Totally Timber Guide

Totally Timber A Guide to Timber Canopies and Shelters

0800 389 9072 www.ablecanopies.co.uk

Welcome to Totally Timber - A Guide to Timber Structures This guide is an informative introduction to the use of timber in canopies and shelters that provide weather protection for people and equipment.

Timber has a lot of positive attributes when used as a canopy material – a different texture, stand out looks and flexible use across different size spaces.

The guide will explain the benefits of a timber structure and will guide you through the options for design, roof pitch and even colour.

The objective of the guide is to help you to evaluate timber as an option and make a sensible comparison against other canopy materials.

Types of Timber The type of timber is very important when choosing a timber canopy or shelter. There are many types of timber on the market that differ in the quality, appearance, durability and life expectancies.

The feel of the timber is also worth taking into account. You don't want your new canopy or shelter to be rough – a smooth finish is much more appealing aesthetically and is safer as it reduces the risk of splinters.

Softwood Softwood is produced from fast growing trees such as pine, it is the most cost effective option for outside structures but it does have a much shorter life span and will not weather as well as the other options available. However, if you maintain this timber it will last longer.

Hardwood Hardwood is sourced from slow-growing trees such as oak and walnut. Hardwoods have a more complex structure than softwood, making them extremely durable and hard wearing, and perfect for outdoor use.

Hardwood will outperform soft wood in all circumstances and with a small amount of maintenance, it will last for many years, however, it is not normally used in the construction industry due to the high expense.

Glu-Laminated Timber The main feature of Glu-laminated timber that makes it stand out from all other options, is that it can be curved easily to create eye-catching, contemporary designs that can span great distances and have the wow factor.

It has an attractive, smooth finish with no risk of splinters and is available in a selection of different types of wood that can be stained in various colours. It is also environmentally friendly, economical and lightweight, chemical resistant, approved by the British standard BS EN 386: 2001 and extremely high in strength.

Although Glu-lam can be produced from both soft wood and hard wood (we mainly use Scandinavian Spruce and Scots Pine), it is treated throughout the manufacturing process, improving it’s longevity, giving it an impressive life-span and is lighter in weight than standard timber beams.

Roof Pitch and Design When using standard timber, it is much more cost effective to go for a straight forward design, as curving wood can be time consuming and can cause the wood to splinter or crack if not performed correctly. Specific timbers are easier to bend than others, your supplier should know the best to use.

At Able Canopies we use Glu-laminated timber because it can be used to create both straight and curved structures, which are very durable. Curved structures have a contemporary feel and look great in any environment including both rural and urban settings. Glulam is proven technique that gives strength and flexibility of use.

Glulam Timber Canopy Designs Our range of timber canopies illustrate the design possibilities Glu-lam timber offers: The Tarnhow Mono-Pitch which is available as a wall mounted or free standing structure has a traditional, linear design with a slight pitch to allow water to run into the guttering.

The Tarnhow Curved is also available as a wall mounted or free standing structure and has an elegant curve to the roof, giving it a striking appearance.

The Tarnhow Dome has a spectacular domed roof that makes the structure stand out as a feature point to any outside area without looking out of place.

Roof Pitch and Design (continued) Glulam Timber Shelter Designs We have two timber shelters within our range and both feature contemporary, curved designs.

The Denver Timber Cycle Shelter features straight front posts with sleek curved beams that extends from the front of the shelter, to the back.

The Pembroke Timber Cycle Shelter features a domed roof and stylish curved supports creating an elegant and sophisticated cycle parking solution.

Fixings Different canopies will need different fixings depending on their style and size. There are two main types which are visible fixings and hidden fixings. You will also find that if a timber canopy starts to show signs of decay, it will do so at the canopy feet where they meet the ground. Our structures are all manufactured with galvanised steel feet that rise from the ground to avoid this happening.

We prefer hidden timber fixings which are designed not to be seen by users of the canopy. These fixings leave you with a structure that has a seamless finish with no (or little) metal fixtures in sight.

The below images show how our Glu-lam beams are fixed together using our unique system.

Infill to roof bar connection

Post connection to the ends

The post into the base

Available Sizes One of the great benefits of a timber canopy is its flexibility and the way that it can be used to cover different spaces.

