March 5, 2025
Everything You Need to Know About Choosing, Installing, and Maintaining Commercial Canopies
Canopies are an essential part of great design. They can dramatically transform the façade of a building, create instantly recognizable branding, and improve the function of a building to make it more accessible to everyone. Commercial canopies can add significant value to a building because of their aesthetic value and functionality, if you choose the right canopy material.
This guide will tell you everything you need to know about commercial canopies and help you choose the right material for your next building project.
The Advantages Of Commercial Canopies
Commercial canopies are the perfect mix of form and function. They can be made to fit into an existing aesthetic or create a new exciting signature design for an architect but they also have significant benefits for building owners because of the accessibility and protection they offer. Some of the advantages of adding a canopy to a commercial building are:
Protection Against The Elements
No one wants to get wet standing outside a building, or to have to stand in the glaring sun. Commercial buildings with canopies offer protection from the elements and make the building more inviting for people going in and out, including the employees who work there. Canopies provide protection from wind, rain, snow, and the summer sun.
Canopies can also keep the entry and exit areas of the building free from standing water, ice, and deep snow by shielding the areas in front of the doors. That makes entrances and exits safer for anyone coming and going.
Solar Control
Climate change has caused an upswing in temperatures and in the intensity of the sun across the country. Canopies provide shade from the sun for both people going in and out of a building and for the building itself. Commercial canopies can improve the energy efficiency of the building and help keep the temperature inside moderate by blocking the sun during the hottest parts of the day.
Canopies can be used by entrance and exit doors to give people going in or leaving a building a break from the sun. And they can be used to created shaded areas where employees can take a break and get some fresh air without having to deal with extreme heat or chairs and tables that are too hot too touch. Restaurants, cafes, and buildings with cafeterias can use canopies to improve their customer experience.
Branding
Many national brands rely on custom canopy designs as part of their branding. Commercial canopies can change the appearance of an existing building to create recognizable branding. And they also can be integrated into a new build to help build the brand of a new business. Commercial canopies create a strong visual presence, enhance brand recognition, and make businesses stand out in crowded spaces.
Design Appeal
Commercial canopies significantly increase the design appeal of buildings by adding style, structure, and a professional look to buildings and storefront spaces. Commercial canopies help architects create modern and stylish design aesthetics for buildings and enhance the existing architecture of buildings.
Commercial canopies also contribute to the building of a cohesive brand by creating a polished and sophisticated look for any business while also making a building more inviting and attractive.
Why Commercial Canopies Are Essential For Design
Canopies play a crucial role in the aesthetic appeal of the building. Whether used for storefronts, office buildings, or hospitality spaces commercial canopies define the visual appeal and practicality of a building. Here’s why they are essential for great design:
Function and Style
Commercial canopies are a mix of function and style. They provide shade and weather protection but also have to fit the design of the building and incorporate custom branding elements. Commercial canopies can increase the curb appeal of a building while also making commercial buildings easy for people to find.
Energy Efficiency
Canopies improve energy efficiency by reducing heat gain which can drive up indoor temperatures. This reduces energy costs while creating a more comfortable environment for employees and customers.
Branding
A commercial canopy is a powerful branding tool. Custom canopies with company logos, colors, and typography, reinforce brand identity for any business. Custom branding on a canopy or canopies made with custom shapes that mimic a brand’s iconic look make a building stand out.
Wayfinding
Canopies help direct foot traffic in busy commercial areas by marking entrances and pathways. For retail centers, hotels, and hospitals, distinctively designed canopies can indicate different sections of a facility or highlight key access points.
Durability and Sustainability
Commercial canopies are built to withstand harsh weather conditions, from heavy rain to intense sunlight. High-quality materials like aluminum, steel, and durable fabrics can stand up to extreme temperatures and wet climates without needing a lot of maintenance.
Custom Design Options
One of the greatest advantages of aluminum commercial canopies is their versatility in design. Businesses can choose from various shapes, sizes, materials, and finishes to create a canopy that aligns with their vision.
Types Of Commercial Canopies
There are different types of commercial canopies that an architect can incorporate into a building design. A good design may use all these types of canopies, or only one of them.
Entrance Canopies
Entrance canopies are installed over main entrances to provide shelter and enhance curb appeal. To get the biggest design bang for the buck entrance canopies should be made from materials that reflect your brand’s identity—like sleek metal for a modern look or a wood grain powder coat for a rustic feel.
