Canopies & Walkways

Many thousands of Twinfix canopies have been installed over the years to create glazed covered areas at schools, universities, pubs, outside offices, hospitals and sports centres. A canopy makes an attractive focal point at any building entrance and provides shelter over stairways and ramps for the disabled. Glazed walkways are used to connect buildings and provide all-weather protection from the elements. Nowadays the provision of motorcycle and bike shelters is becoming the norm at many educational sites and outside commercial buildings.

When situated adjacent to classrooms, canopies make great outdoor learning and play areas for children of all ages, enabling quick and easy access to sand and water play for nursery-aged children, creating quiet areas, and providing weather protection for waiting students/parents. When used to protect tables/benches they provide great covered outside eating areas. Older pupils find canopies useful as association areas. If you fit your canopy with lockable roller shutters you can also use the area for night time storage. Canopies also create additional space in which to place lockers – enabling children to change their footwear before entering the school.

You can choose from a range of different styles, depending upon your site conditions. However, should you want something a little out of the ordinary our design team will be pleased to work with you to create a bespoke cover for your area.

Innovation and Design

Lean-to, cantilever and free-standing options available
Choice of mono-pitch, duo-pitch or curved polycarbonate roofing shapes
In-house design and manufacture using sophisticated CAD software
Frames available powder coated to a wide choice of matt RAL & BS colours
Choice of polycarbonate roofing tints to balance shade with light transmission
Custom designed to meet your needs and cover your area
Choose from PVCu or aluminium rain water goods
Vertical infill glazing panels, doors, roller shutters and padded post protectors also available

Quality

The majority of our structures are manufactured with powder coated aluminium frames that have a long and trouble-free life. However, should you prefer, you can choose a steel or wooden frame.

Powder coated aluminium construction (usually)
Aluminium is corrosion free: no rusting, no repainting
Tough multiwall or solid polycarbonate roof glazing
Polycarbonate is easy to clean with soapy water
Polycarbonate has a UV resistant surface for long life
Polycarbonate is incredibly tough, will not crack or craze in use
Laminated glass option also available on pitched roof designs
Dry-run canopy assembly prior to painting ensures quick and easy site installation
10 year warranty on materials and on all canopy installations carried out by Twinfix teams
Both the aluminium and the polycarbonate can be recycled at the end of their long life span

Polycarbonate is the ideal choice for any education-based canopy or walkway as it gives protection against UV to those playing or working underneath.

Health & Safety

For all pitched-roof canopies we use our Multi-Link-Panels NF for the roof glazing as these panels have been tested as non-fragile to the HSE’s recommended drop test for roofing assemblies ACR[M]001:2019.

Twinfix pitched Multi-Link roofing panels classified as Non-Fragile (safe) to help resist falling impact and wind
Multi-Link (NF) panels achieve a Class B result to the HSE roofing fragility test ACR[M]001:2019
Polycarbonate is opaque to UV, the ideal glazing to protect from sun, rain & UV exposure
Twinfix is a CHAS accredited contractor
With many years installation experience we offer installation either during holiday periods or in school term time, with little disruption to school or office life

Confidence in our products

We offer a one-stop-shop for our glazed shelters and can help you with the whole process from Planning advice through design, to manufacture and final installation. If you have any queries along the way, we’ll be glad to help.

Choose the full package from design to installation; or the alternative supply-only option
Free site survey and fast response to all your enquiries
Full technical assistance at every stage
All of our sales, surveyor and installer teams hold Basic Disclosure Certificates
Twinfix is registered on Constructionline, Building Confidence and Builders Profile

How to order your Twinfix glazed shelter, canopy or walkway

Give us a ring on 01925 811311 or get in touch via our contact page. Our external and internal technical advice teams are here to help with your initial enquiry, ensuring you get the right solution for your needs and your budget.

From here on, the list below will give you an idea of the whole process.

