About us and who we work with

Our CEO Mark Wood is a highly driven person who makes it his mission to improve products, creating designs and using materials that perform better and last much longer. Therefore, when he realised in 2005 that the canopies which were on the market at the time were inferior compared to what they could be, he made it his mission to completely redesign canopies as they were known. He set himself the task of producing stand-out products that are superior in design and longevity, along with a service that is second to none.

The very first product we introduced into our product range was the Coniston Wall Mounted Canopy; a commercial grade aluminium system which created cost effective and efficient cover from the weather. A range of free-standing canopies, shelters and shade sails later followed, all based on the continuing ethos of quality, longevity and exceptional ‘value for money’.

Based in Clacton on Sea in Essex, our safe and stylish weather protection solutions have transformed thousands of outside spaces within schools and commercial settings, leaving them with high-quality, long-lasting structures that look great. You can view these installations here: UK Canopy Installations

Since we began trading 19 years ago, we focussed solely on the canopy and shade market however, in 2018 we officially became more involved in the running of larger and more complex projects, rebranding us into Able Canopies and Outdoor Projects. This makes our project management services more known and readily available to everyone who requires the service.

Our team of canopy experts work directly with customers, Architects, Contractors and Councils to ensure on time, on budget, project completion. To maintain our consistently high quality we control the entire design, manufacture, and installation process of our canopies.

We hold all the major quality and safety certifications including ISO, Acclaim and Construction Line Gold. For more information on these certifications click here.

Mark’s drive to redesign and improve products has never left him, once he perfected shade and shelter structures, he then set about to design his own range of fire-retardant decking boards for balconies, terraces and walkways creating what has become our sister company; AliDeck.

Our mission

Our mission is to create attractive and functional shelter for all our customers, tailoring each installation to individual needs. Our dedicated team are committed to providing quality products with a personal and friendly customer service that is second to none. Our projects service enables us to manage our customers whole outdoor project, making the process much easier and simpler as they only have one company to deal with.

What our customers say about us

We are dedicated to ensuring that our customers receive nothing but the very best customer service and the highest quality of products. To ensure that we achieve this goal we monitor the feedback from our customers and ask them about why they chose Able Canopies to be their canopy provider.

When our customers from the last 6 months were asked why they chose us this is what they said:

Why are we the Canopy Experts?

The design, manufacture and installation of stylish, effective and safe canopies involves many processes and commitments to ensure a high-quality service and a finished canopy that will last. Here are some of the activities and endorsements that make our service and products stand out.

• The finest canopy and shelter systems available in the UK
• Quality materials that are independently audited through our achievement of the UKCA/CE mark that is required in all steel and aluminium structures
• 10 year guarantees and 25-year life expectancies on most of our products
• ISO certification for quality and environmental standards
• Constructionline Gold status
• Acclaim Accreditation approved
• Products available on the NBS BIM Library
• Our own specifiers site for architects and contractors
• An efficient project management service, covering soft play safety surfacing, fencing, all new aluminium decking systems, artificial grass and more
• A free no obligation site visit from one of our trained surveyors to offer you expert guidance on the right solution for you
• Minimum disruption to you; some canopies be installed in a day!
• Extensive experience of installing during the school or working day and to do that safely and efficiently
• Efficient, non-intrusive installation by DBS Registered, expert fitting teams
• Free funding and fundraising advice
• Planning assistance to help you navigate the complicated planning and/or building regulations process

We are committed to quality

This is not something that we just say. Our processes are geared up to deliver the highest standards. We are audited to ensure we meet the requirements of ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001. Our supply chain has achieved UKCA/CE marketing meaning our canopies are safe and fit for purpose. For more information click here: Able Canopies Certifications

We transform outside space

A big part of our continued success is our understanding of why schools, universities, retailers and leisure outlets want to be able to use outside space and what benefits it brings them.

The ability to use the outdoors for teaching, dining and other activities is crucial to schools. That is why we focus on the key issues of position, flow of people and expected use when we come to survey. That way we make sure schools get exactly what they need.

The same applies to commercial operations. If you want more covers at your restaurant then some canopies will work better than others. If you need a functional, yet stylish entrance canopy for your office building, shop or hotel then a thorough investigation of your requirements will make sure you get weather protection that does the right job.

Our product range includes wall mounted canopies, free standing canopies, entrance canopies, solar canopies, walkway canopies, shade sails, cycle shelters, cycle compounds, waiting shelters, buggy shelters, and bin shelters. These are sold to sectors including schools, local authorities, sporting, leisure, hospitality, health and care.

Offering a personal and friendly service, we ensure that each canopy is tailored to your individual needs and that you get the most from your investment.

Contact us

Head office address:

9 – 11 Faraday Close

Gorse Lane Industrial Estate

Clacton on Sea

Essex, CO15 4TR

The Canopy Buying Process

Discover our canopy buying process and find out how stress-free and enjoyable buying your new canopy can be.

Click here to read the canopy buying process in full.

Office Hours:

Mon – Fri: 8:30am – 5.30pm

Sat – Sun – Closed

Social Media:

Twitter: @ablecanopies

Facebook: AbleCanopies

LinkedIn: AbleCanopiesLtd

Who We Work With

We are proud of our track record of success when working with leading companies in construction, retail and architecture.

We have highlighted some of the organisations we have completed projects for in the past further below. Many of them, particularly in the construction and architecture sectors, are people who we continue to work with and have built excellent relationships with. ‘If a man is known by the company he keeps’ then we hope that you can tell a lot about our commitment to quality and professionalism from the people who trust us with their canopy installations.

Schools, Academies, Nurseries, Colleges and Universities

The education sector is our strongest client base, we have installed thousands of canopies and shelters across schools, nurseries, colleges and universities across the UK. We can work with schools directly or via a contactor, architect or council and have extensive experience in all fields.

You can opt to have your canopy installed during term time as we can safely fence off the area to create a safe working environment that will cause minimal disruption to you and your pupils, or you can also opt for a canopy installation during the school holidays if you prefer, the choice is yours. Find out more about our canopies for schools and universities here

Contractors

Our relationships with contractors have been built over many years. They are based on our commitment to quality, site safety and design innovation. To find out more about our service for contractors and to read specific case studies please click here: Canopies for Contractors

Architects

As with our work with contractors, the relationships we have with architects are important and we put a lot of work into building and maintain those contacts. For example, we have a separate technical website that gives specifiers the ability to use relevant drawings and specifications. For more on our service with architects, click here: Canopies for Architects

Retail, Leisure, Hospitality, Commercial and Healthcare

We have extensive experience of working with retail, leisure and hospitality brands and the commercial and healthcare sectors to provide effective weather protection and deliver brand consistency. Our canopies provide customer comfort, additional dining space and secure cycle parking. For more on our work in this area, click here: Canopies for Retail, Leisure and Hospitality and Canopies for Healthcare Settings.

Councils

Through our work in education we have worked with many councils across the UK. To do this we have had to meet all the relevant criteria related to site safety, product testing, quality materials and competitive pricing.