Entrance area with porch, car parking space, outdoor terrace, playground for children, small pool need protection from rain, snow, hail, excessive sunlight. A canopy in the courtyard of the house will help to hide from the weather, protect property from damage. Made of modern materials and decorated with decorative elements, it will become the highlight of the yard area, make it different from others. How to choose a canopy so that it combines convenience, practicality and beauty? How to harmoniously fit it into the surrounding space?
Content:

Kinds
Canopies are street structures in the form of a roof on supports - racks, sometimes protected by walls. Before proceeding with the construction of a canopy, it is necessary to determine the purpose, size and location of the shelter in the yard.
There are the following structural forms of roofs:
Shed
- With a slope to one side and supported by one or more pillars.
- The angle of the roof slope should be sufficient for the snow to melt in winter, the runoff of rain and melt water.
- It is advisable to place it with a slope to the windward side in order to avoid separation during strong gusts of wind, because. this design has an increased windage.
gable
- This form is formed by two shed roofs with a slope in different directions.
- Traditional, very weather-resistant construction.
- It is not afraid of the wind, and snow and rain do not linger on the surface.
Arched
- They are made from flexible materials.
- The semicircular roof looks original, protects well from wind, snow and rain.
- Using translucent materials, you can protect the space from precipitation and wind, without depriving it of light.
Tent
Complex compositions
- From waves, arches, etc.
- They look very impressive, but require a lot of labor due to the complexity of the construction.
marquises

Frames for awnings
The frame is the main structural element. It takes all the load from the weight of the roof, snow and wind. The operation of the entire structure depends on its reliability.

The metal frame is durable and reliable
The most commonly used metal frames.
- high strength
- lightness of hollow-rolled structures
- resistance to humidity when carried out
- corrosion treatment
- installation speed
Metal frames are made by welding or assembling elements from shaped pipes or a rolled profile.
Wooden frames are also very common. Wood is a fairly reliable and traditional material with great potential for designing both simple and complex forms of canopies.
Modern antiseptics and impregnations extend the life of the tree.
- material availability
- ease of assembly
- beautiful wood structure
Wooden structures are heavier than metal ones, they may lose their “trademark” appearance over time, but they do not require the use of a welding machine.

The wooden frame looks good and is easy to make
Combined frame systems are often used: the main supporting elements are made of metal, and the rest are made of wood.

Types of roofing materials for awnings
The industry produces a large number of roofing materials with different properties and characteristics.
Roofs are made of:
metal profile sheets
- Such a coating is very practical and is used for household purposes, storing firewood, gardening tools, and mechanisms used for cultivating the land.
- The car of the owner and his guests will be in a safe shelter under a canopy of a metal profile.
- When constructing it, a single-pitched roof structure is usually used, as the most simple and economical.
metal tiles
polycarbonate
- The translucent flexible material is widely used not only for utilitarian purposes, but also for the design of the entire yard.
- A polycarbonate canopy of various shapes will help protect a recreation area, a playground for children or a small one from the scorching sun or heavy rain. swimming pool.
- Various color shades polycarbonate allow it to be used for decorative purposes.
Slate
- Currently, colored slate with improved performance characteristics is being produced: moisture resistance, frost resistance and reduced release of asbestos into the environment.
- It is used both for the construction of sheds for household purposes, and for sheltering gazebos and terraces.
Ondulina
- Inexpensive modern roofing material with flexibility, lightness and lack of noise when raindrops fall.
- Installation of a roof from ondulin can be done by hand, in addition, it has decorative qualities.
shingles
- Lightweight, durable, reliable and beautiful - all these qualities allow it to be widely used as a roofing material for canopies.
Impact-resistant glass or triplex
- Reliable, resistant to temperature extremes and solar radiation, they have one minus - a high price.
- Installation is carried out only by specialized organizations, so you won’t be able to save on construction with your own hands.
Acrylic, polyester and PVC sheets
- Used to make awnings.
- The Teflon coating gives the material moisture-repellent properties, antiseptic protects against fungi and mold, and ultraviolet filters do not allow excess sun to harm people under a canopy.
cane
- Roofs from it have a very spectacular view.
- Sufficiently strong and light, despite the seeming heaviness.
- They are not subject to mold formation, and the treatment with flame retardants - fire retardants - gives the necessary fire safety to this unique roofing material.

