Wood Carport: Kits, Timber Frames and What They Cost
A wood carport is a roofed, open-sided shelter on a wood frame, and every listing that names a roof lists steel. Six kit listings read on October 5, 2026 ran from $1,508.26 to $4,399, and one installed timber frame started at $12,271.
Sources: seller and retailer listings read October 5, 2026 (Backyard Discovery, Sunjoy, amerlife, Veikous, Big Timber Structures), Google shopping results, Angi (July 8, 2026), a preservedwood.org use-category guide, and carport rules from Pierce County, WA and the City of San Diego.
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What is a wood carport?
A wood carport is a carport with a wood frame: posts, beams and rafters or trusses that carry a roof over an open parking bay. The roof is usually steel. Several kits carry a dual name: the Backyard Discovery Kingsport and the Sunjoy Hanover are titled carport gazebo on Home Depot. Four of the seven listings read for this guide state a steel roof on a wood frame, and Big Timber Structures lists R-panel metal roofing on its timber frame. The other three state no roof. The base term is explained in the guide to what a carport is. Searchers also write wooden carport, wood carports and carport wood. This page covers them together, because Google returned the same set of sellers for wood carport and wooden carport on October 5, 2026. Roof options are covered in the guide to carport materials and roof styles.
Which kinds of wood carport can you buy or build?
Three routes lead to a wood carport. The table sorts them by what arrives, who does the work and what the listings show.
| Route | What you get | Who does the work | Price shown on October 5, 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retail kit | What you getWood frame parts and a steel roof, shipped to you | Who does the workYou, or a crew you hire. The kit listings state no installation | Price shown on October 5, 2026Six listings, from $1,508.26 to $4,399 |
| Installed timber frame | What you getA solid-timber frame sized to your site, with delivery and professional installation | Who does the workThe seller | Price shown on October 5, 2026One 14x16 listing, from $12,271 |
| Plans and lumber | What you getDrawings only. You buy the lumber, hardware and roofing | Who does the workYou, or a builder you hire | Price shown on October 5, 2026Plan sets from $105 to $499 on Google product cards, with materials extra |
The portable carport options guide covers portable frames. The wood carport kit listings guide goes deeper on kits. Narrower guides cover a wood carport attached to a house and a wood lean to carport.
What do wood carports cost?
Prices below come from seven listings read on October 5, 2026. Price per square foot is the listed price divided by width times depth. Read each row with its basis in view, because a kit price and an installed price cover different work.
Price per square foot = listed price / (width x depth). For a 20x20 kit listed at $4,399: $4,399 / 400 = $11.00.
| Listing and size (ft) | Area (sq ft) | Listed price | Where read | Frame and roof as listed | Per sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Backyard Discovery Kingsport, 20x12 | Area (sq ft)240 | Listed pricefrom $2,599 (regular $3,799) | Where readBackyard Discovery collection page | Frame and roof as listedCedar frame, steel roof | Per sq ft$10.83 |
| Backyard Discovery Kingsport, 20x20x8 | Area (sq ft)400 | Listed price$4,399 (was $5,499) | Where readHome Depot product page | Frame and roof as listedCedar frame, black steel roof | Per sq ft$11.00 |
| Sunjoy Timberland Premium, 11x20 | Area (sq ft)220 | Listed price$2,810.40 (regular $3,513) | Where readSunjoy collection page | Frame and roof as listedFrame wood and roof not stated on the page | Per sq ft$12.77 |
| Sunjoy Newville, 10x22 | Area (sq ft)220 | Listed price$2,598.05 (regular $3,997) | Where readSunjoy collection page | Frame and roof as listedPrivacy wall and rain gutter; frame wood not stated on the page | Per sq ft$11.81 |
| amerlife, 20x20x9.2 | Area (sq ft)400 | Listed price$3,266.59 (was $3,499.99) | Where readHome Depot category page | Frame and roof as listedCedar wood carport | Per sq ft$8.17 |
| Veikous, 20x10 | Area (sq ft)200 | Listed price$1,508.26 | Where readHome Depot product page | Frame and roof as listedBrown cedar, steel roof, 5.5 x 5.5 in posts | Per sq ft$7.54 |
| Big Timber Structures timber carport, 14x16 | Area (sq ft)224 | Listed pricefrom $12,271 (was $14,480) | Where readBig Timber product page | Frame and roof as listedDouglas fir (western red cedar upgrade), R-panel steel roof, 6x6 posts | Per sq ft$54.78 |
The six kit listings run from $7.54 to $12.77 per square foot. The installed timber frame is $54.78 per square foot, 4.3 to 7.3 times the kit rows, and its price covers delivery and professional installation. Big Timber lists extras: a concrete anchor kit at $149, permit pulling from $500 to $875 and site-specific engineering from $1,050 to $1,250.
