"canopy"

Leicester Animal Aid is a rescue and rehoming centre who care for around 400 dogs and cats every year who are lost, abandoned, neglected unwanted or relinquished because their owners can no longer care for them.Their dog kennels feature hatches to provide the dogs with free-flow access to the outdoors, but because the kennels are south facing, they receive direct heat all day from the sun. They were therefore looking to invest in a canopy to provide shade and shelter to the dogs when enjoying time outside.

The vibrant, Canopy by Hilton, in the heart of London’s East End is a a perfect example of our contemporary Gosfield collection in a bold, matt black finish.This hotel has all the carefully designed amenities you’d expect from a cool city centre hotel and the washrooms are no exception. We worked closely with the architect, owners, project managers, contractor and merchant to ensure that the hotel’s Doc M washroom spaces were harmonised with the hotel’s overall high standard.

The set of canopies has made the new outdoor areas at Sundorne Infant School and Nursery and Harlescott Junior School amazing places to spend time. Pupils can play with their classmates, experience outdoor lessons or eat snacks beneath them, even if it’s raining.

The students at Richmond Park Academy love the new dining canopy. It has become an invaluable facility; break times are now a more pleasant affair as everyone can choose from multiple areas and have a little more elbow room when eating lunch.

The new dining canopy was a true success at Kingsmead School. The grounds have been transformed and the students now have a fantastic new space where they can socialise, eat and take time away from their studies. It is incredibly useful as it has eased pressure on existing facilities.

Twinfix has over thirty years’ experience designing, manufacturing, and installing school canopies, playground shelters and covered walkways for education establishments, including nursery schools, primary schools, secondary schools, colleges and universities. Each structure is designed to fit and enhance its surroundings while providing the school with the type of canopy, playground shelter or walkway they need. Twinfix provide a full in-house service, from design right through to installation.Outdoor areas that are currently not usable during hot or wet weather conditions can be made into fully productive parts of the school or nursery. Canopies installed adjacent to a nursery classroom create an easily accessible area for sand and water play, while a walkway can give protected transit for staff and pupils between buildings at any school site.Golborne High School is a coeducational foundation secondary school located in Golborne, Metropolitan Borough of Wigan, England.The oldest part of the school was opened in January 1954 and today it is a trust school under the umbrella of the newly formed Golborne and Lowton Co-operative Learning partnership.Last year, Twinfix were approached by Parklands Services to design, manufacture and install three fabricated, lean-to mono-pitch canopies at the school. The canopies all served a different purpose: one provided cover for an outdoor eating area, provide shelter to pupils outside their classroom as they learn and play and to provide cover to parents and students waiting to enter and leave.The structures spanning a total of 162 square metres comprise of Twinfix’s innovative Multi-Link-Panel Non-Fragile (NF) roofing system, glazed with 25mm multiwall polycarbonate. The roofs are non-fragile in accordance with the HSE’s test for fragility ACR[M]001:2019, an important factor when installing canopies where children may try and access the roof. Each canopy has an aluminium frame, powder-coated to RAL 7016 anthracite grey.Being a one-stop shop for designing, manufacturing and installing such outdoor structures Twinfix are proud to offer a seamless service to any school or other education establishment looking for a canopy or walkway. The staff and pupils at Golborne High School are delighted with the latest additions to their school.

To meet the needs of The Harvey Grammar School, our tensile canopy system solution was the Maxima Tepee™.

The outdoor shelters have been a hit with the community at Carmel College; the new facilities have eased the pressure and crowding inside the buildings at break times so everyone has more room to relax and dine. The steel benches were a welcome addition too, and the staff love how they match the canopies with their unobtrusive, grey colour palette.

Co-op Academy Failsworth loves the dining shelters; they let the students eat outside at break times which is beneficial for their wellbeing and helps to reduce pressure on indoor facilities. The contemporary feel of the canopies is welcome and attractive.

Salford City Academy was really pleased with the new canopy. Break times are now not so crowded and it’s easier for the children and staff alike to relax between lessons. The dining shelter is a fantastic, modern space for everything from eating to chatting with friends.

The new canopies at Broadmead Business Park have been a great success; they have created a look of unity across the site and each entrance shelter makes it simple for visitors to get on with their day – whether they’re arriving for a meeting or making a delivery – even in the rain or wind.

