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Best Canopies in 2022 – Reviewed

When it comes to buying a structure for your outdoor spaces, you have a few options available to you. You can purchase pop-up canopies that provide temporary shelter to you and your guest, or you can go with something a little more permanent such as a gazebo or a permanent canopy. Since the latter option is one of our favorites, we’ve decided to review some of the best canopies currently available. Models that will not only protect you and your guests from sun and rain but will also add a bit of style to your outdoor spaces. So, let’s jump into the thick of things and find out which canopies are the best and which ones are not.

Quick Summary of Best Canopies

 Editor’s Choice 
Kozyard Alexander Hardtop Gazebo  (review)
 Also Recommended 
Christopher Knight Sonoma Furniture Canopy  (review)
 Also Consider 
Grand Patio 10×12-Foot Polycarbonate-Top Canopy  (review)
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Reviews

Editor’s Choice: Kozyard Alexander Hardtop Gazebo

One of our favorite canopies is this one from Kozyard. This model is a hardtop gazebo canopy that’s designed to provide the homeowner with a permanent structure under which they can gather with friends and family. It’s a model that’s 12×16-feet in size, but can also be purchased in other sizes including a 10×12, a 12×12, and a 12×20-foot model. For the purposes of this review, we’re going to review the 12×16-foot model—a canopy that is set in the Alexander style that looks good in any outdoor space.

This product is built with a colored aluminum frame that’s built to last but doesn’t make the product all that heavy. It has a 4.7×4.7-inch triangular stand pole that’s larger than other stand poles and makes this canopy a lot more stable than other models. It’s also made with a hard metal top that is more durable than the fabric or polycarbonate tops that are found on other types of canopies. This makes this canopy more likely to stand up to harsher weather conditions, which is a good thing considering that this product costs more than many of its competitors. Fortunately, that extra money does ensure that this is a better-manufactured product.

This model also has a water gutter design that directs all rainwater pour-off to the corner of the canopy. Another great feature found on this model is that it has mosquito netting that is PBV-coated and has removable steel railings on all four sides. This is a canopy with superior air circulation and mosquito protection over some of the other models we’ve seen.

It should be noted that it will take approximately 6-hours for 2 to 3 people to assemble this canopy. Once it’s assembled, however, it should last all but the most intense weather conditions. It can hold a maximum of 2,500 pounds of snow and 40 MPH winds. All of this makes this a canopy that should serve the consumer for quite some time.

PROS:

  • This product is extremely durable.
  • This canopy has a lot of style and is beautiful.
  • It comes with mosquito netting.
CONS:

  • This canopy costs more than other permanent models.

Also Recommended: Christopher Knight Sonoma Furniture Canopy

Anyone who has been searching for a high-quality permanent gazebo but doesn’t want to drop a couple of thousands of dollars on one might want to look at this Christopher Knight Sonoma outdoor canopy. This model provides a great deal of space for consumers to sit and enjoy the company of friends and family, and it will hold up to many, many seasons of use. It’s the perfect semi-permanent model that consumers should carefully consider the next time they’re in the market for a new canopy. We think that once consumers give this model a try, they’ll be impressed by its durability, style, and affordable price.

This model is 9.8-feet long, 9.8-feet wide, and is approximately 8.9-feet high. It has a high-quality steel frame that provides the canopy with the support it needs and is designed to stand up to outdoor weather conditions without rusting or corroding. This model also has a polyester covering that provides the shade that people need while sitting outdoors and also is resistant to rain. What impressed us the most, however, was this model’s great design. It looks great in any outdoor area and comes with canvas wall panels that can be zipped closed for privacy. It also comes with a mosquito net so the consumer can enjoy it without worrying about being bitten by pests.

If there was one thing that we didn’t like about this outdoor canopy, it was the fact that it was a little more difficult to put together than we would’ve liked and it’s instructions weren’t as intuitive as we would’ve liked either. Despite it’s less than intuitive design, we still thought that it was a great product that consumers can appreciate and one that should last them for quite some time.

PROS:

  • This is an inexpensive but high-quality canopy.
  • It looks nice.
  • It seems very sturdy.
CONS:

  • It’s not as intuitive to put together as other canopies.

Also Consider: Grand Patio 10×12-Foot Polycarbonate-Top Canopy

Another affordable canopy option that we’ve discovered is this one from Grand Patio. This is a 10×12 foot canopy that’s designed to be durable and to provide the consumer with a great outdoor space to hang out with their friends and family for many years to come. It’s a product that’s approximately 8.8-feet tall and is made from quality materials for durable construction. This might just be the product that consumers need when they’re searching for a new backyard canopy for their home.

This canopy is made with an aluminum frame that’s lightweight but is durable enough to hold up to a variety of different weather conditions. The frame has been powder-coated as well so that it can hold up to rust and corrosion that would otherwise damage it if it weren’t for this coating. It comes with an all-weather canopy that’s made out of PVC and is designed to resist water and UV-radiation to protect the consumer from the ravaging rays of the sun.

