A patio cover can be as simple as an umbrella, or as complex as a wooden one.Whether you want to make your patio a nice place to hang out with a bit of protection against sun and rain, or construct a patio cover, there are a lot of options for you to get the job done.Choose an awning-style cover for a quick and economic option, get a patio cover professionally built to match your vision, or head down to your local home improvement center and pick up all the supplies to get building!
Step 1: Purchase a premade patio umbrella that is easy to set up.
This is the cheapest option to cover your patio.If you want to shelter against light rain or block the sun, you should get a patio umbrella that fits on your patio and is mobile.You can include patio umbrellas in an outdoor furniture set to complete your patio decor.
Step 2: An affordable outdoor canopy can be created with a tarp or canvas.
If your patio is away from your home, you should cover it with a tarp.Only 2 poles and a tarp can be used, with hooks or loops set in the wall.If you want to tie a tarp or canvas to the poles, you should get one with grommets in the corners.A sturdy cord is needed to tie everything together.Ropes and stakes can be used to hold the canopy in place.Stakes anchor the ropes that support the canopy's poles, while buckets act as weights to hold the rope and poles in place.
Step 3: Tie a sail shade above your patio with the provided accessories.
You can secure parts of your home by tying the sail shade to posts or trees.If there aren't enough existing points to tie the sail shade to, install wooden or steel posts at the corners of the patio.The sail shade should only be used for a short time so you don't damage the trees.To install wood or steel posts, you will have to dig holes.A more secure foundation can be provided by concrete.
Step 4: If you want a more versatile cover, get a retractable awning professionally installed.
You can cover and uncover your patio with retractable awnings.You can find a local retractable awning retailer in your area, choose a model that suits your budget, and have it installed on your patio.The hand-operated retractable awnings are more affordable than the motorized ones.Automatic sensors that deploy the awning when it is sunny out and make it collapse during bad weather are included in some retractable awning models.You don't need a patio cover to install retractable awnings, they are usually attached to the side of the home.
Step 5: A carpenter can build a cover for a patio.
If you don't have the experience to build your own patio covers, look up some local contractors.Get them to build a pergola or a patio cover.The base for any other patio cover is a wooden pergola.There is a structure over your patio made of wooden poles, beams, and rafters.It is up to you if you want to leave it open or have it roofed over to provide more shelter.
Step 6: The pergola can be covered with vines for added shade and beauty.
There is a wooden pergola structure.You can plant vines around the corners of the posts and let them grow up the pergola.If you want to make the pergola more of a gazebo in your garden, you can add some vines to the sides.
Step 7: Adding an island vibe to your patio is accomplished by covering a wooden base with thatching.
If you live in a dry, hot, and windy environment, choose natural tikiching.If you want less maintenance or live in a humid climate, choose synthetic thatching.Synthetic thatch will be more expensive to install than natural, and it usually doesn't look natural.The island vibe can be achieved by having your wooden patio base constructed out of natural looking logs.
Step 8: Determine how high the patio cover will be by measuring your patio.
Check the length and width of the patio with a tape measure.Decide if you want to create a free-standing cover or attach it to your house.If you want to attach it to the roof, you need to measure the height of the edge.The patio cover can be any height you want, but at least 7 ft (2.1 m) is a good standard height for a free-standing structure.It will need to be lower than the gutter of the home's roof if you are going to attach it.
Step 9: Post mounts can be installed in each corner of the patio.
You can get 6x6 post mounts from a home improvement center or hardware store.You can install a post by bolting them into each corner of the patio.Smaller or larger posts can be used for your patio cover.If you want to support the load of the cover, ask your local lumber yard what size of posts you should use.
Step 10: The corner posts should be cut to the height of the patio cover.
You can cut the ends of the posts using a saw.If you don't want to cut them yourself, get the posts pre-cut at a lumber yard or home improvement center.It is possible to cut a notch for the cross-beams you are going to install.The cross beam you use should be smaller than your posts.If you use a 4x6 crossbeam, you can create a notch that fits into the corner posts.The corner posts should have the same dimensions as the crossbeam.
Step 11: The corner posts need to be screwed.
If you want to have someone hold the corner posts, set them in the post mounts.Wood screws can be used through every hole on the post mounts and into the posts with a drill.If you are making a free-standing patio cover, you should have 4 corner posts, and only 2 if you attach one side of the cover to your home.
Step 12: The corner posts have cross-beams on top of them.
Use metal cross-beam brackets to hold the beams in place if you cut a notch into the corner posts.The cross-beams should be secured with 3.5–4 in bolts or screws.If the patio cover is attached to the side of the home, you will only need one cross-beam.
Step 13: The cross-beams have screws into them.
Metal brackets are used to support rafters.Every 16 in (41 cm) along the cross-beams is where the screws will be used for whatever size of rafters you plan on using.If you want to attach the patio cover to the side of your home, you need to screw a 2x6 along the whole length.There is a piece of wood next to a cross-beam.You will need 2 joist hangers and 1 rafter for every 16 in of the patio cover.
Step 14: You want to nail the rafters.
If you plan to use 2x4s or 6s, put them into the joist hangers.The rafters should be secured with 1.5 in nails through the holes in the joist hangers.If you have the experience and tools to cut it yourself, you can get all of your lumber pre-cut at a home improvement center or lumber yard.
Step 15: Leave the patio cover open if you want to install any kind of roofing.
If you want to create shade or let vines grow on the patio, you can either leave it as is or cover it with a wooden pergola.If you want a more protective shelter, cover it with any type of solid roofing, such as plywood and shingle or corrugated plastic roofing.If you attach the patio cover to the side of the home, you can match the roofing on the house.