Deck Canopy (Patio and Garden Canopy)

Shading on the Deck or Patio

Much like a retractable awning, a deck canopy (also known as a patio canopy) extends over the area of the patio, deck or porch. The primary purpose of a deck canopy or patio canopy is similar to the awning: giving shade to people who are relaxing or spending time on the decks and patios outside the house.

The cooling power of canopies can be enhanced by the installing of a misting system and adding an outdoor misting fan to take advantage of evaporative cooling. Such a strategy works best in hot dry climates where a fan can blow air over the misted area to cool it down.

Why choose a canopy? Why would people choose a canopy over an awning? There may be multiple reasons. One reason may be that the deck is too big to be shaded by an awning at an economical price. A retractable awning must fold into a resting position. The size of the folded position limits how large its extended configuration can be. A patio shade canopy has no such limitation because it can be left in the open position indefinitely. There are also set-ups where the patio canopy fabric is built on railings, such that the fabric may be retracted, while the remaining frame stays put. However, another reason to use a porch canopy may be that the outdoor shade is required continuously, and there is no need to store or retract it as one would do for an awning.

Making patio and deck space more livable

The deck canopy and the patio canopy turns a large deck or patio area into real outdoor living space. If the space is sufficiently large, one can put a moderate amount of furniture beneath the shade, like tables, chairs, and perhaps even outdoor kitchen items.

Patio and deck canopy construction

The fabric of the patio shade canopies is high quality canvas or synthetic, treated to ward off microorganism growth. The color of the fabric is chosen to complement the deck or house, or even the yard. As with other outdoor shade structures, the fabric is stretched over a frame. For something as large as a deck canopy, the frame needs to be sturdy enough to withstand strong winds and rain. For these reasons, the deck canopy and the patio canopy is often constructed either on a steel or wood frame. The steel surface may be coated with a polyvinyl substance (plastic) to ensure there's no exposed metal for either aesthetic or practical reasons. Pool cabanas and other freestanding structures are similarly built. A wood frame is another sturdy material for the frame that is more compatible with many wood houses around the country.

Freestanding deck canopy

Many people think that the structure needs to be attached to the house much like an awning for stability reasons. However, if stability is not important, one can opt for a freestanding version. The freestanding version can either be bolted down, or placed on standard metal bases which anchor them by weight. In either case, the freestanding version is usually not as stable, and will probably have to be taken down in event of adverse weather.

Construction issues

If you're intent on building an elaborate attached or unattached porch canopy, be aware that as with many major home construction jobs, city laws may require a slew of necessary permits before workers can start hacking and digging. Your contractor may also need to hire local utility locators to make sure no municipal lines are damaged. Furthermore, give consideration to how they will manage debris during and post construction. Many of these requirements may be detailed by your homeowner association's rulebooks. Good luck building the deck and patio shade canopy!