Cool off with a Deck Canopy

If you live in an area where the summers get brutally hot, you need a deck canopy. A canopy over your deck will stop those glaring sun rays from heating up your outdoor living space, enabling you to enjoy your deck more often. In fact, you can even enjoy sitting on your deck while it’s raining! You’ll be surprised by how much more often you use your deck.

If you have windows, glass doors, or French doors overlooking your deck, you’re getting a lot of extra heat from the sun in your house. A deck canopy will shade these along with your deck, which means that your air conditioning system won’t have to work so hard.

A deck canopy has an additional benefit. It will help protect the wood decking from rain and sun.

How does a deck canopy work?

One type of deck canopy comes in panels of fabric that are attached to an aluminum frame. The fabric panels ride on rollers, so they glide smoothly, making extending and retracting them a cinch.

With some companies, the frame that fits over your deck is made of heavy gauge aluminum, with a tough finish. Other companies might use wood or plastic-coated steel for the construction of the frame. All the hardware has been specially treated to withstand the weather. Some companies offer colors other than white for the tracks, too.

Other types of deck canopies are stationary. They consist of a sturdy metal frame that’s covered with canvas, vinyl, or treated fabric. This type of deck canopy is often removed at the beginning of winter and re-attached in the spring.

With most types of deck canopies, the canopy frame is often attached to the house, but there are free-standing models, too. These are bolted down or placed on metal bases. The free-standing deck canopy frames aren’t as stable as the attached frames, however.

The fabric used for the panels is an outdoor material and resists fading, mildew, and rot. Consumers have several colors and patterns to choose from, and the fabric panels can be easily removed for cleaning or for storage during the winter months. The better deck canopies guaranty their panel fabric for five years.

Custom-made canopies are also available. These are made especially for your deck to ensure an exact fit.

How much does a deck canopy cost?

Prices for deck canopies vary widely because there are so many variables, along with choices the consumer must make. To get an idea of cost, you can get a frame and canopy to fit a 10 x 16-foot deck for around $2500.

To get an exact quote, find a dealer online and enter the size of your deck, along with your choices of fabric and other options.

Where can I buy a deck canopy?

Some large pool and patio stores and home improvement centers carry a few deck canopies, but they’ll probably have only one type or brand available. For a much larger selection, along with the added bonus of comparing prices and features, shop for a deck canopy online.