DIY- Patio hard top conversion from canvas
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 8 ก.พ. 2025
- After going through a couple of canvas tops we wanted a more permanent solution. This video shows the process of what we did to make it. The results were great and we were really happy with it.
Items used
SunTuf Polycarbonate panels - 8' lengths (bought 16 and had extra)
www.homedepot....
2x2 wood for adding to structure to make easy to screw on
I just used drywall screws and strapping to secure the wood to the frame. Another viewer mentioned that they aren't structural, so I recommend finding a structural screw.
Screws that have rubber backing that are used to mount the panels, these are sold by, and made for these panels.
strap that I cut to easily mount the 2x2 wood to frame
www.amazon.com...
Tools needed
cordless drill for screwing
paint if desired
chop saw or saw to cut 2x2s
shears that can cut metal strap and polycarbonate sheets
watch out for comments touting woodprix. It is a scam. www.thegeekpub.com/4358/woodprix-is-a-scam/ I saw that someone tried to post a comment for that.
Thank you so much for sharing ❤ I am so tired of spending the money replacing our canopy top..was thinking of a custom wood roof, but this is a great option!
Agreed. It is a quick and easy solution. I really liked how it turned out.
I did the same with currogated metal roofing, 1x supports over all the metal supports with conduit hangers and used 4x4 post supports filled with concrete to help anchor it more firmly, Nebraska winds aren't touching it now.
Good idea filling the posts with concrete!
No video on yours?!
great idea. This is exactly the kind of idea I have been thinking about instead of constantly replacing the canopies every year or two.
smichalpi thank you!
oh I am so glad i saw this . My gazebo i have i have purchased maybe 4 canvas replacement canopy covers for it over the last 4 years this year I am on back order for one and it says they are out of stock for the type i need .. I have the Hexagon shape Gazebo . so I am going to show my husband this Video and just maybe he can make this for ours .. because i am really not trying to keep replacing the top ..
Hi Shirley. Glad it could give you some inspiration. Good luck with yours. I'm sure it can work for any shape, though it may require more cutting.
Really cool if you own the soft top gazebo. Personally, just buy the hard top for that extra $300. It last so much longer, decades or more over soft tops that crash after one season in a year with a tropical storm, hurricane, snow strom, and certainly not a blizzard that freezes to ice up there. I assure you it's worth your investment, time, and piece of mind.
I agree, there was no option for the one I had and luckily didn’t have to worry about snow load.
There is no gazebo with metal hard top for an extra 300 it easily 600 more
Great job😀Snow destroyed ours twice.We started removing canopy in Winter.It hardly snows here in Albuquerque anymore.
Laura Steele ah, never tested in snow. Should withstand if very little.
I remove mine every Fall
Still tears to bits when go to put on the 2nd year
Hi Aaron, this is a great option for canopy cover replacement. I've already bought my 3rd replacement canopy cover. I think I may try your suggestion the next time I'm ready to install a new canopy top. Hopefully I will be retried for the next replacement project, so I will have plenty of time. 😁
Great! I hope it turns out well for you. Seems like there are more hard tops available now-a-days.
Thanks for the video, I have to replace my corrugated cracked roof but I can't figure out how to get the new one up without falling through since I can't just reach to the top of the gazebo to screw the panels from the outside
Mine was OK because I was able to drop the top middle section as a stand alone piece which allowed me to reach each area. Definitely be careful!
Great idea, i might do the same. Looks good.
Thanks Bella, hope it works out for you!
I was going to do the same...but the cost of the panels,plus hardware ...I decided to take it down off the deck and purchased a new metal roof gazebo.
All building supplies right now are expensive. Hope the new one works out for you.
Great idea I’m going to start on my soon , thanks
Awesome. Glad it could help!
Great job! Just wondering how has it been holding up after several years. Has any of the wood cracked or screws rusted? If you were to do over again what would you do differently?
Hi Ed, I moved away from that home a number of years ago so unfortunately I can't answer those questions. I would have been happy if that project lasted for 5 years. The canvas literally only lasts for a year. After replacing it twice I did this project. I was Really happy with the outcome and never replaced it again. I did live in the house for 6 years and so it was still going strong after 4 years. Hope that helps!
Great Job.
Thanks! Appreciate that!
Good Idea! Thanks!
Did you try it out and convert one?
