If you have been contemplating building a porch awning and are concerned that it may be too hard to build one yourself, then read over some helpful tips that you will need to know before trying a DIY project of this scope.
You are surely aware of the advantages that a porch awning can bring to your home and family. Having enough shade where you need it is priceless and can even add to the value of your home. Your family will delight in all of the opportunities that they will have to go outdoors and have parties and activities without the glaring hot sun to put a damper on events.
You may even decide to add a little outdoor lighting to your porch awning while you are at it. Lights will give you the ability to entertain after the sun goes down when it is much cooler outdoors and more enjoyable.
Take Precise Measurements
What you need to know before starting your project
Plan where you are going to place your porch awning and to know how large of an awning that your chosen space will accommodate. You will need to take precise measurements so that you will know how much lumber and the correct lengths of wood to get. There are many books and plans for awning kits that will help give you more precise directions for doing each step in the construction of a porch awning.
Also make sure that the size of your awning will not overpower your home, or be so small that the awning looks totally out of place where you have it. Try to make it hang and slope down naturally and have enough room for the supports that will be needed for your DIY project.
The posts that support your awning is the most important part of your project since the post will bear the weigh of the entire project. Don’t skimp on quality and size in this area. This is where you may need to consult a builder if you are not aware of the proper sized posts for your awning. You will need to use angle iron or metal housing when it comes to attaching the bottom of the posts to concrete or decking surfaces.
Use angle iron for joints and posts.
The framework of your awning will need to be planned out, measured and cut to specific lengths. Seek out help and advise if you are non aware of how to plan for the drop of the roof, since this is very important. The degree of the angle is crucial to the structures stability.
Once you get your basic framework planned out, you can then move on to deciding what type of awning cover you would like on the roof.