Constructions
Despite the small size of the structure, the construction must be taken seriously. No one wants his beautiful, lovingly built canopy to collapse on weak, unnecessarily thin supports or turn over from a gust of wind.
The canopy is a roof on supports. The roof truss system perceives the entire load from the weight of the roof, snow, gusts of wind and transfers it to the supports. Therefore, they must be as reliable and durable as possible.
If the structure is small, it is possible to install it on one support. The canopy above the entrance can simply be fixed in the wall. The roof truss system is truss legs, arches or trusses made of metal or wood, based on horizontal support elements rigidly fastened to the frame.
Between themselves, they can also be connected by horizontal runs.. With small dimensions of the structure, the runs may be redundant, sometimes the crate plays their role. Roofing material is laid on the girders, lathing or flooring.

The design of the canopy must withstand all loads
Required for rack mounting foundation: monolithic (tape) or pile.

Stages of construction.
Before starting construction, you need to draw up a drawing with a plan and calculation of the amount of materials necessary for the construction of a canopy. It is necessary to lay a small margin, because. often unforeseen situations occur.
Do-it-yourself polycarbonate canopy
Canopy in the courtyard of a private house made of polycarbonate and other materials (250 PHOTO IDEAS) - Beautiful view, convenience and practicality
Features of the device of canopies with a shed roof.
This is the simplest design, even a beginner can build it. Roofing materials can be used without special restrictions. But you should take into account some features in its design.
Shed roof has a large windage, i.e. poorly resists gusts of wind. Therefore, the smallest possible angle of inclination is favorable for it. But at the same time, a roof close to a horizontal position is prone to the accumulation of a large amount of snow. When melting, it forms ice, which prevents the flow of melt water. Therefore, the angle of inclination must be chosen optimally.

There are some restrictions on the materials used.
When buying, you need to find out what is the minimum angle of inclination allowed when using this type of roof. Shed canopies can be both free-standing and adjacent to the wall of an existing building.
In the latter case, it is necessary to attach a horizontal wooden beam or metal profile to the wall and install the truss system on it with one edge. The opposite side of the roof rests on the pillars. Carefully protect the junction with the wall from moisture with a tin valley.
Double pitched canopy roof. Construction features.
Gable roofs are more wind resistant than single pitched roofs. Precipitation flows well from their surfaces, and snow does not accumulate. Can cover a large area.

Frame made of wood or metal
The rafter system is more complex, there are additional reinforcing elements. Any roofing materials are used. Canopies with a gable roof are often arranged over a car park, a place to relax, a pool.
Features of arched ceilings.
The most suitable material for the arched roof frame is metal. Structures made of it are light, durable, they can be given any shape, unlike wood.

The arched ceiling is able to withstand strong gusts of wind, and snow and rain do not linger on it
Cellular polycarbonate is most often used as a roofing material. Strips of it are easily laid on the arched surface due to the flexibility of the plastic. The variety of colors allows this material to be widely used for roofing over gazebos, terraces, and the entrance area.
Polycarbonate is covered on one side with a film that protects against UV radiation. Therefore, it is safe to be under a canopy even on a hot day. Polycarbonate needs care - wash with clean water using mild detergents. The installation of arched coverings is similar to the installation of gable roofs from trusses.
Tent
They are built over square in plan or polygonal sites. Hipped roofs resist wind loads and precipitation well.

Consist of isosceles triangles, based on the vertices of the support post
The construction of such canopies with your own hands is quite laborious, although nothing is impossible. They have a spectacular appearance, reminiscent of oriental architecture. Roofing material for the manufacture of triangles must be selected taking into account the possibility of cutting it.
marquises
Many types of these light summer shelters are used: open, cassette, semi-cassette, retractable, domed, etc. With the help of special mechanisms, the awnings are easily rolled up. This must be done in windy weather, as well as for the winter preservation of the canopy.

The advantages are ease of installation and dismantling, ease of maintenance, elegant appearance.
In addition to the narrow purpose of awnings, there are practically no shortcomings with proper operation.
Canopies of complex design

Shelters of complex shape are more laborious and expensive to manufacture, but this is justified by the originality of the courtyard of a country estate
Such canopies are used to cover complex spaces or decorate landscape estates. They are made either according to the principle of the designer - from several simple forms, or by creating a single multi-level structure. As roofing materials, translucent colored polycarbonate or a combination of several types of coating is used.

