Installing a DIY Retractable Awning Kit

installing a DIY retractable awning kit

If you have recently purchased a retractable awning kit, this DIY guide will help you through the steps with ease. Whether we are talking about awnings, canopies, or sunroofs it is a fact that they all can extend your patio by providing shade and allowing your outside dining season to be extended. There are a variety of styles to choose from, and you can purchase kits that contain hardware and materials to install these types of covers yourself.

You can make an awning project of working with any one type of awning or porch awning by following steps to install it onto your patio. I have chosen to hang a DIY retractable awning kit to install. A retractable awning is a versatile, convertible top you can roll up for sun exposure, or flip down and roll it up to go under cover. It is also known as a roll up or roll out awning as well.

General Info on Getting Started
Most kits come with a mounting board you affix to your house so that the awning is not attached directly to your siding. If your kit does not contain a mounting board, purchase a ledger board for this purpose. Because you are adding a fixture to the side of your home, you must secure it properly. Siding alone is not strong enough to support the weight of an awning when it is fully extended. A strong wind could destroy the cover and take chunks of your home’s surface with it. You should use a stud finder to affix mounting boards or other hardware, such as screws, nails, and such to structural points. Points such as joints, studs, or headers.

While you’re finding the exact spot to insert your mounting board, remember that you don’t want to hammer or drill into wiring or plumbing lines. Lines should be centered in wall studs, so you can penetrate the stud up to one inch. You will have to figure out how thick the siding and sheathing are to be able to figure your fastener length.

Preliminaries
As with any kit, read directions carefully before assembling the awning, and double-check that all parts are included. Careful measurements will ensure that your awning provides the coverage you desire without blocking views or cramping headroom.
Your instructions will include the awnings’s pitch height, which is how far the awning drops down when it is fully extended. When determining where to attach your mounting board and brackets, first decide where you want the brim of the awning to fall. Allow for plenty of headroom. You’ll want to enter and exit the covered space without ducking under the awning brim. And you don’t want guests to feel claustrophobic under the cover. Consider these variables when deciding where you want the awning brim to fall. Then, add the pitch height to this measurement for the total height. (For example, 6 ft. Headroom (1.8m) plus 1 ft. (0.3 m) pitch height for a total of 7 ft.(2.1m) This final measurement is where you attach the awning to your house.
Supplies

  • Stud finder
  • Power Drill
  • Phillips screwdriver
  • Wrench
  • Level
  • Tape measure
  • Chalk
  • Mounting board (in kit), or lumber

Steps
1. According to kit instructions, determine where you will hang the mounting board and awning brackets by figuring in pitch height.(See preliminaries) Using your tape measure and chalk, mark this height on your home’s siding with X’s.
2. Locate structural points with a stud finder. Mark these with X’s.
3. Using a level, draw a straight line where you will attach the mounting board to your home.(You will drill awning brackets into this board, according to instructions.)
4. Before hanging the mounting board, drive in awning brackets. Refer to your kit for spacing measurements.
5. Next, hang the mounting board.
6. Proceed with kit instructions, securing the awning to the brackets

I hope this has been helpful. For more information on all other topics relating to porch awning, canopies, and patio covers, visit Porchawningsexpress.com.

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Caring for Your Caravan Porch Awning

blue diamond cleaning products

If you have recently acquired a caravan porch awning, or if you have owned one for a time, you should know that they need to be card for regularly . You may wonder “How in the world can I care for an awning?” Here are some helpful suggestions.

When you first purchase your caravan porch awning, make sure that you have read the instruction manual and follow the instructions of how to properly set up each portion. If your caravan awning has been set up correctly, then you are ready to enjoy relaxing outdoors and taking advantage of your nice shaded area. Having a caravan porch awning will allow you to set outdoors out of the harsh rays of the sun. You will also have a nice sheltered area to enjoy when it rains. Many caravan owners enjoy sitting under their awning when a nice little rain shower is passing by. It is very relaxing to sit and listen to the rain.

You should make sure when your caravan porch awning is not in use, that you store it properly. It should be stored in a dry area, free from moisture. Make sure that your awning is dry before you bring it in. If you have to pack it up quickly, make sure you unfold it as soon as possible and open it up to dry. Storage areas such as garages, attics or basements of your home may be a good site to store your awning when not in use. You don’t want mold to set into your fabric. If it does, you should use soap and water and a soft cloth to try to remove the mold. It may be necessary to use a soft brush. Do not use anything too stiff, as it could take off the protective coating that is on your fabric or material.

If the substance do not come off, you should try to obtain some canvas cleaning materials that are sold especially for cleaning canvas materials. Blue Diamond is a company in the UK that sells quality cleaning products for caravans.

Remember, that your awning will last you for a long time and give you many years of protection against the elements if you will just remember to take good care of it and keep it clean and free of mold and rust.


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Caravan Camper-What Features Can I Get?

caravan camper interior

Having a caravan camper or camper caravan, is a wonderful piece of equipment to own. If you are an avid camper, you will love the conveniences that are available on caravan campers. There are so many new designs, features and caravan awning accessories, that you will feel at home no matter where you are traveling.

