Instead of an old fashioned, pulley-operated awning, install a single piece of canvas attached to a wood pole at the top and at the bottom. Secure the top above your window with hooks. Attach the lower pole to prop poles on that wall to hold the awning out at an angle. Or you can create a natural awning by constructing a trellis above your window and growing a flowering vine or ivy on it.
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
I'm trying to make anawningto provide shade in the summer. I want to use multiple rectangular shade sails to cover the area (approx 8x26'). I will be attaching it to the fascia of the house and the other end to 4x4s. We have a raised foundation so in order to put it relatively level it is approx 9.5 high.
I'm wondering if I can get away with putting the 4x4s in a large ceramic planters filled with concrete? If I have to bury them how far down do I need them to support it?This article bolts it to a deck. www.familyhandyman.com/
You should visit a hardware store and ask them. You could also write to Family Handyman, the magazine the above article was in.
How can I build inexpensive retractable window awnings?
By Paula Jo
I want to install an awning over my ground level deck. Any recommendations or warnings? Thanks.
Carolyn from Mitchellville, MD
First check your wind directions. A friend of mine spent several hundred dollars doing this and it was ripped off the next day-her deck was a 2nd story deck and the wind normally came right up the hill at it and took it off-she called in a pro to replace it and he refused-said it was on the wrong side of the house and it would come off again from the wind. So, she ended up going with a wood roof over her deck instead of a cloth or metal awning.
