When selecting garden canopy options, many individuals make the same mistake. They find a canopy online that matches their budget, and then they try to make the surrounding space fit. This doesn\u2019t tend to go well most of the time. A better way to approach this issue is space and then to find the canopy to go with that. When you find a canopy that fits the design of the space, it makes the process of selecting the canopy much simpler.
How much room do you actually have?
It is a good idea to do a little more accurate work than an estimate. To improve the precision of your measurements, make use of a tape measure. You will want to include any potential obstructions, including any fences, flowerbeds, paths, or the edges of a wall you plan to install the canopy against.
A canopy that you have seen in the showroom that looks large and spacious may feel a bit cramped once you have it installed and you put the table and chairs underneath it. The general rule is to have a space of a little more than one meter to all the seats and the dining space. People will be moving in and out of the chairs, and will be pushing them back. Make sure you have a generous margin.
Don’t forget to consider your height. Taller garden furniture might be a problem, if you’re putting it under canopies that are low to the ground. It will also be a problem if the people in your house are taller.
Fixed or Rectractable?
Canopy type is probably the first big decision when it comes to choosing a garden canopy. Fixed canopies of a sail type or solid roof are designed to be more robust. They aren’t going to suffer from wear-and-tear from movement, they appear to be more integrated to the garden and they’ll generally perform better when it comes to the British weather. The downside is that it is a semi-permanent decision. If you want to change the conditions in that space, you can’t with a fixed canopy because you will be stuck with that shade in that position.
The downside of retractable canopies is that you might have to extend them to pull them back, and the mechanism to do that can add to the cost. If you are looking to add a canopy to your garden space this is your most expensive option. That said it will perform better if you are looking to make a retractible choice.
What it’s attached to, or not
Canopies that mount to walls attach straight to the house, which provides a cleaner appearance and typically means less obstruction down low. However, you need a decent wall, solid brick or masonry, and the fixings have to be done right. When done right, it’s a solid setup, and when done poorly, it’s a risk.
Freestanding canopies provide more options for positioning but they require anchoring, especially in windy areas. Most canopies provide ground anchors or bolt-down feet, but the quality of anchors can vary quite a bit.
The choice of roofing material can be more important than you think
The most common roofing material is polycarbonate and it works well since it is lightweight, durable, and allows light to shine through. When trying to use the area in the colder months, a twin-wall polycarbonate will help insulate the area better than a single-wall polycarbonate. Also, it can be quite noisy when it rains and the cheaper grades polycarbonate will yellow over time.
Glass, on the other hand, is more expensive and heavier, but it will look better for a much longer time. Plus, glass options come in either toughened or laminated for safety and the look generally appears to be more permanent.
Sail canopies and fabric materials are easier and less expensive to set up and take down. Most gardens in the UK do not have year-round solutions for sail canopies and fabric materials. They can provide shade in the summer, but aren’t very convincing in October.
Considering planning permission
Most garden canopies can be built under permitted development rights and usually do not require formal planning permission. However, this is not always the case. If you’re in a conservation area, or if the structure is going to be particularly large or close to a boundary, check with your local authority. Sometimes a simple phone call can save a lot of problems.
The same applies to building regulations. Generally, smaller, open canopies don’t trigger building regulations. However, enclosures, structures attached to the house that are considered extensions, or anything else may trigger building regulations.
Getting the right canopy is about being honest with yourself about how you use the garden, the space, and the weather. Everything else follows from this.