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Are you looking for a modern front door canopy for your townhouse development? When planning your project, adding an aluminium entrance canopy is a cost-effective way to add protection from the weather, and visual appeal.
In this article, we explain the benefits of front door canopies and 4 design options when choosing the canopies to best suit your project.
The benefits of front door canopies
By installing an aluminium canopy above the entrance of your townhouses, you can achieve the following key benefits:
- Enhanced shelter from the weather.
- Highlighting your home’s main entrance.
- An elegant transition between the exterior and interior.
- Only one trade involved – reduces dependency on multiple trades traditionally required for timber truss and roofing canopies.
Another advantage of aluminium entrance canopies is that they’re generally manufactured off-site, which greatly simplifies site management. For example at Aurae, once entrance canopies are manufactured in our factory, our installers can then install multiple canopies in a single day (once any scaffold has been removed and civil works compete).
Compare this to a traditional built-in canopy whereby the following process is required:
- Adjust the site scaffold out of the way.
- Builder frames out the awning.
- Roofing contractor returns to add roofing.
- Procure and install flashings.
- Plumber to add gutters and drainage.
- Builder to add soffit linings.
- Paint the soffit linings.
When you consider the above steps – it really is a no brainer to specify aluminium entrance canopies in your projects!
Types of aluminium entrance canopies
From entrance canopies that work well over front doors to modular systems that can extend over a verandah, there are a number of great options when it comes to aluminium entrance canopies. Below, you’ll find a helpful overview of the range of entrance canopies we supply here at Aurae.
Horizon tray canopies
The Horizon canopy range is made from 3mm aluminium and can be finished in the full Dulux range of powder-coat finishes. Stainless steel tie rods support the front edges of the canopy tray. Two rods are required on the standard design, however if the house has walls on two sides of the canopy, only one is needed. The Horizon design is modular meaning multiple trays can be joined, sharing tie rods, for widths above 1500mm.
Solaris clip canopies
The Solaris canopy is made from extruded aluminium, which means each canopy can be up to 6.5m long. You also have the option to increase the canopy depth in 150mm increments up to 1650mm deep. Key features of the Solaris canopies include a gutter mounted to the front, louvre screens that can be added to the sides for privacy, and aesthetically pleasing join lines where the individual extrusions ‘clip’ together.
These canopies are supported with either tie rods or posts, and are available with a powder coat finish. The Solaris canopy is made with extruded materials, making it stronger, longer lasting, and able to span longer distances and depths.
Learn more about our range in the free brochure >>
4 inspiring front door canopy ideas
In this section, we share ideas and advice to consider when specifying your entrance canopies. From aesthetics to functionality, here’s what you should know.
1. Materials
Firstly, you need to decide which material you want your canopy to be made of. Popular options in New Zealand include aluminium and glass.
At Aurae, our entrance canopies are available in aluminium for maximum durability and to reduce maintenance. For real-world inspiration, check out this development project in Penihana, complete with our Horizon entrance canopies.
2. Aesthetics and architectural appeal
Entrance canopies are a creative way to add depth and variation to your exterior design. Canopies are easy to customise and you have complete control of the colours, size, and position to suit your building design. At Aurae, our entrance canopies can be powder-coated in a wide range of different colours to complement your exterior design.
In multi-residential developments, canopies can be extended to act as a verandah, which is perfect for a house with multiple front entryways or sliding doors. Compared to a traditional porch, they add a practical and modern touch to the front of a home.
3. Street appeal
To make a home or project stand out from the crowd, you need a unique and eye-catching feature to make a strong first impression. A modern front door canopy is a clever option because it is cost-effective, impressive, and customisable. They not only serve an important purpose but also give a building a layer of personality and depth.
For example, in our project in Hobsonville, Horizon entrance canopies were installed in a range of corner and straight profiles. From the street, this creates a sense of harmony across the development, without the homes feeling identical.
4. Functionality
Primarily, entrance canopies are designed to shelter the front door from the weather. By covering the space above the front door, they prevent rain from getting into the building and provide a protected space for visitors to wait outside. For exposed sites, you can also add side screens for extra weather protection.
The depth and width of the canopy can be altered to suit the site conditions and your preferred building style.
Our Horizon and Solaris entrance canopy ranges are a durable and cost-effective option that have been designed to make houses look good. However, if these don’t suit your situation, we can also create a fully bespoke canopy to meet your needs. To streamline your design and consent process, we will ensure your canopy is designed and engineered to automatically comply with NZBC standards. We will also supply PS1 documentation upon request.
If you’re interested in our range of entrance canopies, download our brochure below for all the product specifications, profiles, and design inspiration you need.