Situated in the heart of the community of Driffield, Kingsmill School is a SEN school which caters for pupils aged 2-19 years. Situated across two sites, the main school site houses Early Years through to Key Stage 4. The school was completed in May 2017 and has been purpose built to meet the needs of its pupils. Alongside eleven new classrooms, the main site also has a new hydrotherapy pool, rebound room, sensory therapy room and sensory rooms.Students aged 16-19 are based at The Kings Mill Student Centre which is based at Driffield Secondary School approximately a mile away from the main site. This comprises three classrooms and a combined common room and food technology area.When the school decided to utilise its outdoor space to provide a safe environment for pupils to learn and play undercover, Twinfix were approached by Main Contractor Hobson Porter to design, manufacture & install four classroom canopies..The free-standing mono-pitch canopies all comprise our innovative Multi-Link-Panel Non-Fragile (NF) roofing system, glazed with 16mm multiwall polycarbonate. The roof is non-fragile in accordance with the HSE’s test for fragility ACR[M]001:2019, an important factor when installing canopies where children may try and access the roof. Each canopy has an aluminium frame, powder-coated to RAL 5015 sky blue to match the school’s building and logo. Other features Twinfix incorporated into the design of canopies are anti-climb guttering and post-protectors, which provided further elements of safety for the students.Being a one-stop shop for designing, manufacturing and installing such outdoor structures we are proud to offer a seamless service to any school or other education establishment looking for a canopy or walkway. We are really pleased that the staff at Kingsmill School are delighted with the latest additions to their school and we know they are planning to use it for all sorts of fun and healthy outdoor learning/playing experiences for their children.

The outdoor seating canopies have given the students at Leeds West Academy the opportunity to get outside every day, regardless of the season. They can now sit on our sturdy benches and chat with friends, refuel with healthy snacks at break time, or eat their lunch beneath a range of appealing shelters.

The enclosed dining canopy has been a success at Hampton Gardens School. It has transformed the grounds and built somewhere with many purposes that can enhance the students’ daily lives – whether they’re simply eating with friends, or even exploring another side of their curriculum via an outdoor classroom shelter.

Everyone at Laurus Cheadle Hulme thinks the world of the dining canopy. Breaks now aren’t so hectic and crowded, as the new space has opened up options for where the children can spend them. The shelter has hugely improved the outdoor facilities and potential attendees will surely see it as a great asset.

Zaytouna Primary School were lacking an outdoor area where their pupils could use all-year-round. A&S Landscape designed and installed two canopies which have transformed the campus.

The BriefWeald of Kent Grammar School were having some building works completed at their school in Tonbridge, Kent. As part of the renovation, they wanted to create an outdoor space which would be protected from the weather whilst still keeping an open and airy feel to the area which would be used to extend their dining area into the outdoors all year round.  The SolutionAfter looking through our product portfolio, they could see that the Coniston Wall Mounted Canopy would be the perfect solution, the addition of polycarbonate side panels and doors, similar to our modular outdoor classrooms, would provide the full weather protection required, whilst still having full visibility inside and out.

The BriefWates Construction contacted us in October 2017 as they were tendering for the £7.8m development at Murray Park Community School in Mickleover, Derby. The project which was supported by SCAPE and funded by the ESFA, comprised of a brand-new building with a new reception area, 15 additional classrooms and office space.The SolutionWe were invited to attend a design meeting in February 2019 to discuss a shade and shelter solution that would work well with the area and match the design whilst also being cost effective and of the highest quality. From the meeting, it was agreed by all that the Coniston Wall Mounted Canopy would be the perfect shade and shelter solution and the Langdale Cycle Shelters were the perfect product to provide the cycle coverage required.

South Gloucestershire and Stroud College think that the shade sail structure is an invaluable asset; the unique fabric canopy has brought something special to the area outside of their canteen and now everyone can enjoy eating and socialising outdoors in all weathers.

Wrexham Maelor Hospital loves the new outdoor canopy. Thanks to the strong polycarbonate roof, it has given staff and patients a way to spend time in the fresh air throughout the year, which will surely be beneficial for everyone’s mental health. It has improved the efficiency and the look of the facilities outside.

The BBC Television Centre contacted Able Canopies requesting a site survey to be conducted as they were in need of a covered smoking area for their staff. They were interested in Able Canopies’ Commercial Awnings that they viewed on the website. A site survey was arranged and the Able Canopies surveyor explained the different types of awnings that they currently supply, along with the specifications of each product.

