As you well know, in Britain, the weather can be unpredictable most of the time. You are sat enjoying wonderful sunshine one moment and in the rain, running for cover the next. This unpredictability has ensured that the take up of canopies and awnings continues to rise across England. These flexible elements of our houses and gardens are changing how we use and responsive to the climate of outside areas.
But what are ‘canopies and awning’ and how have they come to be the must have garden accessory from Cornwall to Cumbria?
Canopies and awnings are protective structures meant to offer some level of protection from the weather. They both serve the same primary purpose: to create a comfortable space that could be used for any type of activity, regardless the climate outside.
What is unique about these structures is that they are multifunctional. Feeling like eating out but you are concerned that the weather might turn and you are stuck outside? Pull down your operable roof and eat without disturbances. Who doesn’t want to have a small corner to take a warm tea/coffee in the early morning without squinting from the sunlight? A permanent covering for your patio might be something you’d be interested in.
The advantages do not end at just offering a shield from the weather. Here’s why canopies and awnings are taking English gardens by storm.
1. Extended living space: They in a way give an additional ‘room’ outside the house which can be used for social occasions or leisure.
2. Energy efficiency: In extreme weather conditions especially in the summer, they are useful in preventing direct sunlight in to the home, hence can help in cutting down on the amount spent on air conditioning or electric fans.
3. UV protection: It provides an opportunity to be outside without the danger of getting sunburned.
4. Increased property value: An excellent choice of an awning or canopy also adds a decorative look in your house and could even add value to your property.
5. Versatility: The options vary as much as the structures that they protect: starting with retractable awnings and ending with fixed canopies.
As regards styles, the choice is virtually limitless. I f you wants a more contemporary design, glass canopies provide shelter while minimising the interference of visibility of your garden. Fabric canopies and awnings come in a choice of colours and designs and are perfect to depict your character and home exterior.
Modern day canopies and awnings are constructed using high-quality and sturdy materials purposely chosen to endure the climate of Great Britain. Ranging from strong polycarbonate to advanced technologies waterproof fabrics, the type of material depends with the tasks and prices available.
To those who have only a small area outside, retractable awnings are ideal. It is fully collapsible and with the touch of a button/ handle it can be pulled out and used and when not in use again it can be neatly packed away. They are extremely useful when hosting a party in the garden or when entertaining meaning you don’t have to worry about a little bit of rain.
It is not only homeowners who have wised up to the multi-fold advantages of canopies and awnings. Many businesses in England are employing them to design comfortable landscapes for their customers. Whether it is the rooftops of serene pub gardens protected by handsome canopies, or enhancement of the great high street café’s awned structures, these are aiding establishments to optimise their outdoor spaces to lure the customers throughout the year.
Canopies and awnings are efficient and aesthetical answers to one more traditional and still acute issue of the British climate. They enable us to open up, expand living space, and maximise the use of gardens, patios and balconies. Whether you want to have a comfortable chair and a table with a book or having a coffee in the morning choosing a calm place outside or having dinner outside on a beautifully warm night, an awning or a canopy can be a solution.