Shade Structures
Commercial Shade Structures for Los Angeles Properties
For a facilities manager, a shade project usually starts with a playground that's too hot to use by noon. Fixing that starts with what has to stay clear underneath: posts stay out of the play and fall areas, and the shade has to land where kids actually are at midday. We design, fabricate and install shade structures like this ourselves.
Short answer
One team from design to install
Universal Awning & Canopy designs, fabricates and installs shade structures for commercial properties, with our warehouse and showroom at 7053 Canby Ave in Reseda.
That covers shade sails, metal canopies, parking shade, patio covers and cabanas, for schools, parks, pools, car washes, healthcare courtyards, apartments and businesses across Los Angeles. Call (818) 882-0027 or send photos of the area you want covered.
Which structure fits
Which shade structure fits the space
The right structure starts with what's under it. A playground needs posts kept out of the play and fall areas. A parking row needs columns that stay clear of car doors and drive aisles. A school walkway needs a roof that sends rainwater away from the path.
Shade sailsBest forPlaygrounds, school yards, pools, courtyardsTensioned shade sails on steel posts or building anchorsSee the page
Metal canopiesBest forEntrances, walkways, loading areas, drop-offsAluminum or steel canopy, metal or translucent roofSee the page
Commercial parking shadeBest forEmployee, visitor, campus or fleet parkingPermanent parking shade over rows or stallsSee the page
Patio coversBest forRestaurant patios, hotel and multifamily courtyardsSolid, trellis, fabric or retractable patio coverSee the pageAlso: Cabanas for hotel pools and resort seating, and fabric shade panels for an existing pergola or frame that needs more shade.
Before we recommend one
What we look at first
- 01
Hours of use
A sail can look centered on a plan and still miss the seating when the sun is low, so we check shade at the hours people are actually there.
- 02
Supports
Steel posts, footings, base plates or building connections, and what's underground.
- 03
Wind and sun
Coastal air, inland heat and wind exposure all change the fabric, connections and posts we pick. Our engineering includes wind load calculations up to 120 mph and seismic analysis, and fabrics go through tension and UV testing.
- 04
Clearances
Doors, vehicle height, drive aisles, accessible routes, signs and lights.
- 05
Drainage
Roof slope, panel direction, gutters where they apply, and where the water ends up.
- 06
Install access
Lifts or cranes, staging, and working around a school, store or hotel that stays open.
Compare
Shade sails vs. a rigid canopy
Shade sail
A shade sail is a fabric membrane pulled tight between posts or anchors. It's open-sided and suits play areas, seating and odd-shaped spaces.
Metal canopy
A metal canopy is a permanent roof on an aluminum or steel frame. It suits entrances, covered walkways and loading areas where you want solid overhead cover.
Some sites use both.
Our shade work
Shade structures we have installed
We work with general contractors, architects, property managers, school facilities teams and owners. Take a covered walkway at a school: we hold an LA fabrication license, and we can provide the wind load and seismic calculations and permit-ready drawings the district's review needs. If the architect wants files for their own set, we can send CAD renderings and BIM files for Revit and AutoCAD. See our technical expertise.
Service area
Where we work
From our warehouse and showroom on Canby Avenue in Reseda. We confirm coverage and City of Los Angeles review requirements for each address. See cities we serve.
- Greater Los Angeles
- Orange County
- San Diego County
- Ventura County
Free estimate
What to send for a free estimate
- The property address
- Photos of the area, and of the walls or ground where supports would go
- Rough dimensions and what the space is used for
- Plans, surveys or elevations if you have them
- Any landlord, HOA, district or architect requirements
Shade structure questions
Frequently asked questions
Do you install portable carports?
No. We don't install portable residential carports. Our parking shade is permanent and planned around the parking layout.
Can a shade sail cover an irregular area?
Yes. Triangular and multi-sided sails, or several sails at different heights, can cover spaces a rectangular awning can't.
Aluminum or steel for a canopy?
Neither is better by default. Span, loads, connections, exposure, weight, finish and upkeep decide it.
Do you build covered walkways for schools?
Yes. We build them for schools, healthcare and municipal campuses, and businesses.
Do you give free estimates?
Yes. Ask for a free estimate through our contact page, or call (818) 882-0027.
Ask for a free estimate
Send photos of the area you want covered, rough dimensions and how the space is used.