Nice upgrade. So I’m looking at trying something similar to a 10x20 Canopy that pretty much stays up all the time. I’m looking at at upgrading the top to something like this and any ideas for permanent sides would be appreciated!
I took and did the same type of thing to one of those canvas carport things. You can use the same material for the sides if you wanted. Depending on how open you want the sides maybe a slat wall would look nice. They also sell metal roofing sheets if you want something more substantial. I have a video on building a sly wall over stucco in my playlist. Lots of ways to do things. Pick what you like most.
@@AaronRobertson Thanks!
@@bradywscriber5455 you got it!
@@AaronRobertson Did you or can you make a quick video on the carport you covered using? Thanks for sharing.
@@jafinch78 I long since moved from that house and don't have that anymore. But it was one of those round tube frames you put up and you cover it with the provided canvas. I essentially used the same method and put them down vertically. It really worked well, was happy with the result.
Why can't the metal frame stay? I can't find the answer?
If you mean the metal frame of the original framework, it does. The 2x2 attaches to it as it is easier to screw in the polycarbonate panels.
Can you take the roof framing and just use the main frame and cover it?
You probably could but it just takes more effort to drill into metal vs the wood.
Excelent job, i have the same problem in my canopy. Were a can buy that produc, or material
It depends on where you live. I purchased at Home Depot. There is a link in the description but you can look the product up and their website probably has a dealer locator as well. Best of luck.
I a world without wind, this would work wonderfully. Wow!
We had it through some crazy weather and it held up great. But a hurricane in FL, no...
This is genius!! Thank you for sharing. However my top bars are curved and not straight. Any idea how a person could convert a soft top to a hard top with curved top bars? (Dome like)
The material can follow a certain degree of curvature. You’d have to check out the specs on the manufactures web site. They have translucent and other colors available as well. Worse case you can buy a sheet at Home Depot and bring it home to see if it would bend to that curve. Take it back if not. For sure you can run perpendicular so the short side does the curvature. The ridges May hold water that way though. But an idea.
Nice, how's holding up? I've been thinking doing the same using steel. Planning to do similar using steel with one of the 10x17 and or 10x10 carports since for double the price, I'll get steel that will last significantly longer than the canopy and have resale value most likely where with the canopy the whole thing might end up in the trash and going to scrappers.
I moved from this house but it held up really well through a few storms. I was really happy with it. It did let light through where the steel definitely will not. Also, steel is so expensive right now. But definitely do what’s best for you. Keep in mind these frames were o my made for fabric. May want to consider the weight increase as well.
@@AaronRobertson I see. Yes, most definitely if using steel on the gazebo systems. I was actually considering four basketball steel poles to re-enforce the one I rescued with no canopy and possibly filling those with concrete with a piece of rebar.
For the CoverPro, Shelter Logic etc., designs, from what I can observe is if the steel is used completely around with the posts solidly footed like pin footed at least or tap con screwed into concrete, the steel will add to the structure. Not certain the effect of adding say the polycarbonatee that's the same design as the steel, where maybe using a sheet cut in half on each side on the roof so to let enough light in. Guessing again, if not just the roof and wrapped completely over the roof and all the way own the side, the steel with polycarbonate will still add structural integrity. Neat how the few who've shown on TH-cam have done with the ends and making their car ports more fancy to their liking. The ends built more traditionally with doors should even more add to the structure. There is even one who added a leanto on the side, where he notes has survived more than one hurricane like one other who covered their Harbor Freight car port has noted who only did steel all around and steel on the back end.
@@jafinch78 Oh I see making it from scratch, then yes. That sounds robust enough for sure.
@@AaronRobertson Somewhat, basically using the existing parts and adding to them for more structural support. Like in regards to the gazebo where mine is sort of like the cheaper metal Mainstays design I found searching Google images. So adding the basketball posts inside each corner with welded brackets and gussets on the bottom and possibly top would still create for a portable structure that would be significantly stiffer and handle more loads. Fence post material might be suitable as well, though planning on that for pin footing and pipes for the carport designs, since some diameter dimensions correspond to the joint or pipes OD and ID.
@@jafinch78 yes, because I think those metal gazebos use such thin metal. Good idea to stiffen it for sure.
would this type of roof withstand the snow in winter?
