Tools and Materials

Note

Product costs, availability and item numbers may vary online or by market.

Awning Ideas for Patios and More

A deck underneath a gray and white striped retractable awning.

Installing a deck or patio awning makes your outdoor spaces more comfortable and lets you get more use from them. An awning creates shade, protecting you from the sun in hot weather and can shelter you from light rain. An awning can also be a dramatic addition to your home’s exterior. Here are some ideas for awnings on patios, doors and windows:

A retractable awning lets you choose between a full outdoor experience or shelter from the elements.
A motorized retractable awning lets you roll up or extend the awning with the push of a button, but, depending on the awning, will require hardwiring into the house electrical system or a suitable exterior outlet nearby.
Window and door awnings provide a bit of shelter for an open window or door and can help prevent the summer sun from heating up your home interior.
Fixed awnings are often good choices for window, door and small porch awnings.
Whether you want a fixed or retractable awning, a variety of color options makes it easy to coordinate your awning with your home exterior or outdoor furniture.
If you need shelter for a door on a camper or recreational vehicle, you can find door awnings that are suitable for use as RV awnings.

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Can I Install an Awning Myself?

Installing an awning for the house can be a do-it-yourself project for a homeowner who has experience with intermediate-level projects and who is comfortable with working on a ladder and making alterations and additions to their home exterior. The project time can range from a few hours to a day or two, depending on the size of the awning. As long as you already own the necessary tools, the cost of installing an awning will primarily be the cost of the awning itself, though you may need to purchase some additional materials.

If you’re not comfortable with the work or not experienced working on a ladder, it’s best to hire a professional for the job. You’ll need to add the labor costs to the cost of the awning and other materials.

Good to Know

Our ladder guide will give you tips for safely using a ladder.

Preparing to Install an Awning

Before you begin your project, check with your Homeowners Association to see if there are any restrictions on awnings or if you need approval for the project. Check the building codes for your area. You may need a permit to install an awning and codes may require inspection. Here are some additional tips.

Plan your location, making sure it’s free of any obstacles such as exterior lights, exhaust vents, gutters, etc.
Make sure you have access to load-bearing structural components such as wall studs or the header on a window or door frame.
Make sure you have a clear, level area to set up the ladder.
Enlist a helper to assist with moving, steadying or lifting the awning and any heavy or unwieldy components. You may need to have a second ladder on hand for your helper.
Once you purchase an awning, unpack it inspect the parts thoroughly. Verify that you can easily identify and locate all the parts. Familiarize yourself with the manual and make sure you have the necessary tools and materials.

How to Install a Retractable Awning

A green and white striped retractable awning above a patio on a home with a stucco exterior.

Awning installations differ by several factors, including:

Awning size, type and manufacturer
The installation location
The exterior surface of your home

However, there are some general steps that most projects share, including measuring and marking the installation area, installing support brackets and securing the awning in the brackets. We’ll walk you through these steps for installing a retractable awning for a deck or patio on the outside wall of a typical house. We’ll include some variations for different types of exteriors. The awning you purchase should have specific installation steps for your awning and your type of exterior. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Steps for Installing a Retractable Awning

The manufacturer’s information that comes with your awning may have height recommendations, but if not, find a comfortable height between 7 and 8 feet. You want to make sure everyone has plenty of room to stand comfortably. If you’ll be installing the awning over windows, you’ll need a foot or so of clearance above the top of the window frame. Don’t forget doors. Make sure the awning will be high enough to allow them a full range of motion.

Good to Know

Some awnings allow you to adjust the pitch, the angle of the awning relative to the house. Keep this in mind as you’re determining the height. Install the awning at a height that’ll let you set the desired pitch and still have plenty of headroom.

Mark a level line on the wall at the desired height. You can use a long level, a chalk reel and line level or a laser level.

Locate and mark the studs along the level line. Mark the edges of each stud so you can center fasteners on the studs. Use the length of the awning to mark where each end of the structure will be on the level line.

Tip

If you’re having trouble locating wall studs from the exterior, find them from the inside of the wall. Then, measuring from a common element such as a doorway, transfer the locations to the outside wall. Our article on finding wall studs has tips on finding these structural elements and marking their locations.

Check your instructions for bracket locations. For example, you might need to plan for a bracket within 12 inches of each end and then spread the other brackets evenly between the two ends. Mark the studs that work best for mounting the brackets at the locations you determine.

Use a bracket as a guide to mark fastener locations on the studs for all of the brackets. Be sure to keep the mounting locations consistent along the level line. Double check with a level when you’ve marked all of the locations.

You’ll need to drill pilot holes into the studs for the bracket fasteners. If you have a stucco, cultured stone, brick or stone exterior, you’ll need a masonry bit to drill through the material before drilling into the studs.

If you’re installing the awning on relatively flat stucco, you can typically drill through the surface and then into the stud.
If you’re installing on a cultured stone exterior, you may need to use an angle grinder to create a flat surface for the brackets before drilling the pilot holes.
If you’re installing on brick or stone, you’ll need to drill into the material and install aluminum tubing in the holes to create channels that allow the fasteners to reach the studs. Grind stone surfaces flat as necessary.

Use the included fasteners to mount the brackets into the studs.

If you’re installing on a home with vinyl, lap or hardboard siding that creates an uneven surface, you’ll need to create wood blocks for the brackets so you can keep the brackets level. Your manual should have details on the size of the blocks. Cut the blocks to size and paint them if you want them to match your siding. Cut away portions of your siding with a circular saw or utility knife so you can install the blocks on a level surface. Drill through the blocks and into the studs to create pilot holes. Install the brackets on the blocks, with the fasteners running through the blocks and into the studs. Apply silicone caulk around the edges of the blocks to seal them to the siding.

Perform pre-assembly of the awning as necessary. Make sure the awning is closed and secured so it’s easier to handle. With assistance from your helper, lift the awning and place the mounting bar or support into the brackets. Adjust the awning in the brackets as necessary to center it. With the awning support bar fully inserted into the brackets, install the retaining bolts, washers and nuts in the brackets to hold the awning in place. Make any final adjustments to the awning position and tighten the nuts.

Depending on your awning, you may have additional support arms. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for installing these supports.

Maintaining an Awning

A brown retractable awning over a wood deck.

Your awning typically won’t require a lot of maintenance, but periodic care can keep it looking attractive and working well so you can enjoy shade or shelter when you want it. Your manual will have maintenance and care instructions specific to your model, but here are some general tips:

Regularly check the awning for tears, damage, loose fasteners, etc. Deal with any problems promptly.
If the awning is wet, allow it to dry completely before retracting it.
Brush off leaves, twigs and other debris as they accumulate.
Rinse the awning fabric periodically.
Clean the fabric and lubricate the moving parts according to the instructions in your manual.
Purchase a retractable awning cover to protect the structure from the elements when it’s not in use.

Tip

Check your product instructions for information about protecting your awning in high winds or storms.

How to Install an Awning