Awning or Canopy: Which Is Right for You?
When it comes to creating a shady space in your yard, there are several options. The two popular—and most similar—are retractable awnings and canopies.
Retractable awnings are a more permanent solution. They attach to your home or structure and can be opened to provide shade but also retracted so you can get full sun when the conditions are right. And because they’re attached to the home, they have an added level of stability. They also integrate with the architecture of the home, which means they look like they’re supposed to be there.
Canopies, on the other hand, are standalone structures that can be set up anywhere in the yard. The uprights and framing for most canopies are designed to be portable, which means they are often lightweight. This is convenient when you need to transport the canopy, but the lightweight design causes problems in terms of stability—an unexpected wind gust can pick up a lightweight canopy in an instant. In general, canopies are a more temporary shade solution than a retractable awning.
Awnings and Canopies: Contrasting Designs
As we mentioned above, awnings are most often attached to a building. SunSetter Awnings are mounted on the exterior of a home to provide sturdy support to the awning, which opens and retracts on a roller. The awning extends outward from the fixed structure and is supported by a set of metal arms that carry the weight of the awning and provide stability.
While most canopies are meant to be set up for a short time, some canopies are staked down for long term use. That means in addition to the four poles or uprights that hold up the typical canopy, there are guy lines to contend with—generally one to two lines per upright. That’s a lot of tripping hazards to deal with.
Structural and Material Characteristics of Awnings and Canopies
The major functional difference between an awning and a canopy is retractability. An awning can retract. A canopy’s fabric is fixed—so to get out of the shade, you can either move the entire canopy or you can move yourself out from under the canopy. An awning user simply hand cranks or pushes a button to open and close their awning. It’s a simple and convenient process.
Awnings can be made with a range of fabrics. SunSetter offers a full array of woven acrylic and laminated fabrics, including premium fabrics boasting 10-year warranties. Most canopies are made with less expensive fabrics or plastic, tarp-like materials, which are lightweight but less durable than the SunSetter fabrics.
Durability is an important characteristic to consider. Because a SunSetter awning rolls up when it’s closed, the fabric is almost entirely protected. And because the awning structure stays up and the fabric does not get handled frequently, that awning can last a long time. But because canopies are not permanent and must be completely taken down, the fabric receives more wear and tear. Many canopies are made with cheaper fabrics, so that wear and tear can greatly shorten the life of the canopy.
Where to Use Awnings and Canopies
Awnings create outdoor living spaces. Installing a retractable awning over a porch or patio can turn an intolerably sunny, seldom-used spot into a shady oasis. Installing an awning over windows or glass doors can reduce the amount of sunlight that enters the home, helping to reduce cooling costs. And because the awning can be easily retracted, you still can soak up the sun when conditions are right for you. Your outdoor oasis can serve as a kitchen, dining room, party room, and reading room—the versatility of an awning-shaded space is nearly unlimited.
When to Use a Canopy
Canopies work best in situations where temporary shade is needed for an event or gathering. Because a canopy can be quickly set up and taken down, they are often used for garden parties, outdoor celebrations, and even for exhibiting or vending at craft fairs and festivals. Canopies are generally very light and allow you to transport them easily in a car or SUV.
Many people use canopies to provide a shady spot away from the house or other structures. While a canopy might seem like the only option for this scenario, there’s actually a better solution: a freestanding awning. SunSetter offers a freestanding awning that can be set up nearly anywhere in your yard. A freestanding awning is ideal for creating an outdoor oasis in the middle of a garden or far from the house. This standalone awning opens and retracts using a hand crank or a motor (controlled with a remote). A freestanding awning, available in a huge variety of fabrics, looks great. In fact, many people opt for a freestanding awning instead of a gazebo or pergola.
Making the Choice
If you are looking to turn an existing porch or patio into a more comfortable outdoor living space, a retractable awning is generally the right choice. If you need an easy-to-transport shade solution that can be raised and taken down in minutes—especially for one-time events, craft shows, festivals, and gatherings away from home—you might want to consider a canopy. And if you have a need for a shady oasis in your garden or any corner of your yard, a SunSetter freestanding awning is probably your best bet.
An important factor to consider is how often you will be using your awning or canopy. SunSetter awnings are made with high-quality, durable materials—they can be opened and closed smoothly and with minimal wear to the mechanisms and fabric. Canopies, on the other hand, need to be assembled and taken down, and the cheaper materials means the wear and tear could be more significant. On top of that, most canopies are made with less durable materials than awnings—and this increases the chances that the canopy will be damaged with each assembly and disassembly (the attachment points for the grommets and guy lines are especially susceptible to damage).
Start Building Your Own Oasis
Both awnings and canopies have their uses. Awnings offer a permanent solution for creating shade. Canopies are easily transported and are a great option for providing temporary shelter from the sun.
Your local SunSetter dealer is your best source for advice and guidance in choosing which option is right for you. If you think about the factors outlined in this article, you’ll have no trouble creating the shady oasis you’re dreaming of.