Our Lady of the Missions Primary School in Thornliebank, near Glasgow has welcomed students back to a new academic year with the addition of a brand new 5 metre diameter Twinfix umbrella canopy. With benches fitted underneath it is part of the new outdoor learning space organised by the Parent Council.

The dining canopy has been a fantastic addition to St Mary's and St John’s CE School. Students now have more choice when considering where to hang out with friends or eat at break times and lunchtimes, and queues in the indoor facilities have been significantly reduced!

SkyGard proved the obvious choice for this low cost canopy for one of the Nation’s biggest clients. Special bracketry was required in accordance with the architects design and strategically spaced access hatches, provide access for cleaning the box gutter. SkyGard Patent Glazing combined with laminated glass provides one of the most economical glass canopy solutions with an expected 30-35 years design life and virtually non-existent design life costs as maintenance is minimal.

A Twinfix canopy has many practical uses in the care home community. If you own or manage a care home and are looking at ways to improve your residents’ quality of living, then a canopy could well be the perfect solution.

The BriefIn August 2016, we were contacted about a new build and enclosed link walkway project at St John’s School in Enfield. We were invited on board at the point where the local planning department had declined the initial design for a space between two school buildings. We were tasked with providing the shelter required for the space and to use our Kensington Mono Pitch Canopy (which most closely matched the planning requirement) to make it happen. This is significant because the area was one where we would not normally propose using the Kensington system.

The BriefFlitwick Football Centre is a charity in Bedfordshire that aims to provide excellent opportunities to grow and develop sport in the local community of Flitwick. They had a 15m x 9m patio terrace on their grounds and required a canopy that would provide protection from the rain and the sun, so they could use it as a permanent marquee for events.They had browsed our website and liked the look of the Codale Junior Free-Standing Tensile Canopy and requested an estimate for a 15m x 9m structure. Shortly after, they also requested prices for 10m x 6m and 10m x 5m structures.Requesting prices for different sizes and products is a great way to discover your perfect shade and shelter solution that fits within your budget. We’re always happy to discuss your options and find the perfect product for both your needs and available funds.The Solution The volunteers at the football club were pleased with the prices and the specification of the Codale Junior, opting the 10m x 5m option and requested a full site survey so we could provide a firm quotation.To enable the football club to gain the maximum usage from their canopy, they were looking into the possibility of having lighting added to the canopy as well as side panels. These are both possible with the Codale Junior. Cables for lights can be run through the canopy posts as long as they are outdoor IP rated cables and are set within trunking.We also supply tensile fabric side panels for the Codale Junior that can be rolled up when not required. We can supply and install the side panels at a later date so there was no need for the club to make any commitment when ordering the canopy.Upon receipt of the canopy order, we organised a pre-site meeting to finalise the power connections, dimensions, access points, health and safety measures and contacts at the location. This is a standard procedure that applies to all canopy orders before the installation.At the pre-site stage, it was established that planning permission was required however, Able Canopies offer a free service and can submit planning documents, removing any unnecessary stress from our customers. A few years previous in 2019, we installed a canopy nearby at Flitwick Children’s Centre which also required planning permission, so having dealt with the local council before, we liaised with our existing contact to ensure we covered any issues that could arise, ensuring a speedy and smooth planning process.The Installation Once planning was approved, the canopy was installed as scheduled over two days in June 2021 and went ahead smoothly. The volunteers at Flitwick Football Club were pleased with their new shade and shelter structure and were looking forward to gaining a lot of use from it, especially as summer was in full swing.

