6 Best Canopies for Windy Situations

Canopies are used for many purposes, including outdoor weddings and parties. However, weather can take a drastic turn in no time. Fortunately, there are many kinds of canopies available and some perform well despite troublesome conditions. Here is a list of the best types to use when you have the potential for windy weather.

1. Metal-frame Canopies

Most canopies come with three framing options, including plastic and metal. Obviously, when dealing with wind, metal frames are the best to help weigh the structure down. While you will still need to anchor it, the heaver the frame is, the better it will be to combat stray wind. Aluminum is the next best choice for frames; plastic is too light and can be broken easily if inadequately anchored.

2. Sidewall Canopies

All canopies come with roofs of some sort, but they do not always come with sidewalls. These extra pieces will help to protect the poles that support the structure from the harsh winds. While some may feel that they defeat the purpose of a canopy, you can buy one with a breathable material so you can still feel fresh air while you are in the enclosed space. Make sure the one you choose has a zipper, though, so you can block out the wind, and try to aim for close-knit kind. That will help block the wind from hitting the poles or whoever is inside.

3. Weighted Canopies

Another great option is to buy a canopy with built-in weights. This will help hold it down and prevent the wind from knocking it sideways. They look like regular canopies, but they should come with ring weights or another type of weight that you will snap on the pole. You can also buy the weights and canopy separately.

4. Vented Top Canopy

A canopy with vents in the roof allows the wind to go inside and back out again with little resistance, so no pressure builds up to blow it out of place. Vents also will help keep the inside of the canopy feeling fresh and allow sunlight to filter in.

5. The Right Size Canopy

Obviously, the smaller the canopy is, the easier it will be for the wind to knock it down, and the bigger the canopy is, the more it will weigh. While you do not need a structure that is too large to fit in your yard, you will still want one that is large and heavy enough to help keep it on the ground.

6. Non Pop-up Canopies

Since pop-up canopies are built to be fairly portable, they’re lightweight and not good to use in windy areas. They can be very tough to anchor down, and even then, they will still add almost no additional weight to keep them on the ground.

Using one that has to be built and anchored is best when you can expect gusts. A few examples include canopy gazebos and canopy tents. While they do require more time for set up and anchoring, they are still the better option.