Outside Comfort Zone - Spring 2024

Outside Comfort Zone

SPRING 2024

BUILDING DESIGN, IDEAS & SOLUTIONS FOR YOU AND YOUR CLIENTS

Welcome to the spring 2024 edition of Outside Comfort Zone In this month?s edition you will find us celebrating our customer ratings and reviews, discover the Coniston Canopy's new feature, explore our entrance canopy style options and one of our newest glulam timber canopies case studies.

The Coniston Canopy Now Features Aluminium Downpipes

The Coniston Wall Mounted Canopy has been Able Canopies number one shade and shelter structure since we began trading over 19 years ago Since then, we have modified the design of the Consiton canopy to continually improve it.

What?s New?

The latest modification we have made is to the uPVC downpipes This has been upgraded to aluminium for all colour availabilities, making the system entirely aluminium

See page 4 to read the full article.

Above: The Tarnhow Dome Freestanding Timber Canopy at Sandy Glade Holiday Park in Burnham on Sea, Somerset

Employee Spotlight: Chantelle Cartwright

Recently week, I sat down with Chantelle Cartwright, our Sales Advisor so you can get to know her as she is the person you are most likely to speak to when calling to make an enquiry.

Chantelle has worked for the company for 9 years and she works directly with our customers in the education sector including schools, colleges, universities, nurseries and pre-schools Here?s what she had to say about her time here so far at Able Canopies:

?I have been working directly with schools for over 9 years, helping them to achieve the perfect solution for the area/s they are wishing to cover with school canopies. I speak to Site Managers, Facilities Managers, School Business Managers and Head Teachers to establish their needs. I then book in the free site surveys and once they have been completed, I liaise with the surveyor and the pricing and design teams to arrange for estimates, quotations, and super imposed images to be completed, whilst keeping in contact with the customer, offering a complete customer experience

The most rewarding part for me is the end result ? seeing the finished canopy installation photos, receiving positive feedback and hearing how the children are benefiting from being outside no matter the weather

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To motivate myself, I set myself daily tasks and reminders I work very closely with all team members, and we all have the same goal which is to provide excellent service to our customers and providing high quality commercial canopies and shelters and value for money.

Which brings me to the thing I love the most about working at Able Canopies which is that we are a real family Everyone in the company has been with Able Canopies for many years, and everyone has a huge wealth of knowledge. If one of us doesn? t know something, then another one of us will Everyone here is friendly and we all work as a team.

We are a very close-knit social group and often go out to celebrate key events such as service anniversaries and work-related achievements We also often get involved with charitable events such as The Moonwalk, 100 day skip challenge for Cancer Research and the Midnight Walk for St Elizabeth Hospice which we all completed in our fluorescent tutus in 2018 for our late colleague Martin Ainsley

My favourite part of the job has to be that no two days or enquiries are ever the same That is also what motivates me; learning new things and taking on new challenges. You never know what project you will be working on next I love the variety of the enquiries we receive and enjoy helping our customers to find the right solution I am passionate when it comes to building relationships with our customers and as a result, we have many schools who come back to us time and time again

A project I?m currently working on that I?m really excited to see completed is at a primary school in Upminster. We previously installed a Coniston Freestanding Canopy in 2018 for them, they got back in touch with me in February 2023 and presented us with an image of colourful stepped area that they wanted to cover with an array of shade sails.

We installed the posts in February this year, and are due to complete the shade sails week commencing the soon as the posts require time to settle. I can? t wait to see the finished photos of this project

My proudest project however, that I have worked on in the 9 years I?ve been here has to be the canopies at Solihull Sixth Form College We have built a strong relationship with the college, and we have installed three Welford Dome Freestanding Canopies in their student area. The canopies have transformed their outdoor area into a usable space that the students can benefit from in between lessons

And just for a bit of fun, my secret talent is my culinary skills! I love experimenting with different recipes and enjoy cooking healthy food. Also, I have recently became a keen skipper ? I recently raised £55.00 for the ?100 Skips a Day?challenge in March for Cancer Research UK

Something you won? t know about me is that Anne Hayes, the mother of Sade, who is one of the most successful British female artists in history, was my mum?s midwife when she was pregnant with me.

