19 Easy DIY Window Awnings Ideas (Cheap to Build)

A window awning is a sort of shade or canopy that leans over the opening of a window. It keeps out strong sunlight and rain, and some are even sturdy enough to handle heavy snowfall. But you can find decorative awnings for indoor use. Let’s explore ideas for a DIY window awning.

1. How to Make a Standard Window Awning – WikiHow

The basic idea behind a DIY window awning is to erect a frame then drape a cover on it. The frame can be wood, plastic, or metal, and the shade could be a rigid material or something softer like fabric. Look at the features around the window to see how far your awning should stretch.

For a standard window awning, a 6” shadow is sufficient. It will keep out the sunlight, which can reduce your air conditioning costs by keeping the room naturally cool. Ensure the drapery above the awning has UV protection. Many PVC tarps are powder-coated so it’s a stylish option to try.

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2. DIY Awnings – Cambridge Carbon Footprint

As this video explains, making a DIY window awning doesn’t need to be complex. You can construct one using simple items around the house such as broomsticks, PVC pipes, and curved hooks. And they’re easily detachable so you can take them indoors at night or in bad weather.

The fabric used here is lightweight, so it can handle sunlight, but not precipitation. It’s reflective plastic that you can cheaply order online and weighs less than 200gsm. You can pick a color that matches your home décor, pick earth tones, or something neutral like silver, tan, or grey.

 

3. DIY Corrugated Metal Awning – Shanty 2 Chic

If your window awning is intended to be functional, it needs a gentler incline to spread the shade further. But if it’s decorative, its angle can be 45° or less to take up minimal space. Also, while metal awnings are generally used outdoors, this one is installed indoors to match the theme.

As you can see, the bedroom has a rugged Spartan theme with lots of matte black, rich redwood tones, concrete surfaces, and upcycled furnishings. So a corrugated metal awning fits right in. Still, to reduce rust, you can paint the awning in a clear matte top coat that will avoid oxidation.

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4. Three Easy PVC Pipe Project Ideas – EP.2 | Thaitrick

Yes, you can use PVC piping to craft a DIY window awning. (And you can make lots of other things too!) You’ll need t-shaped adaptors for wall brackets – you can clip them to the wall with pipe support brackets. Then cut a few more lengths of PVC for the frame ¾” pipes work well.

You’ll need straight sections for the perimeter and elbows for the corners. The video shows sample measurements, but you can adjust them to fit your window. For the cover, get a piece of plastic with reinforced holes to avoid fraying. Use string or zip ties to loop it onto the frame.

 

5. Yawning Over Your Awning? DIY Awnings on the Cheap

Let’s jump from plastic to wood and metal. This awning has a wooden frame and a metal roof so it’s more sturdy than its plastic cousins, and it can withstand outdoor conditions including heavy snow and harsh sunlight. If you like rattling raindrops, it sounds soothing in summer showers.

Pine or cedar are good for outdoor structures. You can buy pressure-treated or oiled planks that are waterproof, or opt for reclaimed wood that has been outdoors for while and is already weather-worn. But dry it out and treat it for bugs or it may attract termites and fungus over time.

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6. DIY Corrugated Metal Awning – Living it Country

We’ve seen two examples of metallic DIY window awnings already. So if you’re a visual learner, here’s a visual demo. For the frames, an A-line structure is the quickest option because it’s both sturdy and aesthetically pleasing. It’s also fairly easy to do, even with limited crafting skills.

This is an indoor version and it’s paired with a mural that displays the external view of their farmhouse. It’s a snazzy way to bring the outdoors inside and creates a warm, cozy mood even in wintry weather. Accent lighting will heighten the effect, and since it’s indoors, that’s less rust!

 

7. DIY Awning – Instructables

Most people assume is awning is just for keeping the sun out of your eyes. But when that sunshine streams indoors, it heats the house. To keep cool and stop the room from getting too stuffy, you may crank up the air conditioning and set the fan on high. That’s a lot of electricity!

By installing strategically positioned awnings, you can keep relevant rooms cool so your HVAC won’t be used as much. That’ll significantly cut down your utility bill while adding a touch of style to your home exteriors. Plus, if you do it as a DIY project, you’ll save even more money!

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8. Make Your Own Metal Awnings! Dirt Farmer Jay

Fabric awnings are really pretty. And if they’re made of canvas, they can handle various weather conditions. But unless they’re woven from UV-treated fibers, they’ll eventually fade, and that can throw off your whole color scheme. Metal awnings fare better chance against sun damage.

They often have UV protection baked onto the metal, and they’ll typically have anti-rust layers as well. Some are paintable while others come in a wide palette so they can be as color-friendly as fabric. Plus, if you get a reflective version, they’ll bounce off even more heat, which is perfect!

 

9. DIY Stationary Window Awning Using PVC Pipe

Some people prefer to keep their window awnings in subtle, neutral shades. Or maybe that’s just your HOA! But if you have colorful leanings, those brightly striped beach umbrellas are a good basis for awning fabrics. They can be canvas, tarp, or polyester canopies with broad palettes.

The width of your DIY window awning should be the width of the window itself plus 2” to 4” on either side. For the frame, you can use PVC pipes or 90° metal bars. If you go with metal, you’ll need to do some welding or riveting. But with PVC, elbow joints and T-shaped adaptors are fine.