Free standing timber canopies are a particularly costeffective way to provide cover for large spaces as the domed construction can be built without central posts, thereby improving safety and cost effectiveness.

Our timber canopies have an unlimited length and a projection of up to 12m, if you require a larger projection, our Design and Build team will be able to achieve this – please contact us and we will look into creating a bespoke design for you.

Colours and Stains Many choose a timber structure as they prefer the natural timber colour and effect. However, if you do wish to have your canopy a different colour this can be achieved with the use of stain – this allows you to match a setting or your branding and still allow the wood grain to come through at varying degrees (depending on the stain chosen, and the number of layers applied).

Our standard colours are shown below.

Standard Colour Range:

Dartington C of E Primary School Case Study Products Installed: 5no. Tarnhow Mono Wall Mounted Timber Canopies: 32.3m x 4m, 24.2m x 2m, 44.1m x 4m and two 7.1m x 7.8m 1no. Tarnhow Mono Free Standing Timber Canopy: 8m x 4m Timber Stain Colour: Light Oak Contractor: Kier Architect: Atkins Global

The Brief Dartington C of E Primary School in Totnes, Devon were in the process of having a new £7 million school built. The new development consisted of 12 classrooms and a variety of contemporary facilities which 315 primary school pupils and 30 Early Years children would benefit from.

measuring 44.1 metres in length and all of them projecting 4 metres from the building. We were also to install a Tarnhow Mono Free Standing Timber Canopy which was 8m x 4m and featured cycle racks underneath to allow dry and secure cycle storage during school hours.

As part of the design of the new school, the architect was keen to introduce a free-flow from the outside to the inside. It was also important to them that they create an outside space that could be used throughout the school year.

The Solution The only way to achieve the level of cover required, would have been to install a number of wall mounted canopies adjacent to the school’s classrooms.

It was therefore agreed that 130 metres of timber canopies would be installed around the school, wrapping around the building providing almost uninterrupted cover throughout. This included using our standard Tarnhow timber canopies and adding bespoke qualities to them such as a 90° ‘hip’ (external corner) and a 45° ‘valley’ (internal corner) to the buildings’ entrance and variations in the post heights due to the uneven ground height.

Five Tarnhow Mono Wall Mounted Timber Canopies were to be installed with the largest

Our Tarnhow canopy range is manufactured from curved and straight Glulam timber beams which are sustainably sourced and provide a stunning, high-end appearance. They are extremely popular within schools and colleges with many choosing large span Tarnhow canopies to provide substantial outside dining areas. The designs and sizes available make these canopies extremely versatile and the timber beams which are available in a range of stains, adds a natural, tactile, yet modern feel to any setting. The Tarnhow range provides shade and shelter from all weather conditions including shelter from the rain and shade and high UV protection from the sun.

These features made the Tarnhow range perfect for this project as the architect wanted to continue a natural appearance which was formed in the design of the main school building. Jamie Knode from Atkins Global architects explained: “The school is within a

conservation area so the way it would integrate and complement its surroundings was a key consideration. Adding a canopy to the building can have a huge effect on the look of a structure and by using a timber frame canopy we were able soften the look of the building and help give it a more natural appearance.”

steelwork were to be installed during the construction of the main building ready for when the canopy phase of the build was to begin which was towards the end of the project.

The new building features floor to ceiling glazed windows which enables teachers to have full view of the outside learning area from the classroom and visa versa, allowing them to keep an eye on both areas whether they are inside or outside.

The Installation The architect requested that we minimise the amount of front posts on the canopies to enable a wider span between posts, resulting in a more open space. We achieved this by altering the canopy slightly to enable it to be installed into the building slightly rather than attached to it, enabling the building to take some of the load.

Due to the detailed, bespoke requirements of the canopy project, specialised steelwork and brackets were required to achieve the inset of the canopy wall plate into the building. Able Canopies Ltd. liaised with the architect and contractors to integrate the canopy into the design of the school building before it was constructed. This meant that the fixings and

It was agreed that the canopy would be integrated into the design of the building further by incorporating it into the rainwater management system. The roof of the main building was designed to overhang above the canopy, enabling water to drain off the structure, onto the canopy roof, resulting in it being dispersed via the canopy’s guttering system. This simplified the overall guttering of the build, saving both short term and long term costs and creating a guttering system that is much easier to maintain in the long run.

