How to Build a Wood Patio Awning

A patio can add much visual appeal and architectural elegance to your home, and with a wood patio awning your home will look even better. There are other types of patio awning materials available, such as vinyl and aluminum, but a wood patio awning has its own unique and ageless, charm, and is therefore much sought after by homeowners today. You can learn how to build a wood patio awning with some basic, carpentry skills and the determination and patience to do so. A wood patio awning is primarily built with a set of overhead wooden beams that are securely attached together, and to your home. Here are a few simple steps to build a wood patio awning.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Wood for Posts and Beams (4-foot by 4-foot) Thick wooden sheet/s for covering beams Circular saw Jigsaw Power drill Beam to post corner brackets (metal) Nuts, bolts, washers and screws Knee braces Step ladder Reciprocating saw (if required)

1. Visit a Lumber Store and purchase 4 foot by 4 foot wood for posts. There are several types of wood materials available that your can work with. However, select wood that is lightweight, sturdy and durable, as it will be easy to handle and install.
   Also purchase thick wooden sheets to cover the beams, depending on size of the awning you wish to have. Paint or varnish the wooden sheets.

2. Decide on the height you wish to have your wood patio awning. The use the circular saw to cut the 4-foot by 4-foot wood pieces into equal lengths for the support posts so that the level of the awning will be accurately maintained. Ensure that the cut ends of each post is adequately, planed. Drill appropriately, sized holes at one end of the post for inserting the bolts.

3. Cut the 4 by 4 wood pieces into exactly equal lengths, using the circular saw for the overhead beams. Again, plane the cut ends of each beam for smoothness. Drill appropriate sized holes at one end of each beam for attaching the posts.

4. Affix a post cap, or beam-to-post, corner bracket to the upper part of each post. Test each connection to ensure that the corner brackets are securely fastened to each post.

5. Use the step ladder to lift one end of the beam and insert it into the corner bracket installed at the top of each support post earlier. Repeat the process for the second beam at the opposite end.

6. Insert nuts and bolts to secure each of the beams into place with the corner brackets or post caps.

7. Attach knee braces on the outer part of the two support posts for connecting the beams, ensuring that the connections are secure.

8. Place the thick, wooden sheets on top of the beams and screw or nail down both together. Make sure that the screws or nails are equally spaced along the length of the beams.

Tips & Warnings

• Create a template by using a small piece of plywood and jigsaw if you wish to cut decorative, shapes at the ends of each beam. A reciprocating saw can be used to cut a design traced from the template on to the ends of the beams.
• Do not work without safety wear, especially when using power tools.