I have also completed ballroom and Latin exams through the IDTA when I was younger, which may explain my obsession with dance and now living my passion through my daughter ?

Our Service from Design to Completion with Contractors &

At Able Canopies Ltd , our core objective is to provide innovative and secure weather protection solutions that enhance outdoor spaces Our premium offerings are designed to facilitate new outdoor experiences, whether it be dining, waiting, or learning environments, by offering shade and shelter from adverse weather conditions This not only facilitates seamless transitions between buildings but also elevates the comfort and utility of outdoor areas

Our comprehensive control over the design, manufacturing, and installation process, coupled with our commitment to regular site meetings, ensures smooth project execution and consistently high client satisfaction This dedication to excellence has fostered a loyal customer base that values our reliable and efficient service delivery Enquiry Process

The journey with our expert team commences the moment we receive your enquiry Direct your initial communication to Jack via email at jack@ablecanopies co uk or through postal mail to Able Canopies Ltd, 9-11 Faraday Close, Gorse Lane Industrial Estate, Clacton on Sea, Essex, CO15 4TR Upon receiving your enquiry,we assess the provided documents to determine the suitability of our standard products (if none are already specified), or the need for a custom-designed solution

Estimation

If our standard canopy products have been specified, we will reply with a formal estimate. However, if a bespoke product is required, we may contact you to discuss our product proposals that match your design requirements Once everyone?s happy with the design, we will also send a formal estimate

Site Meetings

Our commitment to collaboration extends to attending site meetings, facilitating in-depth discussions on design considerations Our team is fully certified for construction site presence, adhering to all necessary safety and regulatory standards, details of which can be found on our website: www ablecanopies co uk/resources/certifications/

Ordering Process

Upon order placement, we coordinate a preliminary site meeting to evaluate the installation area, access logistics, and necessary equipment, ensuring seamless integration with your project timeline.

Installation

We schedule the installation at a mutually convenient date, maintaining open lines of communication throughout the process. Our team is available for additional site meetings, ensuring all aspects of the project align with your requirements

After Sales Service

Our commitment to you extends beyond installation. We offer a comprehensive after-sales service, including attendance at sign-off meetings and provision of guarantee certificates and maintenance guides to the end user, ensuring the longevity and performance of our commercial canopies Should any concerns arise post-installation, our dedicated support team is readily available to assist, demonstrating our unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction and ongoing support

At Able Canopies Ltd , we pride ourselves on maintaining exceptional customer satisfaction levels, continually striving to serve our clients and partners with dedication and professionalism post-installation.

The Coniston Canopy Now Features Aluminium Downpipes

The Coniston Wall Mounted Canopy has been Able Canopies number one shade and shelter structure since we began over 19 years ago Since then, we have modified the design to continually improve it. By doing this we have created a commercial canopy that is a leader in the market and has been installed at thousands of schools and businesses across the UK.

as a freestanding canopy with the addition of rear steel goal posts?

It is also available as a walkway canopy to cover your external walkways from one building to another and also as a disability access canopy and a modular outdoor classroom with the addition of side panels and doors

Canopies Tailored to Your Needs

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Our previous design revision included changing the external uPVC guttering over to a sleek integrated aluminium box guttering system This guttering made maintenance so much easier and it also meant maintenance was required less often. It also dramatically reduced the risk of damage to the guttering and modernised the canopy, making it look fresh, contemporary,and streamlined What?s New?

The latest modification is to the uPVC downpipe this has now been changed to aluminum, making the entire structure aluminum

So, just as you thought the Coniston couldn? t get any better, it has.

