Are you ready for summer but your home isn’t? What about the awnings on your neighbors’ homes? There are some fairly simple DIY projects that will help update and spruce up your home so it feels ready for summer. An awning is one of them. Awnings are great because they give an appearance of a much larger window without all the heat from direct sunlight. They also offer additional protection from rain, wind, and sun if it’s installed on the exterior of your home; however, they can also serve as a small extension of your living space and increase the curb appeal in addition to reducing heat and glare. Read on to find out how you can build a wood awning frame with ease!
How To Build A Wood Awning Frame
1. Buy materials
The first step to building a wood awning frame is to purchase all the necessary materials. These include 2×6 lumber, nails, shims, and tarpaper. We’ve provided a list of the materials you will need below.
2. Cut lumber
You’ll need 4 pieces of 1×6 lumber for each frame you are building; so you’ll need 8 pieces total. The exact size of these pieces will vary based on the size of your home and how much room you want to create between the house and porch wall. For example, if your home is 100 square feet and you want to create space for an awning to hang from your porch wall that is 20 feet away, then you would need two 2x4s for each side of the frame (4 boards total).
3. Drill holes and nail pieces together
Once all of your lumber has been cut into two-foot-long boards (or smaller), then it’s time to start drilling holes in them. You should drill three 1/2 inch diameter holes at equal distances on both sides of each board. Next, take one board at a time and drive 6 1-inch nails through all three holes in each board; then position four shims between each nail so that they fit snugly against the board as shown below: Next, repeat this process with the second board: After nailing both boards together like this, then you should find that the two boards will hang at a slight angle.
4. Cut and nail tarpaper to frame
The final step in building your wood awning frame is to cut and nail tarpaper to the top of the frame. To do this, you’ll need to drill six 1/2 inch diameter holes in the tarpaper, which is included with your materials. Then you can position tarpaper pieces on top of each board like shown below: Note: You’ll want to make sure that both boards are positioned at equal distances from one another when nailing them together; otherwise, the frame will not hang at a straight angle.
5. Cut and nail tarpaper to frame
The final step in building your wood awning frame is to cut and nail tarpaper to the top of the frame. To do this, you’ll need to drill six 1/2 inch diameter holes in the tarpaper, which is included with your materials. Then you can position tarpaper pieces on top of each board like shown below: Note: You’ll want to make sure that both boards are positioned at equal distances from one another when nailing them together; otherwise, the frame will not hang at a straight angle.
6. Install hardware
Once all of your wood boards have been nailed together, then it’s time to install the hardware. You’ll need to attach three 1-inch diameter eye bolts and four 1/4-inch diameter hinges to each of the top two boards; then attach a 1/4 inch diameter bolt through each of the bottom two boards. The finished frame should look like this when all of this hardware has been installed.
7. Install the awning
Finally, you’ll need to install your awning. To do this, drill three 1/2 inch diameter holes through the bottom of your awning material; then position it onto the frame like shown below:
8. Assemble and install hardware
Once all of your wood boards have been nailed together, then it’s time to install the hardware. You’ll need to attach three 1-inch diameter eye bolts and four 1/4-inch diameter hinges to each of the top two boards; then attach a 1/4 inch diameter bolt through each of the bottom two boards. The finished frame should look like this when all of this hardware has been installed.
9. Assemble and install hardware
Once all of your wood boards have been nailed together, then it’s time to install the hardware. You’ll need to attach three 1-inch diameter eye bolts and four 1/4-inch diameter hinges to each of the top two boards; then attach a 1/4 inch diameter bolt through each of the bottom two boards. The finished frame should look like this when all of this hardware has been installed.
Why Are Awnings So Popular?
1. Awnings provide shade
Awnings are a great way to provide shade for your patio, deck, or garden. Awnings can be installed both in the summer and in the winter, when you want to block out the sun. In addition, awnings can also be used to provide shelter from rain, snow, or wind. If you live in an area that doesn’t get much rain during the summer months, then having an awning can help protect your furniture and plants from water damage.
2. Awnings are inexpensive
Awnings are relatively inexpensive compared to other types of outdoor living options like wood patios and pergolas. This is because they usually don’t require any special tools or hardware; instead, all that is needed is some lumber and tarpaper. Then all that is needed for installation is some basic carpentry skills such as drilling holes into wood boards and nailing tarpaper pieces on top of them.
3. Awnings can be installed quickly
Because awning kits contain all of the necessary tools and materials needed for installation, then installing an awning isn’t very difficult at all. In fact, installing an awning shouldn’t take more than one day; this includes measuring where the frame will go on your patio or deck and then cutting any necessary lumber pieces to size before assembling them into one frame with hardware attached at each corner of your structure.
4. Awnings are durable
Awnings can last for a long time if they are installed properly. This is because an awning frame is made of wood that has been properly dried and treated with preservative oil. This means that the frame is resistant to rot and insects, so it can be left outside for a long period of time without having to be replaced in the future.
5. Awnings provide privacy
Awnings can provide privacy for your patio or deck, especially when used in conjunction with shade-cloth window shades or blinds. For example, if you want to block out the light from your living room windows but still want to let sunlight into your patio area, then you might consider installing an awning so that it shades your deck or patio while still giving you access to fresh air and sunlight.
What Are The Features Of Awnings?
1. Awnings are made of wood
Awnings are made from wood that has been dried and treated with preservative oil. This means that an awning is resistant to rot and insects, so it can be left outdoors for a long period of time without having to be replaced in the future.
2. Awnings provide shelter from the rain, snow, or wind
If you live in an area that doesn’t get much rain during the summer months, then having an awning can help protect your furniture and plants from water damage. Awnings can also help keep your patio or deck clear of snow in the winter.
3. Awnings provide privacy
Awnings can provide privacy for your patio or deck, especially when used in conjunction with shade-cloth window shades or blinds. For example, if you want to block out the light from your living room windows but still want to let sunlight into your patio area, then you might consider installing an awning so that it shades your deck or patio while still giving you access to fresh air and sunlight.
Conclusion
Awnings are the perfect DIY project for homeowners who want to add a little extra charm and shade to their homes during the summer months. Awnings have become increasingly popular over the years and are a great way to make your home more inviting and comfortable. If you’re ready to add an awning to your home and want to do it yourself, follow the steps below, and you’ll be on your way to a completed project in no time.
