
Proper sizing ensures your double carport accommodates vehicles comfortably whilst complying with regulations.
Standard Dimensions: Typical double carport dimensions measure 6 metres wide (minimum) providing adequate space for two standard vehicles, 6 to 7 metres deep accommodating most cars with room for movement, and 2.4 to 3 metres height clearance allowing SUVs and roof racks. Larger dimensions suit bigger vehicles, additional storage, or workspace requirements.
Site Assessment: Before construction, evaluate available space and placement options, property boundaries and setback requirements, ground slope and drainage, overhead power lines or obstructions, and access for construction equipment. Professional assessments identify potential issues preventing costly modifications during construction.
Council Regulations: Most Australian councils require development approval for carport construction. Regulations typically address setback distances from boundaries, maximum heights and floor areas, materials and appearance standards, and structural engineering requirements. Verify local requirements before commencing planning preventing compliance issues and potential demolition orders.
Cost of Double Carports in Australia
Understanding cost factors helps budget appropriately for your double carport project.
Price Ranges: Basic kit double carports with DIY installation cost $2,000 to $5,000. Standard professionally installed steel carports range $5,000 to $10,000. Custom designed carports with premium materials cost $10,000 to $20,000 or more. Prices vary based on size, materials, location, site conditions, and customisation requirements.
Cost Factors: Elements affecting double carport costs include materials quality and specifications, site preparation requirements, council fees and engineering, labour and installation complexity, roofing materials and finishes, additional features like lighting and storage, and geographic location with urban areas typically costing more.
Long-Term Value: Consider lifetime costs including initial construction investment, maintenance requirements over time, increased property value, and vehicle protection benefits. Quality carports with minimal maintenance requirements often prove more economical long-term despite higher initial costs.
Installation Process and Timeframes
Understanding construction processes helps you prepare for your double carport installation.
Planning and Approvals: Development application submission and approval typically requires 2 to 6 weeks depending on council workload and application complexity. Use this time finalising designs, arranging financing, and selecting contractors.
Site Preparation: Contractors clear and level sites, mark post positions, excavate post holes, and prepare concrete footings. Site preparation typically completes within 1 to 2 days for standard installations.
Construction: Frame assembly and erection usually completes in 1 to 2 days. Roof installation adds another day. Additional features like guttering, lighting, or storage extend timeframes. Total construction typically spans 3 to 5 days for standard double carports.
DIY vs Professional Installation: Kit carports suit experienced DIYers with appropriate tools, skills, and helpers. Professional installation ensures structural compliance, proper anchoring and engineering, warranty coverage, and peace of mind. Unless highly experienced, professional installation represents the wisest choice for most homeowners.
Maintaining Your Double Carport
Proper maintenance extends carport lifespan and maintains appearance.
Regular Inspections: Check roofing for damage or loose fixings, examine frame for rust or deterioration, verify post stability and anchorage, clear gutters and drainage, and address issues promptly preventing escalation.
Cleaning: Wash frames and posts removing dirt and contaminants, clean roofing removing debris and organic growth, maintain surrounding areas preventing moisture and pest issues, and touch up paint or finishes as needed.
Seasonal Considerations: Before storm seasons, secure loose items, trim overhanging branches, check structural integrity, and ensure drainage functions properly. Proactive maintenance prevents weather-related damage.
Choosing the Right Double Carport
Select your double carport considering your specific needs, property characteristics, budget constraints, local regulations, and long-term plans. Research reputable suppliers and installers, obtain multiple quotes comparing specifications and warranties, verify licensing and insurance, and check references and previous work.
A quality double carport provides decades of service protecting your vehicles, enhancing your property, and delivering excellent return on investment. Take time planning, choosing quality materials and professional installation, and maintaining your structure ensuring maximum benefit from this valuable home improvement.
Whether you need simple weather protection or an architectural feature complementing your home, the right double carport solution awaits, ready to add functionality, value, and peace of mind to your property for years to come.
