How to Make a BBQ Awning

Measure the BBQ area and buy a piece of heavy-duty fabric that is 4 inches wider and longer than the measurements. The fabric store will cut the cloth for you. Hem the material on a sewing machine or by hand with heavy-duty thread. Snap a metal grommet into each corner with a grommet punch.

Stretch a tape measure across the center of the fabric and add 12 inches to this measurement. Divide the measurement in half and mark the center. Mark the projected attachment point on the roof eaves with chalk. Measure across the center of the area, directly across from the roof attachment point and mark the ground for the first post. Mark two more post holes, opposite each other, for the other corners.

Measure the height of the roof eaves. The longest post will be this tall plus 5 feet. The other posts should be shorter, around 5 or 6 feet plus 5 feet more. Use 6-by-6 treated wood posts. Dig 16-by-16 inch holes to a depth of 5 feet with a post hole digger at the marks on the ground. Use the end of a wooden board to tamp down the soil in the bottom of each hole.

Fill the bottom of the hole with 4 inches of gravel. Screw four large lag bolts into each post 6 inches from one end. Place each post in a hole with the lag bolts. The longest post goes in the hole directly across from the roof eaves.

Mix a batch of concrete, according to the package directions. Hold a post upright and use a carpenter’s level to check that it's straight. Pour concrete into the hole around each post. Let the concrete harden for 48 hours.

Mark the attachment point on the longest post to match the point on the eaves. Mark the points of attachment on the two shorter posts. Line these posts up with each other, which will be shorter than the point on the house eaves. Make sure that all attachment points face the center of the area.

Screw an eye lag screw into each post and the roof eaves. Attach D-shackles to each corner of the fabric then thread the shackles through the grommets. Use a snap hook to attach the fabric to the posts. If an extension is needed to reach the posts, use a short length of chain. There should only be a few wrinkles in the awning once the tension is adjusted properly.