Building a Metal Carport - Part 2 

You are an inspiration Miss April and extremely talented

Girl I've said it before and I probably say it again, you are awesome !! The progress that you have made is GREAT!! I love the car port btw. that must have been an exhausting job, even with all the help you had. I know your parents are going to love it and think of you every time they use it. thanks for sharing

April, I always look forward to watching your videos. I think it’s quite amazing you have fans from other countries watching as well. Another job done very well. Thank you April.

Very Nice! Thanks for sharing April ! Currently working on a unattached roof for back porch using steel 4x4 as main weight bearing instead of cutting into roof of house using outside wall, bearing support skyjacks. Really enjoyed watching!

Very nice! Working as a designer years ago I found everyone has something to say after you've done the work but are always quiet when the paper is blank! Thanks for sharing your projects!

It's always a pleasure watching and learning from you. You have travelled far with your ideas and skills !!! Keep up the Awesomely Great Work April.

I connect with this in so many ways. Building an awesome car port for your folks, with a newly learned skill at a fraction of the price. Priceless! You rock!

Great job April! Takes some bravery to tackle a project like this! U did great!

That's a wonderful gift for your parents and an extremely well made and durable car port. I would would have had to add sidewalls but then they got what THEY wanted. Great job April...

April - the Riveter, the Welder, and the Woodworker. Awesome job.

Awesome work, April! Absolutely putting a magnetic ground clamp on my list of things to grab.

great project and I am just so impressed at the thoughtfulness of the project.

Worked in fabrication for many years, I'm impressed with your skills.

Hey April. Missed you at the ATL woodworkers thing. You crushed this build. I'm impressed

As one of your biggest fans, you are an inspiration. I make my adult daughter watch your channel. I've taught her to do for herself. She fixes her own car, when it breaks down. Finds solutions for her problems. Makes her own way in life. Ppl have lost sight of what your original intent and purpose for this channel was. Never stop, April. Best thing about you......it's your world and YOU OWN IT. Total badass. 😎 Forever a fan.

April your videos and work you do inspires me to do my own car port. I would also like to say those who comment about your skills should take into consideration the attention to detail you perform on every project and not question your projects. Awesome job!

That looks very good April! Way to go! Your folks could have a have get together underneath too! What a cool multi use space!

That turned out great! I love the clean look!

April, you and your husband are beyond awesome. I enjoy watching ya'll grow together.

You and Cody did a great job on that project. great video, and great effort showing the welding skill and industry. keep it up.

Awesome project. Looks really nice!

Love it! great project and video. My list of 7 'improvements if i did it' (marketers call that proof of engagement) 1. 6" SCH40 Steel Pipe corner columns (10ft $341 on metals depot) and poured piers in small Sonotubes (just a Pringles can or something :-) 2. 6" A36 steel beams for the headers instead of tube. stronger, lighter (20ft $350 at MD) 3. column tops angle-cut the same as the truss pitch so they meet flush. no need to bird's-mouth notch the truss. could also weld in triangle steel-plate gussets in that little gap? 4. scrape out topsoil, level grade and spread quarter-minus sized gravel then maybe a top layer of crushed blue stone for the parking pad. maybe even go 22 by 22 on the gravel pad for drainage and slight ramp in. 5. maybe only one instead of 2 purlins between ridge and soffit but then use 5 or 6 perforated steel 'hat channel' bars (like those used to hold up stop signs) running 90 degrees the other way as your screw surface for the corrugated top skin. 6. run insulated electrical wire in pvc conduit up through the hollow tube to add lights later 7. maybe one panel deep of the plastic roofing on the top of the walls up under the soffits. would offer better 'shadow patch' even when the sun is at a sharp angle. that or trellis or porch type screen. still leaves the sides open to above your head.

seriously awesome job! the skills you have learned in the last few years or hell months is crazy! I'm dieing to see your plans for the new shop and put it all together

beautiful job. Steel definitely surpasses all that other material for carports because of its looks and durability. What a perfect and nice job. Thank you for showing us.

Miss April, you are a beast! Great job! Computer high 5!

it was great to get to meet you at the carpentry store here in Ireland, your seal of approval on the growth chart I made for my niece was appreciated. keep up the good work.

You have a great mix of boldness with backup. Smart having your weld inspector brother backing you along with the courage to dive into things you haven't done before.

As a full time commercial nuclear fabricator, great work. I'm blown away by your motivation to take on such a big project. Inspiring stuff!

Very nice work! I would suggest adding weep holes in your steel though. Seasonal changes will cause condensation internally and cause your steel to rust out from the inside out. Definitely should have some at the bottom of your four main posts.

Good job, well thought out and executed in a top notch fashion. Thanks for the video!

Another outstanding job! I enjoy watching you work from concept to completion, and listening to your explanations. Thanks for sharing!

