With so many outdoor dining canopy designs available, it can be hard to know which dining canopy is right for your school. Whether you’ve already got the budget and a plan set in stone or simply want to know more about our designs, we’ve got it all right here in this blog.
At A&S Landscape, we’re passionate about helping schools make the most of their outdoor space. If you’re looking for a brand new outdoor dining solution that can support crowded lunchtimes, enhance your school’s architecture, and get pupils outdoors, you’re in the right place.
Let’s break down our best outdoor dining canopies and shelters and find the right solution for your school.
Do I really need an outdoor dining canopy?
If you’re still at that in-between stage or feeling unsure whether you really need a dining canopy, let’s see just what sort of value it could add to your school. Like all of our school canopies, our solutions allow staff and pupils to make the most of their outdoor space, come rain or shine.
Here are some other reasons why schools might need a dedicated dining canopy:
- To relieve overcrowding at lunchtimes
- To expand your space without expensive brick extensions
- To let pupils enjoy their lunch at the same time, without staggered breaks
- To protect pupils and staff from rain or wind during outdoor breaks
- To boost moods and let pupils enjoy the great outdoors
- To double as an extra classroom
>> You might already have an ideal vision of how you’ll use your outdoor dining canopy, but if you’re looking for some inspiration, be sure to check out our outdoor dining canopy ideas for schools. <<
Which outdoor dining canopy is right for you? Popular outdoor dining canopy designs for schools
When it comes to our designs, we’ve got five showstopping canopies that are sure to make an impact. From large, fully enclosed spaces to sleek, linear designs, you’re bound to find a dining canopy that you’ll fall in love with.
There are a few choices:
- A brand new, bespoke enclosed modular building, which works especially well when you want a completely separate building in a disconnected location
- An outdoor dining canopy without doors or sides, which can either be attached to an existing building or stand on its own. They’re particularly great for sheltering specific areas or clusters of outdoor seating
Below, we’ve broken it down by products, their best features, how much you can expect to pay, and what lunchtime problem they can solve.
| Image | Product name | Best features | Starting price | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Motiva Vista™ | ✔️ Solid steel frame that holds against rust and wear
✔️ Tailored finishes like lighting, flooring, & even heating ✔️ Additional side panel and door options |
Available upon request | Schools seeking a high-capacity dining space that’s fully functional in the winter |
 |
Motiva Expanse™ | ✔️ Solid steel frame that holds against rust and wear
✔️ Tailored finishes like lighting, flooring, & even heating ✔️ Modern, sleek looking aesthetics |
Available upon request | Modern secondary schools looking for a striking, modern dining space |
 |
Motiva Duo™ | ✔️ Solid steel frame that holds against rust and wear
✔️ Low-maintenance polycarbonate that’s durable & built to last ✔️ Vandal-proof aluminium gutters |
£12,500 | An open playground with high-traffic looking for a dining solution away from school grounds |
 |
Motiva Linear™ | ✔️ Solid steel frame that holds up against rust and wear
✔️ Low-maintenance polycarbonate that’s durable & built to last ✔️ Vandal-proof aluminium gutters |
£10,500 | Schools looking for a cost-effective dining solution that can expand outdoor eating right outside the classroom doors |
 |
Maxima Tepee® | ✔️ Solid steel frame that holds against rust and wear
✔️ Built-in drainage solution that is neatly tucked away ✔️ Utilise extra space with fewer uprights |
Starting from £20,000 | Primary and secondary schools wanting a visually distinct dining zone |
Things to consider before purchasing your dining canopy
It’s all well and good finding a design that you like, but will it actually work for your school? Luckily, when you choose A&S Landscape as your trusted canopy partner, you can rely on the best service that uniquely tailors each canopy to the needs of your school. Before you lock in on one of our options above, here’s how to be sensible and ensure that the canopy you pick is the right one:
Will you need planning permission?
> Whether you need planning permission depends on things like the size of your canopy, where it will sit on your school, and how close it is to boundaries. Typically, most school canopies fall under permitted development rights and don’t need full planning permission, but it isn’t always guaranteed. Our experts will let you know exactly where you stand when you consult about one of our designs.
Can you afford it?
> Whether you’ve already got the budget or not, funding your canopy is a massive part of the process. Did you know that various education grants can help with projects like dining canopies? Take a look at our school grants page for more information.
Where will your dining canopy be located?
> When it comes to purchasing your canopy, think about where it will be placed. How close will it be to your canteen or kitchen? If it’s too far away, pupils will have to walk far with their trays of food, and if it feels too disconnected from your main facilities, it might not get as much use as you’d hoped.
If you have any questions about how our team works or how we can support you, have a read of our FAQs page.
What do our canopy experts recommend?
Still need advice? We’ve broken down your buying guide by recommending which dining canopy is best suited to your needs. Here’s what our canopy expert, [insert name], recommends based on what you want to prioritise:
Best dining canopy for extra space – The Motiva Expanse™. It is fully enclosed so can be used as extra space during the day, such as an exam area or somewhere to host parents’ evenings or school fairs.
Best weatherproof dining canopy – The Motiva Vista™. You can add sides or doors, perfect for staying cosy during a Great British downpour.
Best value dining canopy – The Motiva Duo™. For amazing long-lasting quality, this is the canopy that’s most popular with our clients.
Get your canopy project underway with A&S Landscape
And there you have it… a complete guide to our outdoor canopy designs. We hope that this blog has been useful in helping you decide which shelter is best suited for your school. Gone are the days of suffering from overcrowding, limited facilities, and unhappy, hungry pupils!
Here at A&S Landscape, we’ve got all the expertise to support your unique needs and requirements. By discovering what it is you need your dining canopy for, we work with you to create a completely bespoke solution, letting lunchtimes feel more manageable and your school a place where pupils thrive.
Bring your dining canopy project to life by requesting your free proposal right now.
Dining canopy FAQs:
Do I need planning permission for a dining canopy?
Most school canopy projects fall under permitted development rights, meaning that full planning permission isn’t required. However, it can depend on things like size, height, and proximity to boundaries. Discover more about planning permission for canopies right here.
How do I know what size canopy I need?
That depends on how many pupils you wish to accommodate. Our team will help to calculate the exact size you need during our initial consultation based on your direct needs and how you want to use the space. We accommodate all schools, and even offer bespoke canopies so there’s no reason we can’t bring your vision to life.
How long does installation take?
Once you’ve decided on the dining canopy design that’s right for you, it’s time for your project to get underway. The typical time for installation can be anywhere from days to weeks, depending on the structure. We’ll plan around your calendar for maximum efficiency and try to install at a time that suits you. Discover more by reading our installation FAQs.
