Portable Shade Canopy

A portable canopy is essentially a tent that is supported by a steel or aluminum frame and a shade canopy that stretches overhead.  This structure can be used to protect humans, animals, and even plants from heat and ultraviolet light.  Waterproofing can be added to protect against rain, and optional side panels can also be ordered to give the structure the equivalent of protective walls.

What uses are there for portable canopies?

There are residential uses, recreational uses, entertainment uses, and outdoor commercial uses for portable canopies.

Many homeowners will use one of these structures to create a portable garage that costs a fraction of the price of a standard garage.  Because these structures are available in many different sizes and are easy to customize, they can protect more than just an automobile.  Portable garages can be built over trucks, vans, boats, and even RVs to keep them cool and dry.

Animal housing facilities also use portable canopies to protect animals.  They make great dog kennels because more protection than a typical dog house, and the ability to customize them with side walls can allows kennels to create individual units for individual dogs.  These shade structures can also be used to  build run-ins at horse shelters.

In the public sector, amusement parks are starting to use these structures to protect attendees from sunburn.  In some parts of the country, it may be cloudy but hot all week, then suddenly blistering hot under a cloudless sky.  Having a portable popup canopy handy is a great way to keep people cool in the shade when the sun suddenly pops out of the clouds mid-day.

Keep in mind too that clouds do not block UV light, so any complaints of sunburn on a public playground should be taken seriously and responded to with an appropriate shade structure.

Portable canopies are ideal structures for trade shows because they can be put up quickly and used to keep the sun and summer rain off clients.  Even brick and mortar businesses will sometimes erect one of these structures to run an outdoor sale or special event.

Residential applications can range from protecting a play area, sheltering a spontaneous family barbecue, hosting an annual family reunion, or putting some shade on the pool when the sun begins to burn the skin just a little too much.

Are portable canopies hard to install?

Once, they were difficult for some to erect, but over the years the 'pop-up' design has been integrated into the supports.  This is the same principle used by umbrellas, and it allows for installation in a fraction of the time required for similar, but more complicated models. 

Are these made from vinyl?

Vinyl canopies do exist, but the most effective material is a new South African material known as shade fabric.  It is made from a unique chemical compound that is resistant to ultraviolet light and is also fire retardant.  It can also be manufactured in a waterproof version, so a portable canopy can be a rain shelter as well as a sun shelter.

Is there any decorative value to these structures, or will they ruin the look of my grounds?

They will never ruin the look of any property or the spirit of any event if they are matched in a size and color option to the nature of the facility and the event at hand.  There are many different sizes and all f color options to choose from that make shade canopies ideal for homes, parks, hospitals, businesses, and outdoor events of all kinds.

As you continue to read through our selection of outdoor furniture, keep in mind we stand ready to answer any questions you may have about our offerings including Cast Aluminum Outdoor Furniture, Picnic Tables, Commercial Trash Cans, Street And Park Benches, Recycled Outdoor Furniture, Pool Slides & Wood Outdoor Furniture. Call us at 832-403-5710 whenever such questions arise and let one of our experts help you make the right choice. Our home office is located in Houston, Texas with warehouses located throughout the United States that enable us to service all 50 states