How to Shade Your Deck or Patio with a DIY Awning

The most common problem deck or patio owners have is the weather. Although enjoying nice weather is the point of having an outdoor space, the sun can be annoying and harsh. The awning will not only give you shade from the sun but also allow you to relax on your patio during rain.

While there is a number of solutions to buy, sometimes DIY awning is just the right choice to save money and express yourself creatively. Some awning projects won’t be complicated and others will require a certain skill set, but none of them is impossible to have. Here are some ways to DIY your awnings and change your outdoor experience completely.  

 

• Canopy shades

 

Canopy shades are the simplest types you can use to shield from the sun. They may not be as effective during the heavy rainfall and wind but are the cheapest and easier summer solutions. If you have trees around the house, use them to stretch the wires which you previously attached to your façade.

Then expand the material over them until it is completely stretched over the area you want to shield. You will have to remove the canopy the canopy during winter so snow wouldn’t collect on top and make the structure to collapse. Also, pay attention to tree branches so they wouldn’t get entangled with the wiring and  cause damage,

 

• Flower shade

 

Erect a wooden structure over your deck and make the roofing from beams set in checkered position. Use wires to help the vines climb and grow over the roof, from the potted plants or soil outside the patio. It will take a patience to build the perfect flower shade, but once the plants grow you will have a beautiful and natural shade from the sun.

Of course, instead of vines, you can use climbing plants with big flowers which will provide your outdoor space with color and amazing scents. Just make sure you choose an appropriate plant so it would last as long as possible.

 

• Tent-style awning

 

The tent-style awning may not the most sophisticated solution for deck or patio, but it will give it a Boho look and create a comfortable ambiance. Instead of erecting wooden poles and thus creating an obligation to remove them during the off-season, build a removable awning instead.

Use PVC pipes for structure and rebar posts for the foundation which you will use to install in the ground and support the pipes. With a  fitting tea position the bars across two arches so you will build a small roof to hang the canopy from. If you can’t install rebar in the ground than use heavy flower pots instead which will also serve as decorative items when you plant them.

 

• Hanging shade

 

Hanging shade is a nice solution and not so difficult to install. The biggest issue you will encounter is where to install the anchors that you will use to hang the canvas. Basically, anything will do like tree branches or even the roof where you can nail the anchors.  

Use climbing quickdraws to fix the canvas to the anchors and let it free fall over the area. Fix the canvas on the ground with some stones or pots to prevent it from flapping in the wind. Add some cushions underneath and enjoy a perfect summer shade right on your patio.  

 

• Easy retractable awning

 

Although it may sound like a complicated thing to make, a premade waterproof retractable awning can inspire a DIY project. This will need more time than simple installing of the canopy, but once you have it in place, you can remove it whenever you want without taking it down. The simplest retractable awning mechanism is a slide-wire, while others will need folding arms and other mechanical parts.

The easiest retractable awning is built over a wooden or metal frame since it will provide stability. Then stretch the hardwire with canvas over it and use a simple retractable mechanism with a cord to remove it. However, consider that canvas will need regular maintenance to stay clean and whole, so a retractable mechanism with a sturdier material might be a better solution.

 

• An outdoor room

 

Why only have the roof, when you can create a complete outdoor room with walls? Patios and decks are often used to expand your living room area outside. With an outdoor room, you can even shade the sunniest side of the house.

You will need some metal wiring to create the poles and stretch the canvas over them. Alternatively and for a bigger budget, you can build a wooden frame over the seating area and hang canvas or canopy from it.

Finally

Find the perfect DIY awning that will be appropriate for your deck or patio, as well as your skills. If this is your first awning, start with something simple and then next summer tries more elaborate solutions. Of course, building a permanent solution like pergola seems the best choice, but keep in mind that it requires a lot of maintenance.