The New Zealand made canopies designed for year-round outdoor living

There are few things better than the smell of sausages on the barbeque, ice clinking against glasses, and friends gathered outside enjoying the bliss of a Kiwi summer. This is why, for many of us, outdoor entertainment areas are a home essential. And, while you can get by with a patio and outdoor furniture, cover is the key to a truly effective outdoor space. Providing shade and protection from the increasingly unpredictable summer weather, canopies allow you to enjoy your outdoor space whenever you like.

Archgola is one of New Zealand's leading suppliers of canopies and outdoor shelters, so it's no surprise that they were also the first to develop shade solutions specifically for New Zealand's unique conditions. To help you choose the right canopy for your outdoor space, ArchiPro spoke to the experts at Archgola, diving into the key considerations for canopy design and their two feature canopy ranges: the Archgola Signature and the Archgola Oasis.

Choosing the right canopy for your space

The first thing to consider when choosing a canopy is the intended use for your space. For example, if you plan to host or gather outdoors year-round, you might opt for a canopy with blinds attached. Archgola's outdoor blinds can block wind and rain and trap heat on cold days — guaranteeing comfort regardless of the weather. 

Next, you'll want to think about heat and light. This relates specifically to your canopy's roofing type and colour. Archgola's two feature canopy ranges offer different roof styles, each with varying combinations of heat and light penetration, so the team recommends looking at a range of roofing samples and seeking advice from your Archgola shade expert before you make your final decision. 

Whether you're planning a canopy for an existing space or designing your outdoor area from scratch, it's important to consider the size of the area you would like to cover. Regulations require canopies over 30 square metres to have council consent, which can add additional costs to your project. With this in mind, you may consider only partly covering spaces, like large decks, and leaving the rest exposed. 

Once you confirm your use, location, roofing style, and size, you can look at framing colours and post location. "Most people find the best thing to do is to match their existing joinery with their new canopy frame. In doing this, the canopy becomes an extension of the house, and it all looks cohesive," says Archgola's Katrina Evans.

"Post location is important. If you've got a great view, the last thing you'll want is a post intruding on it. However, if you are planning to enclose the space with outdoor blinds, these have a maximum opening size, which may determine where the posts need to be located. We recommend working with your Archgola shade specialist to establish the best location for your posts and downpipe that's as unobtrusive as possible, but still provides the overall functionality you desire."

The Archgola Signature and Archgola Oasis canopies 

Archgola's two feature canopies, Archgola Signature and Archgola Oasis, offer unique approaches to canopy architecture. "The Archgola Oasis has a more modern look with a straight canopy and a flat polycarbonate roof, whereas the Archgola Signature is traditionally an arched canopy with corrugated greca polycarbonate roofing. This canopy can also be done straight and bull-nosed," Evans explains. 

The Archgola Oasis offers a selection of polycarbonate roofing tints that provide a variation in heat and light control: Bronze for high visibility both day and night, Opal for less glare and lower light penetration, and Blue/Grey for high visibility with heat reduction. The Archgola Signature features a Suntuf roof, available in five tints, that offers protection from UV rays, with special additives that reflect heat to keep you cool in summer. When selecting a roof material, it’s also important to consider the maintenance required. For example, translucent roofing, like Opal, will show less dirt and dust than a fully transparent roof.

"All our Archgola canopies and outdoor blinds are manufactured here in New Zealand from top quality products and built by experienced Licensees. What's more, all our Archgolas and carports come with premium UV-safe roofing, are custom-made to your individual requirements, and can have outdoor blinds added to complete your outdoor living transformation," Evans says.

If you're considering adding a permanent outdoor shelter solution to your property, contact Archgola to arrange a no-obligation quote.