From creating shade to sheltering from the rain and wind, an outdoor canopy can be an extension of your living space.
Like any internal area of the home, though, details should be considered and experts should be engaged to deliver a cover that will suit both your needs, and the needs of your home’s structure – whether it be a new build or renovation project.
We asked Archgola’s Grant Stewart and Katrina Evans for their advice when choosing between the different options.
When is it best to use an arched shelter versus a flat shelter?
Grant: The style of the house, particularly the roof line, determines what's going to work best. With a mono-pitch house, or where the decking is at the gable end, a straight/flat canopy might suit. Arched shelters work best on a hipped house where the arch can follow the same lines.
If you have a mono-pitch house we can pitch a canopy to exactly the same pitch as the roof to create a seamless transition running down – like an extension of what's already there. Of course, it also comes down to personal preference.
With the right shape selected the canopy blends into the house well.
Are there benefits to an arched canopy?
Katrina: There are many benefits to a traditional arch-shaped canopy. These include a wider span between posts, greater strength and increased height underneath as well. Fewer posts are great for your outdoor flow.
Grant: Some picture a big, loopy arch, but it’s not that. The arch blends in well, especially if the frames are the same colour as the joinery or colour of the roof. A lot of people are interested in a straight/flat canopy, but when you point out the benefits of a traditional arch – especially on a hipped house – that’s where it really comes to the floor and performs the best, and an arch is often selected.
Arched canopies offer more strength and height compared to a straight version.
How can shelters be customised to match a home’s exterior aesthetic?
Grant: We offer the Dulux range of 50 powder coating options, which covers most bases. We can match most older aluminium joinery colours, as well as the Colorsteel range. There is an opportunity to branch out to contrasting colours if you wish.
When should plans be made to incorporate a shelter for an outdoor living space?
Grant: For a new build, if possible, it is good to get on site when the framing goes up and the trusses go on, to see if any extra blocking or fixing is needed in areas.
However, at any time during the building stage, the canopy can be incorporated into the design and the customer can get an idea of what it is going to look like. We have 3D drawings so that a homeowner can have a good idea of exactly what they’re going to get before it actually happens. For canopies under 30sqm consent isn’t required.
An outdoor shelter can be a wonderful extension to the internal living space.
What needs to be considered when it comes to tinting an outdoor shelter?
Katrina: The homeowner should consider the light that will come through the canopy and the impact of having a roof outside over the deck. Decks tend to lead into the living area and some people's reason for choosing a lighter roof tint will be to allow maximum light into the house.
Grant: Archgola offers five different tints, from clear through to solid grey. They all stop 99.9% UV and have a 15-year hail warranty, 25-year loss of light warranty, and they’ve also got a fire rating as well. They differ in the amount of heat transferred, which is the homeowner's choice.
By closing canopies in with blinds, and adding lighting and heating, they can be enjoyed year-round.
What’s your advice to make a comfortable outdoor area?
Katrina: It’s been popular to add accessories to Archgolas such as heating, lighting and blinds. People are really starting to treat these areas as an outdoor room by closing them in, lighting them up and making them cosy. So all of these considerations need to be thought about when you’re choosing a supplier for a canopy.
