Monday, March 16, 2009

Monday

How To Build A Wood House Awning

No clue, but I'm going to start looking into it. They look as good or even better than the aluminum versions and if I can find something online that has something akin to a "step-by-step" - I would be more than happy to attempt the challenge.

Oh - btw - I'm home from work early. I am not feeling well - at all. There was very little to do at work - of which I accomplished and then sorta asked about going home early. I am going to go to bed in a few minutes and stay there for awhile.

Anyway, I mean - really - what does it take to build a solid porch awning? Assuming 4X4's or maybe 4x6's for the frame, 4X8 sheets of plywood, shingles, various nails and screws and hardware. Special bit to drill into concrete to attach the bottoms of the wood beams to the concrete floor. I have constructed small buildings before and remodeled my house mostly by myself, with a little help from a neighborhood guy - I WANT an awning on the western side of this house before the blistering sun starts burning the house up and raising my electricity use through the roof.

This will be the newest idea popping into my head in terms of a project around here.

Turns out that one kind of plant I have planted from that nursery auction isn't a "plant" at all, it's a tree and grows about 20 feet tall with at least a 20 foot canopy on it. I was a bit surprised to find that out, really. I saw those things today growing in the middle of the divider of a street - rather large trees. One of them is growing behind my house. Fortunately I planted it far enough from the house itself that it won't be an issue in later years when the trunk grows much larger.

That's all, for now anyway. As I said, I'm heading to bed.
ben

3 comments:

Fijufic said...

Oh hell,

If I lived close by I would come over and help out. No, I haven't built one from the ground either but I am a very good carpenter so I'm sure we would encounter surprises but eventually get it done. Start looking for that "easy" button. You'll wish you had it.

As always the labor is free but remember the boomerang always comes back to get you.

I have always adhered to the old buddy system. I'm preparing to do a roof with my friend here in the next few weeks. My co-workers all think I am nuts.

DAMMIT!!!! I think it takes two weekends. A Straight a line with only one gable. GRRRRR...

I should post pics.

Have fun.

Bobby

He is going to catch

Fin said...

Feel better. Have you thought of using the "original" awnings, which were canvas and cranked up and down. All the stores in my home down had 'em. Probably each of the thousands of RVs in Arizona have them built in, and if you track down a wrecked one, you might find a good serviceable canvas awning and need only to build a case for the thing up on top.

BenB said...

Bobby:
Easy button? Always looking for that!
Never shingled a roof. Doesn't look hard - but who knows.
I have friends - who are all goofballs. I know more than all of them put together about all kinds of house stuff. I have to go over there and help them install ceiling fans or something as simple as a thermostat
Good look with the roof!
Yes, take pics!

Fin: I have been looking into all kinds of other options, includilng a do-it-your-self sun screen project which uses sun blocking material help up by PVC pipe! The ends are sewed so that a sleeving is made for the pipe to go through. I had thought about what you're saying - but haven't seen any "cheap" versions. I think home depot has some window awnings I might use but nothing big enough to cover up this giant, sliding glass door. I'm still looking for ideas - but - ultimately - I want a patio awning there and I don't wonder if the materials really wouldn't cost a fraction of buying an aluminum setup.

 Well, the trailer isn't terrible anyway. Dirty, I told them to wash it but it's in good shape. This is the new people. I didn't...