Here’s How to Enclose Your Carport and Transform It Into the Garage You’ve Always Wanted

When it comes to finding a home you love, you still might have to make a few concessions. Maybe you really wanted a garage but ended up having to settle for the next best thing: a carport. 

A carport is a covered structure built beside a house to offer some protection for vehicles from the weather. It can be freestanding or attached to a wall. But, it usually consists of a roof supported on posts and has open sides.  

While a carport can be a good alternative, you still may have dreams of driving into the privacy of your garage after each long day. The good news is that it’s possible to transform your simple carport into a secure and stunning garage space. Here’s how you can do it. 

Should I Enclose My Carport? 

The question of carport vs garage when it comes to what’s best for your home can be a tough one. After all, they’re both similar in the sense that they add value to your home while also providing some protection for your belongings. But before you decide to enclose your carport and transform it into a garage, it’s helpful to consider the pros and cons associated with each option and which one fits your needs. 

Pros and Cons of a Carport

Some homeowners opt for a carport instead of a garage because it is usually more affordable, less prone to clutter, and provides a measure of protection for vehicles. Carports do have some disadvantages, though, such as providing less overall protection against weather and theft and not having all the bells and whistles that garages typically have. Rather, they’re simple structures that don’t add as much value to your home. 

Pros and Cons of a Garage 

All things considered, the garage seems to offer homeowners many benefits that the carport cannot. They offer maximum protection, more visual appeal, and increased value to the home. However, garages are also typically more expensive, prone to clutter, and always require a building permit. 

If you’re looking for added security, more storage space, a more updated look, and a way to increase your home’s value, then enclosing your carport and turning it into a garage could be well worth the cost.

Preparing to Enclose Your Carport

Understandably, the excitement you feel about the prospect of turning your carport into a garage may have you ready to start building right away. But before you pull out your tools, you’ll want to prepare for this ambitious project. 

One way to prepare is by making sure your building space is ready for work. Some questions to consider during the preparation phase include: 

• Is my ground stable? 

• Do I have a good drainage system in place? 

• Are there any joists, columns, or soffits off my existing carport that need to be removed? 

• Do my support beams and roofing have any signs of rotting or termites? Are they sturdy? 

• Has soil movement caused any damage to my structure? 

• Does my roof and ceiling show any evidence of leaking? Are they in good condition? 

You’ll also need to check local building codes to make sure the project is allowed and that you have the necessary building permits. 

How to Enclose Your Carport and Build a Garage

Photo: GM Photography / Adobe Stock

Without further ado, let’s consider how to enclose your carport and finally transform it into the garage you’ve always wanted.

1. Measure Dimensions

Enclosing your carport and turning it into a garage will require precise measurements. You’ll need to consider the width, depth, and height of your future garage, as well as the space you’ll need for your vehicle(s). At minimum, a one-car garage should be 10 feet wide and 20 feet deep; a two-car garage should be at least 18.5 feet wide and 20 feet deep. For a more spacious garage, you’ll need even greater dimensions. 

Regardless of your desired size, the first step is to measure the dimensions of your existing carport. You’ll need to measure its slab, height, width, and depth and draw up building plans for how those measurements will convert into ones suitable for a garage.

2. Gather Tools and Supplies

Next, gather the materials you’ll need. Here are the materials you’ll generally need to enclose your carport and convert it into a garage: 

• Insulation

• Door(s)

• Garage door

• Lumber

• Particleboard or drywall

• Siding

• Plywood

• Window(s)

• Nails and screws 

• Drain pipe

• Roofing materials 

• Excavation concrete

• Materials to run electricity into the structure, such as insulated wire, metal conduit, electrical boxes, and switches

3. Enclose Your Carport By Installing Walls

The main difference between a carport and a garage is the number of walls. Garages always have four solid walls, whereas carports always have at least one open side. So, to transform your carport into a garage, you’ll need to first enclose the open sides and make them into walls. 