As we strive to create optimal learning environments for students, innovative solutions that blend functionality with aesthetics are gaining popularity. Among the frontrunners in this domain is Twinfix, a leading manufacturer and installer of high-quality canopies for educational institutions. With a strong commitment to transforming school spaces, Twinfix has been spearheading remarkable projects in Welsh schools, providing students with covered areas that foster learning, play, and socialisation.One standout example of Twinfix’s exceptional canopy work is the transformation of Ysgol Bro Myrddin. Situated in Carmarthen, this primary school now boasts a stunning and practical canopy that has revolutionised its outdoor learning opportunities. By collaborating with the school staff and understanding their unique requirements, Twinfix manufactured, designed and installed a bespoke canopy solution tailored to the school’s needs.The results have been nothing short of transformative. The canopy provides a versatile space for various activities, enabling outdoor learning experiences regardless of the weather. Students can now engage in educational sessions, play, and socialise, all while being protected from rain or excessive sunlight. Twinfix’s innovative design has seamlessly integrated the canopy into the existing architecture, enhancing the school’s overall aesthetic appeal.Expanding Impact: Other Inspiring Examples:In addition to the remarkable work done at Ysgol Bro Myrddin, Twinfix has been involved in several other school canopy projects across Wales. Below we have listed a few more examples that showcase the diverse applications and positive impact of their installations:Ysgol Llanllechid:Located in Gwynedd, Ysgol Llanllechid is an exemplary bilingual primary school. Twinfix partnered with the school to create an inviting outdoor area that complements their commitment to holistic education. The school have continued to invest in utilising their outdoor space by adding five new canopies and extending one since the first canopy was installed. The new canopies have become a hub for creative activities, stimulating curiosity and imagination among the students.Ysgol Glannau Gwaun:Twinfix’s collaboration with Ysgol Glannau Gwaun in Pembrokeshire led to the creation of an expansive canopy that connects different areas of the campus. This architectural marvel provides a sheltered walkway spanning 40 sqm, providing sheltered passage and waiting area for the students.Ysgol Rhyd Y Llan:Twinfix’s canopy installation at Ysgol Rhyd Y Llan in Anglesey has revolutionised the school’s approach to outdoor learning. The versatile canopy space now serves as an outdoor classroom, enabling teachers to deliver engaging lessons in a stimulating environment.Twinfix’s dedication to enhancing learning environments in Welsh schools through their exceptional canopy work is commendable. By collaborating closely with educational institutions and understanding their unique requirements, Twinfix has successfully transformed outdoor spaces into dynamic hubs for learning, creativity, and socialisation.As we continue to recognise the importance of providing holistic educational experiences, Twinfix’s canopies have become instrumental in breaking down traditional classroom barriers. Through their innovative designs, they have opened up new avenues for outdoor learning, play, and exploration, empowering students to thrive in inspiring environments.

A case study covering the installation of 2 x 6m x 6m Vela 150 shade sails to Cranfield Technical College in Cranfield, Bedfordshire.Zenith were asked to assist with the supply and installation of shade sails to a new outside Cafe area within the college.

Morgan Sindall had secured an ESFA project to build a brand new 7.5 million school at Ashmole Primary School in London which would provide 2,072 sq ft of teaching space for 420 pupils aged four to 11.In June 2017, they sent an invitation to tender to Able Canopies for the supply and installation of the Early Years canopy; a free standing timber canopy with side screens. They gave us the opportunity to put our prices forward because they had worked with us on many occasions and more recently at Oak Lodge School in Barnet, London where we installed a large aluminium wall mounted canopy. Whilst working with Morgan Sindall on these previous jobs, we have built good working relationships.In April 2018, we received the sub-contractor order for both the canopy and the timber screens for installation in July 2018. They chose us for the project because they found our service to be exemplary as explained by Neil Parratt from Morgan Sindall: “The customer service they provided was exemplary. Josh Foord came to site and was very helpful and worked closely with the designs and requirements. The customer service was just very good!”

Rush Green Primary School, LondonClient: London Borough of Barking & DagenhamProduct: The Coniston Wall Mounted CanopySize: 16.3m x 2.2mFrame Colour: Hipca WhiteInstallation Date: June 2023Brief Having worked with the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham before on a number of projects, they contacted us again regarding their most recent project at Rush Green Primary School. The school which is located in Dagenham were having works completed which included a single storey extension, internal alterations, and refurbishment. As part of the works, they required a wall mounted canopy in their quad courtyard area to provide shade and shelter all year round.Proposal As requested, we provided an estimate for a Coniston Wall Mounted Canopy with a length of 16.3 metres and a projection of 2.2 metres. Because the Coniston is mounted to a wall, it requires a suitable wall to fix to; the building at Rush Green Primary School was a block construction which was covered with render, which is one of the many ideal wall constructions for the Coniston’s requirements. In the case where a wall may not have a suitable construction for a wall mounted canopy, we can supply the Coniston as a free-standing canopy with rear posts. Alternatively, we also have a number of free standing canopies that are similar in appearance to the Coniston which are the Grange Free Standing Canopy and for those with lower budgets, the Grange Junior Free Standing Canopy.Solution Upon comparing our canopy quotation to two other companies, an order was placed for our Coniston Wall Mounted Canopy in May 2023.At the pre-site stage, there was a number of points to be discussed outside of the usual specifics which were:Foundations: Unless otherwise stated, foundations are included in all our canopy quotations. The flooring in at Rush Green Primary School featured raised decking, so we needed to investigate the area underneath the decking to check it was suitable for our foundations and they were.Access and Obstructions: The quad area features a pond which could have made an obstruction however, it was agreed that the pond would be covered over with strong boards so we could work over it.The canopy was installed at the start of June 2023 as scheduled with no problems along the way.If you have a similar project in mind, contact us today to request a free estimate or discuss a bespoke canopy with us.

