However there are many easy ways to take care of your carport floor. Here are a few tips I have gathered:

Discoloring:
Whether your carport floor is made of cement concrete or gravel discoloring is a common concern as the carport is open from all sides and faces constant sunlight.

You may purchase a colorant mixing it in your concrete while relaying the carport, new or otherwise. This helps in getting a uniform color throughout the carport floor. Pouring the colorant later to maintain consistency will not be required.

Sealant Liquid:
Always use a concrete sealant liquid while laying the carport floor. This needs to be mixed with the concrete and spread evenly. The sealant helps a lot as it doesn’t let the stains get absorbed on the carport floor. Use generous amount of the sealant to ensure the effect lasts longer.

In fact, with simple soap water and a dash of bleach you can remove the stains of the carport floor very easily.

Paint the Floor:
If the stains of grease and or fuel cannot be removed with scrubbing, bleach water or soap water, then I would suggest to simply repaint the carport floor.

The paint automatically covers the stains. Though some grease stains might still show as a slight trace however that’s the best that can be done.

Cleaning Agents:
Though most people prefer using soap water or bleach water to clean the carport floors, I would suggest using special cleaning agents which are meant to clean concrete carport floor stains.

Though such cleaning liquids are expensive, however cleaning your carport floor becomes very easy and not an exhaustive ordeal.

Concrete Stains:
Various types of stains are available for carport floor maintenance. These are either acid, water or acrylic based stains.

Using stains mixed with the concrete for your carport floor is a very good idea. This increases the life of your carport floor and makes it weather proof. It particularly intensifies the color used in the concrete and also doesn’t let it fade easily.

Furthermore, cleaning the carport becomes far more easier.

Take the following pointers into account before making the carport floor:

Carport Location:
The area where you will construct the carport floor needs to be as flat & sturdy as possible. Simply place two stakes on two corners of the chosen area and tie a string to it. The slope formed will tell you whether it suitable to make a carport floor or not.

Carport Floor Depth:
The depth of the carport floor needs to be anything between 3 to 5 inches in depth. The choice is depth should depend on the weight of your vehicle. In case of bigger cars like SUVs, Station Wagons etc, prepare to dig 5 inches to create the carport floor.

Use the stake and strong technique to ensure that the four corners marked will be of equal depth.

Carport Floor Base:
For posts, use a 2×4 log which will be placed along the edge of the dugout area of the carport floor. Make sure they are perpendicular. Do the same on all four corners and then fill in with fine gravel dirt.

Roll out a sheet of wire mesh on the carport floor however don’t do so from corner to corner. Cut the mesh around 3 inches from the corner of the carport floor. You must ensure that the mesh doesn’t curl up.

Adding Concrete:
You have two choices for the flooring of a carport. First is concrete which is suited for all mostly for metal carport types. Second is the concrete flooring is perfectly matches wooden and Alumiwood carports.

For concrete, once the read mix arrives, pour the concrete from end of the carport floor and spread evenly & quickly all over using a wet rake. You will need a helping hand who can tap the air pockets which will form when spreading the concrete.

Once the concrete has dried, spread some dirt and level it out.

In case of gravel, use a thinner layer of concrete and immediately spread the gravel stones.

Before converting a carport into a garage, there are certain things to be mind:

CARPORT CONDITION:
How well maintained is your carport? Be honest to yourself because if the carport is not in good condition, you may end up creating a garage which isn’t that strong and long lasting.

WALL STUD MEASUREMENT:
Examine the flooring measurement of the existing carport. Usually around 2 feet of spans are required between each wall studs.

CARPORT DIMENSIONS:
Is your carport big enough to accommodate extra equipment that will be stored once it has been converted into a garage? Measure properly and then proceed to construction calculations for extra material.

FLEXIBILITY:
Most people like to make a “convertible garage” from an existing carport. They would want a garage during harsh weather and a carport during normal weather conditions. In that case, your material and structure will vary.

INSULATION:
Ensure you install insulation between the interior walls of the carport and staple strong.

GARAGE DOOR:
While you can always add the walls to the carport and make it into a garage, the main concern is always the garage door.

Similarly, if you’re turning your garage into a carport, you have to ask yourself what to do once the door is dismantled. I would suggest seeking professional help to take care of the door side wall of the garage. Your carport might look rather ugly in case the aesthetic sense isn’t minded.

FLOORING:
Most garages have an incline on the flooring which helps in washing, water draining and repair work of the vehicle.

In case you are removing the garage walls and converting into a carport, be sure to redo the floor rather than filling concrete and leveling the floor. That looks rather shabby.

WIRING & ELECTRICITY:
Most people convert carports into garages so they can have heating/cooling for their vehicles during extreme temperature.

Be sure to have a separate circuit unit which has wires running underground. And this is irrespective whether you have a carport or garage.

Carport type & their prices: Wood and metal carports are expensive in comparison to Alumiwood carports. So in case you have the option to choose from either because the weather and allow, then ask the builder to quote you the price of all 3. This will help you decide better. Mostly, the installation of the carport takes the same time irrespective of the type of material used.

Carport Design: A lot of customers like to get carports made as per the standard designs the builder will show from a carport catalog. In many instances, you might want to modify the design and or built of the carport to suit your requirement. It will always mean a change in the price of the carport. Ask the builder to provide you with an exact and time taken to install the same.

Carport Extra Equipment: For better safety a lot of builders advise to use certain materials to be used to build a carport. Especially when you live in an area with harsh climate, additions in certain building equipment is required.

Always enquire the price as per the Gauge framing. Prices for carports differ as per the number of gable ends that will be fixed. In case a side panel has been chosen for the carport, it considerably increases the price of the carport.

Carport Size: Every builder has a set of standard carport sizes. Based on the type of vehicle(s) you need to build a carport, ensure if the standard carport size is sufficient or not. In many case you might need to get it customized. Customizing a carport means a change in price. Always enquire.

Extra Charges: Shipping & freight is applied in case your carport builder is in a different state. Enquire if the cost of carport would include the same or not. Furthermore, always enquire of the Sales tax applicable. In case of carports for cars, vans etc, it is mostly including however carports made for a RV Shed or car canopy, the sales tax is not included in the price.

Space Measurement: Simple measuring the area that will be covered for the carport isn’t enough. Act smart! Always leave extra space of 2 feet if possible so later, you can always either convert your carport to a garage or add columns to build strong columns for storing equipments etc.

In case you are building a carport for an RV or a boat, then be sure to measure the height of the RV or boat which we often overlook. Prefer to always leave extra space within the length & breadth of the carport for future use in case you switch over to a bigger car or RV etc.

Smart Designing: When you have a carport & wish to extend it, ensure you leave the four pillars intact and build a detachable addition unless you wish to convert the carport into a garage. This helps in case you wish to switch back to a carport the entire structure won’t have to be demolished.

Try building the carport using one large wall of the house. This ensures the roof is stronger as its support for carport is doubled. That way one can match the carport roof with the color and façade of the house.

Choosing Materials: Keep in mind the climate & landscape when choosing the material to build a carport. Beach side residences can prefer wood as the salt-heavy air can rust metal structures. One can prefer solid metal structures to build carports for areas with heavy rains or harsh sun.

The latest trend for carport material is Alumiwood which actually is metal however is made to look like wood.

Professional Help: In case you wish to make a carport yourself, read the kit details properly before purchasing. Not all carport material types are easy to install. Enclosed carports are a good example where one needs to install 3 side walls. It’s good to have an experienced extra hand to help build a carport.

In case you aren’t a person good with measurements and calculations, then consider engaging professionals who know the process than making a carport that might not be sturdy and well built.