Our surveyor will arrange to visit your site, discuss your needs and take detailed measurements and photographs so that we can quote for your requirements.
Once you are ready to order we will send you the technical specification for your chosen design and ask that you sign this off as being correct. Manufacture will commence upon receipt of your signed documentation. Our friendly project planners will liaise with you regularly throughout the project.
If you are looking for something that little bit different to the norm our design team will help to make your bespoke ideas into a reality. We can also offer a 3D visualisation service, a great way to see how your new canopy will look.
We will then fabricate and manufacture your structure in our factory. This includes a dry run assembly prior to powder coating to ensure that all parts fit together easily once they arrive on site.
We will then install your structure. This will be undertaken by our own teams of highly experienced and trained installers, who all hold DBS certificates.
Health and Safety is of paramount importance to us and we follow strict guidelines when installing at your site. Our H&S Manager will be pleased to work with your own in-house team.
On completion of your project we will contact you to check that all your needs were met; we welcome your feedback. We will also supply you with your Aftercare Service Pack that includes any guarantees and maintenance instructions.

Help & Advice

If you have a project in mind or would like help or advice on any of our products or services, please either ring us on 01925 811311, email us at enquiries@twinfix.co.uk or get in touch via the enquiry form on our Contact Us page.

Related Products

Motorcycle & Cycle Shelters

Mono-pitch Canopies

Bolted Glass Canopies

Waveform Canopies

Solar-Link-Panel Canopy

Related Downloads

Filename	File Type	Size
Photo Sheet - Canopies & Walkways.pdf	PDF	3.65 MB
Photo Sheet - Cycle Shelters.pdf	PDF	1019 KB
Case Study - Newmarket Hospital.pdf	PDF	444 KB
Fabricated Lean-to Datasheet.pdf	PDF	453 KB
Cantilever Mono-pitch Datasheet.pdf	PDF	511 KB
Case Study – Liverpool Heart & Chest COVID-19 Testing Facility.pdf	PDF	589 KB
Timber Canopies Brochure.pdf	PDF	986 KB
Meridian Lean-to Datasheet.pdf	PDF	506 KB
Freestanding Duo-pitch Datasheet.pdf	PDF	510 KB
Freestanding Mono-pitch Datasheet.pdf	PDF	510 KB

Related FAQs

1. What is the minimum pitch for a polycarbonate roof?

Never install polycarbonate flat. Our standard glazing systems require a minimum pitch of 5° to ensure water can run off the roof and to eliminate ‘puddling’. Our Multi-Link-Panel modular system should be installed with a minimum 10° pitch. Contact us if you require clarification.

2. Can you walk on polycarbonate sheet?

Polycarbonate has been tested against UK wind and snow loads and we can supply you with recommended glazing centres for each thickness of polycarbonate. However you should never walk directly on polycarbonate sheet. A crawling board or similar should be placed across at least two structural supports of the roof. We can manufacture aluminium framed polycarbonate panels which have been tested for non-fragility to ACR[M]001:2019 – this does not mean you can walk on the polycarbonate but gives added resistance to accidental falls.

3. How do you clean polycarbonate sheet?

Gently wash the sheet with a solution of mild soap and lukewarm water, using a soft, grit free cloth or sponge to loosen any dirt or grime. Rinse over with clean water to remove any residue. NEVER use a proprietary glass cleaner.

4. What is the life span of multiwall polycarbonate sheet?

The manufacturers of multiwall polycarbonate sheet offer a ten year written limited warranty on the product which covers discolouration, loss of light transmission and loss of impact strength due to weathering. That does not mean that after 10 years the sheet will fail, we have installations that have been in situ longer than 10 years with no obvious detrimental affect either in appearance or performance.

5. How much light does multiwall polycarbonate let through?

Taking 16mm triplewall polycarbonate as an example, clear sheet has a light transmission of 74%, opal has 62% and bronze has 30%

6. What is the fire performance of polycarbonate?

Polycarbonate has good fire behaviour characteristics and receives high ratings in several major European fire performance tests including EN13501. Always check with the Twinfix sales office for current classification, at the time of writing most variants achieve a class1Y when tested against BS476 part 7 surface spread of flame.

7. How does UV affect polycarbonate?

Solar radiation has a particularly harmful effect upon materials that are not protected. Many variants of multiwall polycarbonate have a unique proprietary UV-protected surface on one or both sides, giving excellent resistance to outdoor weathering. This unique protection ensures long-term optical quality under intensive UV exposure.

