Canopy Buying Guide – 5 Important Things You Should Consider When Buying A Canopy This Summer

By: B. Berlin

Canopies are great for garden parties at home or as a sun shelter on the campsite. You can set them up in your backyard early in summer and leave them up for the whole warm season, enjoying their shade whenever you feel like. But which one to buy of the many out there? What do you need to consider so that you find the best deal?





Here are 5 questions to make canopy buying easier for you:
Free standing or non-freestanding?
How are the setup requirements?
Is it easy to store and transport?
Does it effectively protect you from the weather?
Quality or best price?

Question #1: Free standing or non-freestanding canopy?
Both have their advantages and disadvantages. Which one is better for you depends on where you want to set it up and what you want to use it for. A free standing canopy can be set up on any level surface. It’s an ideal backyard canopy. A non-freestanding canopy requires staking and cannot stand on surfaces like paving or wood. But it’s better for windy days, since the staking gives it more stability.

Question #2: How are the canopy’s setup requirements?
The easier your canopy is to set up, and the fewer people you need to do so, the better. When pole sections are cable corded together, it’s easy to see what goes where, and almost impossible to lose parts. A powder-coated accordion steel frame makes setup fairly easy, even with few people. Make sure you can set up the canopy with the people you have at your disposal.

Question #3: Is the canopy easy to store and transport?
When you just set it up once and leave it up all summer, this is not so important. But when you take your canopy to the campsite, it is. You don’t want your canopy parts to be all over the show in the car and get damaged, or search for parts in the attic. It’s best when your canopy comes with a carry bag that holds all parts.

Question #4: Does the canopy effectively protect you from the weather?
Can the canopy stand windy conditions? If you need both free standing design and wind stability, look for a free standing canopy that can be additionally secured. Regarding rain protection, the top should be made of waterproof material (e.g. polyester) and be tight, so that the rain can simply run down.

Question #5: Should you go for quality or the nicest price?
That depends on your budget, and on how much you will use your canopy. If you just want a canopy for one summer, or for occasional garden parties, you might be fine with a cheaper version. But if you plan on using it frequently, it’s better to go for a higher quality canopy which will last longer. Also watch out for warranty services.

All five questions boil down to one point: Choose the canopy that meets your personal needs best. And when you give these questions a thought, you will find what works for you.




About the Author:

B. Berlin is the marketing director of Family Tents World.com. To find quality canopies, visit www.familytentsworld.com today. All our canopies are easy to set up and come with a convenient carry bag.