Patio Canopies Versus The British Weather - What You Need To Consider

By: William Penworthy Click author's name for more of his/her articles

Patio canopies and patio roofs constructed from GRP (glass reinforced polyester) provide several key benefits - not the least of which is that they offer the kind of shelter, strength and durability to cope with the interesting whether we are so fortunate to experience in this country! From blisteringly hot sunny days to torrential rain, howling winds and a perennial dampness that finds every nook and crack, it’s important to consider the long term when deciding on how to provide roofing and shelter for your conservatory, patio or porch. When compared to other materials and solutions, it’s easy to see why glass reinforced polyester has many very significant advantages, especially when you consider the effects of the weather, and its variability and unpredictability.

In some parts of the world weather forecasts are about as varied and interesting as the old television test card. With the same weather day in day out it simply isn’t a factor that has any real importance when choosing a patio roof, a canopy or a porch shelter. But in the UK our weather doesn’t just change on a daily basis - but almost on an hourly one! With tornadoes, floods, hurricanes, droughts and heatwaves all very much regular occurrences, it’s important to consider just how these climatic conditions will impact on your choice of material for a roof canopy, a patio roof or a porch canopy.

There are several factors which can be affected when you consider the choice of material available, including cost, installation duration, longevity, appearance and long term sustainability. Let’s consider each in turn, and then understand how each may be affected by the weather patterns we can expect to experience in the UK over the foreseeable future, and why GRP provides the most appropriate solution for the UK.

The first issue to consider is cost, particularly in comparison with other materials or methods, and over the longer term. Glass reinforced polyester is a much cheaper material to manufacture and to work with, especially compared with alternatives such as timber or metal. But because GRP patio canopies and porch canopies are so lightweight, they require fewer people to install the roof, and the installation will take much less time. This all reduces the cost to you over the short term. But it’s also worth considering the longer term, particularly in relation to the weather.

The varnish or painted finish used on timber based patio roofs will start to crack and flake as a result of the sun heating the wood, and the wood expanding and shrinking in the very widely changing temperatures we have become used to accepting here in the UK. As soon as the finish does start to crack and flake, this will require the cost and time to repair the finish. If you don’t do this, then fairly quickly the timber will start to absorb moisture, and will warp, twist and perhaps even crack. Because timber weighs much more, the pressures will be greater, accelerating any twisting or warping. This can lead to ill-fitting patio canopies, and apart from looking old, worn and unattractive, you may also find leaks appearing.

Metal patio roofs and porch canopies may be more robust than wood, and less likely to twist or warp, being able to withstand temperature changes much better. But the weight of a metal canopy or roof will require many more fitters, much more time and more work being carried out on the property to make sure that the walls can cope with the weight and strain. Over the longer term metal porch canopies and patio canopies will still require varnishing or painting, as otherwise they will quickly begin to rust as a result of the damp weather in the UK. Rust not only looks unsightly, but rain will spread the rust stains, damaging the appearance of walls nearby. Over the longer term it can also lead to reduced stability and strength.

However, glass reinforced polyester (GRP) patio canopies and patio roofs require no long term maintenance. They have no additional finish, and so there is nothing to flake, chip or crack, and as a result, regardless of the bizarre weather patterns we can expect over the coming months and years, GRP porch canopies and patio canopies will not warp, twist or become unstable. Instead, they provide a long term solution which requires only an occasional wipe with a damp cloth to keep them looking in as good condition as when they were first fitted. Economical to make, affordable to install, with minimal inconvenience and disruption, virtually no long term maintenance required, and the ability to retain their appearance and durability regardless of the weather, it’s easy to see why more homeowners are having GRP patio canopies fitted than any other material.

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