Terrace canopy becomes full-fledged outdoor space

Use and integration define the new role

For shading specialists, the focus has traditionally been on keeping out sunlight. Terrace coverings are often included as an addition to that product range. Meanwhile, however, this product group is growing into a fully-fledged part of the range, with its own dynamics and other requirements for advice and execution.

Terrace covers have long since ceased to be installed only for shade. It is increasingly becoming a living space, as an extension of the living room. This is reflected in the application. Whereas previously a canopy was used mainly in the summer, the emphasis is now on a longer period of use. Protection from wind and rain weighs more heavily, as does the ability to close off the space. Screens and glass walls are increasingly being integrated.

Integration instead of addition

As patio covers change, their execution also becomes different, more complex. The realization of a patio covering more often requires coordination with other disciplines, from electrical engineering to facade construction. A canopy with lighting and automated blinds often becomes part of a Smart Home system, requiring choices to be made earlier in the process. Those who only think about wiring or controls during installation run into limits.

Choice of system and brand

That broader role places different demands on manufacturers and on sun protection specialists. Which patio covers do you want to offer and how far do you go in integration, customization or finishing? The choice of brand is therefore not only about price or delivery time, but also about the extent to which systems can be combined with additional functions such as screens, lighting and side walls. Besides being functional, the canopy must also be visually convincing. 

Part of the home

Things are also changing in the facade appearance. Terrace roofs are more emphatically matched to the architecture of the house, in color, size and detailing. Slimmer profiles and quieter forms ensure that the construction is less present and blends in better with the whole.

With that comes other design choices. The position in relation to the facade, lines of sight from the house and the transition between inside and outside increasingly determine the final result. The canopy no longer stands alone in the garden, but is part of the overall picture.

For shading specialists, this means a clear shift. The focus is not on the product, but on the use of space. That requires knowledge of systems, application and how functions come together in design.