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DIY Adjustable Patio Cover

Almost everyone has been caught in a summer thunderstorm. An adjustable patio cover can help protect you, your guests and lunch in the event of unexpected rain. In the blazing heat of summer, even a simple do-it-yourself patio cover can provide some much-needed relief.

Things You'll Need

  • 6 wood posts, 4-by-4
  • 6 concrete footings, 6 inches thick, 10 inches in diameter
  • Post anchors
  • Drill
  • Circular saw
  • Masonry screws
  • Wood dresser knob
  • Tarp to match your house
  • Bungee cords
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Instructions

    • 1

      Cut six 8-foot-tall posts out of the 4-by-4s.

    • 2

      Drill into the concrete footings with a bit slightly narrower than the masonry screws you will later use. Place a hole at every point where there's a predrilled hole in each post anchor.

    • 3

      Attach each post anchor to a concrete footing by inserting masonry screws through the predrilled holes, and into the concrete footing.

    • 4

      Attach the six posts to the post anchors by inserting nails through the predrilled holes in the post anchors, and into the posts.

    • 5

      Drill a shallow hole and screw in a wood dresser knob on opposite sides of the post, 2 feet from the top of the posts.

    • 6

      Arrange the posts around your patio. Place one at each corner of a rectangular area, and two in the middle of the longest spans.

    • 7

      Attach the tarp to the posts by pulling bungee cords through the grommets at the edges of the tarp and stretching them to hook around the knobs on the posts.

    • 8

      Move the posts as necessary to adjust the tarp over the area you want covered.