What carport? This carport. You know, the one that almost kept us from considering this house because we were so anti-carport? My how we’ve changed our tune after spending a few years with it…
Sherry actually mentioned the new tune we’re signing back in this Listy McListerson post: “we originally wanted to convert this into a garage, but now we’re leaning towards adding a trellis arch so it’s all lush and pretty like a carport with a pergola instead of being closed in and dark like a garage (we’d lose some light from two windows into the laundry room and office if we closed it in).”
The lost windows were a big game changer, since we learned that fire codes would require us to close them off. See this guy over our built-in desk? It would be gone-zo along with the window in the laundry room.
We also got over our need for garage storage because our basement and attic have proven more than sufficient. So Operation Garage Conversion has officially become Operation Carport Fancification. Our main tactic? Adding the architectural interest that Sherry described above. In short, taking it from something like this…
…to something like this. Just more real, less Photoshop-tacular. And maybe with some nice greenery running up it.
If that Photoshop job isn’t doing it for you (it’s barely doing it for me) the first image in this article might. It wasn’t until we started hunting for inspiration that I realized attached pergolas are a thing. Some fancy folks even dub them “garage arbors.” So the idea of a carport arbor (a “carbor”?) didn’t seem that far-fetched. But figuring out how to actually build one had me all like…
Then Google led us to Workbench Magazine. Well, specifically this 2008 article on – you guessed it – building an attached garage pergola.
And it wasn’t just any article. It was an article with building plans and diagrams. Glorious, glorious diagrams.
And, as if the pergola heavens were shining down upon us, their plan was just about the exact size of what we needed to do, so we could follow their material and cut list almost to a T. Hallelujah. So I printed out the plans and made myself a date with the Lowe’s rental truck.
After finding the plans, and buying and hauling back all of our materials, we were finally able to get a start building this weekend, and the first step was installing an extra column on the house-side of the carport (since we needed a place for the pergola brace on that side to attach).
We’re currently in the process of rerouting the drainpipe, priming and painting a lot of wood, making our own curved wooden braces, and cutting all of the slats for the top part. So if all goes well, we should have that knocked out by early next week so we’ll be back with a post full o’ details for you guys then. The plans involve some fairly intricate cutting and bracing (at least by my standards) so we’ll have to see how all that goes. Wish us luck!
People ask us how we get the courage to take on larger building projects like this a lot, and our answer is always “break them down into smaller parts so your brain doesn’t explode.” So to demonstrate that, here’s our own broken-out pergola to-do list:
find or create our own plansfigure out exactly what pieces of wood/screws/bolts we need and somehow get them home<–we rented a Lowe’s truck for $20 to get the 16′ boards homeprime and paint the wood beforehand (should bemuch easier to do this before things are assembled) <– this is about half done, hence the half cross outbuild a column on the left side of the carport so the bracket on that side can rest on it- build the curved wooden braces and bolt them in securely
- lay the boards and slats across the top, making sure they’re all level and secure
- find some vine to creep up the thing for extra credit
Anyone else out there ever built a pergola? Who thinks HGTV should add Pimp My Carport to their programming? Just me?
Psst- I wrote this for Boston.
Amanda says
This excites me. Is it next week yet? ;)
eileen marie says
Pergola me! Oh..wait…you won’t come & build us a pergola (over our patio) next? You two ARE fearless, but I guess I could’ve made that comment 2 patios, a ginormous console table, a homemade beanbag, 2 stenciled walls earlier, eh?
PS: Lurve the gifs!
Leyna says
I love the carport, and I hate to be the voice of dissent, but it just seems so separate from the rest of your house aesthetically. Everything is so clean, so modern, and you just went and ripped ornamental arches off of your porch. Why would you now add fancy arched cottage ornamentation to your sleek modern carport? It’s certainly beautiful, but it seems to be too much for your house… like a design student who slaps every trick in the book onto a single garment. Editing is beautiful too.
