A canopy is the simplest shelter that allows you to protect valuable equipment, materials, a workplace, or a recreation area from precipitation. This article provides an overview of such facilities to help you choose the best solution for your needs.
Sheds by location
A new canopy may be required both in an already inhabited space and in an open field. This factor often affects the design of the building, which often leads to cost savings and additional amenities.
Attached
The attached canopies are located close to existing buildings, using one of the walls as a reliable support and side fence. The builder can only install additional pillars at the right distance, tie them with horizontal beams and equip the roof. In this way, you can equip a veranda, a summer dining room, a parking lot for a car, or a warehouse for storing building materials.
Freestanding
When erecting free-standing suspended structures, one has to fully rely on the strength of the newly created structure. In the case of permanent construction, it must withstand the weight of the snow cap and side wind loads. The advantage of such canopies is the ability to approach them from any direction and a circular view of the surrounding landscape.
They are often used for storage or production needs, as shelters for swimming pools, sports, or playgrounds. They can be used as a gazebo in the garden or near a country house.
A variety of canopies in the shape of the base
Depending on the purpose of the canopy, the characteristics of the site, and the aesthetic preferences of the owner, the building can take on the outline of a variety of shapes. Consider the most common types of canopies with the correct geometry of the base.
Round
The most economical in terms of material consumption, but rather laborious in manufacturing type of construction. It is rarely used for industrial and economic needs, but it is excellent for recreational purposes and often solves design problems. This may be a structure around the pool or a small playground for children’s games.
In the manufacture of decorative forms of such canopies, it is convenient to use woven and non-woven fabrics, flexible sheet materials made of thin-walled metal, or cellular polycarbonate.
ROUND CANOPY OPTIONS:
Oval
Structurally, such a building resembles the previous one but differs in an elongated shape. It is built over oblong objects or follows the configuration of the allotted land. The purpose of such canopies can be anything.
Rectangular
The most convenient to manufacture, therefore the most common form of canopies. Suitable for use as a car park, summer workshop, small utility warehouse, or recreational area. A variety of structural and finishing materials are suitable for its construction and design. Buildings of this type always look strict and neat.
RECTANGULAR CANOPY OPTIONS:
Square
This type of canopies is similar to the previous one. It has an economic form and a universal purpose. Such buildings can serve as a parking lot for a couple of cars, a trade pavilion, a cafe, a barbecue area.
SQUARE CANOPY OPTIONS:
Canopies on the roof structure
The ability of the structure to withstand the snow load, the direction of the flow of rain and meltwater depends on the shape of the roof. It largely determines the architectural properties and the overall aesthetic perception of the entire building.
Single slope
Shed canopies are an excellent option for attached structures but are often used as part of free-standing structures. They are easy to design, require a small number of materials, and are quite simple to install. The role of load-bearing elements here, in addition to the pillars, is played by triangular trusses, which can be made from a metal profile or a wooden beam.
They must have a noticeable slope so that the snow does not accumulate, but slides freely to the side and falls to the ground. Such buildings are usually suitable for small or very elongated sites.
Gable
The gable design also does not cause great difficulties in the manufacture of blanks and their installation. It consists of two slopes hermetically connected in the middle, which makes it possible to cover a fairly large area with a significant angle of inclination.
This form of roof is suitable not only for detached but also for attached canopies. Due to its high rigidity, it is considered one of the most reliable and durable.
Arched
Arched slopes are based on semicircular load-bearing trusses, which are usually made of profiled steel pipes. From above, flexible sheets of cellular polycarbonate are attached. Such designs look light and elegant. In addition, they optimally distribute the resulting wind loads and do not contribute to the accumulation of large amounts of snow.
Semi-arched
Semi-arched canopies have a design similar to the previous version but are usually asymmetrical. One of the sides of the roof in this case is located above the other. Such a device is suitable for attached structures. The removal of precipitation is ensured by the correct calculation of the angle of inclination.