Hard to say. I lived in Southern California when I made this. I do live in a snow area now, I think it depends on how much would accumulate on the roof. If the snow sheds off after a few inches it would probably be fine. But depends on how strong your base is. I wouldn’t store anything of value under it over a winter and see how it does. Not work risking life or property.
So what did you put between the gap? In to your video, fast forward to 2:09. That what i want to do in my soft top gazebo. Thanks for given us idea.
you can see it a bit at 2:39
My soft gazebo cover is starting to get brittle and thinking about converting it to either corrugated sheets or shingles. How did you treat the seams between the panels?
@@NoviceDIYerNoel the panels overlap between them. On the seam at the corners, I cut out one section and screwed down that covered the seam. No issues. Best of luck!
@@AaronRobertson great. Thank you.
@@NoviceDIYerNoel I would add I don’t think I would use steel panels, the frame work of these were engineered for fabric. I used the plastic because I felt it was light enough. Hope that helps.
Could you tell me what you did at the seams? Ours is a 10x12 hexagonal so I’m not sure what to do!
@@childrenut sure. I had the square top so I went down to the edge and cut angle for the sides, that part should be in the video. Then, at the seams on the angle, I cunt the length of one groove of the panel and used that to cover the seams.
Maybe someone asked this, but how noisy is it in the rain as ours is right outside our bedroom? Thanks!
Good question. This was about 20' from the house. Inside with the windows closed didn't notice it much. Sorry I can't give a more definitive answer.
Great job wondering what you used for panels
Polycarbonate panels found at Home Depot. SunTuff
Suggestions for curved supports?
Well, I didn’t do a video on it but I had one of those carport tents and ended up doing the same thing for that. And those pipes are round. Using the straps to hold the wood to the bar and then when you screw the roof panels on they won’t rotate down or anything. Keep in mind we never had to worry about snow load where we did this. If unsure about it best to talk to a professional.
I wish that I had seen this before I went out and bought a hardtop.
Thanks Keith. I'm amazed at how many people appreciated this video. Glad it was helpful. Sorry you didn't see it sooner as well.
if it gets very windy is it stable
The feet of the posts has holes in it so I put in concrete lag bolts. It all depends on the area you live in and the amount of winds you get. We did have a storm once and guessing 30knt winds and it held up. I wouldn't guarantee anything though. If you live in tornado/hurricane prone areas I would say it would not hold up at all.
about how much did this cost?
Good question. Prices have gone up so much and I did this years ago. Figure 8-10 panels (suntuf) and however much 1x1s would cost locally and a box of screws, paint, and strap. Not sure where you are located. I got my supplies at Home Depot. Hope that helps.
Did you attach the panels while the metal roof frame was attached or did you remove the metal roof and attach panels on the ground?
I attached them while the metal roof frame was attached. Just used an A-frame ladder.
Definitely need to build with the frame attached. We did it with the roof frame on the ground. It did not hold the same shape, so we had issues with panels lining up and the roof when we reattached.
@@dabears81880 Thanks for sharing your learning experience to help others!
Suntuf® Corrugated Polycarbonate - Palram Americas ?
KoenigsTiger957 yes. That’s right.
❤
Thank you! I appreciate that. I wish you all the best with your projects!
We have the same type of gazebo but the metal from the snow all fell in with the canvas and ripped now how do I rebuild the top with that problem
Why would you leave the canvas top on when you know it won't hold up in snow??...duh uh!!
If the metal has already been bent, then it is already weakened. I'm not sure I would try to build this on previously bent metal.
Those look like drywall screws. They’re great for drywall but not for anything structural. They have no shear strength for that use.
Doug White good point for any viewers, especially those around high winds.
So what is the answer to this please?
Great job! Can you please let me know the specific brand & material of the roof that you used? And where did you buy it? Thanks.
Home Depot www.homedepot.com/p/Suntuf-26-in-x-6-ft-Solar-Grey-Polycarbonate-Roof-Panel-158912/206166256 and a direct link for you.
Can i ask how this has held up since 2016? Are you in an area that gets snow? thanks
I have long since sold that house and left it there. I wish I could report on it. It was in Southern California with no snow. I think we did have a hail storm once with it and it held up pretty well.
@@AaronRobertson Thank you! I have since put one up and of course it fell in the snow.Lol no worries, I will build again for our climate! Kate, toronto
@@littlespider1661 I am now in a snow area. I would probably want something more substantial and with a decent slope to it to shed the snow. If heavy duty enough supports it may be OK. Best of luck!