8. Can Twinfix canopies be recycled?

Yes they can. The structure and panel framework are generally in aluminium, and the roof panels are in polycarbonate. All of these components can be recycled, once the life of the project is complete. Should you have one of our timber framed canopies this too can be recycled.

9. If I'm interested in one of your canopies, what happens next?

It’s very simple. Just use the contact form on this web-site, or call our office on 01925 811311 to speak to one of our internal sales team, and we will arrange for one of our surveyors to call you to arrange a site or office visit. The initial survey will normally be carried out within seven working days and within five working days of the survey we will send you a firm, no obligation quotation for a canopy that will fulfil all your needs.

10. Twinfix Multi-Link, non-fragile panels are OK for pitched roofs, but what about curves?

Providing that the glazing bars are at appropriate centres, and combined with additional purlins, in many cases curved multi-wall and solid polycarbonate roofing can be designed as being non-fragile. Any specific requirement can be checked with our Design & Planning Department.

11. Am I required by the Building Regulations to have a non-fragile roof?

The Building Regulations themselves do not refer to “non-fragility” in relation to roofing systems. However, they do require that any structure is designed in accordance with the CDM Regulations, (Construction Design & Management) and these Regulations require that all buildings should be designed to utilise the safest method of construction available. (i.e. if a non-fragile design is feasible, then it should be used.)

12. Can Twinfix canopy roofs be non-fragile?

Yes, Twinfix ML16NF and ML25NF panel systems have been tested to ACR[M]001:2019, and are classified as Class B, non-fragile. We also have a solid polycarbonate Multi-Link-Panel that also achieves a Class B result.

13. Will I need planning consent?

In many cases, having one of our canopies installed will not require planning consent. However, on the basis of your specific situation we can advise you whether planning consent and/or building control approval is likely to be required. If this is the case, we can provide you with advice on how to undertake a planning application.

14. Can you offer a complete service?

Yes, we can undertake everything necessary to survey, design, manufacture and install your canopy. Our in-house design teams, who work on sophisticated CAD/CAM systems, can also advise on different design options for your space. We do not outsource any of these important elements. If the canopy installation is part of a larger project, we will liaise with the architect and/or builder to ensure that any works undertaken are co-ordinated with other elements of the project. Our fully trained, CRB checked installation teams will ensure that safety is paramount during every part of the installation process. We demonstrate our total Company commitment to health and safety by being an Accredited Contractor to CHAS, the Contractor’s Health and Safety Assessment Scheme.

15. Do you offer any guarantees?

Our canopy structures are all manufactured from virtually maintenance free, powder coated, aluminium sections. Aluminium does not rust and should never need repainting. We offer a 10-year guarantee on all our materials and on installation where canopies are fitted by one our own installation teams.

16. Will I have a choice of colour and finish?

Yes, for the canopy structure you can choose any of our nine standard matt RAL colours. Should you wish to match an existing colour, we can supply our canopies powder coated in any RAL or BS reference colour. (Please note, however, that choosing some colours may extend lead times and attract an additional cost). The polycarbonate roof glazing is available in clear, bronze or opal colours to suit your specific needs.

17. Will the canopy be safe for users and our maintenance staff?

Although polycarbonate glazing is tough and virtually unbreakable, if simply fixed into a standard glass glazing bar system, it can be vulnerable to wind and impact loadings that cause it to pop out of the bars. Our pitched canopies are different. In addition to the weather protection that they give, our canopies utilise our unique patented, factory-made, non-fragile, Multi-Link-Panel system. This is tested to the HSE test ACR[M]001:2019 drop test. Do not consider using any system that does not comply with this test.

18. How will your canopy protect from the elements?

Our canopies are designed to shelter from rain and sun using tough, multiwall or solid polycarbonate glazing that allows light transmission, whilst filtering out virtually all the harmful UV radiation. The area under our canopies will be safe, dry, sheltered and shaded. In particularly exposed areas you may also wish us to fit vertical glazing to the sides and/or front of the canopy to give added protection and shelter from prevailing winds.

19. How will your canopy fit the uniquely shaped space that I need covered?

Whilst we follow standard design principles, our canopies are all designed to individual order so that they meet your specific requirements, however complex or simple your space(s) may be.