How to Build a Sunscreen Awning
A sunscreen awning can help you enjoy your patio year round. A well made awning protects you from the sun, rain or hail that keep most people indoors. By outward appearance of a few metal or PVC pipes joined together and draped with a cloth, it is an easy project to do. The truth is there are some common pitfalls to avoid in doing this type of DIY job. The piecing together of the pipe and supports can be done by you alone, setting it up on the roof will require a couple of helpers to avoid damaging the frame and fabric. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Measuring tape
- Level
- Sunscreen cloth cut to measurements needed
- Threaded Pipes cut to measurements needed
- Grommets
- Grommet setting kit
- Threaded rope or paracord
- Clear water sealant
Instructions
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1
Measure the area you are building the awning for. You will need to know the length and width of the desired area so that you can order the right sized sunscreen cloth. You will also need to know the height from the roof, or top of the frame if you are making one taller than the roof support so that you can order the right sized vertical pipes. If you are building this structure on your patio, check the level in case one side of the patio is lower than the other. The length will be the part of the cloth that runs parallel to the roof and the width will be the part that runs to the end of the awning structure.
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2
Cut the threaded pipes to fit your project. You will need two pipes that will sit vertically against the house equal to the length between the roof and the top of the door being covered by the awning. These will be your vertical support pipes. You will need two pipes that are as long as the awning will be wide. These will be the bottom angled support braces. You will need two pipes that connect the top of the vertical support pipes against the wall to the end of the bottom angled support braces. These will be the top angled support braces. You will need to cut two or three pipes that are the same height as the awning. If the awning is small, you will need one on both corners, if it is a little larger, you may need one in the middle of the two corner supports. Finally, you will need either a series of pipes that connect across the corner supports to hold the outer edge of the awning in place. These will be the "legs" of the awning.
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3
Add 3 inches to each side of the sunscreen cloth when you order the material or cut from a larger piece. Measure 2 inches from the end of the cloth and mark a straight line across this edge from each end.
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4
Attach a grommet on this line every 4 inches along the outside. Place the grommet pieces so that the fabric is sandwiched between them and use the grommet tool to punch the grommets together. You will be using these grommets to tie the fabric to the support pipes.
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5
Secure the two vertical support pipes to the area just above the door you are covering with the awning one in each corner. Place a pipe brace to the wall for every 6 inches. Secure pipe brace with two screws and an electric screwdriver.
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6
Screw a 90 degree angle pipe connector to the top of each of the vertical support pipes. Slide one pipe connector which will support the "legs" of the awning onto the end of each of the bottom angled support and an elbow angle pipe connector in front of that one to the bottom of each of the vertical support pipes.
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7
Connect the top and bottom angled supports with a "T" connector. The "T" on both corners should face the interior of the awning.
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8
Screw each leg into the leg supports at each corner of the awning and one in the middle if applicable. Insert the bottom of the legs into the leg base. Secure the leg bases to the patio with self tapping wood screws or concrete screws if the patio is concrete.
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9
Treat the awning fabric with clear water sealant to help it resist the damage from constant moisture exposure. Allow sealant to dry thoroughly.
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10
Stretch the awning over the frame, you will need help on this. Weave the rope or paracord in and out of the grommets, and over the pipe supports. Repeat until each side of the awning material is firmly secured to the frame. You are now ready to enjoy your shaded area.
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References
- Photo Credit Photos.com/Photos.com/Getty Images