Good to see your still doing (stuff)!! Always enjoy your projects. All my friends love your fold down work table...I had to come clean and explain the idea came from a girl in Texas! I was in construction work most of my life so all my friends thought I was the clever one. Never to old to learn. We would have to do car port quite different as l live in upstate New York and we're used to building for snow and ice load! Great job keep it up.

Great work on the structure April. But the poly-carbonate will not stand up to a serious hail storm like the one we had in DFW area last week. I have the same material on top of the pergola and 2"+ hail went through it like nothing was there. So, the cars under the carport may not fare well in that case.

thank you great job . bless your heart dear daughter( not mine but a great one i see) . what a gift to your folks . i am all ways amazed at the projects you tackle love the can do attitude you work with . thank you little miss

Glad you got it inspected, but not surprised, you seem to always walk out all the steps, from dreaming to planning to tools & materials list to finished product. With safety, like a beer after you finish for the day. Great Job.

@5:45 best quote I've heard in 2017 "Theres almost not a better feeling out there than being able to visualize something, work hard and then get it done" Whoa! Mind blowing! Bravo young lady!

wow let the haters hate! I think you did a great job on this project. well thought out, well planned, well executed. very well done. great work!

Just brilliant. Sincerely. Talk about a great job, very well done! When the zombie apocalypse happens, please consider coming to England - we will be in grave need of people with such a broad skill base. Oh! And strange to say: red oxide is a hugely popular colour here, too.

April you are amazing! you are a inspiration to me to do a lot of things . THANKS YOU SO MUCH!!!

Great video series April. I just love the way you tap the finished bits of the build!

In Canada we use carports to keep the snow off vehicles. I assumed this would be for the sun in Texas, but you went with a clear roof. Does the smoked PC provide some level of protection from the sun?

I remember when you mentioned in your channel that you just quit your job and decided to go full time in RU-vid. You were just learning woodworking then. Look at you now, you did this project with confidence. You have gone so far already. I hope you will have more shop time soon. Good luck April.

I know this was a long time ago. But I must say you did a wonderful job on that project and I appreciate your attention to detail. That is what many “fabricators” miss now days

That is an awesome carport, won't blow away, love the color, and the matched ridge cap makes it unique.

I'm from Dubai and work with some steel structures builders and they always say that steel shouldn't touch the soil 'I guess for rust prevention' and always distribute the steel load. April you need to do the following to rectify this job and make it to last as your parents live: 1. 20cm X 20cm X10cm or 8" X 8" X 4" of concrete mesh to be done at each base to prevent pools touching the soil. 2. 2 X 45 degree support beams to be added to each pool so that the roof load is better supported.

it may have been said before, but in my experience, primer does not give a good seal, A more permanent top coat is needed. Loving what you do, cant wait until your new shop goes up.

Great project,I've built a few structures like that an a few cable come-a- longs help by doing the lifting for you ,I worked offshore construction for 25 years we don't lift pieces with out lifting devices. You an your brother did a good job .

I love it so much ; I could live in that space with the proper equipment . good job !

Miss April, there is nothing you cannot achieve, great work .

You wanted a very difficult job !!! Wow !! I have a few questions: Why do you need a canopy? If from the sun, then does polycarbonate protect from overheating the machine ?? If it's snow, do you have a lot of it in your area? If it's from the rain, is not it too high a canopy? Great work, thank you for your videos

My wife and I really enjoy your videos and in how you are willing to tackle big projects like this one. It looks great! I bet your Dad was proud.

Extremely impressive, hopefully your family is appreciative of your efforts.

I do this for a living and I can tell you that you're awesome!

April, just as a piece of advice from my own home, consider capping off those open steel beams or you'll have the worlds greatest hornet nest! You have more skill and vision than I do, good for you, this turned out amazing! I agree on the primer being a really nice barn color, also!

Just discovered these videos in my research for my own backyard building. I learned some techniques from it. Keep up the good work. It looks great.

Hey!! Great job! Very impressed with not only your welding skills but your enthusiasm for the trade. Energetic and to the point.. love the videos. Keep it up.

That thing is gorgeous!! "Last forever??". . . . the Apocalypse could hit, and that thing will still be standing! Outstanding job, April, truly one of your best!! :-)

That was really impressive! The structure is so elegant and attractive. Great video. Thanks ;)

Hey April , just found your channel a few weeks back and have watched most of them , let me say love your spirit and how you tackle these projects solo for the most part 👍🏻👍🏻. Wanted to follow along on this and see how it was holding up under the Texas weather and have you made any changes or upgrades , so keep being you and looking forward to the upcoming updates on the electric in your new MEGE shop .

well done lady, i remember when you started to wield know look at you perfect builds. you are a inspiration to all ladies in the building and wielding trade . love u millions , john uk london ps. that was a really good project seeing u and mum involved looked fun, good times xxxxxxxx

You make what you want how you want. You will never please all the people all the time. You don't have to justify anything to anyone. Thank you for your video.

