Instructions / Assembly

SITE PREPARATION FOR CARPORTS
The Versatube carport frame is designed to be placed on a foundation that is level side to side and sloped about 1/8” per
foot front to back or back to front. That foundation can be: prepared ground (leveled and re-compacted), a concrete
footing, or a concrete mono slab with built-in footing. It is important that you create one of these conditions prior to
your carport or building installation. We recommend that you check with your local building official prior to starting your
project to find out what is acceptable for foundations and anchoring in your county. If you extend the carport site about 3
or 4 feet on all sides, it will make it easier to position ladders for sheet metal installation.
SLAB WITH FOOTING OR FOOTINGS ALONE
If you will be pouring a slab for your carport, the slab should be 4” thick and have a footing down both sides. The footing
should be 12” x 12” with a 45° blend between the slab and the footing. The slab should have a front to back or back to
front slope of about 1/8” per foot. One run of #5 rebar mid-depth is recommended in the footing. Check with your local
building official for details and requirements in your county. Some counties require the footing to extend down 1’ below
the frost line. The concrete should be 2500 to 3000 PSI.
The outside dimensions of the slab should be at least 3” larger than your frame dimensions. Example: if you have a 20’ x
20’ frame, the slab should be at least 20’-3” x 20’-3”. This will allow the center of your anchor bolts to be 3” from the edge
of the slab.
FOOTINGS: Footings alone should be 12” wide and 12” deep and can be positioned so the base rails are centered in the
footing if you will be using wedge anchor bolts to anchor the base rails. The outside dimension of the footing will be the
carport width plus 9”. The basic carport 5’ On Center frame is 20’ long. The 4 1/2’ On Center frame is 18’ long and the 4’
On Center frame is 20’-2”. Footings should be 3” longer than your frame. Footings should also slope 1/8” per foot front to
back or back to front to allow water that might gather in horizontal ribs to flow over roof lap joints and off the roof.
Frame Width + 3”
Frame + 3”
12” Footing
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