A carport, also known as a shelter, is a temporary covered structure used mainly to provide limited protection for vehicles, mainly automobiles, against rain and snow. The basic structure can either be attached to a building or free-standing. Unlike many permanent structures, a carport doesn’t have many walls, and typically only has one or two exposed walls. Cars parked in these structures don’t necessarily need to be covered, but in most cases an awning, or some other kind of cover will suffice.
When installing a carport or other covered structure, it’s important to use the proper anchors. Carports are commonly built with steel or aluminum anchors, but other types of anchors may work as well. The weight of a vehicle can cause the anchors to snap under pressure, causing damage to the car or cargo if they’re not strong enough. In cases where there isn’t a concrete slab surrounding the area, concrete can be used as an anchor, though this is much less reliable since the weight of the car can cause the concrete slab to crack. If concrete is used as an anchor, it’s important to drill through the concrete and use stainless steel pins or bolts to hold the anchor in place.
Anchors should be pre-drilled prior to installation. While most carports come with the standard eight-foot anchors, others may offer the option of choosing extra anchors. To determine the best type of anchor to use, it’s important to look at the manufacturer or distributor’s instructions. In most cases, these pre-drilled anchors are simply plugged into the carport’s foundation rail and connected to the pre-drilled holes in the base rail.