Things You'll Need
Instructions
Get an assistant to help you with the measuring process. Position a ladder next to the concession stand window. Have the assistant climb up the ladder until he can reach the top of the window.
Hand the awning to the assistant on the ladder. The assistant holds the awning up in position over the window. If the awning is very large and heavy, you may need a second ladder and a second assistant on the other side of the window so that two people hold it up safely.
Use a measuring tape to measure the distance between the window and the awning. To do this, place the front end of the measuring tape at the very bottom of the awning. Pull the measuring tape back until it hits the window.
Read the distance that the measuring tape reveals in feet and inches. This is the measurement that you will need your strut to have for its extended length. Struts are traditionally measured in extended lengths and compressed lengths. For a concession window you are most concerned with the extended length, because you want the awning to be well supported over the window. If the distance between the awning and the window is, for instance, 4 feet, the extended length of the strut must reach 4 feet.