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10. Awning Construction DIY – Straightail

We’ve mentioned that window awnings can keep the sun out and lower your cooling bill. But sometimes, you want light without heat. In this case, tinted, frosted, or clear corrugated polycarbonate canopies are a perfect choice. You can pair it with an AC unit placed nearby.

The awning serves a triple function here. It obscures the AC from external view, which would otherwise be an eyesore. It brings natural light into the darkened hallway. And it slightly reduces the heat levels to keep utility bills lower. It’s also quite attractive when the sunshine glints off it.

 

11. How to Make Gorgeous Farmhouse Window Awnings

Interior window awnings seem to be more popular than we realized! They’re a quick way to bring a farmhouse feel into your urban home. And while a rusty, unhygienic metal sheet is unpleasant, most people don’t want that shiny fresh-from-the-store look either. Too fancy!

If you can, visit a junkyard, farm, or construction site and salvage some reclaimed metal sheets that aren’t too far gone. Or buy new corrugated roofing on the cheap and treat it with toilet cleaner to give it that stylish aged appearance. Be careful not to cut yourself on the metal edges!

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12. Pitched Canopy Roof Structure With KC and Lee

Older corrugated roofing was made of asbestos and/or ceramic tile. But you can re-imagine the same effect if you use plastic or metal sheets in a reddish-brown tone. And if your front step has no patio or porch, you could design a DIY window awning that stretches over the door as well.

This house has a retro façade of red brick with oval glass cutouts in the door, so a traditionally styled canopy is a suitable choice. Because the awning is extra-long, you can build the framework with 2 x 4 arranged into grids for additional support. You can then top it with baked roofing tiles.

 

13. DIY Panorama Square Tube Awnings

Panorama Awnings are branded flat-pack canopies that are simple enough to assemble yourself. Once you install them, they look like horizontal layered blinds that overlap in such a gorgeous manner. They have a 45° slope but they do need space – they require half a foot on either side.

This means you need a clearance of at least 12” wider than the window itself, and the shade is large enough to cover half the window height. The window awnings use hollow tubes for support, and the website has a convenient guide with the best dimensions for your sizing setup.

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14. Window Awnings – Peace Maker

In the past, corrugated roofing sheets only came in metal. You could also mimic the pattern using curved roofing tiles. But these days, you can find the same design in thick plastic, and it’s an easy solution for DIY roofing awnings. The version in this video doesn’t have side panels.

Those bits on the side can be helpful for keeping out sunlight in the evenings or mornings when the rays come at an angle. But for simplicity’s sake, sideless installations are easier and less fussy. Just be careful with the seam between the canopy and the wall, since gaps can easily form.

 

15. How to Build Wood Awning Frames for Doors and Windows in an Afternoon

The main difference between window and door awnings is the angle. For the window, you want around 45° while a doorway awning should be steeper, around 20°. The size of the shadow can vary according to your needs – is it just for sin shading or do you get a lot of snow and rainfall?

All-weather awnings in wintry areas have to be thicker and more sturdy so they don’t flip in harsh wind or collapse under heavy snow. Start with a solid frame that can hold the weight, then use secure multiple brackets to affix the canopy to the wall. Also, consider using anti-UV paint.

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16. How To Build A Roof // Overhang Metal Roof // DIY // Firewood Cover

Earlier, we looked at a tinted window awning that camouflages a window AC unit while providing natural light and cooling down the house. Now we’re going to look at another multifunctional awning design. Yes, it hangs over a window, but its main task is protection.

See, firewood is great for heating, and even for cooking. But newbies may not know it needs to dry out completely before you can burn it. Lumberyards will sometimes dry the wood in the open air for 6 months to a year before you buy it, so once you get it home, don’t let it get wet!

 

17. Installing a Solar Powered Awning (DIY)!

DIY window awnings can reduce the heat levels that penetrate your home, thereby cutting utility bills. And if you use clear roofing sheets, they can bring in some sunlight while substantially dimming the heat. But did you know solar awnings generate energy as well? And they’re DIY!

Basically, instead of using fabric, metal sheets, or corrugated plastic to roof the awning, you’ll use solar panels. This sounds complicated, but you can actually install the panels yourself – they come with clear directions. And they’re retractable, with automated opening and closing. Nice!

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18. Metal Awning Build | Jimbo’s Garage

Metal roofs are like sugar highs and synchronized periods – the science may have soundly disproven these myths, but all our lived experiences tell us they’re true! The same applies to metal roofs because the science says they keep the house cool, but we’ve all roasted under one!

Well, if your skin felt toasty inside a corrugated metal shack, it was probably galvanized iron. That stuff can cook you during the day and give you frostbite at night! But modern metal roofs are made of reflective layered steel with UV protection to bounce off the excess light and heat.

 

19. Awning Fabrics: Choosing the Best Canvas

Fabric DIY window awnings are deeply underrated. They may not last as long as metal, plastic, or solar panels, but they’re cheaper, they get the job done, you can install them yourself, and you’ll get a few years’ use out of them before they need replacement. You also get more variety.

We’ve already shown you how to make an A-frame for your canopy, so here are some tips on picking the right fabric. Your options include vinyl, canvas, and acrylic. They can resist water, UV rays, wind, mold, mildew, and staining, but acrylics can survive up to 10 years of use.

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