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How to Determine Proper Awning Height

Laura Leiva

An outdoor patio is perfect for socializing, entertaining guests or simply sitting outside on a warm summer day. Unfortunately, if there is no shade for the patio, temperatures can get warm and sun exposure will make it hard to relax--making installing an awning an ideal solution. An awning provides not only shade but protects your outdoor furniture from rain in cooler months. To find an ideal-sized awning, it's important to measure first.

  1. Measure the width of the patio to determine how wide the awning should be. Allow for sufficient clearance on both sides of the awning. There should be no outdoor lights or fixtures getting in the way.

  2. Measure up from the patio floor at least 90 inches. The minimum height to install the awning should total 90 inches so allow for plenty of overhead room. The mounting space for the awning is approximately 8 inches, which should be included in the 90 inches.

  3. Choose the ideal projection size based on your patio size. For example, if you install an awning 90 inches up from the patio and you want the awning to extend approximately 5 feet 9 inches from the wall, the valance end of the awning will wind up at a height of 72 inches. If you want the slope of the awning higher, you will need to measure up from the wall 96 to 108 inches. Using the 5-foot-9-inch projection, the valance portion will now measure to a height of 78 to 90 inches.