Design
The shelter should fit into the overall composition of the yard in size and design. The canopy should not stand out too much against the background of the surrounding buildings with its dimensions, but also not get lost among them. Materials and decorative elements of the main structures and small buildings must match each other.

To give airiness, backlights are used in different combinations - along the perimeter and center of the building

Forged parts go well with the brick or stone masonry of the walls of the house.
Wooden lattices will look spectacular with the design of the canopy in the “eco” style.

Potted flowers and weaving plants will decorate and add elegance to even the simplest, inexpressive structure.

Barbecues and grills of author's production can decorate the gazebo and terrace, give a cozy look
Canopies made of polycarbonate
Overview of the installation of honeycomb polycarbonate
I didn’t even know, to be honest, that there are so many different options for canopies. Personally, I liked the arched or hipped canopies more here. But still, even despite their beauty, in my opinion, they are still inferior to the gazebo. In the gazebo, for example, you can hide from the rain, but if the rain is heavy and oblique, then it will not be so easy to hide from the rain under a canopy)) But on the windows and doors of the house, canopies should of course be required, they are in some least they will save you from the rain, and even when there is a canopy over a window or door, it looks pretty nice. Personally, I have arched canopies above both doors in my house, but in the yard I still put a gazebo. Although, of course, there are a lot of options offered here and there are many that are perfect for a hot summer. In the summer, by the way, a canopy is a very convenient thing to hide from the scorching sun.
Great idea! I respect hard workers.I myself am a no-nonsense craftsman, I have not been engaged in work of such a plan, experience is zero. Therefore, I do not plan to install it myself. Although in our mini-cottage such a design would definitely not hurt. Convenient, clean. I once visited a friend in a Tatar village. There, under a canopy, almost the entire courtyard. All from wood. He noted that people worked for a long time. Made in good conscience, for myself. And the space of the yard is also with wooden flooring between the buildings, perfect cleanliness!
My wife and I argued for a long time about installing a canopy in front of the house. Until recently, I was against it, although I understood that the canopy was a rather convenient solution. The main reason why I was against it was the lack of a practical and inexpensive solution, but after reading the article I found it. I really liked the idea of creating a canopy from a metal structure and cellular polycarbonate. First, the solution is very easy to install. Secondly: it costs a penny. Third: the possibility of creating a practical canopy. I have already begun to make a drawing and in late spring I will definitely install a canopy. Just in front of the house there is a small plot of 8 square meters. m. where I plan to mount a canopy. The area is just enough to accommodate the whole family and relax in rainy weather. The main thing is that for the winter, cellular polycarbonate can be quickly removed and brought into the pantry. Thus, you can not worry that under the thickness of snow it will not be washed out. Therefore, I can use 6 ml polycarbonate, and it costs an order of magnitude cheaper than 1 cm thick polycarbonate. I am glad that I found a simple and inexpensive solution for myself in this article.
The canopy, no doubt, will decorate the local area, create a certain comfort zone and a corner of coolness in the hot summer. Personally, I built a canopy in front of the garage myself so that the car was constantly protected from ultraviolet radiation and moisture. I used polycarbonate as a roof, as it is translucent and you feel comfortable under it. I bought imported, expensive polycarbonate, I was not used to saving on building materials. However, he was dissatisfied with this roof. Polycarbonate is destroyed by sunlight. It took me literally a year. After that, the usual hail passed, and it all cracked. I do not think that I was not particularly lucky, since I observed a similar picture in many people at various objects. As a result, the polycarbonate was dismantled, replacing it with impact-resistant tinted glass. The pleasure is very expensive, but now I am satisfied with the canopy. I think that my experience will be useful to readers of the site.
Personally, I really like how the canopy of the reed looks - very exotic and extraordinary. But taking care of it is not as easy as it seems, what is the treatment with fire retardants, plus, besides, such a canopy cannot be called very durable and cheap. It is much more practical to take something according to the classics, the same slate for example, but in part this is already the last century and it does not differ in special beauty. The article has a huge number of alternatives with examples and descriptions, really very extensive and informative. I am still looking at options for giving and will stop either at polycarbonate or at shingles.
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