Benefits of patio canopies

Patio canopies can be a great addition to any garden; they offer protection from the elements whilst making an attractive garden feature at the same time.

A canopy can transform
the use of your garden

With many styles and types of canopy now available there is something to suit everyone’s needs. If you have a smaller outdoor space you could buy a fold-a-way canopy to use for special occasions, whereas those lucky enough to have a larger garden could have a more permanent canopy installed.

What can you use your canopy for?

Canopies have a huge number of uses, here are just a few;

• Canopies provide the perfect cover for all that al fresco dining the summer months bring – and cover you from the odd splash of rain the British summer will inevitably bring with it.
• They can provide shade for plants that need it
• Outside pets need a bit of shade, so if your garden is lacking a big tree to provide shade, a canopy could do just that.
• Gym Equipment could be placed under you canopy to protect you from the elements (rain and sunburn) whilst still giving you access to fresh air.

What types of canopies are there?

There are a multitude of different canopies to suit different needs, below are a few main types;

• Free standing canopies - are ideal for a garden that is short on space, as they can be packed up when they aren’t needed. These options range from umbrella styles to overhead detached canopies that have an independent structure to them.
• Attached canopies - these can be attached directly to your house or garage. They can be fixed, open canopies or retractable, with either an electric opening device or a manual hand-crank device.

What features are available?

The simple umbrella style canopies only have a few options, such as what they are made from, which could be plastic, wood or metal and they come in a range of colours and different styles. The detached canopies have even more options, such as a simple square structure, others have side netting or curtains. Lattices are normally wood structures that can be open with plants grown up around the woodwork for added detail. You could even add in a cooking area with a bit of electrical wiring, or lights, so you can use your canopy at night as well.

How do you set the canopy up?

Setting up a canopy will vary for different styles. Some are a simple case of snapping bars into place and then moving the canopy to its desired location. Complex canopies that are attached to a house of garage and a permanent fixture may be more complicated to set up. They could involve cutting and assembling different parts. There should however, be a set of directions to help with the assembly.

Be Careful!

When putting together your canopy, be careful with the tools you are using, especially if it involves things such as saws and drills. Make sure safety glasses are worn, hair tied bag, and no baggy items of clothing are in the way. If you are not confident in assembling the canopy yourself, purchase a canopy from a company that offers an installation service to, for a professional job.