Friday, May 25, 2012

Some Little Known DIY Ideas For Setting Up Screened Canopies

If you are looking for the best deals on screened canopies online, then you find it much easier to evaluate various offers if you have a good idea of what the concept involves. While it is important to get well priced deals, affordability should never be the only or the most important consideration. You might f ind that none of the deals are well suited to your requirements and this is where DIY ideas come in.
In practice however, the screened canopies sold online or in stores are considerably expensive. Moreover, these offers are unlikely to fit in well to the design and sizes that you have in mind. This is where the part of DIY canopy ideas comes into the rescue. It will surprise you how easy you can come up with pretty good ideas you can implement affordably in your backyard.
A bamboo canopy can be decidedly authentic and laid back in an oriental sense. Four sided bamboo canopies are the easiest to put up but may not have all the appeal you want to achieve. In such a case, it is better to adopt a polygonal ground plan but this must be regular to ensure the structure is strong enough. To prevent the canvas roof from dipping in, it is wise to use cross-bars to raise the center.
 
The screening of the canopy is crucial in guaranteeing that insects and bugs do not provide irritating disturbance. Depending on the use you have for the shelter, there is a selection of materials you can use for the side screening. Transparent materials are universal favorites but may not allow for the privacy you crave.

The key points for finding a good deal on shade canopies:
  • Look to see what the canopy joints are made out of.
  • Always wait for a sale.  There are sales on canopies at least once a month.
  • The thicker the top, the better.  Make sure the denier is high and it is waterproof.
  • Get a canopy frame with a thicker gauge steel if you will be using the for long term use and heavier winds.
People always say, "I don't know what happened to my canopy, it just blew away."  Small winds can make your canopy fly away so be sure to use foot pads and get a strong frame if you are in a windy area.
The convenience that comes with well designed and put up outside canopies cannot be overemphasised. It is also worth noting that there are now several options of carrying out the project at little cost from materials found in the home. The DIY ideas on screened canopies given here will help you achieve your goal with minimal cost.

Saturday, May 12, 2012

Uses For Outdoor Canopy Tents

More often than not, when people think of outdoor canopy tents, they generally think of recreational uses. While this is certainly true, there are also many other uses and benefits for using them. In the event of a natural disaster, these structures are very critical. Regardless if it is due to flooding, fires, hurricanes or tornadoes, having tents is critical to the relief efforts.
They can be built quickly and are portable. They can be used to shelter you from the harshness of the weather. It does not matter if the need is for shade from the sun, protection from smoke and debris or simply to provide a place to serve a warm meal, the options are endless. Disaster recoveries and efforts greatly rely on structure like this. They also provide for a great way to store boxes of supplies such as food, water and medicine. These are all very valuable items that need to be secure and easy to get to in immediate situations.
Naturally, they are also great for many recreational activities as well. Many people need these tents for celebration events. This includes weddings, receptions, graduations and birthday parties. Also, they are used by funeral homes for graveside services, athletic teams for shade and water coolers and other functions.
A lot of people that enjoy the outdoors love these tents. They can be used for shelter or even provide for sleeping accommodations. Regardless of your need, the canopy tents can store easily and be moved around easily too. They come available in many sizes and price ranges. There are even different colors to choose from too.
They are simple to clean and maintain. Construction of the framing provides for a sturdy and safe base to support the tent. Safety and functionality are very important when shopping for outdoor tents. Be sure you are getting one that meets these important components.

Below are some uses and ideas for canopy tents:

  • Patio Shade
  • Covering the car - Less need to wash.
  • The beach.  Everyone is always envious of the person with a canopy at the beach
  • Backyard storage.  Storing your things in an enclosed canopy is a great and inexpensive way to store your stuff.
  • A small enclosed canopy tent makes a great little house for your dog if you have one.
  • Entertain your guests with style and weather protection 
  • Great protection for a motorcycle, boat or RV.
 The structure is so simple.  Basically the canopy is comprised of poles and connectors.  You lay a fitted tarp on top, tie it to the frame with ball bungees and you are set!
Above is an enclosed canopy tent.  The tarp top and walls are attached with ball bungee cords.

Monday, May 7, 2012

Patio Canopies And Their Purpose

Patio canopies come with different designs and sizes depending on a variety of outdoor purposes. They are used to provide shade in the backyard as well as the deck and the swimming pool area. These canopies have many benefits such as providing protection from harmful UV rays of the sun. These canopies can also be used to extend living area and their wide range of color and design allows them to be used to beautify the area they cover.
These are more desirable during the summer time when the sun is scorching hot. Spring is breezy and cool but once its summer, a place that provides just that may not be available. This is where patio shades comes in handy. Then once the hot season has passed, they can be taken down easily and put away leaving behind a nice and enjoyable space.
Some types of canopies are more fixed than the mounting type and others are dynamic. For a more fixed choice, the sail shades, popularly known as the Australian shades would be the recommended type. This is because they are easy to mount and with the right tension they provide a shade that can not be damaged by wind.
The other preferred type is the retractable patio canopies. It has a crank handle that is manually operated or motorized to allow it to be operated without the use of hands. The main benefit to this is the retractability of the canopy to protect it from damage from strong winds and when it is not being used.
This patio awning also allows one to enjoy the sun when the weather is cool and when it gets too hot, the crank can be opened or simply pressing a button to create a shade.
Lighting can be added to a patio to make it even more luxurious. For this to be done, a fixed canopy or cover will be needed. These simple styles are a great way to save money instead of the more expensive ones that serve the same purpose.