| A canopy structure always consists of a steel frame | | | | form a protective coating on the outside of the |
| and a sheltering material. These are designed to be | | | | frame. |
| placed outdoors, but the type of materials used | | | | Other canopies have a temporary outdoor purpose, |
| determines how long the structure will last outdoors. | | | | such as party tents, wedding tents, garden canopies, |
| The strongest type of canopy has a galvanized steel | | | | and pop-up canopies. Pop-up canopies are temporary |
| frame and a polyethylene cover, and these | | | | structures that can be taken to the beach, a flea |
| structures are used generally as carports and | | | | market, or trade show and set up or taken down in |
| portable garages. But similar structures that use | | | | minutes. As the structure is designed for being |
| powder-coated steel frames and a weaker sheltering | | | | outdoors temporarily, the frame is made of |
| material aren't designed to be placed outdoors | | | | powder-coated steel and the canopy, polyester. As |
| long-term. Regardless of what the canopy is used | | | | people and objects may be protected by one of |
| for, the shelter needs to have some protective | | | | these tents, the polyester shelter needs to have the |
| properties to be functional outdoors for whatever | | | | same basic properties as a polyethylene one, mainly |
| people, vehicles, or objects are using the canopy as | | | | being waterproof and UV resistant. Garden canopies |
| shelter. | | | | have a similar concept, except the material used for |
| A polyethylene canopy is geared to be left outdoors | | | | shelter is mesh polypropylene. Although the mesh lets |
| for several months, if not an entire year. Because of | | | | in some sunlight - about 25 percent - and air, the |
| this, the shelter is designed from the strongest | | | | polypropylene is still treated to be UV resistant. |
| materials. The polyethylene, in particular, should be | | | | Going to a canopy retailer can be somewhat |
| heavy-duty and treated to be UV resistant, | | | | daunting, especially with many types of shelters. |
| waterproof, and mildew and mold resistant. As a | | | | Before purchasing one, know what you need to |
| vehicle may be left under this shelter for several | | | | cover first and what types of properties the shelter |
| months, water and UV rays need to stay away from | | | | should have. Although obvious to a shelter dealer, a |
| the surface of the vehicle. Similarly, the canopy | | | | pop-up canopy shouldn't protect a car, while a |
| material needs to last several years and dry rot, | | | | portable garage shouldn't be used for a backyard |
| mildew, and mold building up on its surface won't | | | | party or a day at the beach. Once you're familiar with |
| make it last as long. The steel material also needs to | | | | the type of structure you need, you can look |
| withstand the elements, and, to prevent corrosion, | | | | through the various types of canopies to find a |
| the steel is galvanized - or combined with zinc to | | | | high-quality design in your price range. |