How to Make a Simple Door Awning or Cover

Measure the length of the area above the door you want covered by the awning. Add 10 inches to each side of this measurement. Measure how far you want the awning to extend outward from the door. Measure the height of the area with a tape measure. Keep track of these measurements on a piece of paper.

Cut the outdoor canvas fabric with a pair of scissors according to the length measurement taken in Step 1. Use a sewing machine to sew hems around the entire edge of the canvas. This will prevent the ends of the canvas from fraying.

Use a grommet setter to install a grommet at each corner of the canvas. Measure from the center of one grommet to the center of the grommet located at the opposite end. Repeat this process for the remaining two grommets.

Place a mark on the house siding above the door according to the measurement taken in Step 3. This is where the pilot holes will go. Drill the holes -- according to the marks -- with a power drill.

Screw screw hooks by hand into the pilot holes. Place a key ring on both of the grommets that will rest against the siding. Attach each key ring to the corresponding screw hook.

Create the holes where the support post will go with a post digger. Secure an eye screw at the end of each pole and stick the pole in the middle of the hole. Have another person hold the pole in the center of the hole while you fill the hole in with gravel. Tightly pack the gravel in the hole with a shovel.

Tie a piece of 2-foot long nylon rope to each of the grommets that you will attach to the poles. Use a ladder to gain access to the top of the pole. Insert the corresponding rope through the eye screw and secure with a knot.