Carport Ideas: 7 Wood Carport Designs for 1 to 3 Cars
The best carport ideas match the roof to your house and the frame to the number of cars. A single carport is usually 12' to 14' wide, a double about 24' wide and a triple about 36' wide, and the roof style, from a barn gambrel to a modern butterfly, is what makes it look like part of the property instead of a kit. Below are 7 freestanding wood carport designs with the real frame sizes and heights from each plan.
For a detailed size comparison, see our guide to carport dimensions for single and double carports.
How do you choose a carport design?
- Count the vehicles, including trailers, boats or a future second car.
- Measure your longest and tallest vehicle, then add room to open doors and walk around it.
- Match the roof to your house: a gable or hip roof for a traditional home, a single-slope, butterfly or split-level roof for a modern one.
- Decide if you need privacy or wind protection on one side, such as a slat screen.
- Check local setback and height rules before you settle on the size.
Carport ideas compared
All sizes come from the plans. Overall height is to the top of the roof, not clearance under the beams.
| Design | Frame | Cars | Overall height | Style |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gambrel barn carport | 12' 6" x 22' | 1 | about 15' 9" | rustic farmhouse barn |
| Butterfly roof carport | 13' x 20' | 1 | front eaves about 12' 7" | modern, mid-century |
| Saltbox carport with privacy screen | 14' x 22' | 1 | about 13' 6" | saltbox gable, slat screen |
| Split-level carport | 24' x 20' | 2 | about 17' 4" at the back | modern stepped roof |
| Arched carport | 24' x 24' | 2 | about 15' 9" | open curved wood vault |
| Hip roof double carport | 24' x 28' | 2 | about 16' 3" | heavy-timber hip roof |
| Monitor roof triple carport | 36' x 24' | 3 | about 17' 8" | barn-style monitor roof |
Single carport ideas
Single carports are 12' 6" to 14' wide in our plans. That fits one car or SUV with room to open the doors on at least one side.
Gambrel barn carport (12' 6" x 22')
Our gambrel barn carport plan gives one car a classic barn roof that reaches about 15' 9" at the ridge. It suits farms, homesteads and houses with a barn or barn-style garage nearby.
Butterfly roof carport (13' x 20')
The butterfly roof carport plan uses a V-shaped roof with its high points at the front corners, about 12' 7" above the piers. The mid-century look pairs well with modern and ranch houses.
Saltbox carport with privacy screen (14' x 22')
Our single carport plan with privacy screen combines a saltbox gable with a modern cedar slat screen on one side. The screen blocks the view from a neighbor's yard and some wind-driven rain, and the frame is the widest of the single carports at 14'.
Double carport ideas
All three double carports are 24' wide, enough for two cars side by side. They differ in length and roof shape.
Split-level carport (24' x 20')
The split-level carport plan steps the roof in two levels, rising to about 17' 4" at the back. A white frame with cedar-tone rafters and black fascia gives it a modern look. It is rated intermediate to advanced and planned for a crew of three.
Arched carport (24' x 24')
Our arched carport plan uses an open curved wood vault over a square 24' frame. The arch makes it one of the most distinctive designs here, about 15' 9" tall overall.
Hip roof double carport (24' x 28')
The hip roof double carport plan is the longest double here at 28', which helps with larger SUVs and trucks. A hip roof slopes on all four sides and gives a heavy-timber look that matches many traditional houses.
Triple carport idea
Monitor roof triple carport (36' x 24')
For three cars, trucks or SUVs, our 3-car carport plan uses a 36' x 24' frame with a raised barn-style monitor roof at about 17' 8". The raised center section gives the long roof a balanced shape.
More double carport styles
Three more double carport plans in our collection cover looks the designs above do not.
- The carriage house carport plan uses a double gable roof on a 24' x 22' frame, so it reads like a small carriage house from the street.
- Our skillion carport plan has a single-slope metal roof on a 22' x 20' frame, the simplest roof to frame of any double here.
- The pergola carport plan combines pergola-style rafters with a polycarbonate roof on a 24' x 20' frame, which keeps rain off while letting light through.
Which carport roof suits your house?
A carport sits close to the house and the street, so it should look like it belongs. Use the main roof of your house as a guide.
- Gable or hip roof house: choose the hip roof double, the carriage house or the saltbox carport.
- Farmhouse or barn-style buildings: the gambrel barn carport or the monitor roof triple carport match best.
- Modern or mid-century house: the butterfly, split-level, skillion or arched carports fit clean lines and flat or low-slope roofs.
- Bright space next to the house: a polycarbonate pergola carport keeps the driveway and nearby windows from feeling dark.
Snow and wind matter too. Steeper roofs shed snow faster, and in windy areas a solid side screen or wall on the weather side keeps rain off the car.
What to check before you build a carport
Freestanding wood carports like these usually stand on posts set on concrete piers, and several of the plans above give their heights from the top of the piers. Before you dig, call your local utility locating service, confirm the setback from your property line, and check that the driveway drains away from the posts. If the ground slopes, plan the pier heights so the roof stays level and water runs off the low side, away from the house.
Carport or something else?
If you also want walls, storage or a lockable door, read carport vs garage: which is right for you. If the space should double as an outdoor room, our backyard pavilion ideas cover open timber structures built for people rather than cars. Browse all sizes in our carport plans collection.
Images are illustrative renders of the plan design.
FAQ
How wide is a 2 car carport?
All three double carport plans above are 24' wide. That fits two cars side by side with room to open doors, while 20' wide doubles feel tight with larger vehicles.
How long should a carport be?
Long enough for your longest vehicle plus a few feet of overhang so rain does not hit the bumpers. Our plans range from 20' to 28' long.
How tall does a carport need to be?
Measure your tallest vehicle, including roof racks, and check the clearance under the beams, not the overall height. Pickups and vans with racks need more clearance than a sedan.
Can a carport be attached to a house?
Many are, but every design in this article is freestanding, which avoids tying into your house roof and walls. An attached carport usually needs extra framing details and often more review from the building department.
Do I need a permit for a carport?
Often yes, because a carport is a roofed structure. Rules on size, height and distance from property lines vary by town, so check before you start.
About the author: KRMPLANS designs DIY building plans for backyard structures, from chicken coops and sheds to greenhouses and cabins. Each plan is an instant-download PDF with step-by-step drawings, a shopping list and a cut list.
