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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

By following our installation guidelines, it takes about 1 hour per section or balcony to install.

Vestis canopies are designed for high-end commercial and residential use, with a primary focus on long-term structural durability and weather resistance. Unlike “off-the-shelf” store canopies, these are architectural-grade systems engineered to last decades.

Vestis prefabricated canopies are primarily constructed from high-grade aluminum, specifically chosen for its durability, lightweight properties, and natural resistance to rust.

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.