If there was one problem that we didn’t like about this canopy, it was the fact that it was a bit difficult to put together. It was difficult to assemble because the instructions are not as detailed as they should’ve been and this construction of this canopy isn’t very intuitive. That might leave people fumbling with it more than they should have to in order to build it. If it wasn’t for that slight flaw, however, we’d be more than happy to recommend this canopy. We do think that it’s extremely well-built, is big enough for just about any social function, and doesn’t cost the consumer an arm-and-a-leg. It’s also a canopy that has a nice style to it and should fit in well with just about any outdoor décor. We certainly thought it was a beautiful and stylish canopy.

PROS:

  • This product is well made and seems durable.
  • It has a nice style to it.
  • It wasn’t very expensive.
CONS:

  • This canopy’s instructions could’ve been a lot better.

A Guide To Buying A Canopy

Buying a new canopy might seem like a straightforward process, but in reality, it takes a little bit of time and consideration for most people to buy one that suits their needs. After all, a good canopy should not only be large enough to handle the activities that the consumer needs it to handle, but it also should be durable and fit well within the consumer’s budget. We know this because we’ve spent a lot of time examining, pricing, and using canopies, so we know what makes a product a good canopy and a great one. Now that we’ve laid down the framework for this guide, let’s take a few moments and talk about how to purchase the best canopy for your needs. 

Choose A Canopy Type

Something that not everyone will realize is that there is more than one different type of canopies available to buy either in stores or online. There are actually several different types available, although we think that we can narrow down the field to about three different models. These three models are Event Canopies, Sports Canopies, and Pop-Up Canopies. Let’s examine each of these three models in further detail and see where their strengths and weaknesses lie.

Event Canopies

Event Canopies are designed to be used for weddings, bridal shower, family gatherings, or just about any other large event. Some people even use them as temporary protection for their vehicles. The pros of these canopies are that they’re available in sizes up to 30-feet long and they have steel frames. The cons of these models are that they’re heavy and difficult to break down and set up on a regular basis. 

Sports Canopies

As the name of these canopies suggests, these models are designed for tailgates and for use at sporting events. They’re designed to be big enough to protect people while they’re using it but are not meant to be used for extended amounts of time. The pros of these sports canopies are that they’re water-resistant, easy to set up and take apart, and usually come with some kind of case or roller bag that allows them to be easily moved from one location to the next. 

Pop-Up Canopies

Another temporary canopy that’s quite frequently used is a pop-up canopy. As the name suggests, these canopies are designed to be easily put up. That makes them an ideal solution for children’s lemonade stands, for backyard barbecues, or for craft fairs. The pros of these canopies are that they can be set up easily (sometimes even by just one person), they’re easy to transport, and they can be used for a lot of different activities. The cons of these canopies are that they don’t normally have side flaps that will protect the people standing inside of it. 

Choose A Canopy Material Type

The next thing that the consumer should think about is the materials used to make the canopy. When it comes to most canopies, they’re made with either fabric or with a PVC type plastic. While fabric does offer a bit of water resistance and is lightweight, it provides little to no ultraviolet protection. PVC or plastic, on the other hand,  is not only waterproof but is also UV-resistant. Unfortunately, PVC also tends to be a little bit heavier than fabric, so of course, the consumer needs to factor that in their decision as well. 

Choose A Frame Material

Different canopies have frames composed of different materials—depending on their type and their price range. Generally speaking, canopies have either steel, aluminum, plastic, or fiberglass frames. Let’s take a quick look at each frame material and find out its pros and cons. 

Aluminum

Aluminum is a material that is lightweight, so it’s easy to transport and set-up, but it also has a terrible tendency of bending while under stress. 

Fiberglass

Fiberglass is another material that’s lightweight, but it’s also not very sturdy. This material won’t bend like aluminum, but it will crack or shatter under stress, so it’s not a good choice for permanent structures. 

Plastic

Plastic is another not-so-sturdy material, so it’s not good for permanent structures. However, it’s also a material that won’t rust and is lightweight, so it’s a good material for pop-up canopies. 

Steel

Most quality canopies are made using steel frames, and there’s a good reason why that’s the case. It’s because steel is a material that’s sturdy and won’t bend. However, it is a material that will rust, so if a person chooses a canopy with a steel frame, then they should make sure that it’s powder-coated. Powder-coated steel won’t rust or corrode the same way that untreated steel will.

Other Options To Consider

The last thing that you should consider are the accessories that you might need to come with your canopy, and what you’ll need will vary from one type of canopy to the next. For example, if you’re purchasing a pop-up tent, then you’re going to want to make sure that it comes with tie-down stakes or sandbags for weighing down its edges, but that isn’t necessary for more permanent structures. With that said, below are some of the things that consumers might want to consider before purchasing a new canopy.  

  • Tie-Down Stakes
  • Ropes
  • Sandbags
  • Mosquito Nets
  • Velcro Straps

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