I have no doubt that it will turn out lovely. But I fail to see what it will add to the house as a whole other than more design elements.
YoungHouseLove says
Right now our house’s carport feels like an add-on afterthought (which it was) but we’ve seen – and instantly loved – other mid-century ranches with boxed porch columns like ours and a pergola around the carport or garage. So those are our inspiration :)
xo
s
Wendy T says
First response to closing in the carport;
Marianne says
you guys made my day with bit of Fred Armisen’s face from The Californians! awesome.
Emily says
Hey, I just wanted to give you a heads up. The recommended posts for me include “6 positions to increase sexual something.”
While I think that is hilarious and awesome, I am guessing it’s not supposed to be popping up like that.
YoungHouseLove says
Yeah.. that’s not supposed to be there. Thanks for the tip! Off to get it blocked :)
xo
s
alisha says
THAT is why I originally came to leave a comment, too (but got totally side tracked with DIY giddiness) Cracked me up after the convos the other day about the weird recommended posts. haha! And BTW–it’s http://dailyhealthpost.com/6-sex-positions-that-double-as-exercise/
Megan says
I love that you are embracing the carport. I feel like a remember a “garage” being a dealbreaker on why you may have originally passed over this house! Just proves it was meant to be . . . good reminder to live with what you have before making drastic changes.
car54 says
They do this a lot on Curb Appeal the Block on HGTV–
John is always adding things like this to the houses they do!
I think it will be pretty–good luck!
Lindsay H says
Oh that is a good idea and will be a good touch! I remember Melanie, My Sweet Savannah, posting about their garage pergola and how nice hers looks too! We built a larger one for our back patio in the fall: http://lindsayandevan.blogspot.com/2012/09/good-bye-chair-hello-pergola.html
It got me to thinking though, can you have too many? I would like a small one in our side yard for some height for our plants there and then a garage one and then…I am sure it would be too many.
YoungHouseLove says
Never! Well, I think ten would be too many, but I think you could have one on the back patio and maybe a smaller one in another area (the side yard) might be nice since it would tie into the other larger one :)
xo
s
Michelle says
Please, please, please tell me how YOU pronounce pergola. Let’s just say I’ve had some discussions. I’m looking for support here ;)
YoungHouseLove says
I’m not always good at phonetic spellings, but I’d say PURR-go-lah. So the emphasis is on the first syllable, but not in a kitty-cat way like I typed it.
-John
YoungHouseLove says
We say “PRR-guh-luh” – with the emphasis on the first syllable :)
xo
s
Lauren H says
Love the idea for your carport! They’re actually pretty popular around here, for newer construction, anyway- garage pergola’s, that is. Coastal construction, I guess. It’s on my list for our new (to us) house but so much more to get to first.
Thanks for the inspiration!
Susan says
Your carport is making me wish we had one in place of a garage. I’m surprised at how bright that window above the desk looks considering it’s within the carport area.
Jane says
You had me at Carbor. SO FUNNY.
But serioulsy this carbor is going to be so beutiful I can imagine it. Sounds dreamy to me!
Tyleet says
As a carport owner, I’m cheering for you :) I’m burning with curiosity though, the previous owners gave you a credit (insert word that is more applicable) for converting it into a garage. How does that affect your situation? Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
They just said it was a credit towards converting the carport into a garage or to use towards closing costs or any other fees, so we’re not legally obligated to spend that in any way :)
xo
s
Renee - Hansen Family Chaos says
I love this idea John & Sherry! We built a pergola in our back yard and love it!
Criss says
I think “signing” in the beginning of your post should be “singing”??? :)
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, yes!
xo
s
yakmom says
We have a long, boring back stretch on our house. We had an arbor constructed a couple summers ago and thought we would have a matching one installed over our french doors and window. The estimate was $1700! Crazy town! I don’t know if my husband and I are up to building something so difficult, but we might get inspired after you walk us through it! LOL!