It?s Not Just a Wall Mounted

Canopy

Did you know, although the Coniston began as a wall mounted canopy,it can also be manufactured

At Able Canopies, we understand that each installation needs to be tailored to individual requirements Our team of canopy experts collaborates closely with customers, schools, architects, contractors, and councils to deliver projects on time and within budget, maintaining the high quality that we are known for The Coniston Wall Mounted Canopy, like all our products, is part of our mission to create attractive and functional companies suited to the specific needs of each client

Safety and Quality Certification

Here at Able Canopies, we have all the major quality and safety certifications, including ISO, Acclaim, and Construction Line Gold, ensuring that our products meet the highest standards of safety and quality in the industry.

Our Customer Ratings and Reviews

We?re big on customer service here at Able Canopies and we therefore do our utmost to satisfy our customers through every step of the canopy buying process from the initial contact to the survey, quotation, installation and aftersales We go out of our way to ensure our customers are so impressed that not only would they highly recommend us to other schools and businesses, but they would also use us again themselves

Of course we may not always get it right, but that doesn? t mean we don? t try, because we really do, and our customer feedback proves that Able Canopies Rating and Reviews

Every 6 months we run a report from the feedback received over the previous 6 months and publish it on our customer feedback page on our website That way, you can see for yourselves how satisfied our customers really are.

The most recent report shows the feedback received in July 2023 ? December 2023 You can also view the report along with the written customer testimonials received on our website: www.ablecanopies.co.uk/customer-testimonials/

Leave Your Own Feedback

If you?ve had a canopy or shelter installed by us and haven? t left us feedback, you can do so on our website: www ablecanopies co uk/satisfaction-feedback-survey/

The Most Popular Canopy

The most common product that our customers purchased over the 6-month period was the Coniston which is available as a freestanding canopy and a wall mounted canopy In fact, year after year, secures the top spot as our most popular canopy. This is due to it being such a versatile, robust, long-lasting canopy with many options along with its ability to fit around building shapes and obstructions

It?s also cost effective whilst still featuring a high-quality design and being made from the best materials including marine grade aluminium and vandal and shatter resistant polycarbonate that does not discolour from exposure to the sun

Can You Leave Us a Review on Google?

Can we ask a quick favour please? If you are an existing customer of ours, could you please leave us a review on Google Business?

Leaving reviews really helps potential customers know what it?s like to work with us, and whether they should choose us to fulfil their weather protection requirements

Plus, we?d really appreciate it; we love receiving feedback, it?s either a big pat on the back which puts big smiles on ?team Able?s?faces, or constructive, helping us to see where we can improve and do better Although if you do come across any issues, please do contact us by calling 0800 389 9072 or emailing sales@ablecanopies.co.uk and we?ll do our best to resolve the issue for you

We?d be so grateful if you could help us by leaving a review on Google. It will only take a minute of your time and will help us and our potential new customers greatly

www ablecanopies co uk/review/

Timber Canopies that Cover All Areas

Our Tarnhow range of Glulam Timber Canopies just keep getting better Our most popular of them all, the Tarnhow Dome Freestanding Timber Canopy can now span up to an impressive 16 metres with an unlimited length

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However, before I delve into what that means for you and your clients, let?s go through the main benefits of our timber canopies and why you need to add a timber canopy to your latest project

What is Glulam Timber?

All our timber canopies in the Tarnhow range are manufactured from Gulam timber beams. What is Glulam timber you wonder? Glulam timber, which is also known as glued laminated timber is a structurally engineered wood product which is produced by gluing thin layers of timber together using a durable, moisture-resistant structural adhesive

This enables timber beams to be used for structures that require beams which are larger than what can be sourced naturally from a solid piece of wood

It also means that stunning curved timber beams can be created as a result because during the manufacturing process, the beams can be curved which isn? t possible with a solid length of wood.

Big and Small Timber Canopies

Now you know what Glulam timber is and its capabilities, you will not be surprised to know that our timber canopies are available in bespoke sizes starting from very small which are ideal for entrance canopies, to extra-large structures that are perfect for outdoor classrooms and outdoor dining canopies.