Walkway Canopies
Walkway canopies offer protected paths between buildings or across open spaces. They provide great cover from the elements while also directing foot traffic. Ensuring the canopy design complements the surrounding architecture can create a seamless transition between spaces.
Awnings
Awnings can be mounted over windows and door to provide shade and reduce indoor temperatures, controlling sunlight and shade as needed.
Cantilevered Canopies
Cantilevered canopies, which are only supported from one side, offer an unobstructed space underneath. They’re ideal for areas where maximum clearance is needed without support columns obstructing the way.
Custom Canopies
Custom architectural canopies can be tailored to meet specific design and functional requirements. This allows architects to collaborate with owners to create a canopy that not only meets practical needs but can also become a landmark feature.
Materials Matter – Choosing The Right Commercial Canopy
The material that a commercial canopy is made from will affect the look and function of the canopy, so it’s important to choose the right material. Some things that you should consider when choosing the material for a canopy are the climate where the building is located, local building codes, and what the desired look of the finished canopy is. The most popular materials for commercial canopies are:
Aluminum and Steel
Aluminum is a popular choice for commercial canopies because it’s so versatile. It’s lightweight and corrosion-resistant, making it great for modern designs and suitable for coastal areas where corrosion is a concern. Steel is extremely strong and durable, ideal for large structures requiring robust support. Perforated aluminum screens add an artistic flair while allowing dappled sunlight below, which is a great option for canopies in public spaces, restaurants, cafes, and courtyards.
Glass
Glass allows natural light while providing protection from rain and snow, perfect for creating a sleek, contemporary look. Using tempered or laminated glass also enhances safety and durability.
Fabric
Fabric is versatile and cost-effective, ideal for awnings and areas where you might want to change the look periodically. Choosing UV-resistant fabrics prevents fading and extends the canopy’s life.
The Efficiency Of Commercial Canopies
Commercial canopies aren’t just a great way to improve the look of a building, they are also cost-effective and efficient.
Fast Off-Site Design
Innovations in manufacturing have made it possible for commercial canopy manufacturers to create canopy panels off-site using highly precise measurements and computer-guided cuts so that every panel is exactly the same. This manufacturing process means that custom canopy panels can be quickly and efficiently shipped to a job site for installation.
Fast and Easy On-Site Installation
Once the panels arrive they can be easily installed, which means fewer man hours and lower cost for the overall project. Even though the canopy is a custom design, it can save money overall by lowering labor and shipping costs.
Easy Care and Maintenance
Custom metal canopies require very little maintenance and care. With just routine washing and upkeep they can maintain their aesthetic appeal and continue providing protection from the elements for decades.
Key Considerations For Choosing A Commercial Canopy
Are you overwhelmed yet? There’s a lot of information in this guide to consider about the right material for a canopy and how a commercial canopy can increase the value and function of a building. But you also should consider these elements when designing a custom commercial canopy for a design project:
Function
Design matters, but ultimately it’s the function of the canopy that is going to add the most value to the project. Architects should consider the function of the canopy when choosing a material. Then they can look at the design customization options available for that material to work in elements of branding and style.
Local Building Codes
Local building and design codes always have be factored into a commercial building design. Buildings in some areas may have strict codes about the style, size, and materials used in commercial canopies to make sure they fit the city and state guidelines.
Design Aesthetic
Creating a signature design aesthetic for a project is easy for most architects because their work always incorporates their own unique vision. But, when designing a project to fit into an existing space like a recreated historical district where the buildings all have to meet the same design guidelines to keep a uniform look the design of the canopy for the building has to reference the existing buildings.
Durability
No matter what the design of the canopy is, it has to be built to last. Choose a material for a commercial canopy that can withstand the local climate. Whether that’s heavy rain and snow, brutal heat and sun, or a coastal climate that is a mix of weather a commercial canopy must be able to last to make it a good value and a selling point.
Bring Your Canopy Vision To Life
Now that you know why commercial canopies are an investment worth making, it’s time to start creating the custom commercial canopy that will bring function and style to your next project. Start by talking to the pros at Structureworks.
They can help you navigate the different design options and get started on a custom commercial canopy that will be easy to install, won’t break your project budget, and will add significant value to the project. Design pros can use 3D modeling to show you how the canopy will look before you make a final decision.
Commercial canopies are more than just functional structures; they’re an extension of your brand and an enhancement to your building’s architecture. By carefully considering design, materials, and purpose, you can create a canopy that not only meets practical needs but also elevates the overall appeal of your property.
Let’s get started today. Structureworks design professions are waiting to help you transform that entrance, walkway, or outdoor space into something remarkable!