Collection: Patio Canopy

What a Patio Canopy Does

A patio canopy covers a terrace or seating area so it stays usable in rain and strong sun. Most are mounted to an exterior wall and extend out over the paving, which means the house carries the load at the back and posts carry it at the front.

The effect is straightforward: outdoor space that works in more weather than it did before. Furniture stays dry, a table can be left set, and the area beside the house becomes usable in a British summer rather than only during the settled parts of it.

Fixed or Retractable

Fixed canopies have a rigid roof, usually polycarbonate on an aluminium or steel frame. They give permanent cover, shed rain reliably and need no operation. What they do not do is let the sun back in when you want it.

Retractable models fold or roll back, so the space can be open or covered as you choose. The mechanism is the part that eventually needs attention, and fabric covers have a shorter life than polycarbonate panels.

Roof Material and Light

• Clear polycarbonate lets most light through and keeps the space beneath bright.
• Opal or tinted polycarbonate cuts glare and heat while staying weatherproof.
• Fabric covers give the softest light and the most shade, at the cost of durability.

If the canopy sits over a window, consider what it does to the room behind. A solid or heavily tinted roof close to a window can darken an interior noticeably, which is a common regret.

Fixing and Drainage

The wall has to be sound enough to carry the load, which means masonry rather than cladding or a screen wall. Fixings must suit the wall material rather than being whatever came in the box.

Water has to go somewhere. A canopy without integrated guttering discharges its whole roof area along the front edge, which will erode a border or flood paving. Check whether guttering is included before ordering.

Alongside Other Structures

A canopy covers space without enclosing it. If you want an enclosed room, a conservatory is the next step up, with foundations, glazing on all sides and a considerably longer build. An orangery sits between the two, holding warmth well enough to overwinter plants.

The wider garden buildings and shelters range covers both, along with sheds and storage.