Park Community Primary School provides infant and primary education for over 250 children from the age of 3 to 11 years. Whilst in the process of building a new annexe at the school's site in Wrexham, the school identified a need for a number of canopies at various areas around the exterior of the building to provide shade and shelter for the pupils and staff.These new canopies would provide a covered outside area that could be enjoyed all year round, whatever the weather. However, in order to provide effective cover when moving from inside the building to under the canopy. Furthermore, the school was not keen on the aesthetics of a metal framed structure and so required an alternative material to be used for the framework.As the school did not want a metal structure installed, Able Canopies recommended their new range of Tarnhow Canopies which are constructed from Glulam timber.

In 2018, pioneering polycarbonate roofing supplier Twinfix marked the first use in the UK of its premium bolted glass canopy. In fact, two of its new “spider-bolt” contemporary canopies have been used at the new Trumpington Park Primary School which supports the new Great Kneighton housing development near Cambridge, along with an existing secondary school and existing library building.

Conway Respite Centre, South YorkshireCouncil: Rotherham Metropolitan Borough CouncilContractor: R H Fullwood Ltd.Products: Two Devoke Junior Free Standing CanopiesSizes: 10.96m x 2m and 7.34m x 2mFrame Colours: Anthracite Grey RAL 7016Polycarbonate Colour: OpalInstallation Dates: September 2022The BriefConway Respite Service is a care home in Rotherham which specialises in caring for those with learning disabilities and autism. They have a block of residential houses available for those in need of 24-hour care, so their families and full-time carers can have some time to themselves.The Building Surveyor from Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council reached out to Able Canopies Ltd. because their staff were accessing two separate buildings with no shelter between them. They wanted to connect the buildings as cost effectively as possible and keep staff dry when moving from one building to the other.The SolutionOne of their options would have been to build an extension that connects the buildings however this would be very costly and would cause a lot of disruption to the staff and residents. The perfect solution which is cost effective and causes minimum disruption is a covered walkway canopy.Simon, our Area Sales Manager met the Building Surveyor on site and discussed the canopy options available that would provide the benefits required. The Devoke Junior Walkway Canopy was the chosen shade and shelter solution because they required a canopy that was a free standing structure. They also liked the appearance of the Devoke Junior including the curvature of the roof.Following the initial proposals, Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council then put the project out to Tender and the winning bid was from R H Fullwood Ltd. We had worked with them before on various projects and have a great working relationship with them.The InstallationThe Devoke Junior Free Standing Canopy allows for the roof to over-sail the existing buildings’ rear extensions, so the rain doesn’t run down in front of the doors. This was perfect because it means staff and residents will no longer get wet when entering or leaving the walkway and buildings.Because the two buildings that the canopy connects are not parallel; one is further back from the other, and there was also a step down from one area to the other, we all agreed to ’split’ the walkway into two separate canopies.The width of the Walkway only needed to cover the existing footpath, this allowed for the front foundations to be in the grass away from the path. This meant we were able to save time on the installation because we didn’t need to remove and reinstall the existing paving slabs.In September 2022, we supplied and installed a 10.96m x 2m and a 7.34m x 2m Devoke Junior Free-Standing Canopy connecting the adjacent buildings, keeping staff dry and sheltered. The canopies were installed over 4 days and the staff and residents moved into one building whilst we worked on the other, and then moved to the first building whilst we completed the second canopy installation.This ensured we caused minimum disruption to all on site and allowed them to continue with their usual routines.

Nottingham Trent University required a secure cycle parking facility for their campus. The Witton Compound was recommended by Able Canopies, due to it's ability to completely enclose the bicycles inside the compound, for security, with the option to add locking system to provide enhanced security. Initially one compound was installed for the university, however since the first compound, the university were impressed by the product and service provided and 4 more have been ordered and installed for the university.

In September 2011 the Lidl store in Waterlooville, Hampshire underwent a refurbishment to their entrance area. However, since the refurbishment was completed, experienced a number of incidents of customers slipping over due to rain water entering the building and making the floor wet and slippery. This made the entrance area a high hazard that needed to be rectified.