Prices move by seller and by day. One Sunjoy Hanover 11x20 showed five prices on October 5, 2026: $885.20, $1,435, $1,538.99, $2,275.48 and $2,342.43. They came from Google shopping cards and Home Depot pages, and the product page listed the unit out of stock. Confirm the price and the stock at the seller before you plan around a figure.
What wood do the listings use?
Sellers name the wood in different ways. The table lists what each page says.
| Seller | Wood as listed | Where read |
|---|---|---|
| Backyard Discovery | Wood as listedCedar, listed as all cedar on the Kingsport page | Where readHome Depot product page |
| amerlife, Veikous, Sunjoy Hanover | Wood as listedCedar | Where readHome Depot pages |
| Sunjoy Newville | Wood as listedFSC wood | Where readHome Depot category card |
| Big Timber Structures | Wood as listedDouglas fir, with a western red cedar upgrade | Where readBig Timber product page |
| Western Timber Frame | Wood as listedDouglas fir, coast redwood, incense cedar and western red cedar | Where readWestern Timber Frame guide |
| EcoHouseMart | Wood as listedGlued laminated timber, northern white spruce | Where readGoogle result snippet |
Big Timber says "all timber is rot, decay and insect resistant." That is the seller's wording, and the page names no preservative treatment or use category. None of the pages read states a use category for the posts, so ask each seller for the species, the grade and the treatment of the posts.
What is the frame made of?
Posts, headers and rafters carry the roof, and wood carport pages describe them at different levels of detail. The table shows what each page states.
| Listing | Posts | Beams and rafters | Roof and height as listed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Big Timber Structures, 14x16 | Posts6x6 solid wood posts | Beams and rafters4x8 solid wood headers and 2x6 rafters at 24 in spacing | Roof and height as listedR-panel steel roof, 6/12 pitch |
| Veikous, 20x10 | Posts5.5 x 5.5 in posts | Beams and raftersNot stated on the page | Roof and height as listedSteel roof |
| EcoHouseMart NB-53, 24x24 | Posts12 in posts | Beams and raftersGlued laminated timber | Roof and height as listedRoof not stated in the snippet |
| Backyard Discovery Kingsport, 20x20x8 | PostsNot stated on the page | Beams and raftersNot stated on the page | Roof and height as listedBlack steel sloped roof, 8 ft in the product name |
| amerlife, 20x20x9.2 | PostsNot stated on the card | Beams and raftersNot stated on the card | Roof and height as listed9.2 ft in the product name, roof color listed |
Compare the listed height with your tallest vehicle before you order. Sizes in product names are outside dimensions as the sellers list them.
How should the posts meet the ground?
The ground is a hard place for wood, and the end tag shows what the lumber was treated for. The American Wood Protection Association sorts treated wood into use categories. A UC3B tag is for wood above ground. UC4A is the general ground-contact category for posts, and UC4B is the heavy-duty category for severe sites and parts that are hard to replace (preservedwood.org; woodworkingadvisor.com, updated October 1, 2026). Read the stamped end tag and not the color of the wood.
| How the post meets the ground | What the listings say |
|---|---|
| Set in the ground | What the listings sayNot stated in the pages read. Western Timber Frame says footings come from stamped drawings based on local soil and code |
| On a footing or pier | What the listings sayVeikous lists anchoring to concrete, a deck or grass. Big Timber sells a concrete anchor kit at $149. Western Timber Frame lists metal knife plates as moisture barriers at post bases |
Post label checker. Pick how the post meets the ground and what the end tag says.
