Your car hates Florida sun too
A car parked in open sun turns into an oven. Seats burn. The wheel burns. The paint fades year after year. A carport fixes all of that.
A carport is a simple roof on posts. No walls, no doors. You drive in and out with ease. The roof blocks sun, rain, and falling branches.
In Fort Lauderdale, hail is rare but sun damage is certain. UV breaks down paint, trim, and dashboards. A carport adds years to how your car looks.
Carports also keep the car dry during our fast storms. No more running through rain with groceries. No more wiping down a soaked windshield.
Attached or freestanding
An attached carport ties into your house wall. It shares the roof line and looks like part of the home. Great when the driveway runs along the house.
A freestanding carport stands on its own posts. It can sit anywhere the setbacks allow. Good for side yards or long driveways away from the house.
Attached costs less because one side is already supported. Freestanding costs more but gives you full freedom on placement.
We measure your driveway and check setback rules during the free visit. Then we tell you which style fits your lot.
Sizing for real life
A single carport needs about 12 by 20 feet. That gives room to open doors fully. Tight carports lead to door dings.
A double carport runs about 20 by 20 feet. Two cars fit with space to walk between them. Add a few feet if you have a truck or SUV.
Think about storage too. Many owners want a corner for bikes, kayaks, or lawn tools. A slightly bigger roof costs little extra and adds real use.
Height matters for tall vehicles. Standard clearance fits most cars and SUVs. Tell us if you have a lifted truck so we size it right.
How it works
Carports are straightforward builds. The keys are the footings, the frame, and the roof slope for rain.
- Free visit. We measure the driveway and check setbacks with your city. We ask about cars, storage, and where water should drain.
- Design picks. You choose attached or freestanding, the size, and the roof style. We show you how it will look from the street.
- Written price. One price in writing covers footings, frame, roof, gutters, and install. It holds.
- Permits. Carports need permits in Broward County. We handle drawings and filing.
- Build. Footings set first, then posts, then the roof. Most carports finish in two to three days.
Easy upkeep
Hose the roof off a few times a year. Salt air leaves a film that dulls the finish. A rinse keeps it bright.
Keep gutters clear. Water should run away from the posts and the house. A clogged gutter sends water where you do not want it.
Check the post bases once a year. They should sit dry and solid. If soil piles up against them, pull it back.
Every project is different — contact us for a free written estimate.
More than a car roof
Owners use carports for more than cars. Shade for the grill. Cover for the boat. A dry spot to work on projects. The roof earns its keep many ways.
If you ever enclose it later, tell us now. We can size the frame so a future garage conversion is possible. Planning ahead costs little.
Carports and Fort Lauderdale rules
Many Fort Lauderdale neighborhoods have HOAs with rules about carports. Some allow them only in the backyard. Some require a certain roof style or color. Check your HOA rules before you fall in love with a design. We have worked under dozens of local HOAs and can tell you what usually gets approved.
Broward County also has its own permit rules for carports. An attached carport needs a permit in most cities here. The frame must meet Florida wind codes. That is not a bad thing. A carport built to code will stand through the storms that knock down weaker structures.
Think about what goes under the roof. Cars are the obvious answer, but a carport in South Florida earns its keep in other ways. It keeps the afternoon sun off your car seats so they do not burn your legs in August. It gives you a dry place to unload groceries when the daily storm rolls through at 4pm. Boats, golf carts, and grills all live longer out of the direct sun and rain.
Size it for real life, not just today. A single carport that fits your truck with room to open the doors is more useful than a tight one that only fits the car. If you think you might enclose it into a garage someday, say so now. We can build the frame strong enough to carry walls later, which costs far less than rebuilding.
Call (301) 679-9193 or send the form for a free on-site estimate.