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Awnings, Poles and Ropes

Canadian Awning Supplier. They also do cushion covers and curtains.

Awning rail lubricant

Spraying your awning rail with a dry slide, silicone, or teflon spray lubricant makes it so much easier to install. These can be found at any hardware store, look in the same place they stock WD40 (but do not use the blue can WD40 for this) What was once a 3-person job can now be easily done by one (or two if you have a really big awning - watch Don McIver's video below for help with that).

Awning ropes

This is how Nancy Kroes does her ropes, blatently borrowed from someone else. The springs are the best kept secret ever. They keep the ropes taut even when wind is blowing.


You want a spring with loops on the end. Not too easy to pull apart but not too hard either. Note burn the ends of the rope to prevent unravelling.


You can use store bought tensioners, or make your own. Going for a rustic look here so used birch twigs. 1/2 dowel works great as well. Cut them to 5-6". Drill holes in each end just slightly larger than whatever cord you are using.


Tie a simple knot in one loop of the spring. This is what the stake will go through so size it according to the stakes you use.


Now using the same simple knot attach the pulley to the other end of the spring. Next cut your rope into a long piece. Mine are about 10-12' long. Burn both ends and put one end through the pulley.


Then through one end of your tensioner. Make a loop and tie a simple knot. This loop is what will go over the tip of the awning pole. I like to make my loop large enough so I can twist it and have a double loop over the tip of the pole.


Take the other end of the long rope and run it through the hole on the other end of your tensioner and tie a simple knot.


Now if you cut your rope as long as I do, you'll have extra in case you are on a cement slab and need extra long awning ropes to get beyond it to be able to pound in your stakes. Pull your rope through a foot or two and tie another knot. This knot can be untied if you need to use the extra length. Otherwise it keeps your ropes a managible length.

Front window awning (courtesy of Sandy Waller)

Here is our front awning made using Lowes closet shelving. It is detachable when traveling and lightweight.

Poles

  • Cabela's adjustable height poles
    this looks like a very nice pole with lever type adjustment.

  • How to use another type of pole (nformation and images provided by Rob Vargo)




The mechanism adjusts the height of the pole.


For the ropes and rope adjustment, tie a loop in one end that will go over the end of the pole (one source for tying knots is http://www.tollesburysc.co.uk/Knots/Knots_gallery.htm).  The other end of the rope goes in end and out the other and then tie into a knot in the end.


You then form a loop (which goes around the stake).  When the one end is around the stake and the other end is on the top of the pole (after putting the awning on the pole), pull the adjustment to tighten the rope.



Making Wooden Poles

Using wooden closet rod, Randy McKinley made his own poles


Hole drilled in each piece to join together


He inserted a piece of brass stock, a piece of dowel would work, in the top piece,
to go through the awning grommet

National Serro Scotty Organization | Delton, Michigan 49046