The checker below matches a tag to a post.
The checker is a label match for one post. Local code and the seller's drawings govern the design.
All ten label results
| How the post meets the ground | End tag | Result sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Set in the ground | End tagUC3B | Result sentenceAbove-ground tag. UC3B covers wood that is not in ground contact. Ask for a ground-contact tag. |
| Set in the ground | End tagUC4A | Result sentenceGround-contact tag. UC4A is the general ground-contact category for posts. |
| Set in the ground | End tagUC4B | Result sentenceGround-contact tag, heavy-duty grade. UC4B covers severe sites and parts that are hard to replace. |
| Set in the ground | End tagNo tag stamped on the end | Result sentenceNo tag to read. Ask the seller for the end tag before the post goes in the ground. |
| Set in the ground | End tagUntreated cedar | Result sentenceUntreated wood. Ask the seller how the post is protected where it meets the soil. |
| On a footing or pier above grade | End tagUC3B | Result sentenceAbove-ground tag on a post that stays out of the soil. The tag and the use match. |
| On a footing or pier above grade | End tagUC4A | Result sentenceGround-contact tag on a post above grade. It covers the use. |
| On a footing or pier above grade | End tagUC4B | Result sentenceHeavy-duty ground-contact tag on a post above grade. It covers the use. |
| On a footing or pier above grade | End tagNo tag stamped on the end | Result sentenceNo tag to read. Ask the seller for the end tag. |
| On a footing or pier above grade | End tagUntreated cedar | Result sentenceUntreated wood above grade. Ask what keeps the post base off wet concrete. |
How long does a wood carport last, and what upkeep does it need?
Sources give different lifespans, and none tests a carport. Angi, updated July 8, 2026, puts cedar and pressure-treated lumber at 15 to 30 years on average, with up to 40 years possible for treated wood with upkeep. A metal carport seller, carports.net, June 8, 2026, says wood carports last 10 to 15 years without proper upkeep and metal lasts 20 to 40 years. Upkeep tasks come from the sellers. Sunjoy lists routine cleaning and occasional sealing. Western Timber Frame finishes its timber with two coats of Sherwin-Williams SuperDeck stain, and Big Timber lists stain as a $699 option. Warranty wording is the seller's own: Backyard Discovery lists five years on the Kingsport 20x20.
How do wood and metal carports compare?
Both columns come from seller pages, so read them as claims. The metal pages cover metal in more depth.
| Topic | Wood, as sources state | Metal, as sources state | Source read |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Wood, as sources stateWood costs 40 to 60% more than metal | Metal, as sources stateMetal costs 30 to 50% less than wood | Source readcarports.net, June 8, 2026 |
| Looks and HOA rules | Wood, as sources stateWood suits curb appeal and homeowner association rules | Metal, as sources stateMetal can raise appearance and HOA concerns | Source readcarports.net, June 8, 2026 |
| Upkeep | Wood, as sources stateCleaning and occasional sealing, or stain every few years | Metal, as sources stateMinimal upkeep | Source readSunjoy; Western Timber Frame; carports.net |
| Assembly | Wood, as sources stateA longer custom build for timber; pre-cut parts for kits | Metal, as sources stateA single day | Source readcarports.net; Sunjoy |
For metal frames, read the metal carport guide, the steel carport guide and the aluminum carport guide.
What do the listings say about wind, snow and anchoring?
Rating statements are the seller's and carry no code edition. Backyard Discovery lists the Kingsport 20x20 as tested for "20,800 lbs and 100 mph winds" on its Home Depot page. Western Timber Frame says its engineered structures start at 115 mph and that footings come from stamped drawings. Big Timber lists site-specific engineering as a $1,050 to $1,250 option. Ask any seller which wind speed, snow load and code edition a rating covers, and for which site.
Which code and permit lines should you check?
