Which Type Of Front Door Canopy Should I Choose?
There isn't one material that makes sense for every entrance.
A canopy above a small utility door has a very different job from one being specified for the main entrance of a new-build home or commercial property. Before comparing individual products, think about your budget, the style of the building, how much shelter you need and whether the canopy needs to become part of the architecture.
Polycarbonate Door Canopies – Simple, Light And Affordable
If the main priority is keeping rain off the doorway without spending a fortune, start with a polycarbonate door canopy.
These are some of the simplest products in the range. Clear or translucent roof panels allow plenty of daylight through, while the projecting canopy gives you somewhere dry to stand while opening the door.
They work particularly well above:
- Front and back doors
- Side entrances
- Utility rooms
- Rental properties
- Smaller entrances where a heavy canopy would look out of proportion
We stock several widths, including compact models around 1m wide and much longer versions for wider doors and windows.
If you're comparing similar transparent designs, our acrylic front door canopies are also worth a look.
Aluminium Canopies – For A Cleaner Architectural Look
For modern properties, our aluminium door canopies give you considerably more choice.
There are simple flat roof designs if you want something understated, but you can also add integrated LED lighting, side panels, support posts, deeper projections and dedicated rainwater drainage.
That makes aluminium particularly useful when the canopy needs to do more than simply keep the doorstep dry.
Anthracite works brilliantly alongside dark composite doors, aluminium windows and bifolds, while selected models can be ordered in other RAL colours to match the rest of the elevation.
For specification-led projects, we also have a dedicated range of Alumasc Skyline door canopies, including slimline and integral-drainage designs.
Need More Protection From The Side?
A roof will stop rain falling directly onto the entrance. It won't necessarily stop rain being blown in from the side.
If your doorway is exposed to prevailing weather, browse our door canopies with sides. These combine an overhead canopy with a side panel, which can make a surprisingly big difference on exposed entrances.
Several aluminium models let you select the panel on the left or right, so look at the entrance during poor weather before deciding which configuration you need.
Some larger designs also incorporate support posts and drainage into the overall structure, giving you something closer to a proper sheltered entrance without building a fully enclosed porch.
Glass Door Canopies – Keep The Entrance Feeling Open
Glass is a great option where you want protection without making the entrance underneath feel dark.
Our glass door canopies use laminated glazing with metal support structures, with both straightforward stainless-steel-supported designs and more architectural LED models available.
They tend to work particularly well on rendered houses, contemporary renovations and entrances with plenty of glazing already in the elevation.
And because you're still able to see through the canopy, it can feel much lighter above a doorway than an opaque roof.
Want Something With More Character?
Not every property suits a minimalist anthracite rectangle.
That's why Trade Warehouse also carries some rather different metal canopy styles.
Zinc Door Canopies
Our zinc door canopies are handcrafted and available in Natural Zinc, Quartz Zinc and darker Anthra Zinc finishes.
Natural zinc changes gradually as the surface develops its protective patina, whereas pre-weathered finishes give you a more established grey or charcoal appearance from the start.
These work beautifully on period homes, stone properties and renovations, although we've also seen zinc used very effectively against clean modern façades.
Several designs are made to order, which also opens up much larger widths than you'll normally get from a basic door-canopy kit.
Copper Door Canopies
If you actually want the entrance canopy to attract attention, copper door canopies are hard to ignore.
Copper starts with its familiar warm metallic appearance and naturally changes as it is exposed to the weather. That makes it particularly suited to character properties where an evolving natural finish is part of the appeal.
Our range includes compact entrance designs as well as much wider handmade canopies for larger doorways.
Brise Soleil And More Architectural Designs
For contemporary architecture, there is another route entirely.
Our Brise Soleil aluminium canopies use projecting aluminium blades to create a much lighter architectural feature than a conventional solid roof.
They won't necessarily suit someone simply looking for maximum rain cover, but that's rather the point. They're intended for projects where the canopy is part of the façade design as much as it is an entrance feature.
How Big Should A Front Door Canopy Be?
Width is the obvious measurement, but projection is just as important.
First, measure the whole entrance rather than only measuring the moving door leaf. Side lights, wide frames and masonry detailing may mean the actual opening is considerably wider.
Then decide how much canopy you want either side.
A little additional width makes the entrance feel properly covered rather than leaving the roof exactly flush with the door frame.
Projection tells you how far the canopy comes away from the wall. More projection normally means more usable shelter, but you also need to consider the pavement, steps, driveway and proportions of the property.
Before ordering, check:
- Overall entrance width
- Canopy projection
- Clear wall area above the door
- Nearby windows
- External lighting and cameras
- Existing guttering or downpipes
- Door opening direction
- Steps and handrails
- The construction of the wall
If you're still deciding on proportions, our modern front door canopy ideas guide is useful for seeing how different materials and shapes change the look of an entrance.
Think About Drainage Before Installation
This is easy to overlook.
A small curved canopy may simply direct rain away from the doorway through the shape of its roof. Larger architectural systems can be much more sophisticated, using water spouts, integral gutters or drainage hidden within support posts.
Think about where the rainwater will actually land.
You don't want a canopy solving the problem above your head only to dump water onto the step you're standing on.
If you're considering one of our larger aluminium systems, check the individual product drainage arrangement. Some Alumasc door canopies, for example, have dedicated rainwater options that can tie into compatible aluminium drainage products.
Can I Fit A Door Canopy Myself?
Some canopies are deliberately straightforward kits, while others really aren't DIY products.
Smaller polycarbonate shelters are generally much simpler to deal with than a large glass, zinc or architectural aluminium canopy. With heavier or made-to-order systems, accurate setting out and suitable structural fixings become much more important.
The wall matters too.
Brick, block, render systems, timber cladding and insulated façades don't all take fixings in the same way. Always follow the installation information supplied with the specific canopy rather than assuming that one fixing method works for every product on this page.
For more general guidance, read our guide on putting a canopy over a front door.
Front Door Canopy FAQs
What's The Difference Between A Door Canopy And A Porch?
A canopy is normally an open structure projecting above the entrance, whereas a porch tends to create a larger or more enclosed entrance area. If all you really need is overhead weather protection, a canopy is often the much simpler option.
Which Front Door Canopy Lets In The Most Light?
Transparent polycarbonate, acrylic and glass roofs are worth considering if natural light around the doorway matters. Opaque aluminium, zinc and copper designs create a more solid architectural roof.
Which Type Suits A Modern House?
Flat aluminium, glass and Brise Soleil designs all work particularly well on contemporary properties. However, don't automatically discount zinc or copper – used against render, brick or modern cladding, they can create a very distinctive contrast.
Can I Order A Bespoke Door Canopy?
Yes, selected metal canopy systems can be made in bespoke widths, finishes or RAL colours. The options depend on the specific product, and made-to-order items will normally have longer lead times than stocked models.
Are Door Canopies Suitable For Commercial Entrances?
Many are. Larger aluminium, glass, zinc and copper canopies are regularly suited to apartment entrances, offices, hotels and other commercial façades. Check the individual product specifications and fixing requirements for your project.
What If I Don't Know Which Canopy To Choose?
Send Trade Warehouse the width of the entrance, a photograph of the property and an idea of the style you like. We can point you towards the collections that make the most sense rather than trying to force every project into the same type of canopy.
