DIY Window Awning Frames From PVC Tubing

Awnings are useful frames, covered with a durable fabric, placed over windows and doors to help block direct sunlight and offer protection from adverse weather. An inexpensive way to add awnings to the windows of your home is to make the structure from affordable PVC tubing. With just a few tools and key measurements, you can create a custom awning framework for every window of your home. These awnings help to reduce cooling costs in the summer by keeping the window shaded for most of the day.

Measuring tape
Marker
1-inch PVC pipe 12 feet long
Hacksaw
Sandpaper, 90-grit
PVC cement
1-inch 90-degree elbow connectors, 2
1-inch 3-way PVC connectors, 2
1-inch 45-degree elbow connectors, 2

Instructions

- 1
  Measure the width of the window and add 6 inches.
- 2
  Measure up from the top edge of the window frame 6 inches and make a small dot with a marker.
- 3
  Measure and cut with a hacksaw two PVC pipes to the width of the window plus 6 inches for the top and bottom of the frame.
- 4
  Decide how far out from the house the awnings need to be to shade the window. A general rule is at least half the height of the window.
- 5
  Measure and cut with a hacksaw four PVC pipes to this measurement for the angled side pieces and the arms of the frame.
- 6
  Sand all the cut ends of PVC with a piece of sandpaper to help the glue hold and to remove any small jagged pieces from cutting.
- 7
  Place the top and bottom pieces on the work surface parallel to one another. Apply PVC cement to each end of both pieces.
- 8
  Insert a 90-degree elbow piece into both ends of the top piece of PVC with the open end of the elbows pointing to the bottom piece of PVC.
- 9
  Apply PVC cement to the open ends of the elbow connectors. Insert two of the angled side pieces into the elbows.
- 10
  Apply PVC cement to the ends of the two angled side pieces. Insert each end into a 45-degree angle elbow with the open end pointing down.
- 11
  Apply PVC cement to the open end of each 45-degree angle piece and insert the topmost opening of a 3-way connector into the 45-degree angle piece. Point the 3-way connectors so there is one opening pointing to the other connector and one pointing to the back.
- 12
  Apply PVC cement to the openings on the 3-way connectors that are pointing toward one another. Insert the bottom piece of PVC into each opening.
- 13
  Apply PVC cement to the last opening on the 3-way connectors. Install the final two arm pieces into these openings.
- 14
  Allow the frame to dry at least 24 hours before installing.

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