Four lines matter before you order. Each line carries its source and date, because rules change.
| Line | What the source says | Source and date | What it means for a wood carport |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open sides | What the source saysCarports shall be open on at least two sides (IRC R309.2, as printed in Minnesota Rules 1309.0309) | Source and dateMinnesota Rules, read October 5, 2026. Edition to confirm | What it means for a wood carportThe test counts open sides. Ask the building office before you add walls. |
| Permit exemption | What the source saysThe 2021 IRC lists one-story detached accessory structures of 200 sq ft or less among permit exemptions (R105.2) | Source and date2021 IRC | What it means for a wood carportFive of the six kit listings are over 200 sq ft. The Veikous 20x10 is exactly 200. |
| Local rules | What the source saysPierce County, WA says a permit is required for all carports regardless of size. The City of San Diego says any new carport needs a permit | Source and datePierce County guide, updated December 3, 2024. San Diego bulletin, August 2022 | What it means for a wood carportLocal rules can be stricter than the model code. Ask your office. |
| Permit work | What the source saysBig Timber lists permit pulling at $500 to $875. Western Timber Frame says most places require a permit for a permanent carport | Source and dateSeller pages, read October 5, 2026 | What it means for a wood carportAsk whether a quote includes drawings and the permit. |
Permit rules differ by place and by size, so ask your local building office before you order.
Should you build from plans?
A plan set covers drawings and not materials. Google product cards on October 5, 2026 listed a 24x32 timber frame carport plan at $105 from Joint and Peg. Timber Frame HQ listed a 26x36 plan at $127 and a plan bundle at $187, and Architectural Designs listed plans at $240 to $499. Lumber, hardware, roofing and any permit are extra. Angi, updated July 8, 2026, prices cedar lumber at $3 to $7 per square foot and pressure-treated lumber at $2 to $5. The wood carport plans guide covers plan sets in detail.
What do the listings leave out?
Kit pages are short on the details that decide a purchase. The table lists seven questions and what the listings read say.
| Question to ask | What the listings read state |
|---|---|
| Post treatment or use category | What the listings read stateNo page states one. Big Timber says its timber is rot, decay and insect resistant |
| Wind speed, snow load and code edition | What the listings read stateBackyard Discovery lists 100 mph and 20,800 lbs with no edition, and Western Timber Frame lists 115 mph for engineered structures. The other pages state none |
| Installation | What the listings read stateThe kit listings state none. Big Timber includes professional installation |
| Permit drawings | What the listings read stateBig Timber lists engineering and permit pulling as options. Western Timber Frame supplies permit-ready drawings. The kit listings state none |
| Foundation | What the listings read stateVeikous lists anchoring to concrete, a deck or grass, and Big Timber sells an anchor kit. The other pages state none |
| Warranty | What the listings read stateBackyard Discovery lists five years on the Kingsport 20x20. The other pages read state none |
| Stock and price | What the listings read stateThe Home Depot page for the Sunjoy Hanover listed it out of stock, and its price differed across sellers |
Common questions about wood carports
Six kit listings read on October 5, 2026 run from $1,508.26 to $4,399, or $7.54 to $12.77 per square foot. One installed timber frame starts at $12,271. Prices vary by seller and by day.
One metal carport seller says metal costs 30 to 50% less than wood (carports.net, June 8, 2026). That is a seller claim. Price a same-size metal listing before you decide.
No source read ranks species. Retail kits use cedar, Big Timber uses Douglas fir with a cedar upgrade, and Western Timber Frame lists four species. Ask for the species, grade and post treatment.
Rules vary by place. Pierce County, WA says all carports need one, and the 2021 IRC lists a 200 sq ft exemption. Ask your local building office before you order.
Yes, with a ground-contact end tag. UC4A is the general ground-contact category and UC4B is heavy-duty. A UC3B tag is for above ground. Check the tag before the post goes in.
Sources differ. Angi puts cedar and treated lumber at 15 to 30 years on average. A metal seller says 10 to 15 years for wood without upkeep. None tests a carport.
Yes. Plan sets list from $105 to $499 on Google product cards, and lumber and roofing cost extra. Check local rules for a permit before you start.
The kit listings read state no installation. Big Timber's installed timber frame includes delivery and professional installation. Ask each seller what a quote covers.
Where to go next
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Related guides
- wooden carport styles and framesStyles, frame types and how to read the size.
- wood carport plansWhat plan sets cost and include.