As an example, we installed a Tarnhow Mono Wall Mounted Timber Canopy at Stockport Grammar School in Greater Manchester in 2020. They were looking to cover a modest area of 6m x 3m to provide cover to their entrance which their reception pupils could also to play and learn outside To read more visit: www.ablecanopies.co.uk/installations/ stockport-grammar-school-timber-canopy/

On the other end of the scale, we installed a 30m x 12m Tarnhow Dome Freestanding Timber Canopy at Northam Farm Holiday Park in Somerset in March 2021. They were looking to provide an extra-large outdoor dining area so their visitors could dine outside all year round whilst keeping protected from the weather including both the sun and rain

Bespoke Timber Canopies

We have five standard timber canopies in our Tarnhow range however, we can also manufacture bespoke timber canopies to meet your exact requirements, we can either adapt one of our standard products, or design an entirely new structure to complement your vision

Take the bespoke canopy we installed at Penyrheol Primary School in Swansea They had an area that required cover to keep the multiple entrances within it dry and sheltered They opted for a bespoke Tarnhow Curved Freestanding Timber Canopy

We also adapted a Tarnhow Dome Freestanding Timber canopy at Barking Abbey School in London, to enable the structure to fit around the shape of their school building, creating continuous cover from the weather for their pupils when dining outside (Pictured above )

The Tarnhow Dome

As promised, you will now discover the impressive spanning capabilities of the Tarnhow Dome Freestanding Timber Canopy which can now cover a maximum width of up to 16 metres

Along with a mighty 16 metre span, it also has an unlimited length which means you can cover extra large areas such as the example mentioned for Northam Farm Holiday Park in Somerset

If you were to opt for a square 16m x 16m canopy, utilising the maximum span and just a fraction of the maximum length, you could cover a whopping 256m2! Imagine the number of outdoor dining tables you could fit underneath that! Think of how much space you could free up from inside of your clients building and how many extras spaces they could offer with the addition of a canopy

Alongside the impressive size, the Tarnhow Dome is a stunning structure that has an attractive domed roof, using curved glue laminated timber beams that add a touch of elegance and extravagance, whilst also adding a natural, organic feel to the area.

This striking structure simply cannot fail in covering your weather protection needs, contact us today to find out more

Discover more about the timber canopies in our Tarnhow range below:

Tarnhow Dome Freestanding Timber Canopy

Tarnhow Mono Freestanding Timber Canopy

Tarnhow Mono Wall Mounted Timber Canopy

Tarnhow Curved Wall Mounted Timber Canopy

Tarnhow Curved Freestanding Timber Canopy

Entrance Canopy Style Options

At Able Canopies Ltd we offer extensive range of canopies to help cater to individual needs. One of the product ranges we offer are our entrances canopies An entrance canopy can highlight the correct door for visitors to use and also extend a porch area to create a spacious waiting area and make a feature of your entrance.

Here are some of the entrance canopy styles and options available to help you choose the perfect shade and shelter structure for your clients entrance

Entrance Canopy Style Options

First of all, there are many entrance canopy styles to choose from including domed entrance canopies which suit many building styles including modern designs; apex entrance canopies which tend to suit more historic buildings; and cantilevered entrance canopies which look fantastic in contemporary settings With all the difference designs available, you are sure to find the perfect style for your desired appearance

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Entrance Canopy Construction Material

Our entrance canopy range consists of steel and aluminium structures however, as all our structures are made to order, we can transform our timber canopies into entrance canopies to suit your needs as shown above at The Oaks Primary School.

