How to Build a Sliding Outdoor Canopy

Measure an 8-foot 2-by-2 board to 48 inches using the tape measure. Mark a mark on the board with the pencil. Cut the board into two 4-foot pieces with the circular saw. Repeat this step for an additional two 4-foot lengths of 2-by-2 board.

Measure and cut a third 8-foot 2-by-2 board every 24 inches. This will give you four 24-inch lengths.

Place the end of a 24-inch board against a 48-inch board at a 90-degree angle. Drill two pilot holes into the wood by using the power drill. Secure the two pieces with 3-inch screws. Repeat this step with the remaining 24-inch and 48-inch pieces of 2-by-2.

Stack the assembled U-shaped pieces on top of each other. Place one 2-inch-by-7-inch piece of rubber at each end. Secure the piece of rubber to each end of a 2-by-2 with 1 1/2-inch screws.

Drill pilot holes into the side of the 2-by-2 boards at each corner. Secure a brass eye bolt onto the wood with the pliers.

Run an 8-foot piece of rope through each eye bolt. Tie one end of the rope to the top brass eye bolt. Tie the other end of the rope to the bottom brass eye bolt.

Open the frame for the sliding canopy and set it at 90 degrees. Place the shade cloth over the top of the frame. Secure the shade cloth to each 4-foot length of 2-by-2 with staples using the staple gun.