Canopy | Tents and Canopies Blog

Canopy Side Wall

The Many Benefits Of Fibreglass Porch Canopies

As the weather in the UK becomes increasingly damp it's a good idea to consider the benefits which porch canopies offer, particularly those made from fibreglass, or GRP. If your house already has a porch then you'll know already just how effective they can be at sheltering you, or your guests from rain, but many people simply don't have the space for a full porch, which is why porch canopies offer a very effective solution.

For properties which open directly onto a drive, established garden, hill, pavement or the road it is simply impractical or impossible to have a full porch constructed, but porch canopies provide a significant amount of shelter and protection from the rain and can be fitted to properties which have little or no room in front of the front door.

Porch canopies made from GRP or fibreglass offer several other benefits, because unlike porches a porch canopy is light enough to be able to be fixed directly to the wall above the door without any additional support posts in place. In fact a porch canopy made from fibreglass is so light that there isn't even any need for large bolts or brackets to penetrate the depth of the wall. They can be fitted in a couple of hours quite easily, and can be installed by a single person, which means that the installation costs as well as the delivery costs are far lower than for a porch.

The advantages of porch canopies made from GRP are so clear and so many that often those people who could have a full porch have elected instead to have a porch canopy fitted simply because of the cost, convenience and speed of installation. Although porch canopies may be a good deal smaller than full porches they actually provide a surprising amount of shelter from the rain, not only for those people waiting at the door, but canopies also help to protect your door, your hall and your carpet, as well as your post, parcels and letters.

There is also a security advantage possible, because many fibreglass or GRP porch canopies can be fitted with a light underneath. This light can either be triggered by a sensor which detects movement, or simply switched on off by a switch. Not only does a light underneath the porch canopy make the door seem welcome, and can be a real help when you arrive home in the dark and need to find your key, but of course a lit front door is definitely an added security benefit.

One of the other benefits of fibreglass roofing in general is that it can be manufactured to look like a variety of alternative materials, such as wood, tiles and even lead roofing. This means that even if your property is a distinctive style, possibly an older property, then it is still possible to find porch canopies made from GRP which will blend with the existing appearance of the property. Lead roofing is extremely expensive, poses a security risk, and is extremely heavy, meaning a great deal of support and reinforcement.

By having a GRP porch canopy fitted made from a type of fibreglass which looks virtually indistinguishable from lead roofing you can gain the effect, but without the cost, risk, weight, inconvenience or damage to the existing wall. Porch canopies and fibreglass roofing offer a tremendous range of benefits, and represent one of the most affordable ways by which you can add convenience, and security to your property, as well is helping to enhance the visual appearance of the outside of your home, which certainly doesn't hurt the value of the house should you consider selling it in the future.

About the Author

For more information about porch canopies or to find out more about the wide range of fibreglass roofing available, visit AFM Ltd.