FAQs

In most cases, no. Home canopies fall under permitted development rights, so you won’t need to apply for planning permission. The main rule is that the total area covered can’t be more than 50% of your home’s original ground floor space, and any front-of-house canopy needs to sit at least 3.5 metres from a road.

If your home is listed or in a conservation area, it’s worth checking with your local planning authority.

To help you spread the cost of a new canopy, we have finance packages available with 0% APR representative.

^{*Credit is subject to status and affordability. Terms and conditions apply. Canopies UK Ltd, 1 Chanters Way, Darwen, Lancs, BB3 0GY (Register no. 723612) is a credit broker and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Credit provided by Hitachi Personal Finance, a trading style of Hitachi Capital (UK) PLC, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Register no. 704348).}

For most home canopies, building regulations don’t apply. Unlike extensions or structural alterations, a canopy is covered under the same permitted development scheme as other outbuildings, which keeps the process straightforward.

Our surveyors assess every property individually, so whatever your property type, the first step is a free survey where we’ll look at the structure and confirm exactly what’s possible.

If wall fixings aren’t suitable for any reason, a freestanding canopy can often provide the same coverage without attaching to the building at all.

In most cases, yes. Our surveyors are used to working around existing features and will assess things like doors, vents and pipework as part of your free home survey. Where something needs to be accommodated in the design, we’ll factor that in from the outset.

Our roofing sheets are translucent, so natural light still filters through even when you’re sheltered from the weather. If it’s something you’re concerned about, mention it to your surveyor when they visit.

It’s worth checking your deeds first. Many developers restrict external changes for a set period after purchase, and a canopy could fall under that.

Your solicitor or original mortgage documents will tell you where you stand. Once you’ve got the all-clear, we’ll take it from there.

All of our canopies are made to measure for your home, which is what we mean by bespoke. There are no off-the-shelf sizes, everything is designed around your specific property and requirements after a free home survey.

Depending on the product, the projection can be up to 4m, and because the system is modular there’s no restriction on length. Height is fully adjustable too. Some carports are also freestanding on posts rather than fixed to a wall, which opens up further options for positioning.

That’s exactly what our free home survey is for. Your surveyor will look at everything that affects the design, like the structure of your property, drainage, access, ground levels and any existing features, and use that to work out what will work best for your home.

You don’t need to come with measurements or a plan. Just tell us what you’re hoping to achieve and we’ll take it from there.

Yes. If you have a specific colour in mind, just provide us with the RAL code and we can match it exactly. If you’re not sure of your RAL code, your window or door manufacturer should be able to help.

Glass verandas and carports are our most popular choices. Verandas are a favourite for homeowners who want to create a usable outdoor space year-round, for dining, lounging or just making the most of the garden. Carports are popular for practical reasons, protecting vehicles from the British weather without the cost of a full garage.

Every canopy we install is engineered for the specific conditions at your property. Before we finalise the design, our surveyor carries out site-specific calculations that take into account local wind speed, annual snowfall, altitude, surrounding buildings and the natural lie of the land.

The roof is angled to channel rainwater away, and for our cantilevered designs, the structure is designed to stay stable without the need for supporting front posts.

The roof is angled to channel rainwater away naturally. If you’d like additional drainage to direct rainwater, you can discuss the options with your surveyor.

That’s one of the main reasons people invest in one. A canopy keeps rain and wind off your outdoor space, which makes a real difference to how much you actually use it through the colder months. Add a patio heater or outdoor lighting underneath and you’ve got a space that works year-round.

Yes, it helps protect your vehicle from direct snow, frost and UV rays, which makes a real difference to paintwork and general wear over time. It’s far better than leaving your car fully exposed, without the cost or footprint of a full garage.

Our canopies are built to last and backed by a 10-year installation and labour guarantee as standard. The materials, galvanised and powder coated steel and aluminium, are chosen for their durability and resistance to the British weather, with minimal upkeep required to keep them in good condition.

Very little is needed. You don’t need to paint or treat the structure, just a periodic clean with mild detergent and warm water to keep it looking its best. It’s also worth clearing any debris from the gutters occasionally and doing a quick visual check after severe weather.

Our canopies are built to last, which is the single biggest environmental win. A product built to last does far less environmental damage than a cheaper alternative that needs replacing every few years. We’re ISO 14001 certified, use solar panels in our office and factory to reduce our carbon footprint and we’re transitioning to resins made from plant-based ingredients rather than petroleum. We’re targeting Net Zero by 2035.

Most installations are completed in a single day. Our team will plan everything in advance to make sure disruption is kept to a minimum. Our six-to-eight-week lead time covers the full process from survey to installation date, but once our team arrives the work itself is quick.

Yes, we’d recommend being at home for the duration. Our team will need access to your property and it’s useful to have someone on hand to answer any questions and sign off the finished installation.

We take care to work tidily and with as little disruption as possible. Our installation teams are experienced and treat your property with respect, making sure the area is left clean and tidy once the job is done. Any fixings into walls are made to the specs of your bespoke installation, so there’s no unnecessary work beyond what’s needed.

We install year-round and work in most weather conditions. In cases of extreme weather such as heavy wind or snow, we may need to delay work for safety reasons. If that happens, we’ll be in touch to reschedule at the earliest opportunity.

Your canopy comes with a 10-year installation and labour guarantee. Full details are set out in the aftercare pack you’ll receive after installation, including your guarantee number and anything that would void it.

The guarantee does not apply if:

• Your canopy is moved from its original place of installation
• It is modified or altered by anyone other than Canopies UK
• Defects are wholly or partially attributable to negligent acts
• It has been subject to physical impact
• It has been subject to extraordinary weather conditions
• Your account has an overdue balance relating to the canopy purchase

If you have a concern about your installation or the product itself, get in touch with our team and we’ll be happy to help. All installations come with a 10-year guarantee covering labour and workmanship, and your aftercare pack will include your guarantee number and contact details.

Our manufacturing and installation are both handled entirely in-house. Every canopy is built at our own facility in Darwen, Lancashire, and installed by our own teams. We don’t subcontract either, so we’re responsible for the whole job from start to finish and our guarantees cover both the product and the installation.

Yes, we’re fully insured to carry out installation work on residential properties. We take our responsibilities seriously as a manufacturer and installer, and our directly employed teams are both experienced and accountable to us throughout the whole process.

Size is the biggest factor, but the complexity of your installation and the design you choose can also influence the final price. Because every canopy is made to measure for your specific property, your quote will reflect exactly what’s needed.

Yes, we can give you a rough indication based on a few details about what you’re looking for and the size of the space. For a firm quote we’ll always recommend a survey, as every canopy is bespoke and the final price will depend on the specifics of your property. Get in touch with our team and we can talk through your requirements.

If you’re paying in full, we’ll invoice you on completion. We also offer flexible payment plans if you’d prefer to spread the cost, all of which require a 20% deposit, with the balance either spread over monthly repayments or deferred for up to 9 months interest-free.

A patio canopy attaches to your house and shelters an outdoor seating or garden area from rain and sun. A glass veranda is a more permanent, glazed structure that lets in natural light while keeping out the weather – a step up in terms of finish and feel. A carport is designed to shelter your vehicle, either attached to the house or freestanding over a driveway.

An awning is typically a retractable fabric covering, often rolled or folded back when not in use. A canopy is a fixed, permanent structure designed to stay in place year-round. Canopies are generally more robust, longer-lasting and better suited to the UK climate. They’re also made to measure for your property rather than fitted as an off-the-shelf product.