This is an extremely important step that you should execute with meticulous attention to detail. If you don’t feel completely confident, it’s always best to hire a pro. A professional can help you obtain accurate measurements, materials, and enclose your carport properly.

4. Install the Access Doors and Windows

Once you install the walls, you’ll want to think about access doors and windows. A garage should have at least one door that makes the space easily accessible. And while windows aren’t a necessity, they can be a nice addition to welcome light into an otherwise dark garage. Make sure to account for these openings in your building plans.

5. Install the Garage Door

Installing the garage door is an essential part of enclosing your carport and transforming it into a garage. For this installation, you’ll want to make sure there’s a slope at the threshold of the garage door so that water will properly drain towards the street. 

There are many garage door styles to choose from, and you can even customize it with a door opener. However, it’s highly recommended that you avoid a DIY garage door project unless you are professionally trained and highly experienced. Installing a garage door incorrectly could result in serious physical harm to yourself and others. It’s best to hire a professional to ensure the job is done safely. 

6. Add Other Desired Features

After you install all walls, windows, and doors, you can now add other desired features such as electricity, plumbing, and insulation. For your safety, unless you’re a licensed electrician, you should hire a professional to do any electrical work. 

As for insulation and other features, it may be possible to DIY. Adding insulation can help you save money on heating and cooling, while regulating the temperature inside your new garage. But if you’re unsure of how to add insulation on your own, a pro would be more than happy to take on the job.

7. Complete the Garage With Finishing Touches

Now that the hard work is done, you can have a bit of fun by adding some finishing touches. You can install drywall to the inside of the garage and siding on the outside to achieve a sleek look. You might also consider painting and adding other decorative features that make the exterior of your garage match the exterior of your home.

How Much Does It Cost to Enclose a Carport and Transform It Into a Garage? 

Now that you’ve decided to embark on this home improvement project, you may be wondering how much it costs to convert a carport into a garage. 

While a carport costs only $3,500 on average, it’s no secret that a garage will cost you more. The good news is that being able to repurpose the existing slab and roof of your carport can save you thousands. Turning a carport into a garage generally begins at $18,000 but can cost more or less depending on factors such as: garage size, the time of year, how much of the original carport you can use, and the costs of other features like windows, plumbing, electricity, and more. 

Whether or not you’ll hire a carport builder, the type of garage, and the materials you use are other factors that will impact your total for this project. 

Helpful Tips Before Enclosing Your Carport

Photo: Hermann / Adobe Stock

• Make sure your carport is viable: In order to enclose your carport and turn it into a garage, it must be in an acceptable condition. Make sure that your carport isn’t leaning, undersized, or damaged in any way before building. 

• Give thought to your roofline: Your carport’s V-shaped or shed roof may not look aesthetically pleasing once turned into a garage. Besides pure aesthetics, the dimensions of your roof may not translate into a working garage. If this is the case, you couldn’t use the carport’s existing roof and would have to build a new one. 

• Learn about local safety codes and neighborhood rules: Local codes might require you to build your garage in certain ways. For example, you may need to have fire-rated walls and entry doors. Before building, be sure to consult with a contractor or your local municipality to ensure you’re following all rules and regulations. 

• Choose a type of garage that’ll fit your budget: There are several styles of garages that you can transform your carport into. You could build a garage out of stick built wood, cinder block, brick, metal, or more. How much you spend will depend on the materials you use. So before building, take the time to calculate what you can afford.

Hiring a Professional vs. DIY

Since enclosing a carport and turning it into a garage isn’t the easiest project, it’s perfectly okay to hire a carport pro or a garage building pro. It can give you much peace of mind to know that your new garage will be safely built. 

You could save $35 to $45 per square foot in labor if you DIY, but you’ll also want to account for the time and energy it’ll take. You might also consider hiring a professional for certain parts of the job and then DIY-ing other parts. For example, you could spend on an electrician, which typically costs $50 to $100 per hour. And then you could save some money by painting, installing doors and windows, and hanging drywall on your own.