YoungHouseLove says
Woah! That sounds awesome though!
xo
s
Parke says
I am so excited to see how this project turns out!!! I’ve been so excited about it ever since you mentioned it in one of your first Listy McListerson posts.
On another note… Have y’all ever considered painting the outside brick white? I’ve always been a huge fan of red brick but a friend of mine recently painted her ranch brick white and it makes the whole house look much bigger than before
YoungHouseLove says
In Richmond, unpainted brick is actually really coveted since it’s no maintenance, so since it’s a selling feature we’re into it :)
xo
s
dlichten says
A good vine is confederate jasmine. It is evergreen with nice glossy leaves and the smell in the spring is beyond beautiful. Carolina jasmine is another choice with yellow flowers. No pruning required except to keep it in bounds. Climatis is beautiful but look for one of the evergreen varieties if you want green all year round. Wisteria has been know to crack support beams in half and consume houses whole – it has to be pruned up to 3 times a year. Beautiful, if you are willing to put the time in. I’ve heard good things about golden hops as well – yup the same plant as hops for beer. It doesn’t have a flower but it has a pretty yellow green leaf. You may be able to do passion flower as well. Lastly, you could do a climbing rose – Zephirine Drouhin is thornless with a fushia flower. It mixes well with Climatis.
Laura C says
Nice! I’m not a fan of the “naked” pergolas in some of those photos, but I love the idea of using it to support some sort of climbing vine – what a great way to dress up that area of your house!
Megan says
what a great idea! you guys are seriously so creative and gutsy – Encourages me to just take things one. step. at. a time. AMAZZING! can’t wait to see it! carry – on carry-on!
Stephanie M. says
So glad you posted this, I literally just decided last weekend that I was going to do this same thing over my garage door for some curb appeal and have been looking for plans. You’ve saved me a lot of searching! Can’t wait to see how it turns out!
Brandi says
Oh this is so exciting. I can’t wait to see how you transform the carport into something even better than before!
Anna See says
I think this is a great idea. We have a 2 car carport and have enjoyed it for 10 years. It was a great shady place for the kids to play, draw with chalk, learn to rollerblade, etc. It provided a covered place for me to spray paint furniture. Also, since it’s open, it’s not as tempting to fill up with crap the way a garage is. I also like that we can have a door with a window leading to it and letting in light, whereas w/ a garage you need a solid door coming into the house. Good call, Sherry and John!
Jenn says
Oh, I am trying to talk my husband into this right now for our garage! It’s a sign! (somehow I don’t think he’ll take it that way ;)).
That clip of The Real Housewives of Disney crackes me up. Especially the one little hand that misses the high five all together.
YoungHouseLove says
It was probably Grumpy. He doesn’t seem like he gets a lot of practice high fiving.
-John
Michelle says
LOVE this project!!! Can’t wait to see how it is done and what tips you have to make it happen. Soooo want to do this idea outside my patio slider for some visual interest and partial shade. Good Luck!!! Sure it will stunning!
Wendy says
Love that idea! My in-laws did that on the front of the room that they converted from a garage into a family room and it adds so much to the house! Now the big question is – which type of vine will you force to grow on it? She has a chocolate vine on hers and it is beautiful. Forcing a vine can be a neat thing to show people how to do as well…she uses little hooks with string and the vine grabs and grows onto the string wherever she wants it to go!
Ashley@AttemptsAtDomestication says
I totally can’t wait to see how this turns out! I love our garage, but I’ve seen some pretty carports too!
Laura says
As a fellow Wahoo alum, I like how it adds a little touch of the UVA Grounds architecture style!
YoungHouseLove says
Shhh, don’t tell sherry that’s my secret plan. Next up – a Rotunda in the backyard! :)
-John
John says
How about a redo on your mailbox support? It could be white and similar with a support bracket like the pergola.
YoungHouseLove says
Not a bad idea!