@@AaronRobertson For sure, the one i had collapsed like it was made of toothpicks.lol Def need snow bearing strength depending on how much you get each winter! Good luck
How did this hold up to the wind? We're in a pretty windy area and I need some kind of solution.
It held up well. The canvas would seem to rip first wind storm. I had bolted the frame to the concrete so it wouldn't blow away. Not sure how windy your windy area is. Not sure how comfortable I'd feel in winds over 30MPH for a long period of time.
How much did this cost you
This was done about 8 years ago and so with inflation and everything it is hard to put a cost on it. I’m guessing I did it for close to $300? That is a wild educated guess since it was awhile ago.
How did you seal the seams. I am not understanding by what you said.
Leigh Notham I cut out a long portion of the material where I get an "n" shape. This is put over the seam and attached with around 3 screws. if you use the screws made for this product thwy contain a rubber washer that will seal it. you can always put some silicone on it to ensure weatherproof.
Leigh Notham same material, you cut one ridge down the length to cover the seam.
I don't see any stabilization of your roofing frame. How does it hold up to even mild wind conditons?
The stabilization is there within, and attached to the original structure. We had a windstorm come through, I don't know how bad it was, certainly not a hurricane, but it held up fine. I also had the legs bolted into the concrete to keep it on the ground. When I knew foul weather was on its way I would open or remove the curtains and the wind pretty much has the freedom to blow around it.
Hi, How did you finish the very top (peak/point)? How was it sealed or finished? Did you use some kind of cap or something?
The peak was done much like the main portion. I cut one grove out of the material and used that cover the seams. Never noticed any leaking but using a silicone caulk would ensure that further. Also, the company does sell different types of seam covers and caps I believe but I don’t recall that being carried in the store so I improvised.
can the roof and the frame itself handle 1-2ft of snow on top?
lisa gluchowski hi Lisa. We had this in Southern California so I have no idea of the snowload it could take. The frame itself for these are pretty thin walled. If you do attempt it you may want to look for ways to reinforce it and add more screws. The thin material that makes up the roof flexes quite easily. In short, I wouldn’t recommend in snow.
Hello, I have a 10x12 canopy but the top is rounded like a dome. Do you think this process will still work on my canopy? I noticed the panels you used seem to be flexible. Do you think they will adjust to the round shape?
Hi Manuel, That is a good question. Look up the SunTuff material to see what degree of arch it can take. In all honesty, I think it would be tough to bend. I think the product works best in a flat application. Mainly because of the ridges. Best of luck!
Yours sounds like mine.. guess that dome shape would be a problem 😕
It looked like it might be challenging to line up the polycarb panels so that no rain comes through. Did you use a sealant of some kind?
T Koenke Diaz no sealant was used. To be honest I wasn’t to worried about water intrusion since there are no sides and furniture is made to be outdoors. However, the panels overlap. The gap above and angled seams would be weak point. Any rain with wind would get under it despite how tight the roof is.
Right, and canvas isn't waterproof either. It can be nice to see outside if a light rain, and it sounds like that's possible with what you've rigged up. Thanks for the reply, especially since you posted this over 2 years ago - much appreciated! :)
yes, light rain should be fine. And you're welcome. Since I work on computer I am actively online :)
@@TDiaz1111 waterproof spray on the canvas top, like you would a tent.. may have to do it before reinstalling the top each season but it's worth it to stay dry
Where did you get the plastic and what is the panels called ?
SunTuff at Home Depot. Polycarbonate panels
The panels are not cheap! Better off spending $900.00 on a complete new metal roof gazebo
Hey Aaron, I know it's been a while, but do you recall how big your canopy was? Mine is a 10'x12', so I need to adjust my materials accordingly. Thanks.
Hi Kriss. I believe it was 10x10'. Depending on how large your center opening is (if you have one) you may still be able to buy the same size material. But yes, you will have to get something that will be the right size for you. They make that material in a few different sizes. I think Home Depot carries only two sizes.
Aaron, thanks so much for your quick response! I have been looking for a way to do away with the canvas cover, as my gazebo is anchored to my deck, with is under a pecan tree! We get some pretty good winds here, so between pecan bombs and deadwood falling, it didn't last long. Ughh! Yes, mine has the vented top, just a bit different in design. My top cover was screened to allow heat to escape, yet keep the skeeters out! Something we have plenty of here in Eastern NC. So I might have to figure out a way to incorporate a screen for that part. Shouldn't be too difficult.
