Fabric canopies are a versatile solution for outdoor shelter, combining weather protection, durability, and modern design. Our fabric canopies use high-quality PVC fabric stretched taut over strong steel frames, offering 100% waterproofing and UV protection, ideal for UK climates.
This guide covers everything you need to know about fabric canopies: materials, design, installation, and maintenance, helping you choose the perfect canopy for your project.
Fabric Canopy Types & Configurations
Fabric canopies are tensile membrane structures combining engineered PVC fabric membranes with high-strength steel frameworks. The PVC fabric is designed to be fully waterproof and UV resistant, offering robust protection in exposed outdoor environments typical of UK public spaces.
The canopy forms vary from simple curved arcs to complex geometric shapes like square and double conic structures. These shapes are purposely chosen to optimise structural stability, load distribution, and water runoff. For instance, our double conic canopy employs dual-tension points, enhancing resistance to wind uplift and snow loading over larger spans.
The fabric most commonly used is a PVC membrane with a reinforced polyester scrim, selected for its tensile strength and longevity. Typically supplied in a white finish, this membrane provides excellent reflectivity and heat resistance, which helps reduce thermal gain beneath the canopy. The fabric’s weight and thickness are carefully balanced to allow for easy tensioning while maintaining resistance to tearing and environmental degradation.
Supporting the fabric membrane are structural steel sections, hot-dip galvanised to BS EN ISO 1461 for corrosion resistance. The galvanised finish is often complemented with a polyester powder coating, which adds an additional protective layer and allows for custom colour matching to client requirements. The frame geometry and material specifications are calculated to sustain static loads from fabric tension, dynamic wind pressures, and potential snow accumulation, ensuring structural integrity over a design life of up to 50 years.
Fabric Performance
- Waterproofing: The PVC fabric membranes provide 100% waterproof protection, achieved through the impermeable PVC coating and welded seams. This ensures no water penetration, vital for outdoor applications in the UK’s variable climate.
- UV Resistance: The PVC coating offers full ultraviolet (UV) protection, preventing fabric degradation and colour fading over time. The membrane is tested to withstand prolonged exposure without significant loss of tensile strength or elasticity.
- Tear Strength & Tensile Properties: The fabric’s polyester scrim core provides high tensile strength, typically exceeding 2000 N/5 cm, allowing the canopy to resist wind loads and maintain form under tension. Tear resistance is similarly high, preventing propagation from minor damages.
- Fire Retardancy: To meet public safety regulations, the fabric conforms to fire retardancy standards such as BS 7837 and BS EN 13501-1, ensuring it resists ignition and slows flame spread.
- Breathability: While PVC fabrics are inherently waterproof, Broxap’s membranes are engineered to manage condensation and moisture vapor, reducing risks of mould and mildew buildup under the canopy.
Frame & Structural Specifications
The supporting framework consists of structural steel, selected for its high yield strength and durability. Steel components are hot dip galvanised in accordance with BS EN ISO 1461 to protect against corrosion, particularly in exposed outdoor conditions.
Frame Coatings: An optional polyester powder coating further enhances corrosion resistance and provides aesthetic customisation through RAL or BS colour matches.
Load Ratings: Frames are engineered to resist UK-specific wind loads (in excess of 120 km/h) and snow loads (as per BS EN 1991-1-3), ensuring canopy stability in adverse weather. Dynamic and static load analyses guarantee safety margins aligned with Eurocode design principles.
Connection Details: All fixings, welds, and joints are designed for maximum strength and ease of installation, with concealed drainage incorporated where necessary to prevent water pooling on the membrane surface.
Design Life: We specify a design life of up to 50 years, dependent on maintenance regimes and site conditions. This longevity is supported by the combined durability of the PVC membrane and galvanised steel framework.
Structural Geometry and Form
Conic structures provide a central high point, directing rainfall toward the perimeter and minimising standing water.
Double-conic systems offer greater span capacity by introducing dual tension peaks, improving resistance to wind uplift.
Arched or barrel-vaulted forms are used where continuous coverage or walkway protection is required.
Integration with Public-Realm Infrastructure
Fabric canopies are frequently specified as part of larger site schemes, so compatibility with other urban elements, such as seating, lighting, and cycle storage, is integral. Designs can incorporate electrical conduits for lighting or CCTV, and the supporting columns can be adapted to accommodate additional functions like signage or integrated rainwater harvesting.
