How to Build a Detached Patio Cover

Detached patio covers have four structural support posts and it isn’t connected to a building or house.  The cover can be constructed in the yard over a carport or poolside brick patio.  While attached patio covers have to be approved by the city and permits have to be pulled.  A detached patio cover is free from government regulations.

Things you need to build a detached patio cover:

• Shovel


• 4 post anchors


• 4 post caps


• 4 inch x 4 inch posts


• Cement Bucket


• Drill motor


• 5/8-inch drill bit


• 1/2-inch bolts


• 4 inch x 8 inch posts


• 2 inch x 6 inch x 12 foot rafters


• 16 penny nails


• Hammer


• 1 inch x 8 foot ship-lap plywood

1. Go to all four corners of the patio and dig 12 inch holes.  Put a 4x4 post anchor in all the holes and fill them with ready mix cement and let the cement cure overnight.


2. Put a 4x4 post to all the post anchors.  Take a drill and create a 5/8 inch hole through both sides of the posts.  You will then put in ½ inch bolts to hold the posts to the anchors.


3. Drill holes that are the same size at the top of each post.  Attach a 4x4 post cap to each one with ½ inch bolts.


4. Take a 4x8 from a post cap to the cap on the opposite side.  You will then secure another 4x8 post across from the other side of the patio cover parallel to the first.  Use the drill to make 5/8 inch holes through the posts and attach them to the caps with ½ inch bolts.


5. Take some 2x6x12 foot rafter boards and place them every 16 inches on center.  They should be perpendicular to the beginning posts, the rafter ends will lie on the 2x8 posts.  Be sure to secure them with penny nails.  There should be two on each side in order to prevent twisting.


6. Use some 1x8 ship lap plywood to cover the rafters.  Put an eight penny nail through the ply in the rafter boards.  You will then put a nail every 12 inches.