How to Make an Awning Using PVC Pipe

Whether on your house, RV, or the front of your business, an awning, or a cloth secondary covering, over your windows finishes the look of your facade. But commercially made awnings can cost hundreds of dollars. Fortunately, you don't have to spend that much. You can make an awning out of PVC (polyvinyl chloride pipe) in one afternoon using basic tools and a sewing machine.

1 yard 120-inch canvas, duck cloth or other cloth made for outdoor uses (Sunbrella is a well-respected maker of outdoor cloth)
3 3-foot lengths 3/4-inch PVC pipe
2 2-foot lengths of 3/4-inch PVC pipe
2 17"-inch lengths of 3/4-inch PVC pipe
4 90-degree elbow joints
2 3/4-inch WYE joints
2 3/4-inch street 90-degree ELL joints
Overlock sewing machine
Synthetic-fiber thread
Drill
Drill bits
Masonry anchoring mounts
Masonry screws
Gorilla or other PVC glue
Sandpaper
Sharpie marker
10 grommets
Hammer
Bungee cord

Instructions

- 1
  Sand edges of pipes and inside of pipe fittings.
- 2
  Twist 90-degree pipe elbows into the ends of two of the 3-foot lengths of pipe. Label these pieces "top" and "bottom" with marker.
- 3
  Twist the 90-degree street ELL joint onto the ends of the third 3-foot length of pipe. Label this pipe "Front." Insert the WYE joint into the ELL joint at the angle hole.
- 4
  Join the front piece to the top piece using the 2-foot pieces of PVC pipe. To do this, insert one end of the 2-foot piece of pipe into the 90-degree pipe fitting attached to the top piece. Next insert the other end of the 2-foot pipe into the top arm of the ELL joint.
- 5
  Attach the back piece to the front piece using the 17-inch pieces of PVC pipe. To do this, insert one end of the 17-inch pipe into the 90-degree pipe fitting attached to the bottom piece. Next insert the other end of the 17-inch pipe into the bottom arm of the ELL joint.
- 6
  Stabilize all joints by gluing them using Gorilla or other PVC glue. Use your Sharpee to trace all joints. Pull the joints apart and coat the interiors of the joints and the ends of the pipe with Gorilla glue. Then rejoin the joints. Let the joints dry before proceeding further.
- 7
  Measure the surface area of the awning frame. Add a quarter-inch to the measurements in all directions. Cut these new dimensions out of the awning fabric.
- 8
  Sew the awning fabric pieces together using your overlock sewing machine.
- 9
  Attach grommets to awning fabric by hammering them into the fabric.
- 10
  Secure the awning fabric to the awning by tying it in place through the grommets with the bungee cord.
- 11
  Prepare your awning to attach it to the side of your home, business or RV, by drilling holes through the pipe.
- 12
  Measure these holes carefully. Drill corresponding holes in the anchoring surface. Insert masonry anchors into these holes.
- 13
  Attach the awning to the side of your home using screws. Attach the screws through the holes of the PVC and into the masonry anchors.

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