Carports · Practical advice
Carport with storage in Luxembourg
Combining enclosed storage with a carport allows bikes, garden tools or outdoor furniture to be kept near the vehicle without building a second structure. This combination, however, requires careful space planning so as not to hinder car access or overload the supporting structure.
Defining what will actually be stored
Before designing the storage volume, it helps to list the items involved: bikes, tools, garden furniture, firewood or seasonal equipment. This list determines the area, clear height and the most suitable type of opening (single door, double door or sliding gate).
Clearly separating the vehicle zone and the enclosed zone
The storage section is usually enclosed with solid walls or cladding, while the vehicle zone remains open on one or more sides to retain the carport function. This separation must be considered from the planning stage to prevent a storage door from obstructing the car’s passage.
Accounting for the extra weight on the structure
Enclosed walls, an extended roof and the stored contents add weight and wind load compared with a classic open carport. The sizing of posts, foundations and fixings must account for these extra loads from the design stage, not as an afterthought.
Designing this combination with Lux Art
Lux Art designs carports that combine a parking zone with enclosed storage, balancing use, structure and aesthetics. Each project starts with a discussion of real storage needs before proposing a volume layout suited to the site and the house.