The British weather can change from one minute to the next, never mind from day to day, and climate change means that we are having to get used to both more sun and more rain. If we want to enjoy spending more time outside during the warmer months of the year, it’s becoming ever more essential to be able to protect ourselves from the changing elements.

That’s where awnings and canopies come in!

Here at BB Canopies, we’re local experts for all kinds of awnings and canopies for customers across Wellingborough, Milton Keynes and Bedford. But what is the difference between these two types of outdoor cover? The words are often used almost interchangeably, but there are significant differences – which is why we have different sections for them on our website.

This article will examine this common issue to help you discover the difference between the two while also finding out which might be more suitable for your own purposes.

The Difference Between Canopies and Awnings

Although awnings and canopies do much the same job, in that both enable us to spend more time outside in all weathers, there is one significant difference between the two: awnings are generally made of fabric and mainly used for sun shade only, whereas canopies usually have a more solid cover and are suitable for use in all weathers. 

Let’s dig a little deeper into that statement, so that we can better understand not only how they differ but also how that makes them suitable for different usages and locations.

Awnings

Awnings generally comprise a large piece of fabric attached to a rigid frame that can be either freestanding or fixed to the exterior of a building. Because they are made of fabric, they are usually not suitable for use in wet weather.

Awnings are particularly popular with cafes and bars with outside tables, because it provides welcome shade to customers when it’s hot and sunny. If there’s limited room inside, that could mean a crucial difference to the number of customers you can serve at a time. Awnings are also popular with many greengrocers, who can use them to keep the hot sun off fresh produce displayed outside their shop.

Of course, awnings can also play a significant role in residential properties, and not just for sitting under when it’s sunny. An awning attached over a window can prevent a room from being flooded with sunlight and becoming uncomfortably hot.

The other thing to say about awnings is that, because they are made of fabric, they lend themselves well to being automated, allowing you to open and close them with the touch of a button.

Canopies

Canopies can be used in all weathers thanks to the fact that they generally have a solid roof, which will usually be made out of glass or polycarbonate. As with an awning, that could either be attached to the outside of your property or used as a freestanding structure in your garden.

That means that canopies tend to be permanent features that can give many years of welcome shade and protection from all the elements that the British weather can throw at us.

If you like to host garden parties, barbecues or other outdoor social events, canopies are ideal for providing shelter for your guests, a buffet or even your barbecue should rain threaten.

Whether you’re after an awning or a canopy for your home in Wellingborough, Milton Keynes, Bedford or the surrounding area, talk to the team at BB Canopies. With well over ten years of experience in the industry, and supplying some of the biggest, most stylish and most reliable brands in the business, we’re committed to providing a first-class service that puts you and your home first.

Get in touch with us now to find out more or to request a home visit and cost-effective quotation.