In total, the canopy installations took around 6 weeks to complete in multiple installation phases which required coordination with the other sub-contractors who were also working on the project, the architect and main contractor.

Jamie Knode from Atkins Global architects concluded: “We have been very pleased with Able Canopies’ system. The team at Able Canopies have been very flexible and adaptable in helping us to achieve our vision for the project. There were a lot of technical details that needed to be worked through and they were there at every stage of the process.”

Trecco Bay Holiday Park Case Study Products Installed: The Tarnhow Dome Free Standing Canopy Timber Stain Colour: White Architect: NBDA Architects

The Brief NBDA Architects were working for Parkdean Resorts to renovate a number of their holiday parks across the UK and one of those parks was Trecco Bay in the stunning costal town of Porthcawl in South Wales. They were in need of a large shade and shelter structure that would provide weather protection to their visitors whilst dining alfresco and also double up as an all-weather outdoor entertainment area.

within the middle of their main complex, adjacent to their restaurant. They chose to have the timber frame finished with a white stain which gives off a stunning fresh, seaside vibe which is perfect for the holiday setting.

The canopy they settled on for Trecco Bay was the Tarnhow Dome, which is a fantastic choice. This stunning canopy can span up to 12 metres and has an unlimited length, making it absolutely perfect for outdoor dining areas and for holding events and entertainment.

The staff at Trecco Bay can now serve meals and hold their entertainment outside whatever the weather, which is a big support for the park especially as it was installed in time for the parks’ reopening when only outdoor dining and entertainment was permitted at the time.

With the current pandemic situation, these canopies were even more valuable to the parks because they enable them to serve more guests at the restaurant whilst keeping a safe distance. They also attract more customers to dine with them as The Solution they can dine outside even if its At the time of enquiry, we had raining, knowing the weather After we’d installed the canopy, already installed at Ty Mawr the park chose to have T.V. Holiday Park, Warmwell Holiday won’t ruin their experience. screens and speakers attached Park and Lizard Point Holiday The Installation to the underside of the canopy Park which are all owned by In January 2021, we installed a to ensure that when Parkdean Resorts, so both the 11.3m x 9.7m Tarnhow Dome entertainment is on indoors, the Architect and the Director of Free Standing Timber Canopy guests seated outside won’t be Development & Estates at missing out. Although we didn’t Parkdean Resorts knew they install the screen and speakers, wanted a canopy from the same we think they’re a great idea range. The canopies we and finishes the canopy off previously installed were from nicely. our Tarnhow timber canopy range; two were the Tarnhow Dome Free Standing Timber Canopy and one was the Tarnhow Curved Free Standing Timber Canopy.

Able Canopies... Going Green, One Tree at a Time At Able Canopies, we're regularly striving to become a greener company that contributes to saving the planet by creating eco-friendly policies for our staff to follow. Our continued commitment to environmental awareness has secured us the renowned ISO 14001 certification for many years, which is something we are particularly proud of.

We are very proud that in 2021, we off-set our carbon footprint by 29.316 tonnes. However, in order to build on our 'green goals', we plan to implement more initiatives at Able Canopies HQ to off-set our carbon footprint further. We are also aware that many schools will be looking to do the same, as well as teaching their pupils the importance of lowering our planets carbon footprint and helping natural habitats and wildlife to flourish.

That's why we've come up with an idea that can help us both meet our goals, all you have to do is choose us as your canopy or shelter supplier.

So, in order to help us both achieve this, in October 2021, we started planting trees for every canopy order we receive for a school environment. We will also plant trees for every recommendation we receive that results in the booking of a site survey, and subsequent order.

The organisation we have chosen to sponsor is Tree Appeal; an environmental organisation that plants trees to create wildlife habitats, combat climate change and make a greener world. They plant their trees in schools, woodland and nature reserves across the UK and Ireland.

What You’ll Receive For every order placed for a school environment that contains at least one canopy, we'll plant two trees; one in the UK and a 'twinned' tree in Africa.

Once your canopy has been installed, we will send you an aftersales pack which includes your canopy guarantee (if applicable), maintenance schedule and a certificate with your unique tree planting codes. The codes can be entered on the Tree Appeal Website so you can find out where your tree has been planted. The certificate is particularly handy as you can keep it for your environmental records.

