By
eHow Home & Garden Editor
Difficulty: Moderately Challenging
Things You’ll Need:
- Ledger
- Bolts and washers
- Stud finder
- Sheet-metal flashing
- Canvas canopy
- Wood rafters
- Screwdriver
- Wood screws
- Joist hanger
- Galvanized common nails
- Wood stain (optional)
- Drill
- Rubber washers
Step1
Attach a ledger to the side of your house. Align the bolts to your ledger for the overhead canopy with the studs inside the wall. Install sheet-metal flashing behind the ledger if it falls under the overhand where rain can reach it. If it's hidden, however, there's no need for the sheet metal.
Step2
Attach the overhead to the roof itself if the overhead is an open and lightweight canopy. If it has some weight to it, attach the canopy to the frame you created.
Step3
Install rafters to the canopy, attaching one end of the pieces of lumber to the ledger by placing it in a joist hanger and resting the opposite end on the support beam. If you want to, cut the rafter lumber pieces into a decorative formation for a nicer appearance. Use galvanized common nails to reinforce the joints.
Step4
Apply the canopy to your patio on top of your rafters. Your canopy could be made of fabric, shade cloth, plastic or even lattice.
Step5
Paint or stain the lattice if you are using a lattice canopy before putting it on your patio.
Step6
Cut the panels for your canopy with a circular saw, and attach the panels using galvanized nails.
Step7
Install a plastic or fabric canopy by drilling holes through the panels along the edges that align the frame and space the holes every 8 to 10 inches. Place a rubber washer over each hole, and hold the fabric or plastic panels in place with the screws. Don't tighten the screws too tightly, so there's room to expand and contract without cracking the screw spots.
