An entrance canopy or structure over a building’s doorway provides year-round protection from the elements and can highlight and showcase a property’s main access point while ultimately enhancing a structure’s overall appearance, as well as general safety.
An entrance canopy also has the added advantage of refreshing older or plainer structures with a new, contemporary look. So, a feature like this represents a highly practical investment. Plus a property’s entrance is typically where a visitor forms their first impression of a building, so it really matters.
Canopies can be wall-mounted or freestanding and come in an array of styles, including curved, flat or pitched-roof models.
Equally, you can use a range of materials from glass or metal to polycarbonate to build them.
Choosing between steel and timber canopies
Picking the best entrance canopy means taking a number of different factors into account, from design options to installation considerations. When it comes to material choices, timber and stainless steel are sought-after options. You’ll probably make your own choice based on a number of things, including:
Cost: Steel may require a larger up front cost, while wood may seem less expensive upfront; it will require more care and maintenance
Durability: While wood lasts a long time, and can deal with the elements if looked after properly, this is entirely dependent on keeping it in a good state of repair. You need to check it regularly for rot or bugs, and painting and treating every few years to retain its strength and appearance.
For its part, steel can just go on for decades without any need for significant work on it, so this metal is ideal if you need a long service life. After all, steel’s exceptional strength means it doesn’t bend easily, and can stand up to snow, rain, high winds or anything else the British climate might throw at it.
With special coatings, it can also ward off the effects of rusting. Plus it performs reliably in high-traffic environments.
Style: Steel offers a clean, contemporary appearance and suits public-sector buildings and commercial structures. On the other hand, timber may be for you if you’re after something that looks softer with a natural, classic look.
Setting: While steel looks great in contemporary buildings, sleek offices or clean industrial spaces with sharp lines, timber is a cosier affair and could suit an environment such as a park or rustic shop where you want to create a warm, natural feel. However, timber does also have the design flexibility to look good in some modern settings as well.
Sustainability: Both timber and steel can be environmentally friendly. Steel is 100% recyclable, while timber is a low-carbon building material.
Quality steel entrance canopies from Two J’s Metalwork
At Two J’s Metalwork, we’re Sussex-based experts in structural steelwork and architectural metalwork. We choose materials for their strength, durability and how they suit a design and perform in their setting long-term. What’s more, we come up with excellent bespoke solutions for every project.
We are experts in crafting outstanding canopies and other entrance features so that they blend form, structural integrity and function, ensuring long-lasting results.
Our custom designs reflect each client’s individual tastes and requirements.
