DIY Awning

Hurricane Ike hit us in 2008 and knocked out power for a few days.  My residence was not designed with energy efficiency in mind and so relied 100% on AC to keep it cool.  I made this awning in attempt to keep it cooler inside by blocking the radiant sun energy.  Indeed, it was about 3 degrees cooler inside with the awning than without the awning.  After the power was restored this awning served to lower the energy bill.  I did not measure that, however I'm sure it did.

In all the whole thing cost about $20.  Here's how I made it and what I would do differently next time...

Step 1 Frame

Start by making the frame.  You'll need 1/2" PVC pipe, the T's and elbows shown here, PVC cutters, and primer/cement.  Visit your local Home Depot or Lowes.

The amount of pipe depends on the width of your window.  Mine window was about 5' wide, so a 6' wide frame was selected.  A main reason 6' was chosen -- I'll say this now -- is that the awning material (canvas drop cloth) is available in a 6' width.

I would not make the awning much bigger than this without more frame support structures.  A 3' gap (like mine) is about the maximum I would recommend.  I base this on having watched how it handled windy days.

Don't use solvent/cement yet.  You can dry-fit parts for now.

Comments

[SandLizard]

For the support brace where you didn't glue it you can drill a hole and put a clip through it. Like the ones used on towing hitches. Then you know it won't come apart but you can take it apart when needed.

[bclamore]

Great idea! Thanks for the tip.

[emit]

Don't use bleach, use pure vinegar. Spraying will cover a large area.

[sabr686]

Great concept, and good job on making it. I live in a wetter-than-most climate, so I'm going to have to research what kind of material to use.
I would think that grommets would work well here, instead of the tacks. That way you can line up the grommet holes to the PVC, then strap it on with zap straps.
Again, great idea, bclamore!

[bclamore]

I tried grommets on a BIG awning a couple years ago with the same dropcloth material. It was a windy area and so put a lot of stress on the grommets. The dropcloth is too weak to handle very much stress fro the grommets, so don't pull the rope (through the grommets) too tight. Maybe space them a little closer than what you think would be needed.

[mikesnyd]

nice touch. i am a huge fan of zap straps when it come to holding things down. Make a small incision between the edge and the seam to slide the strap through. Make sure not to make the hole on the right of the stitching. If you live in a windy area it will only be a matter of time before it strains and rips. Might have to replace the straps once a year or two. U.V. will make em brittle after a while.

I have a slight alteration of this where the awning can roll up. Just another pvc pipe and a slightly different stitched loop. thanks for the ible

[l8nite]

It looks sweet! instead of tacks or whatever, check this out http://www.instructables.com/id/PVC-Clip/ you can see by my recent comment that it came in handy for me

[bobby sissom]

very nicely done i was over planning a pvc version of this same thing but thank you for a much easier design i will follow your version

[bclamore]

Sure! Post a comment when you have yours done and if you discover anything helpful to the next person who wants to have a go at it.