How Canopy Structures Can Help You Expand Outdoors

More and more organisations (particularly schools and colleges) are installing canopy structures to maximise their use of available outdoor space.  This article gives some examples of how canopy structures can be used.  It also identifies some of the key issues involved in selecting and installing canopy structures.

 

Uses of Canopy Structures

A canopy structure is used to cover an outdoor space giving some protection from the elements so it can be used in inclement weather.  Some examples of the uses of canopy structures are…

  1. Covered walkways between (otherwise unconnected) buildings so that people can walk between them with some protection against wind, rain, cold and strong sunlight (i.e. UV protection)
  2. Outdoor smoking shelters for offices, pubs and restaurants (you should remember that regulations permit that smoking shelters can be enclosed by side walls for no
    more than 50% of their perimeter)
  3. Outdoor eating and drinking areas for pubs and restaurants.
  4. Outdoor waiting areas (for example bus shelters)
  5. Outdoor play areas for schools

 

Selecting & Installing a Canopy Structure

Here are some of the factors you should consider when selecting and installing a canopy structure…

 

Canopy Structure Strength & Durability

The structure should be strong enough and durable enough to withstand normal use (and abuse) as well as weather conditions.  It must be able to withstand impact, cold, rain, heat and UV radiation.

 

Canopy Structure Installation

The structure must be properly installed with adequate foundations.  The installation contractor should be able to determine the structure strength and foundations required to withstand local weather conditions (e.g. in areas of high winds).  The installation contractor should be able to perform wind calculations etc to determine needs.

 

Canopy Structure Extendibility

Make sure that the structure you get can be extended if necessary.  You never know when you’ll need more covered outdoor space and you don’t want the expense of replacing a perfectly good canopy if you can extend it instead.  Canopies from reputable suppliers are modular in structure so that they can be both extended and joined to other canopies.

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