When we speak about canopies, we often refer to them as decorative accessories for your or business. In fact, they can be much more. Canopies come in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes and can be installed on, in front of, inside, or next to schools, restaurants, hotels, shopping centers, storefronts, and almost any commercial location.

Canopies are great additions to your business. They can be fitted to the walls above door and window frames and over sidewalks, building entries and walkways. You can also find free-standing canopies which aren't fixed to any building, with common applications in outdoor patios, balconies, lobbies, gardens, and parking lots.

Apart from their decorative use, canopies can also provide shade and protection against rain and snowfall. Canopies are especially valuable to restaurants that have outdoor patios, where patrons can sit in the shade and read their newspaper, eat a meal or visit with friends while enjoying the outside air and being shielded from the elements. Canopies come in all sizes and can be used to cover the widest of spaces, including school yards or waiting areas in parking lots. Commercial garages and car ports are just another use for canopies, where they provide shade and weather protection for valuable company vehicles.

Restaurants, coffee shops, burger joints, and lunchtime eateries can be great "hangouts." But without a canopy offering shade, their outdoor space can be hot and uninviting. Modern-day coffee shops and eateries, especially in major metropolitan areas such as New York, Los Angeles, and Miami, want their patrons to enjoy their outdoor space and, as a result, have canopies installed to provide shade for their customers. Besides, what better way to advertise your business than to have custom canopies decorated with your name and logo?

Obtaining a canopy shouldn't be a major headache, but keep in mind the following tips when searching for a canopy for your business:

* After deciding on a canopy for your business, you must determine the proper place to affix the unit. To plan the setup, it is best to speak with an interior designer, architect, or canopy installation company. This will help you select the best placement for your canopy.

* After you have made a choice about the place to install the canopy, you will need to call a licensed, insured installation and fabrication company who will create a quality product that will show your business in a positive light.

* Since canopies also serve a decorative purpose, you should choose a canopy that suits the surroundings. Color and design play an important role. Choosing the right canopy color, size and shape will make your business look more attractive to prospective customers and increase awareness in the community.

* The last thing you need to do is to understand the materials that can be used for your canopy. Fabric or metal canopies serve as a barrier to the UV radiation, which can be harmful to your skin.

In order to score the best canopy for your business, it's a good idea to find the right company to help you through each step of the project. Why not do a quick search online? Through a simple search you can find several reliable companies, who specialize in custom canopies as well as canopies suitable for schools, restaurants, storefronts, hotels, and resorts.

The author of this article is employed by Academy Inc.com, a Los Angeles, California-based leader in the manufacturing and installation of canopies, umbrellas, shade structures, signs, cabanas and custom awnings.