Do it Yourself Deck Cover

Measure the distance from the ground to the height the roof will stand over the deck using a tape measure. Add 1 foot to this height to find the length of the front support posts. Add an extra 4 inches to the height of the front posts to find the length of the rear support posts if the roof is to be sloped (otherwise the rear posts will be the same length as the front posts).

Cut two lengths of 2-by-4 timber to the front support post length using a circular saw. Cut two lengths of 2-by-4 timber to the rear support post length. Coat the four posts in exterior-grade varnish using a paintbrush. While the varnish is drying, dig a 1-foot-deep hole at each corner of the deck using the shovel.

Prepare a batch of concrete using 3 parts sand, 1 part cement and 1 part water. Plant the first front support post into one of the holes at the front of the deck. Pour the concrete into the hole around the post. Brace the post to ensure it remains upright, using spare pieces of wood. Repeat this process for the other support posts. Allow the concrete 48 hours to cure.

Measure the length and width of the deck. Cut two pieces of 2-by-4 timber to the length of the deck. Cut two pieces of 2-by-4 timber to the width of the deck. Connect the length and width pieces together using a drill and lag bolts to form a rectangular frame with the same shape and area as the deck. Cut the plywood sheets to lengths equal to the width of the deck.

Nail the sheets to the frame using a hammer and 1/2-inch galvanized nails to form the top of the deck cover. Coat the plywood and the rectangular frame in exterior-grade varnish using the paintbrush. Allow the varnish time to dry. With the help of an assistant, set up two stepladders on the deck, one by a front post and the other by the rear post on the opposite side of the deck.

Raise the deck cover to the top of the wooden support posts with the help of an assistant. Drill holes in the top of the support posts and the deck cover. Slide lag bolts into the holes to connect the deck cover to the support posts. Tighten the lag bolts to secure the deck cover in place.