Again, thanks for your speedy reply! Maybe I can send you a pic when we're done! :)
Kriss
Sure, no problem. If you have really high winds I would use more structural screws instead of what I was using (drywall screws). It should hold up pretty well for you. Not sure how it would handle a large branch off your pecan tree, but for what they were charging for replacement canvas, building this should give you many great seasons of use. I was really happy with how it turned out and wished I had done it sooner. And you will for sure want to screen it. Maybe you can build some custom wood framed screens? I have found nice screen material with fine mesh online that you can order by the yard. Used it to make a screen for my camper van.
Yes, we definitely have high winds here, can you say hurricanes? We also get some straight line winds, they took out my other gazebo and my small pook one year! LOL The branches that do fall are smaller ones, as the bigger limbs tend to land on the house itself. Not enough to damage the roof, but no bueno if they hit a canvas cover. I will probably use 1.5" decking screws. I will likely build some wood frames for the screen. Probably use flat molding strips, as they make it from a resin like material that wet weather won't damage.
Again, thanks for the video and the quick reply. Have a great day!
Thanks, you too. Not sure how it would hold up to hurricanes. Maybe you can make a way to remove the panels for storms?
The video does not tell what kind of material you used for the new top, could you share that info.? It would be awesome if you could do a list of all materials used, including estimated costs. Thank you.!!
TRISH SIZEMORE I did mention it but easy to miss. Suntuff polycarbonate panels purchased at Home Depot.
www.homedepot.com/s/suntuff%2520polycarbonate?NCNI-5 here is a direct link and I will add more to the description unless youtube dings me for making a copy change.
Nice Video. How many polycarbonate sheets you have used and of what length? How is it holding up?
Syed Jawad Hussain I believe it was 12 8’ sheets. I have since moved away but it held up extremely well while I was using it.
Paint boards before installing☺️
Laura Steele you certainly can. Good idea. Since you did frowny face does that mean you did it after installing?
I love this I'm hoping to replicate!
Mica R thank you! Read some of the comments below for things some people did different. Best of luck when you do it!
How much of the panels did you need
I believe I ordered 12 8' sheets. Suntuf Corrogated Polycarbonate panels from Home Depot.
Too bad you didn't actually video the whole conversion.
I hadn’t planned on really doing one. Sorry it wasn’t more thorough like some of my later videos.
Does it leak? If not, What did you do to keep it from leaking at the seams?
No, it didn't leak. In heavy rain and winds it would still blow underneath. It was meant solely for shade that I wouldn't have to replace every year like the canvas it came with. The nature of the material has a continuous seam where the two pieces will overlap. This would only have issues at the corners, but again, didn't really have issues because was never out there in a bad storm. Usually would bring the cushions in when not in use, even though they were all weather fabric.
Could you tell me what brand/name of gazebo you used for conversion? Nice job.
gbuggy440 hi. This gazebo was bought on clearance at a target in July of 2006. That’s all I can remember. I’m sorry I don’t remember the brand. The concept should work similarly to other models and types.
Nice but I live in Hurricane Alley that will work for me
nope, I wouldn't recommend it.
Hi. Is there a specific pattern to cut those sheets? I saw you had them in a triangle form of some sort.
Thanks
Hi there. Yes, I planned to lay them vertically so rain would shed off nicely. So the angles were cut to follow the framing. They were 6' sheets, I believe, and all rectangular. Hope that helps :)
How did it weather the winter? I'm thinking of doing this myself.
Paul Coleman it held up well. just need to ensure you use enough screws for the wind. get so much more life out of it.
Yes,would have been much easier,off🤗
Laura Steele I painted mine black to match what was there so I was very unconcerned about overspray, which made it easy. But yes,much easier if you wanted to avoid over spray. Hope it turned out well for you!
No i did not see the finished product. U ended the video right there lol
Sorry about that. Just hit pause on 2:39 to look at it more.
Yikes
Held up in wind and hail storms.
What’s the strapping material to help hold it?
It is metal strap with holes in it. Generally used for securing water heaters for earthquakes. Should be easy to find at hardwares stores like Home Depot.