Types of Canopies: · Instant - This type of canopy tent is the easiest to set up because it is designed to set up in an instant.
Generally, it is lightweight and used for light duty shelter and comfort.
It is great for camping or to keep off the sun for your backyard barbecue.
· Pop Up - These are very easy to set up yet are stable and durable.
They are capable of providing shelter from both sun and rain and only take a moment to pop up into position.
They work well for almost any occasion, including trade shows or trips to the beach.
· Garden - This canopy is a beautiful addition to any outdoor activity.
It generally looks more formal than the instant or pop up canopy.
It usually includes screens that can be zipped up to keep out the mosquitoes or tied back to make access easy while adding to the elegance of the canopy.
It is perfect for your outdoor entertaining.
· Portable - Highly popular because of their portable features, this is the canopy to take along without needing to make room for a large bag because it can fold up and fit in the trunk of the car.
This makes it great for camping or when you need to cover a vendor booth at an outdoor trade show and don't have room for lots of equipment.
Parts/Materials: · Legs - Canopies with straight legs have the same amount of square footage space at the base of the legs and the valance top, while canopies with a slant leg will have about 20% less square footage at the top than at the base, providing less shade.
Legs can be solid or foldable for portability.
They are usually adjustable for height.
· Frames o Steel vs.
Aluminum - Frames come in lightweight or heavy duty aluminum as well as lightweight or heavy duty steel.
They are all reasonably durable, with steel being stronger than aluminum.
However, aluminum weighs less than steel, so if you are frequently setting up your canopy without help, you may prefer aluminum.
Both materials corrode, but steel can rust if not protected.
o Commercial Grade vs.
Lightweight Commercial Grade - Commercial grade canopies are often made of heavy duty aluminum or steel and have very high strength and durability.
The light-duty commercial grade canopy uses a superior grade of lightweight aluminum, so it is strong but lighter than the commercial grade canopy.
· Fabric - Most canopy tent tops are made of a polyester fabric blend, which is rated in denier; the higher the denier, the more durable the fabric and the better UV protection it provides.
Many experts suggest that the optimal denier rating for a canopy is 500.