Canopy types and roof profiles
The form of a canopy sets where the posts go, how it drains and how much clear space you get beneath. These are the shapes we build in powder-coated steel, and where each one suits a site.
Which canopy form suits my site?
Most canopies combine a form with a roof profile: a wall-mounted mono-pitch, or a cantilevered curved roof, for example. The tables below compare the forms and roof materials; we set the profile, the drainage fall and the fixing at survey.
Canopy forms and roof profiles compared
| Form | How it is built | Drainage | Access below | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mono-pitch | A single-slope roof on a steel frame | Falls to one side | Sits close to a wall or along a route | Walls, walkways and long building elevations |
| Curved (barrel-vault) | A curved roof on curved steel rafters | Sheds water off the curve to the eaves | More projection and headroom | Entrances, social spaces, cycle and buggy shelters |
| Cantilever | Roof carried from one line of columns or a wall fixing | Set by the roof profile | No front posts, so the space below stays clear | Entrances, drop-offs and play areas where columns would block access |
| Freestanding | Stands on its own posts and footings | Set by the roof profile | Posts on both sides; can stand anywhere on the site | Open ground, courts and routes away from buildings |
| Wall-mounted (lean-to) | One edge fixes to an existing wall | Falls away from the wall | Fewer posts, as the wall carries one edge | Play areas and nursery gardens beside a building |
Forms combine: a canopy can be a wall-mounted mono-pitch or a cantilevered curved roof. We set the profile, the drainage fall and the fixing at survey.
Roof materials compared
| Roof material | Daylight and UV | Weather cover | Span | Typical life |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polycarbonate sheet, 5mm or 8mm | Clear, opal or tinted; filters around 99% of UV | Water-resistant, sealed with a double rubber bead | Carried bay by bay on the steel frame | 20 to 30 years |
| PVC-coated polyester fabric | Translucent; gives shade and keeps the area bright | Weatherproof, tensioned to shed rain | Longer clear spans with few supports | 15 to 25 years |
| PTFE-coated glass fabric | Translucent, with a self-cleaning surface | Weatherproof, tensioned to shed rain | Larger or higher-profile spans | 25 to 35 years or more |
Typical lives are the figures given on our product pages. The steel frame usually outlasts the roof, and roof sheets or a membrane can be replaced without rebuilding it. We confirm the roof specification at survey.
Cantilever canopies
The cantilever form carries its roof from one line of columns or a wall, leaving the front edge clear of posts. It is the shape we use most at entrances, drop-offs and play areas, and the one with the most completed projects on record (4).
Where these forms are used
The same forms run through both ranges. Browse commercial canopies and school canopies, or go straight to covered walkways, entrance canopies and playground canopies.
Canopy form questions
Which canopy roof material lasts longest?
On any form the powder-coated steel frame is the long-life element, typically 20 to 30 years or more. Polycarbonate roof sheets under a 99% UV filter are refreshed within that, and a tensioned fabric roof has the shortest life and is usually the first part replaced. The figures on each product page are kept consistent with this.
What is the difference between a mono-pitch and a curved roof?
A mono-pitch roof falls to one side for straightforward drainage and a lower leading edge; a curved roof sheds water across a gentle arc and gives a softer line, often chosen where the canopy is a visible feature. Both use the same steel frame and polycarbonate glazing.
What is the difference between a cantilever and a freestanding canopy?
A cantilever carries its roof from one line of columns or a wall, so the leading edge has no posts; a freestanding canopy stands on posts at both sides. A cantilever suits entrances, drop-offs and walkways where posts would get in the way, while a freestanding canopy suits open ground.
Not sure which form suits your site?
Send us a site plan, a photo or just a postcode, and our design team will come back with a drawing, a specification and a price.