We build canopies on aluminium-profile frames over terraces, entrances and balconies of private houses and over parking spaces. Aluminium is chosen for its lightness, slim profiles and factory finish that needs no painting on site. It has limits too — they are set out below so you can choose with your eyes open.
Types
- Wall-mounted — fixed to the facade and resting on one line of posts; the most common option over a terrace or entrance.
- Free-standing — on their own posts, for example over a seating area or a car.
- Over a door or porch — small canopies that keep the door and steps dry.
- Over a terrace — with clear or solid roofing, sometimes with side screens against the wind.
Profiles and spans
Profiles and post spacing are chosen to the design. Aluminium is lighter than steel, but over a long span it needs intermediate posts or a heavier profile. The permissible span depends on the profile system, the roofing and the loads at the site — we calculate it rather than take it from a catalogue. If the canopy has to cover a large area without posts, we will tell you plainly that a steel frame is the better fit.
Finish and fixings
Profiles come powder-coated or anodised, in a colour matched to the windows and facade. Aluminium does not rust, but it oxidises and deteriorates in contact with other metals in damp, salty air. So we use fixings compatible with aluminium and fit isolating pads wherever it meets steel or concrete — this prevents galvanic corrosion.
Drainage and driving rain
In many systems the gutter is built into the profile: water runs along the channel and down the post rather than off the edge. The pitch, gutter and outlet are designed so water does not reach the facade or the paving. Side screens or glazing protect against driving rain and wind — where the chosen system offers them.
Compared with steel
| Aluminium canopy | Steel canopy | |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | light, less load on the wall and base | heavier, needs stronger posts |
| Spans | limited by the profile system; long spans need posts | long spans without intermediate posts, subject to calculation |
| Care | wash off salt and dust, check seals and fixings | check the coating, touch up chips |
| Appearance | slim profiles, factory colour | depends on sections and paint |
| Cost | compared by estimate: for the same job we can price both options | |
Masonry garages and carports for several cars are on the garages and carports page. All steel and aluminium solutions are under metal structures.