Canopies according to frame materials
The strength and reliability of any protective structure primarily depend on the material from which its frame is made. The most affordable and suitable for these purposes in terms of mechanical properties are steel, aluminum, and building wood.
metal
When constructing the skeleton of a hinged structure, round, square or rectangular pipes, channels, I-beams and corners are used. They are interconnected using fasteners or electric arc welding. When choosing the range of parts used, their strength characteristics must be taken into account. In the case of the construction of large-sized and complex-shaped canopies, mechanical calculations must first be performed.
The use of metal allows the production of mobile canopies. They consist of small-sized elements connected at the joints with hardware. It is convenient to transport such structures from place to place and install them without any preliminary preparation of the site and professional tools.
Wooden
Wooden lumber is used exclusively for stationary buildings. Supports are made of a bar with a section from 100×50 to 100×100 mm. When making a roof sheathing, a rail or board is required. To increase the service life of materials, they are impregnated with antiseptic compounds and subjected to external staining.
The elements are connected using nails or self-tapping screws. Recently, metal perforated corners and plates have been used to speed up the process.
What can be the roofing material of the canopy roof
The choice of roofing material determines the appearance and life of the effective service of the canopy. It must be durable, sealed, and able to withstand any weather factors. Many options meet the above requirements. Let’s dwell on the most interesting of them.
Polycarbonate
Polycarbonate is a durable and chemical-resistant polymer. About the roof, it is produced in the form of monolithic or cellular sheets. It is safe from the point of view of ecology and the absence of a negative impact on human health. The sun’s rays pass freely through it, which makes it an excellent option for building verandas, greenhouses, or greenhouses. The most widespread are sheet products with a honeycomb structure.
The main advantages of this material:
- high mechanical strength with the ability to bend smoothly,
- following the configuration of the supporting frame;
- low specific gravity, which simplifies transportation and installation;
- ease of cutting;
- lack of sharp edges in case of destruction;
- the ability to pass through itself the rays of the visible spectrum when reflecting ultraviolet radiation;
- possibility of application at temperatures from -40 to +55оС;
- service life in open areas is more than 10 years;
- acceptable cost.
Manufacturers produce cellular polycarbonate in colorless and dyed in various colors. This expands the possibilities of choosing the optimal design solution.
Metal tile
Metal tiles are stamped steel sheets that mimic various types of tiles or other traditional roofing materials. To protect against corrosion, they have a zinc layer and a decorative polymer coating in various colors. The material is easy to install. Due to the special design of the joints, it provides a high degree of tightness. When using it, ensure that the angle of inclination is not lower than recommended by the manufacturer.
The metal tile is laid on a reliable and carefully leveled base, which does not allow the slightest deflection. The disadvantages of the material include the ease of mechanical damage to the protective layer and an unpleasant noise effect during rain.
Decking
Profiled flooring – steel or aluminum sheets with increased rigidity due to periodically repeating undulating longitudinal protrusions and depressions. They, like metal tiles, have anti-corrosion protection and durable decorative color. They are convenient to transport and mount, but they make a lot of noise during rain or hail.
From reeds
Sheds made of reeds or bamboo – an original design option, appropriate in the country or near a country house. In this case, the stems of plants are tightly pulled into bundles and laid in several layers, observing the orientation in the direction of the slope. Such a roof will not only give the building an exotic appearance but also reliably protect against rain and serve as an effective heat insulator.
Canopies by appointment
When designing and manufacturing canopies, the scope of their future application is necessarily taken into account.
For cars
Sheds for regular parking of cars should protect them from precipitation and ultraviolet radiation. In winter, they save the user from having to clean snow and ice from the car. The optimal design, in this case, is a metal frame with a roof made of solid or cellular polycarbonate. If you want to increase the strength and service life of the roof, use a metal tile or corrugated board.
For the pool
The purpose of the canopy for the pool is to protect it from leaves, dust, and other small debris. It can be a permanent, sliding, or removable structure. Polycarbonate or stretch awnings are suitable for these purposes.
For recreation area
The recreation area should be closed from precipitation and bright sunlight. If desired, here you can build a stationary structure or a light quick-release canopy made of dense fabric. The form of construction can be any. Racks made of wooden beams or metal pipes are installed around the perimeter. They are interconnected by rigid jumpers.
Sometimes, to increase reliability, the construction of a foundation is required. If you want to preserve natural light, the roofing is made of polycarbonate.