Our steel and aluminium entrance canopies are the most popular choice across the board and it?s no wonder as there are 19 designs to choose from including wall mounted, freestanding, cantilevered, mono-pitched, curve and domed

Entrance Canopy Colour Options

As well as many design and material options, entrance canopies are also available in a wide range of colours with many available in any RAL colour to ensure you get an exact match with your plans Or, if you would prefer, you can create a contrasting effect by choosing a colour that is different yet, still fits in, making more of a focal point

Entrance Canopies with Signage and Branding

We offer all the above designs as well as offering bespoke entrance canopies to ensure we find the perfect solution for your project. Pictured above is a bespoke timber entrance canopy that we installed at The Oaks Primary School in Birmingham To find out more information about The Oaks Primary School entrance canopy install visit our website: www.ablecanopies.co.uk/installations/the-oaksprimary-school/

Entrance Canopy Size Options

Entrance Canopies can be installed in many sizes to suit your requirements, if you are looking for something small and modest to cover an area just above the doors, the Abberton Entrance Canopy is a great budget choice, or alternatively, the Kensington Junior Entrance Canopy looks great and adds a depth of grandeur to an entrance

If however you are looking to cover a larger area, the Welford Dome Entrance Canopy will have you covered, as will the Whiteside Entrance Canopy, both of which are very popular across many sectors including education and healthcare

A great way to make an entrance stand out is by adding canopy signage You can add whatever design you wish to the signage such a logo, the name of your school/business, your branding colours, text of your choice and images

Signage has been popular in the past for schools and organisations who?s visitors struggle to find their main entrance Adding signage makes the entrance stand out and makes it much more visible and clearer as to whether it is the correct entrance, by labelling it clearly.

Now you know the benefits of entrance canopies and the styles of entrance canopies available, you may now be ready to specify us for your next project.

For more information about our entrance canopies: Call us on: 0800 389 9072

Email: sales@ablecanopies co uk or Visit our website: www ablecanopies co uk

Rush Green Primary School Coniston Wall Mounted Canopy installation

Before the Canopy Installation

After the Canopy Installation

For more details of Rush Green Primary School Canopy transformation visit our website and type "Rush Green Primary School" into the search bar.

Enhance your clients outdoor area with Able Canopies' top product, the Coniston Wall Mounted Canopy. Designed for durability and style, it offers up to 25 years of reliable shelter and UV protection

Key Features:

- Durable Aluminum Construction: No uPVC, only robust aluminum for maximum longevity.

- High UV Protection: 35mm polycarbonate panels block over 98% of UV rays.

- Customizable Designs: Available in any length and up to 6m projection with a range of color options.

- Quick Installation: Integrated guttering for fast setup with minimal disruption.

Perfect for schools and businesses, the Coniston enhances outdoor learning and leisure areas, ensuring year-round usability regardless of weather conditions.

Able Canopies Ltd. ? Sheltering your world with style and innovation.

Barking Abbey School, London ? Glulam Timber Canopy Case Study

Customer: London Borough of Barking and Dagenham Council

Architect: Munday & Cramer

Product and Size:

Longbridge Campus ? 1 66m x 13 16m Tarnhow Dome Freestanding Canopy connected to a 8 5m x 7 1m Tarnhow Curved Freestanding Canopy

Sandringham Campus ? 20.16m x 11.66m Tarnhow Dome Freestanding Canopy

Groundworks Canopy Package ?

900sqm of strip out

600sqm of paving slabs

300sqm of tarmac

Installation of 60m Aco Hexdrain drainage and 13 gully drains

Frame Colour: Nutwood

Installation Date: July & August 2022

The Brief

London Borough of Barking and Dagenham Council were an existing customer of ours, having completed Glulam Timber Canopies at Eastbrook Primary School and Manor Longbridge Infant School, both in Dagenham During a meeting with them regarding the above schools, they mentioned a project at Barking Abbey School

dimensions were:

-Sandringham campus: 20 metres x 11 5 metres

-Longbridge campus: (L shape canopy) 11 5 metres x 13 metres + 8 5 metres x 6 5 metres

Barking Abbey School is a very large school with two campuses in East London which serves the boroughs of Barking & Dagenham and Redbridge. They are a non-selective, comprehensive, twelve form entry school that was founded in 1922, and has a proud tradition of academic and sporting success

The Solution

Following the meeting, Munday and Cramer, the Architects working on the project, sent us the proposal drawings which specified our Tarnhow Glulam Timber Canopies and were in their words ?similar to the Eastbrook School project.?

