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How to install bracing for a carport

A person attaching metal cross bracing diagonally across rafters

Overview

After you've built your carport, you need to brace it. This will stop it from moving and also keep it square. This simple to follow guide shows you the tools you need for the project and how to measure and install the bracing.

Steps

1Measure the carport

Stand on the ladder and with help from someone else, measure the distance from one corner of the carport to the one diagonally opposite it. Repeat this for the other corners. If the distances are the same, your carport is square. To keep it square, nail a long piece of timber from the top of the post at the front of the carport to the bottom of the post diagonally opposite it. This timber will act as a brace.

Person measuring a car port.

2Attach the hoop iron

Cut the hoop iron to the distance you measured from one corner of the carport to the one diagonally opposite it. Standing on the ladder, nail in one end of the hoop iron in one corner of the carport, using the galvanised nails with the flat head. Roll-out the hoop rail diagonally across the carport, so that it sits above the rafters. Wearing your safety gloves, pull the hoop rail tight. Nail it into the post. Nail the hoop iron into each rafter, with two nails in each rafter.
Person hammering a hoop iron to a carport frame.

3Attach the second hoop rail

Repeat the above step to attach the second hoop iron from one corner of the carport to the other. It's important to make sure the hoop iron is pulled tight before you nail in the second set of nails. After you've attached the two hoop irons, use the hammer to remove the piece of timber nailed to the front of the carport.
A person attaching metal cross bracing diagonally across rafters
Health & Safety

Please make sure you use all equipment appropriately and safely when following the advice in these D.I.Y. videos. You need to be familiar with how to use equipment safely and follow the instructions that came with the equipment. If you are unsure, you may feel it is safest to consult an expert, such as the manufacturer or an expert Bunnings Team Member.

Grave health hazards are linked to asbestos, which may be in homes built up to 1990. Health hazards may result from exposure to lead-based paints in older materials and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer. You can also use a simple test kit from Bunnings to indicate the presence of lead-based paint.