I have an old aluminum lawn swing which needed a new canopy. The cushions were easy to replace but I need a canopy. I went to a hardware store and bought a vinyl roll up shade (could be bamboo) and placed it over the top of the swing. I tied it down with plastic slip ties. It has lasted over three years now and is easy to keep clean.
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Brilliant Mary C on the roll-up window shade to replace my patio swing canopy!!! $20 window shade (plastic) & zip ties done in less than an hour.
Unroll, remove strings and bottom plastic "bar." Place over canopy, roll back up to desired length (bottom of shade without the bar or keep on if you want a bit of privacy), zip tie to frame! For added support I cut the bottom plastic bar & zip tied to middle of canopy as mine didn't have one. Then Steve came up with using pieces of the bar to support the zip ties on the top of the canopy.
Best part, it will not blow away as the wind goes thru the shade.
Love this site. Can't wait to discover more thrifty ways!
How much overhang on each side did you have? I love your idea and I want to do the same for my 3seat glider.
Judy K
Love this idea and plan to try it. However I really need to replace the fitted canvas that holds the cushion seats and backs on my 3-seater Better Homes & Gardens outdoors swing I purchased MANY years ago at Wal*Mart. Can anyone tell me how/where to search that out in So. Cal. Or suggest a possible fix? The swing frame is still fine.
I only have the long frame bar, how do I do the side bars that extend from the main one?
Wow how brilliant is that! Going to try it.
That is ingenious! I trashed a similar swing because the top rotted and the cushions were destroyed by cats. I'll remember this tip if I ever buy another canopy swing.
My only question is ... Where were you about 4 months ago?! :) I just had to giggle when I read this post as I'd asked for ideas for a solution to this very problem back in early June. I received many great responses but this one was different as well! Thanks so much for sharing your idea ... might try it next time instead!
~Leah
Amazing idea, you cannot guess how much I have wracked my brain for ideas, fabrics and so much more and up comes this genius person. May you have a Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year. Miria
Awesome idea! I've been wondering what to do to replace the shade for our swing. This idea is perfect (and the roll up shade will even coordinate with the replacement cushions I bought - yay!)
I have a 3-person swing that needs a canopy at least 78" wide. I am interested to know if, and where, anyone found a bamboo or vinyl shade that size. Not on Amazon. I tried!
I bought two bamboo curtains at Jysk and they work great. Best part is they look good too!
I bought a replacement canopy, but cant fit it because the bars are rusted together [the joys of living by the sea :D ]
I came here hoping someone would have a nifty solution - and there it is!! I love that the wind now wont blow it over either! I'm off to the blind store!
Sounds like a great solution. Do you have any images? I am a very visual learner. Thanks!
Since this was published in 2008, I'm not sure that this member is still involved with ThriftyFun. I hope she responds but I think it is unlikely, looking at her recent history.
Good luck and let us know how your canopy fix turns out.
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