Free Eco-Friendly Activity Pack We have also created a free Eco-Friendly Activity Pack which you can integrate into your lessons plans. This free pack contains four different activities along with information and a selection of interesting facts about recycling, pollination and trees. Visit www.ablecanopies.co.uk/trees to download your free guide

Would you like trees planted on your land?

If you are a school or own a woodland or nature reserve, you can contact the Tree Appeal to apply for free trees. Please note, Able Canopies cannot supply trees directly to your school or organisation, we make donations to the Tree Appeal and they plant the trees in the grounds of their successful applicants. To find out more click here to contact the tree appeal.

What To Do Next Once you have gone through the steps in this guide and have decided on your product, here's what to do next.

1. Organise a Survey A site survey ensures your chosen canopy or shelter is possible in the area you would like it. At Able Canopies we offer free site surveys to our customers – call us on free phone 0800 389 9072 to find out more.

2. Quotation Request a quotation based on the criteria discussed during your site survey. Able Canopies can provide a free visualisation of your canopy in situ to allow all decision makers to see what the structure will look like in your outside area to help you chose the perfect structure for your setting.

3. Planning Permission Check with your local council to see if planning permission will be required before you place an order. Special conditions may be required regarding the size, height or the construction materials. Able Canopies offer free planning assistance to all customers who place an order for a canopy or shelter.

4. Insist on Quality Requesting quotes from a number of companies is popular but don't always chose the cheapest, remember to take quality into consideration. It is also important to ensure you chose a company who uses the best quality materials and has all the required Health and Safety credentials.

Able Canopies use top quality materials for all structures and ensure that your structure, whatever the design and shape is fully certified to withstand wind and snow loadings specific to your area. Able Canopies are also fully certified to ISO 9001 for quality, ISO 14001 for the environment, ISO 45001 for health and safety and ISOQAR for CE Marking.

5. Order Once you have chosen a company, you are happy with the price and you're' happy with the quality, it is time to place an order! With Able Canopies, this is an easy process, all you need to do is call or email us and we will send over an order form.

Once the order form has been completed, we will take care of everything else. We assign a dedicated Project Manager to oversee your installation from start to finish.

6. Arrange a Pre-Site If you order with Able Canopies, your Project Manager will arrange a precommencement site meeting if applicable to double check all elements of your canopy, confirm the installation date and review all health and safety aspects of the installation.

What To Do Next (continued) 7. Installation Our DBS checked, professional and fully trained installers will arrive on site on the scheduled installation date/s and install your structure with minimum disruption to you and your site. They will follow our strict health and safety guidelines at all times during the installation process and be mindful of the environment they are working within.

8. After the installation Once installed, we will clean the canopy and ensure the surrounding area is tidy, perform a water test on any gutters and downpipes, and perform our 10 Step Checking Procedure. We will then ask you to complete our satisfaction survey to check that you are happy with the structure and service received, offering you the option to leave your comments if you wish.

9. Our After Sales Service Once your canopy has been installed, we will send you a copy of your customised After Sales Pack which includes your and after care information to enable you to enjoy the benefits of your canopy or shelter for many years to come.

We also offer a free press release service once the product has been installed to help you get gain some positive press coverage in your local newspapers plus, well known magazines related to your industry.

Able Canopies are the canopy experts. We provide safe and stylish weather protection that transforms outside spaces. Our high-quality structures create new areas for learning, dining and social activities.

Our commitment to quality materials and working practices is demonstrated by our ISO certification, Constructionline Gold status, Acclaim Accreditation and the use of CE marked materials.

For more information about our canopies, accessories and service please call one of our friendly canopy experts on 0800 389 9072 or email on: sales@ablecanopies.co.uk Alternatively you can find out more about our canopies, view installations and read customer feedback on our website: www.ablecanopies.co.uk

Able Canopies Ltd Head Office 9 - 11 Faraday Close Gorse Lane Ind. Estate Clacton on Sea Essex, CO15 4TR Tel: 0800 389 9072

Web: www.ablecanopies.co.uk | Email: sales@ablecanopies.co.uk | Freephone: 0800 389 9072 | Fax: 01255 425 541