How to Build an Outdoor Awning over Your Patio

An outdoor awning allows you to sit and enjoy your patio irrespective of heavy rainfall or strong sunlight. Patio awnings can be retractable or permanent, depending on personal choice. A retractable awning allows you to roll it up or fold it when you do not need it, while a permanent fixture installed over your patio remains fixed all year round, except when you pull it off to clean, repair or replace it. Both types of awnings extend the use of patios in all seasons.

Building an awning is easy and much cheaper than a store bought one. Follow these steps to build an outdoor awning or canopy over your patio. 

Tools and Equipment Needed

• Tape measure
• Pencil
• Notepad
• Awning material
• Sewing machine or needle
• Matching thread
• PVC pipes with ½-inch diameter
• PVC pipe cutter
• Two-way PVC connectors
• Flagpole
• Drilling machine
• Galvanized screws
• Ladder

Step 1: Take Patio Measurement

Decide if you want the awning attached to the exterior of the house or a freestanding structure supported by vertical poles inserted into the ground.

Measure the size of the patio to determine how much material you need to purchase. Take the correct length and width measurements, and add 1-inch on each side to make pockets. Note the final figures on a notepad.

Step 2: Purchase Material

Purchase awning material from your local home department store. There are a number of materials available such as vinyl opaque for all types of weather conditions, polycarb panels for extreme weather conditions, clear panels for milder weather conditions and even tarp. These materials come in single bold colors, designs or are transparent to match the surrounding landscape and exterior of the house.

Step 3: Sew the Patio Cover

Place the patio awning material on a flat, clean surface and fold over the extra inch over to the wrong side. Hold it in place as you sew with a machine or by hand, leaving the ends of each side open to form a pocket to insert PVC pipes into.

Step 4: Building a Freestanding Awning

• Measure all four sides of the material and cut four PVC pipes accordingly with a PVC pipe cutter.
• Add two-way corner PVC connectors to close the frame, with their open ends facing downwards.
• Use a posthole digger to dig four holes at least six inches deep into the ground at the appropriate distance and insert PVC pipes into them firmly.
• Connect the free ends of each two-way PVC connector to the PVC poles to support the awning.

Step 5: Building an Attached Awning

For a patio awning that connects to your house, you will need two flagpole holders and three PVC pipes. Insert the three PVC pipes into the front and two side openings in the awning. Insert two connectors to both the ends of the side pipes to attach them to the flagpoles. 

Attach flagpole brackets to the exterior of your house by drilling holes at the appropriate height. Make sure you use a sturdy ladder if drilling holes that are high. Slide the side poles carefully into the brackets, and connect them to PVC connectors installed at the ends of the two poles.