I love how if they wanted to convert the carport into a proper garage with walls, etc that it can very easily be converted. I've seen sheds built with lesser steel stay up for at least 30 years but that one should last until you retire, April :P Love the build and the creative use of down time while your place is organised ;)

That is an awesome carport! Looks amazing! You mentioned in the video that you specified the materials I could never find them. I would really like to replicate what you have done there structurally! Thanks!

I'm very impressed with the outcome. Great choice of materials and design.

Hi April, This is peter from Trinidad & Tobago, I have been following your videos for some time and I must say that you are truly fantastic. if you are up to taking advice, you could have cleaned and primed the material in advance, in that way you would have just had to use your ladder and touch up the welded areas after but that was a great Job.

Going to build a workshop out back ... steel it is! :)

I'm impressed awesome job. I just received my frame materials for my small shop. Can't wait to see it up. Thanks gave me some good ideas.

Well done! Been thinking about making one for my mom and dad for their 5th wheel trailer for when it is just parked at home. Georgia sun is just killer on paint and plastics as well.

Love the shot of you standing under your almost-done-project! Well done! or is it Weld done? :)

my comment on the use of steel was only because it so darn heavy and strong for a carport. but that's because i would go the step up and make it a garage. after all it only needs de sides, door and some concrete to make it that way

April, I've been watching you for some time now. You amaze me. I have 6 daughters and you are such a great mentor for women...they can do anything!

I'm always impressed with the projects you tackle. Watching the video I thought- welding a structural building- wow I'd be nervous for an inspection. Then you mentions you knew someone that was a welding inspector and they check it out. Amazing work and way to address all the negativity before it could happen. Keep up the great work!

Dang girl, you are amazing! What a beast of a project and you conquered it.

But how did you put that ridge cap, on the whole length?

Miss April.. Great job done. I love all your videos on carpentry and building various items. You work like a bull. Hats off to you!!

AWESOME! I love your videos. I just finished my red cedar fence. I’ve been looking for ideas on how to build a Carport. I love this one. I’ll be getting one just like it. Thanks and God bless, you’re awesome!

Good job April! Only thing I would do differently is on the end make a cap on the end of the coroner or bees will nest

Very nice. I was just at the building department at my county yesterday. I asked them about using my own trusses and sawmill lumber to first build a pole barn and then to build a house. They told me that would be aright as long as "EVERY BOARD AND TRUSS HAD AN ENGINEER'S STAMP ON IT." I just figured that one of the county commissioners must own the local lumber yard, but guess what? No, I think this is just about everywhere. Again. Very nice carport. Just wish I could do the same. If you can not build what you want on your own land without someone else's permission, then... Is it really your land?

It’s always best to know your layout and clean your material and paint it before it goes up. Then you have that little area that’s welded to touch up. Great carport.

AWESOME ..... Great job . That is a perfect carport . And your welding skills are great .

only takes a few minutes to move cars and put a table and such in there for a certain occasion;)

When people toss stuff to me, I tell them to aim above my head...works every time.

That was so awesome to do this for your parents! Great Job!!

April, I began watching your videos a coulpe years ago for your woodworking projects but found the carport video very interesting. I am building a carport for my son and will be using this design almost to a t. The post are up. About the only difference I will be using r panel to match his home. It will be plenty strong here in Texas. Keep the great videos rolling.

How much did it cost to build

Given that I am sure you researched every thing compulsively I still think that leaving primer as a finish coat is not correct. Primer is not designed to seal but to provide a adhesion surface to a sealing coat of paint. Basically the steel will corrode beneath the primer as moisture can go thru the primer coat. :)

Fantastic job! Great tools and skills. Your parents must be so proud of you.

A big thumbs up April. Excellent result all round.

if you put gutters and a rain barrel on it, you could hook up a pump so the cars can be washed with rain water for free

What was the material cost alone on this project? You’ve got me thinking.

Awesome video!!!!!! Nothing better than creativity and family!!!!

Yes, I truly enjoyed watching this project.

BS"D You are an amazing woman, daughter and wife and on top of that a very talented young lady learning from you a lot. Thank you

April, I could not be more proud of you and your accomplishments if your were one of my own daughters.

Wow! Very impressed with your skills and your incredible determination! All the best to you in your future endeavors.

You are such a pleasure to watch, what a great teacher you are!

So, how did you access the center of the ridge cap to secure it?

I guess you know they call that person on the ground a "GRUNT" account the sound they make when pitching heavy items. Hard Hat required.

I love long lasting disaster proof structure! Thanks for posting/sharing!

Beautiful structure! And, what a wonderful daughter to do this for your parents!