-John
Micole says
Yay! Work Bench! My step mom is one of the photographers at August Home Publishing (publishes Work Bench) and maybe even took that photo. She does all the photographs for the magazine Woodsmith (which is an awesome magazine you would love) Its so fun to go to their studio and see all the projects they make for the magazine. Im glad you highlighted them on your blog!
Mary | lemongroveblog says
Squeee!! So excited to see this project! We’re looking to add a pergola to the front of our garage as well. I just think they are so stinkin’ pretty with some vines growing over the top. Can’t wait to see this when it’s done!
Jeff says
I’m gonna throw my suggestion in for honeysuckle. Not invasive, not a burden to take care of, hummingbirds love it, excellent fragrance, and Goldflame honeysuckle will eventually spread to cover that whole thing.
If you decide to go with a clematis, look at group 3 selections (you’ll see what I’m talking about if you decide to go this route) as these are the easiest to remember what to do – cut them back in spring. Group 2 are the second easiest, and some can even be treated as a group 3 with few ill effects.
One other idea I’d like to throw in there – a hook on each end to hold a solar lamp, perhaps a solar mason jar light or something like that.
Starting a project is the hardest part for me, so pardon me while I live vicariously through your projects ;-)
YoungHouseLove says
Love those ideas Jeff! Thanks!
xo
s
Jts says
You know you have read too many YHL blog posts when you read the title of the post and in your mind sing ‘lets get it pergolated’ to the tune of missy Elliot Family Affair
YoungHouseLove says
Ha! We’ve trained you well, grasshopper. :)
-John
Kim says
This is going to look great! I just bought a Bignonia Capreolata (also called crossvine) for my back fence from a nursery here in Virginia. Both the nursery and the vine are native! Just an idea for the finished project!
The nursery is called Lazy SS farm if you’re interested.
Good luck!
Danielle says
I love pergolas! We wanted to build a free-standing one at our old house, but they were a no-no in our city. womp, womp. I will have to live thru your beauty – can’t wait for more updates!!
alisha says
What a bummer! It’s like a town outlawing front porches or beauty!
Jeanna says
The pergola is gonna be the bomb! But I see some curves in there……….. I thought you guys only liked clean, modern lines?
YoungHouseLove says
We like curves too – and definitely think they can still be crisp and modern! Our buffet by the door has cool curvy legs, our dining table’s (and the backs of our woven chairs) are round, and we love a round mirror (or ten, haha!).
xo
s
Katie says
Just a word to the wise…wisteria seems pretty in pictures but it’s kind of the devil – someone planted it all around my house to try to hide the chainlink fences and I have spent years at this point trying to remove it since it’s all over my trees and yard. I live in North Carolina so similar climate – try clematis if you can! Way easier to control!
Alison says
I hav a post idea. You have posted decor things you would change on your first idea. With how handy John has become, especially in this house, you could what things John would change using his carpentry skills. Would he build something in the back yard? An armoire in the living room?
YoungHouseLove says
That’s fun!
xo
s
Margy says
Looks like it is going to be great! Just wondering, why do you have to reroute your down spout?
YoungHouseLove says
The bracket (or brace) for the pergola will have to hang on the front of each column, and the one on the right has a drainpipe in the way. More on that soon :)
xo
s
Erica says
Yes, I HAVE built a pergola! Of course, mine is a pretty much free-standing pergola over my back porch, but I built it along with my dad. It’s pretty awesome if I do say so myself. :-) However, I am so excited you linked to the plans you found, because the front of my house needs a little something over the front door, and that might work if I can adjust sizes or something! (I’ll stick my dad on it- math isn’t my thing.)
Can’t wait to see your pergola!
