Do it Yourself Window Awning

Create traditional fabric awnings from wood planks and waterproof fabric.

A window awning is a decorative window accent that overhangs your window and window trim. The awning is constructed of a wooden frame that’s covered with fabric in the pattern or color of your choice. The awning can be built quickly in a single afternoon. Once placed it should last for years with a minimal amount of maintenance necessary to keep the fabric clean and fresh looking.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• 2 boards, 2-by-4-inches, cut to window length
• 4 boards, 2-by-4-inches, 12 inches long
• 2 boards, 2-by-4-inches, 12-3/4 inches long
• Nails
• Hammer
• Circular saw
• 24-inch wide strip of waterproof fabric
• Scissors
• Staple gun

Instructions

1. Use a tape measure to measure the width of your window. Include the window trim in your measurements so the awning covers the trim as well as the window opening.

2. Cut a pair of 2-by-4-inch planks to match the measured window width, using a circular saw, to serve as mounts for the awning. Cut four, 12-inch-long 2-by-4s and two 12 3/4-inch 2-by-4 pieces to create the sides of your awning frame.

3. Place one of the 12-inch boards and one of the 12 3/4-inch boards onto a work table, set onto their 2-inch sides. Set the 12-inch board against the side of the longer board to form the shape of an “L,” with the edges of the boards flush. Drive two nails through the joint where the boards connect, using a hammer. Repeat the process to create a second L-shaped structure.

4. Cut the two remaining 12-inch boards on both ends with a circular saw to create opposing 45-degree angles. The cuts will leave the board with one long side and one shorter edge.

5. Place the board with the angled cuts against the L-shaped structure so the angled board runs between the two ends, creating a triangle. Nail the angled board in place using two nails through the L-shaped boards and into the angled cut of the cut board. Repeat the process to create a second triangle. The two completed three-board structures will serve as the side pieces for your awning frame.

6. Add 8 inches to the measured width of the window. Use a pair of scissors to cut the waterproof fabric to this adjusted width.

7. Lay the fabric flat onto a sturdy surface. Place one of the 2-by-4-inch, window-width boards onto the fabric, positioned about 4 inches beneath the top of the fabric and centered so there’s 4 inches to either side of the board. Lay the board down so its 4-inch side is flat against the fabric. Wrap the top of the fabric over the plank so there’s about a 2-inch strip running down the center of the board. Staple the fabric along the board’s length, spacing the staples about 3 inches apart. This will become the awning's topside board.

8. Flip the fabric and 2-by-4-inch window-width plank over, then lift the long drape of fabric from the surface of the plank so it extends away from the piece that's stapled to the plank. Place the two sideboard triangles along the side of the window-width board with the fabric stapled to it. Lay the longer, 12 3/4-inch triangle board flat against the work surface so it's overlapping the small 2-inch strip of fabric laying to the sides of the window-length board. Position the triangle so it angles downward away from you with the lowest point of the triangle flush with the window-width board. This will give you the basic awning shape as seen from in front of the window.

9. Drive nails through the sides of the triangle frames and into the ends of the long window-width board. Place the second window-width board between the triangle pieces, at the opposite end of the triangle from the board with the cloth attached. When you're standing with the triangle descending away from you towards the cloth-covered board, the second board should be on the end of the triangle closest to your position, placed at the top of the two triangle sides and running flush with the edges of the 12-inch pieces of the original L-shaped structures. Nail the board into place to complete the frame.

10. Drape the fabric over the constructed frame. The edges of the fabric should fall 2 inches over the sides of the triangles, and 6 inches over the window-width board without fabric attached. Staple the fabric in place down the triangle sides, spacing the staples 3 inches apart, then overlap the fabric around the window-width board without any fabric attached and staple the fabric to the inside edge of the board to reproduce the 2-inch strip along the center of the top awning-width board.

11. Measure out a 16-by-16-inch piece of fabric and cut it from the fabric roll with the scissors. Fold the fabric in half to create two triangular-shaped layers. Cut the fabric in half along the fold with the scissors. Lay the triangles on both sides of the awning so the edges overlap the 2-by-4-inch frame by 2 inches on all sides. Staple the fabric in place to cover the sides of the frame.

12. Move the awning to the window and place it across the top, covering the window trim as well as the window opening. Nail the awning in place using fasteners that are appropriate for use with your structure’s walls. For example, drive hot-dipped galvanized nails into wood siding, stainless steel nails into aluminum or steel siding, and concrete nails into concrete brick or other masonry walls. Space the nails every 5 inches along the length of the window-width boards, and every 4 inches along the lengths of the triangular board sides.

Tips & Warnings

• Use treated wood to avoid damage due to exposure to the elements.

• Cut and hang a piece of window valance along the bottom edges of the awning to add length and a finishing touch.