Hi, I am Melissa from Northline Express with the next video in our canopy series. In our last video we talked about the differences between heavy duty and light duty canopies. Today we are going to talk about the skeleton of the canopy, the canopy frame.
When selecting a canopy frame you should consider the frames weight, durability and leg angle. Start first by deciding whether you want a straight leg or slanted leg canopy. It may appear that this is really more of just a style difference but it actually has a big effect on the canopies structural integrity. Slant leg canopies are often less expensive and provide a sleek look, but they are not as stable as a canopy frame with straight legs. Straight leg canopy frames will be more stable and are going to provide the most coverage without taking up more space. Here is an example of taking up more space while ultimately providing less coverage. Let’s compare two 10’ x 10’ canopy frames, one with straight legs and one with slant legs. The Straight leg canopy frame will provide 100 sq. ft. of shade coverage while the slant leg canopy frame will only provide about 60 sq. ft. of shade coverage.
Next you will want to consider the canopy frames weight and durability which ultimately leads to choosing a frame material. The most common materials for canopy frames to choose from will be aluminum and steel. When you are choosing between an aluminum or steel canopy frame consider what you will use the canopy for and how often you will use it.
Aluminum canopy frames are going to be lightweight and the easiest to pack making them an excellent choice for travel. They will also be resistant to rust and corrosion. However because the aluminum frames are lightweight they will bend easily and are not well suited for use in windy conditions. They are best suited for use during sunny or calm weather.
Steel canopy frames are going to offer the most strength and durability. They are able to withstand harsh weather conditions like heavy rain or winds. Steel canopy frames can be cheaper than aluminum frames but they are also heavier and more challenging to transport and assemble. Rust can be an issue with steel, most are treated with a rust prevention coating but that really does not offer any guarantees. The potential for rust will mean that steel will require maintenance to ensure that it holds up through exposure to the elements.
So to sum it up choose first the canopy frame style that you want and then the frame material. Remember to consider how and what you will be using your canopy for. For those who are looking for portability, aluminum is the way to go. For those who are after strength and durability, a steel canopy frame is the answer.
I hope that you have found this information helpful. Keep watching our canopy series. In our final video we will talk about choosing a canopy top.