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Upon receiving the documents, we sent an estimate for three Freestanding Tarnhow Glulam Timber Canopies including a domed canopy at the Sandringham site, and a domed canopy with a curved canopy attached to fit around an external corner at the Longbridge site The canopy

With the previous projects we have completed for London Borough of Barking and Dagenham Council, we also completed the groundworks side of the project by resurfacing areas underneath canopies, underground drainage and new fencing and walls We therefore reminded them of this which can be extremely useful as it reduces admin time for them as they are dealing with less contractors and less paperwork This service is available as part of our outdoor projects canopy package which means we can complete groundworks, fencing and other requirements, so we can take care of the whole project for you from stat of finish

As this is a considerably large project, a team member from Munday and Cramer expressed that he was a little concerned however, our Technical Sales Advisor reassured him about our capabilities and what we can provide for the project They discussed foundation sizes, connections & loadings, and he was very impressed with what we can do and how closely we work with the council

The canopies required planning permission and once it was granted, Munday and Cramer confirmed that we were the preferred contractor, and they would like us to take care of the full works including the drainage and landscaping

The final canopy sizes chosen once we had completed a full site survey were:

Sandringham campus: 20 16m x 11 66m

Longbridge campus: 11 66m x 13 16m Tarnhow Dome connected to a 8 5m x 7 1m Tarnhow Curved freestanding Canopy

We also agreed to complete the following groundworks as part of the whole canopy package across both sites A total of: 900sqm of strip out

600sqm of paving slabs

300sqm of tarmac

Installation of 60m Aco Hexdrain drainage and 13 gully drains

The Installation

We began work on site by initiating the groundwork phase, which involved laying foundations and installing the canopies Following this, we proceeded to finish the groundwork tasks, which included laying paving slabs and fulfilling drainage requirements.

The Longbridge site was completed in July 2022 and the Sandringham site was completed in August 2022 Please note, the picnic tables shown in the photos were supplied by another contractor

The Longbridge canopy covers 26 picnic tables which can seat from 156-208 children and the Sandringham campus canopy covers 28 picnic benches which can seat from 168 ? 224 children at any given time This dramatically reduces the congestion inside their dining hall and gives their pupils much more room to move around, all whilst enjoying the fresh air.

Our Product Brochure

If you would like a copy of our full product catalogue then let us know on 0800 389 9072 or sales@ablecanopies.co.uk and we will get one out in the post to you. It contains all you need to transform your outside space and keep those cycles secure. As well as our canopy systems, the brochure contains information on all our accessories and upgrades ? such as side fills, heating and lighting and colour options.

You can also download your copy from: www ablecanopies co uk/brochure-download/

Essential Information for Architects & Specifiers Committed to Service Quality

Our website includes all the drawings, technical specifications and recent images that you could need to help your project These user friendly details allow you to quickly compare different systems, roofing options and materials, enabling efficient, informative specifications to be made Our whole product range is available allowing you to decide on the best solutions for walkways, dining areas, shelter, sun shade or all year round weather protection Visit our website and navigate to your chosen product page www ablecanopies co uk

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We are committed to the highest standards of customer service, which is independently audited wherever possible

- External assessment of our quality through our achievement of ISO and ACCLAIM certification requirements means that our service is delivered to a consistently high standard

- We have achieved Constructionline Gold status ? meaning our approach to health & safety, environment & waste and equalities & diversity meet recognised standards

- Each project will have a thorough site survey to ensure your requirements are fully understood and the installation can be completed with the minimum disruption

- At all times our expert team is available to answer questions and help you with project timing and planning

For Advice, Consultation and Information:

Call: 0800 389 9072 | Email: sales@ablecanopies co uk

Follow us on our social sites to view new product info and recent installation photos for inspiration: Twitter: @ablecanopies Facebook: @AbleCanopies