YoungHouseLove says
It would be so cool over a front door! I’d love to see the photos if you tackle it Erica!
xo
s
Jill says
So my husband and I have this “sickness” as we call it that whenever we are at the big box hardware stores we always check out the clearance lumber.. We have scored so many times that we are running out of things to build! We built a pergola last summer no plans just made it up as we went along. Then we built planter boxes to hide the concrete blocks that secured the pergola. Now we are building like 15 garden boxes (ok so my husband might not know that we are building that many but he will soon)…. Now instead of our big garden we are building raised garden beds with grass in between each bed because we are tired of our great dane tracking in dirt! Love what you guys are up to!
alisha says
I am SO excited for the outdoor projects you guys have recently been taking on (the front porch pillar chunkification inspires me to do something about the two white aluminum wrapped square ones on my portico) and I LOVE this carbor idea! The way you described it in your Listy McListerton post seems exactly like what the plans you found will produce =] geeked to live vicariously through you guys on this one–our detached garage has a front gabled roof so it wouldn’t work for us.
Can’t wait to see which vine you choose. So many options! Wisteria is beautiful, but I have no experience with it other than seeing (beautiful) photos. We have purple clematis climbing lattice on one side of our portico–thinking of adding a (apricot colored) climbing rose, as well, for longer bloom time (read on some forums that climbing roses and clematis are great companion plants) good luck!
Karin (going dutch on decor) says
Wow, what a plan! Breaking down projects is what Husband and I intend to do, but we find ourselves hanging out on the couch in front of the television after a days work.
Maybe our first project should be; get rid of couch and/or television ;-)
Where do you find the energy?
Hope you can enjoy the new beautified carport soon.
greetz from overseas
Karin
Megan says
Love this idea! We have a detached garage that is all storage of outside things (and honestly a huge junk pile some days) but I’ve looked at it and wanted to do the same thing. But it’s way down our list of things to do so I’ll live through you guys and your new arbor!
Meredith says
Love this! I would actually love to add a pergola style awning above our sliding door to our deck and about our garage doors. Those sides of our house are vinyl siding and look so boring, an awning like that would add a nice touch I think. Not sure we’ll ever get there, and it’s definitely something we would hire out because we don’t have the time or skill. Good luck with yours! I vote for planting wisteria, so pretty.
Lauren says
I only quickly scanned the comments, so I’m sorry if you’ve already answered this question! If the previous owners built a credit for your garage conversion into the offer on the home, and you don’t use it, are there any complications there? Or is such an agreement more of an understanding that you can do what you want with the credit since the home is yours after you close? Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
Yes, it was just a credit to put towards closing in the garage or towards closing costs and some other improvements or whatever else we wanted to use it for, so thankfully there was no legal requirement to spend it on the carport :)
xo
s
karen @ paperfancy.com says
I just love to see what you guys can do with a little bit of $$! Just beautiful! A blooming climbing vine would be perfect like Climatis. (spelled wrong, I know).
Jennifer says
Congrats on your forum, I have no doubt that will be an instant success! Looking forward to seeing the “carbor” when it’s complete and thankful for the plans you included that I can tuck away until I can tackle my own pergola project. I just have to say I soooo enjoy reading your posts. I look forward to them every day. Your writing style is the BEST. I always appreciate when it appears someone writes the way they talk. Of course I’ve never met you, so I have no idea how you talk, but I imagine your writing tone is a good cue that we are getting the real deal and that you are both very genuine people. I feel like if we knew each other we would be good friends,lol! You both seem like such a blast to hang out with. Your musical (and other) references always crack me up. It’s a good thing I work from home, otherwise I am sure I would be getting some weird looks from folks while attempting to do the percolator at my desk! As always, keep up the good work. Looking forward to your next piece of inspiration.
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Jennifer!
xo
s
Christine says
Oh, this looks like it will be a fun project to watch!
Have to cast my vote for a vine – confederate jasmine. The white booms are lovely and “elegant” looking for a carport, and the smell…. oh heavens, the smell. Amazing.
YoungHouseLove says
Sounds awesome!
xo
s