white aluminum walkway canopy connecting two buildings on medical facility

4 Types of Industrial Aluminum Canopy Designs

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There are countless variations of commercial and industrial aluminum canopy designs that can be applied to schools, retail outlets, warehouses, etc., but below are the four main variations of canopies:

1. Walkway Canopy

Walkway canopies usually cover an ADA-compliant pathway, which means they are typically wider than 5 feet. The maximum span for most aluminum walkway canopies is 12 feet, so a canopy post is required every 12 feet. Are you considering a walkway canopy? Read the 5 Essential Walkway Canopy Elements to Consider.

Common applications: schools, correctional facilities, churches, retail outlets

Sidewalk canopy for correctional facility
Sidewalk Canopy for Correctional Facility
aluminum walkway canopy for modular school building
Aluminum Walkway Canopy for School

2. Entry Canopy

Entryway canopies are bolted to the building above the doorway or entryway and protrude out from the building. These canopies can be combined with a ramp and/or a set of stairs that lead away from the building. Entryway canopies can be designed to change elevation as the ramp and/or stairs change elevation.

Common applications: storefronts, schools, recreational facilities

Heavy duty industrial canopy
Large Entryway Canopy
Aluminum canopy over door
Modular Building Entry Canopy

3. Canopy Between Buildings

An industrial aluminum canopy can be located between two temporary, modular buildings that are close together, but they can connect permanent buildings as well.

Canopies are connected to the buildings using two methods: 1) The canopy can be bolted to the building’s outside walls, or 2) the canopy can be placed above the two buildings so that it has posts and overhangs the edges of the building and provides full coverage.

Common applications: classrooms, offices, storage facilities

4. Cantilever Canopy

Cantilever canopies are secured to the side of the building using a tie-rod or ‘support arm’ that angles upwards from the edge of the canopy. The primary reason for using cantilever canopies over another style of the canopy is to get rid of the canopy posts.

Common applications: warehouse loading dock zones, restaurant drive-thru windows, and commercial building entrances.

Buildings such as schools and hospitals often have a lot of foot traffic, and canopy designs in their walkways can provide several benefits.

First, canopies can protect from the elements, such as rain and sun, which is especially important for buildings like schools and hospitals where people may be outside for extended periods. This can make the walkways more comfortable and accessible for students, staff, patients, and visitors.

Second, canopy designs can provide additional security and privacy for buildings like schools and hospitals. They can create a barrier between the building and the outside, making it more difficult for outsiders to see into the building and potentially providing a sense of security.

Finally, canopy designs can also enhance the overall aesthetic of the building, making it more attractive and inviting. Establishments like schools and hospitals often offer community resources and services and must present an open-for-all image to the public.

aluminum walkway canopy

5 Essential Walkway Canopy Elements to Consider

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Call (513) 889-2492

Aluminum walkway canopies add value to any commercial property, and they last much longer than fabric canopies. Below are 5 elements to consider when determining the best walkway canopy layout.

aluminum walkway canopy quote button
Powder-coated brown walkway canopy between parking garage and modular office
white aluminum walkway canopy connecting two buildings on medical facility
walkway canopy for sloped walkway

1. Walkway Width

A commercial sidewalk must be at least 5′ wide to comply with ADA regulations. Any sidewalk that is less than 5′ wide must have areas every 200′ called ‘passing spaces’ that measure 5′ x 5′. To avoid pouring concrete for passing spaces, most commercial sidewalks are at least 5′ wide. Therefore, our canopy is usually between 5′ and 6′ wide, but the maximum width that it can span is 12′. Here are some industrial walkway canopy designs to consider. A means of egress near a walkway canopy is essential to guide exits or escape routes from the shelter to ensure the safe evacuation of occupants in case of a fire or other emergency. The right width would make egress routes accessible and these egresses should be clearly marked and unobstructed and lead to a safe place outside the building.

2. Walkway Length

If you want the entire sidewalk covered, measure the distance from one end of the sidewalk to the other. If you want partial coverage, measure only the area you want to be covered.

3. Changes In Direction

To design the canopy correctly, we need to know if there are any changes in direction. The most accurate way to give us information about changes in direction is to send us an overhead picture or layout drawing of the sidewalk or walkway.

If the sidewalk makes a turn and has a step-down or up, we will design the canopy so that one section steps overlaps the other section at an angle. If the sidewalk changes direction on level ground, we can cut the canopy decking at the specified angle of the turn. The Apex Canopy resource provides more in-depth information.

Canopy cut at an angle
Canopy cut at an angle
Overlapping canopy that has a step
Overlapping canopy that has a step

Below is an actual Upside walkway canopy layout.

canopy change in direction layout

4. Changes In Elevation

There are two ways to design the walkway canopy to accommodate a ramp or step system within the walkway. First, one canopy section would step down from the higher canopy section. The higher canopy section would hang over the lower one so that rain does not come through the gap. The second option is to cut the canopy posts at different lengths to counteract the elevation change.

Canopy that steps down with taller posts
Canopy that steps down with taller posts
Overlapping canopy that steps down
Overlapping canopy that steps down

5. Barriers

People tend to forget about structures that might be in the way of a walkway canopy; consider structures like power lines, light posts, and trees. It is possible to design a solution if the barrier is known, but if it is discovered after the canopy arrives at the site, it can be difficult to provide a quick solution.

Our Services

Our team designs, manufactures, ships, and installs ADA & IBC-compliant stairs, ramps, and canopies to fit YOUR custom project. Our experts will work with you throughout the project to ensure your installation is correct to your specifications and code-compliant.

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