Choosing the perfect spot is one of the most determining factors in selecting a canopy for garden. Finding the most suitable location for the canopy is one of the most time-consuming requirements of installing a garden canopy, since a garden canopy is not a standalone piece. A garden canopy is a piece that is attached to the ground. Getting the location in mind before searching for a canopy saves a lot of time overall.
Understanding Wall-Mounted Canopies
Garden wall-mounted canopies are attached to one or at least one garden-facing walls. These walls are often the back or front of the house, or perhaps a garage wall, a garden room, or an extensive garden boundary wall. One side of the canopy is supported by the wall while the other side is supported by vertical posts or a front beam. Because the wall is part of the structure, these canopies require fewer posts and are less intrusive, which is ideal for smaller gardens.
The solid wall requirement can be met using brick or masonry. Rendered surfaces may work depending on what is behind the render. Generally speaking, timber cladding or thin panel construction does not work. The fixings need to be substantial, and the installer should know what they are drilling into before starting.
A wall’s height can easily catch people out. The fixing point controls the angle of the canopy roof, and the options become very limited if the wall is lower than expected, or has doors or windows in odd places. It is worth thinking about water run-off when choosing an installation point.
A wall-mounted canopy on a residential property, does not typically need planning permission. But, if the garden canopy is large, close to a boundary, or you are in a conservation area, it is worthwhile to check with the local authority first. It takes no time and can save bigger headaches later on.
What Do Freestanding Canopies Entail?
A freestanding canopy has no connections to the house or any other structure. Instead, it has a posts that keep it standing. It can be placed anywhere suitable in the garden such as a patio, decking, compacted gravel, or a concrete base. This flexibility is this style’s main selling point.
For renters, or anyone that wants to avoid permanently altering the structure of the building, freestanding is the obvious choice. Also, if the garden layout changes, it can be relocated. Technically, it can even go with you if you move, though in reality most people leave them behind.
However, a freestanding canopy depends entirely on its posts and base fixings for stability. An exposed garden, or especially windy autumn months, this can be detrimental. Most systems come with built-in ground anchors or feet that can be bolted down. These are more of a requirement as opposed to a suggestion. An unanchored freestanding canopy will be a problem in gusty winds.
Consider post positions practically. Four posts around a dining area seems fine until you’re attempting to pull chairs in and out. Some freestanding designs use a cantilever system to minimize the number of posts at ground level, which aids in that, though they tend to be more expensive.
Where have people gone wrong
Most owners of wall-mounted canopies tend to make the same errors: they never check out the wall beforehand. Finding the mounting surface isn’t suitable after the canopy arrives can be a costly and aggravating deal.
A standalone canopy error tends to be not estimating the space correctly. An online sized canopy can seem and fit a lot bigger once the posts and roof have been set. Before buying anything, marking the area with canes gives a more honest idea of how it will be situated in the area.
So which is really better?
The answer is simple, both. Wall-mounted canopies are ideal for gardens where the primary outdoor area is just behind the house and the wall is solid and accessible. Freestanding canopies are better for bigger gardens with uneven designs, rented spaces and for those seeking more versatility.
The honest question to ask would be where you actually spend time in your garden, and if there’s a wall near that spot or not. Most of the time, that answers it.
