DIY Adjustable Patio Cover

A patio is more comfortable with protection from sun and rain.

Almost everyone has been caught in a summer thunderstorm. An adjustable patio cover can help protect you, your guests and lunch in the event of unexpected rain. In the blazing heat of summer, even a simple do-it-yourself patio cover can provide some much-needed relief.

Things You'll Need

• 6 wood posts, 4-by-4
• 6 concrete footings, 6 inches thick, 10 inches in diameter
• Post anchors
• Drill
• Circular saw
• Masonry screws
• Wood dresser knob
• Tarp to match your house
• Bungee cords

Instructions

1. Cut six 8-foot-tall posts out of the 4-by-4s.

2. Drill into the concrete footings with a bit slightly narrower than the masonry screws you will later use. Place a hole at every point where there's a predrilled hole in each post anchor.

3. Attach each post anchor to a concrete footing by inserting masonry screws through the predrilled holes, and into the concrete footing.

4. Attach the six posts to the post anchors by inserting nails through the predrilled holes in the post anchors, and into the posts.

5. Drill a shallow hole and screw in a wood dresser knob on opposite sides of the post, 2 feet from the top of the posts.

6. Arrange the posts around your patio. Place one at each corner of a rectangular area, and two in the middle of the longest spans.

7. Attach the tarp to the posts by pulling bungee cords through the grommets at the edges of the tarp and stretching them to hook around the knobs on the posts.

8. Move the posts as necessary to adjust the tarp over the area you want covered.

Tips & Warnings

• For storage, remove the tarp, shake off any debris and fold it into a manageable size, placing it and the posts in a shed or garage.

References

• Try-Tech: DIY Patio Kit
• Patio Covers Place
• Solara: Adjustable Patio Cover