Once your quote is approved, project management begins immediately. Most pre-engineered canopies ship within weeks, depending on project size and color selection. Each unit arrives: Fully assembled Crated and protected for transit Ready for immediate installation upon delivery Shipping available across the U.S. , Canada , and Mexico .

FAQs Archive

Q: Do I need a permit for an awning?

Whether you need a permit for a Vestis canopy depends on your property type and location, but generally, a standard residential door canopy is considered Permitted Development and does not require a formal application. However, you will likely need a permit if your property is a listed building, located in a conservation area, or if the canopy is for a commercial storefront that extends over a public sidewalk.

Q: What are the two types of canopy in construction?

Vestis offers two primary types of canopies: cantilevered, or tie rod. A cantilevered canopy is a canopy that is fixed at one end (back fascia) to the building and projects outward without any external bracing or support from above or below. The tie rod support canopy, also known as suspended or hanger-rod canopies, are secured to the building at the base and then further supported by metal rods attached to a higher fixed point on the wall.

Q: Why don't we use awnings anymore?

Fabric awnings are generally not preferred over aluminum canopies in environments where longevity, structural strength, and low maintenance are the primary goals. While fabric offers more color variety and a “softer” look, aluminum is considered a superior permanent structural solution.

Q: What is better than a canopy?

Canopies are a great solution for entryways and sidewalks; however, they may not be as ideal for windows. We recommend our louvered sunshade for window applications for a few reasons: Climate Control: The louvers on the sunshade are designed to block the high-summer sun (reducing AC costs) while allowing low-winter sun to enter the windows (reducing heating costs). Glare Reduction: They are ideal for offices or storefronts where you want to stop screen glare and UV fading on furniture without completely losing natural light. Low Maintenance: Our Canopies have an integrated gutter which is great for rain management, but could require cleaning. Our sunshades do not manage rain water, so they do not require an integrated gutter.

Q: Why are canopies so expensive?

The higher price tag of a canopy is primarily due to the fact that they are professional-grade architectural systems rather than simple fabric awnings.

Q: What are the disadvantages of prefabricated?

The primary difference between their Pre-designed (Prefab) and Custom canopies lies in the balance of standardization versus architectural freedom. Both options are made from 100% rust-resistant aluminum and feature Vestis’s signature "Simple Installation" process (designed to be installed by two people in about 4 hours with no field assembly). However, they serve different project needs: Pre-fabricated: These are lean-manufactured based on our most common requests to maximize speed and lower costs. Custom: These are “custom-crafted” designed to fit the specific architectural requirements of a unique building.

Q: Do I need Planning permission for a door canopy?

Determining whether you need planning permission for a canopy depends largely on the type of property (residential vs. commercial), the size of the canopy, and your specific location. We recommend contacting your Local Planning Authority or building department, and giving them your location and canopy dimensions.

Q: What is the difference between an awning and a canopy?

In the architectural and manufacturing world, the terms "awning" and "canopy" are often used interchangeably, but there are distinct differences in their structure and support. We describe canopies as utilizing tie rods that attach to the host structure and support the front of the canopy frame. Visually, a canopy has a flat profile, while awnings have a sloped roof.

Q: What is a prefabricated canopy?

A Vestis MFG pre-fabricated canopy is a fully assembled, aluminum architectural product built at our facility in Spokane, Washington, and delivered to your site ready for immediate installation. Our canopies are commonly utilized for commercial entryways, storefronts, and windows.

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