Building the Frame for a Patio Swing Canopy

If you don't have the luxury of a covered patio or awning, adding a patio swing canopy will extend the use you get from your patio swing by protecting it from sun and rain.

Porch Swings

Porch swings can be hanging swings that are anchored to a strong, weight-bearing beam or they can be gliders that slide back and forth on a frame. They can be purchased as part of an entire outdoor furniture set or purchased separately as stand-alone pieces.

Purpose of a Swing Canopy

For a number of different reasons, you might choose to install a swing canopy. You may not have a covered patio and might want some protection from the elements while sitting in the swing. Or you may have a covered patios or porch but might not trust the patio beam to support a porch swing. Often you may not place your porch swing on a porch or patio at all, preferring a grassy area in the backyard in which case you would need sun protection. In all cases, a swing canopy provides sun protection while creating a privacy nook quiet conversation.

Installation Project

If you are handy with putting dowels together to create a basic framework on which to slide the canopy, this project can be completed over the course of a weekend.

Step 1

Measure the length of the porch swing across the back. Then measure the length of the canopy cross rails. Using these measurements, purchase at least 25 to 30 dowels for your long dowels and two shorter dowels for the cross rails. Either have them cut to size at the lumber or hardware store or cut them yourself.

Step 2

Insert the stove bolts into the ends of the dowels and connect the dowels together to create a frame that looks similar to a table frame.

Step 3

Insert the cross rail dowels across the frame to create a support frame. Once the frame is constructed, slide the canopy over the frame and pull it over the swing.