Installation Process
Installation typically begins with foundation preparation, where reinforced concrete bases are cast in situ to accommodate root-fixed or bolt-down columns. The foundation design is site-specific and calculated based on canopy size, wind loading, and soil conditions.
Steel frames are assembled on-site using bolted or welded joints. Precision alignment of frame members is essential to ensure uniform tension distribution once the membrane is installed.
The fabric membrane installation follows a staged sequence. The pre-patterned PVC panels are lifted into place and secured via clamping plates or keder track systems, depending on the canopy type. Tension is gradually applied to achieve the designed pre-stress in the membrane. Achieving consistent tension is critical to structural performance, as it stabilises the fabric against fluttering and prevents ponding under rainfall.
A final inspection confirms alignment, fabric tension, and fixings integrity before handover.
Maintenance Requirements
While fabric canopies are low-maintenance by design, a regular inspection regime is key to preserving performance and appearance over time. Broxap recommends annual checks, with additional inspections following severe weather events.
Key maintenance actions include:
- Visual inspection: Assess for signs of slackening, abrasion, or surface damage to the PVC membrane.
- Cleaning: The PVC fabric can be cleaned with mild detergent and water to remove dirt and prevent organic buildup.
- Frame maintenance: Surface checks for impact damage or coating wear are advised.
- Drainage systems: Inspect downpipes and outlets to ensure they remain free of blockages.
Longevity and Lifecycle Performance
A properly installed and maintained fabric canopy from Broxap can achieve a design life of up to 50 years, with the PVC membrane typically requiring replacement after 20–25 years depending on exposure and usage. The structural steel frame is engineered for long-term durability, supported by corrosion-resistant coatings and a robust connection design.
Fabric Canopy Case Studies
A Summary of Fabric Canopies
For specifiers, architects, and procurement professionals, selecting the right fabric canopy involves understanding the interplay between form, material, and environment. All our fabric canopies are engineered to address these factors comprehensively, offering dependable, long-term shelter solutions for the modern built environment.
Fabric Canopies FAQs
What type of fabric is used in fabric canopies?
Our fabric canopies use a PVC-coated polyester membrane. It offers full waterproofing, UV stability, and high tensile strength. The internal polyester scrim provides structural integrity, while the PVC coating protects against moisture, UV degradation, and environmental wear.
Are Broxap fabric canopies fully waterproof?
Yes. The PVC membrane is impermeable to water and features welded seams that prevent leakage. The canopy shapes also promote efficient drainage, preventing ponding and ensuring long-term waterproof performance.
How long do Broxap fabric canopies last?
The steel framework is designed with a structural life expectancy of up to 50 years. The PVC fabric membrane typically has a service life of 20–25 years, depending on site conditions and maintenance. Fabric replacement can be carried out without dismantling the steel structure.
What colour options are available for fabric canopies?
The PVC fabric is generally supplied in white to maximise light transmission and thermal reflectivity. However, the supporting steel framework can be powder coated in a wide range of RAL or BS colours, allowing for coordination with site branding or architectural finishes.
Can the canopies be customised?
Yes. We offer both modular and custom designs. Modular canopies are available in standardised sizes for fast installation, while custom structures are fully engineered to meet specific dimensional, aesthetic, or environmental requirements.
Are fabric canopies suitable for all weather conditions?
Yes. Structural calculations account for site-specific wind and snow loads in accordance with Eurocode requirements. The tensile fabric design ensures stable performance in exposed locations.
What fire safety standards do the fabrics meet?
The PVC membranes used in the fabric canopies comply with fire retardancy standards such as BS 7837 and BS EN 13501-1, providing flame resistance suitable for public-use environments.
What maintenance is required?
Routine maintenance is minimal. Annual inspections are recommended to check tension, fixings, and surface condition. Cleaning the PVC surface with mild detergent helps preserve appearance and prevent buildup of debris or organic growth. Powder-coated steel components may require occasional touch-up of surface finishes in high-traffic or coastal areas.
Can lighting or services be integrated into the canopy
structure?
Yes. During design and installation, Broxap can incorporate electrical conduits, lighting systems, CCTV mounts, or rainwater management solutions within the canopy columns or framework.
Are Broxap canopies sustainable?
The longevity of both the steel frame and PVC membrane contributes to sustainability by reducing replacement frequency. Steel components are recyclable, and the modular design allows for refurbishment or re-covering rather than full replacement.