Types of Camper Caravans

There are many types of caravans to choose from, such as: full or standard models, pop-up or those with pop-ops, off-road varieties, 5th Wheelers, and camper trailers. Their sizes will also vary greatly depending on the type you choose. Generally speaking, the larger ones will be more difficult to handle but will allow you to have many options that are not available with smaller caravan campers.

Caravan accessories such as a caravan cover is an excellent item to have. This will protect your caravan from the sun, the elements, insects and even those nasty bird droppings. They also protect your paint and can even stay on while you are camping.

Caravan Camper Trailer

The camper trailer, or caravan, is a smaller, lighter weight type, that has a wind-up mechanism that opens up to set it up. They are very compact and great for family caravan holidays. Other models may have pop-out ends that allows extra sleeping or living space. Young families are purchasing this type of camping vehicle more often for their family outings and travels.

An advantage to having this type is that it is light weight and can be towed with a medium-sized car or a truck. If you have a 4WD that is even better, especially if you travel hilly terrain or areas where there is inclement weather.

Full or Standard Caravan Camper Features

This is a full framed camper that has solid sides and a roof and windows. Typically, when you think of a caravan camper, this is what you have in mind. They have connections for accessing water, electricity and drainage outlets as well. You can stand up normally in these campers without having to stoop down. There is enough room to walk around and is a little more like a small home than a camper. Some have a lot of storage room and even shower compartments.

You can add a caravan porch awning to your caravan very easily. This is a great addition that will give you a closed in area, that can be screened in, to give you protection from the sun, rain and birds. It gives you a nice shaded area to relax, or may serve as a dining area for eating and enjoying the outdoors.

Another feature is a screen door. This allows you to keep the door shut to keep out insects, while allowing a nice breeze to flow through the inside to help with cooling.

Air Conditioning is a great option to have for traveling about, especially in the warmer seasons. If your camper doesn’t come with an AC unit, you can still purchase small air units that can be installed into a window or ceiling.

Caravan Decor can be provided by the individual that will allow you to decorate and accent the inside of your caravan camper to suit your style and tastes. This is a nice touch that makes your camper more like home, and can also liven up a dull interior making it cozy and inviting.

A Port-a-Potty is definitely a must if you travel in remote areas and don’t have a washroom and potty that come with your caravan camper. This can be easily installed in a couple areas of your caravan with only a few minor modifications to inset the potty.

A Shower attachment is something that can be added on to the outside of your camper if you don’t have space for one inside. These usually come in kits that are especially made for caravans and RV’s.


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Caravan Covers- Covers Worth Purchasing

Caravan Covers

Caravan covers are worth purchasing. Find information and facts on caravan covers and caravan accessories. This article will help you find the type of cover you need. You can find caravan covers to fit your caravan, motorhome, RV, as well as a VW camper.

What Will a Caravan Cover Provide?
Caravan covers offer year round protection for your caravan or motorhome by providing a protective cover that will shield it from rain, frost and any type of condensation, bird droppings, as well as from the harmful rays of direct sunlight. When you are out and about on your caravan holidays, you will need a cover that will protect your paint and other parts of your caravan, including rubber seals. If you have curtains or furniture inside the windows, it will also protect them from fading. If you don’t have a place to park your caravan in the shade or under a tree, you should consider purchasing a caravan cover. You will be very pleased with what it will do.

Caravan Cover Fabric

The covers themselves are made of 100% waterproof and breathable fabric that have been specially designed for the motorhome and caravan industry to provide a high quality material that gives the protection that you are looking for in a cover. Caravan covers are durable and some are even sewn with twin needles to help add strength to all of the seams throughout the cover.

Caravan Cover Features

The covers come complete with door access, which is great because it allows you to keep the cover on while you are actually using your caravan. Many brands will come with fitting poles and an A-frame cover. They also come with heavy duty straps that will adjust with easy release buckles. This offers a quick set up when time is of the essence. Many brands will also include free corner protectors that are great for added protection where it is needed. All of this can be carried folder up in a breathable storage bag.

Caravan Cover Sizes
Caravan covers come in standard sizes to fit certain brands and models of caravans, as well as having custom made options to customize a cover for your caravan or motorhome. You will find caravan covers that fit neat and snug and those that are loose and are more of a universal fit. Either one should do a great job. It will depend on if you are concerned with how it looks or just the protection it gives. There are companies that offer a downloadable sheet that you can fill in the specific dimensions of certain parts of your caravan, and then send the measurements in to them to get a quote to fit your specific dimensions. There are also companies in the UK where you can drive up their production center and get it measured on the spot.

These companies specialize in building custom tailor made covers that are built to your specifications. They also have covers that can go on the front of your caravan to keep bugs and mud from building up on your caravan as you travel. This is also a great cover to think about purchasing.

Types of Caravan Covers

Other types of covers can also be purchased for such things as: a towing skirt, cab cover for a motorhome or caravan, caravan wheel covers, and roof covers if you have channels on each side.

Pro-Tec, as well as many other companies, makes quality caravan covers and covers of all types of items and equipment. There are many brands of covers on the market, so it is a good idea to read information on all of them to find which one will be the right one for you and your family.

Guarantees on caravan covers are usually around 3 years. This is something that you will need to find out for the individual dealers as they seem to vary somewhat. I hope this has been helpful and will get you going in the right direction. Be sure to read all you can from various sources from this article.

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