How Much Weight Can A Door Canopy Hold: Load Testing Our Door Canopies
In March 2023, we took four of our most popular canopy designs and sent them to STS (Specialist Technical Services) for independent testing. This was an important step for us while we waited for approval from the BBA (British Board of Agrément), one of the UK’s leading certification bodies for construction products.
The BBA certificate is widely recognised across the construction industry as a mark of quality, safety, and reliability. It shows that a product has been thoroughly assessed against strict performance standards. This gives home owners peace of mind that their front door canopy is built to last. For installers and housebuilders, it provides confidence that they are fitting a product that meets recognised industry standards. We’re on track to receive our BBA approval soon, but in the meantime, we wanted to see how our canopies would perform under additional stress testing.
Why Load Testing Door Canopies Matters
A door canopy does more than add kerb appeal, it provides weather protection and needs to withstand the unpredictable nature of the UK climate. To replicate real-world conditions, each canopy was subjected to an area load applied directly to the top surface. This simulated the pressure of heavy snowfall building up over time.
The engineers at STS gradually increased the weight until the point of structural failure, which gave us precise data on how much load each canopy could bear. This method goes far beyond everyday conditions, but it provides clear, measurable insights into durability.
This offers reassurance to homeowners that they are investing in a product that combines style with strength.
Test One: Decorative Flat Door Canopy with Gallows Brackets
Our first test focused on a decorative flat canopy supported by gallows brackets. Although this is an unusual design combination, it remains popular with some housebuilders who want a balance of modern style with traditional support.
The canopy withstood loading up to 9.11 kN/m² (929.59 kg/m²) before collapse, showing only 2.4 cm of movement under pressure. This level of performance demonstrates that even decorative designs, when paired with our strong gallows brackets, can handle impressive loads.
Snow load equivalent: (Depth of snow)
Dry / powder snow = 9.29 m
Settled snow = 4.64 m
Medium snow = 3.10 m
Wet snow = 2.32 m
Very wet snow = 1.86 m
Icy snow = 1.03–1.16 m
Test Two: Contemporary Flat Door Canopy
Next, we tested a contemporary flat canopy. This is one of our most popular designs due to its sleek, modern look that suits a wide range of homes. Unlike bracketed models, this canopy is fully self-supporting, which naturally makes it the weakest in our range.
Even so, it held strong until 6.49 kN/m² (661.8 kg/m²) of weight was applied. Just before failure, it showed a displacement of 6.2 cm, which is more movement than bracketed canopies but still within safe performance limits.
Snow load equivalent: (Depth of snow)
Dry / powder = 6.62 m
Settled = 3.31 m
Medium = 2.21 m
Wet = 1.65 m
Very wet = 1.32 m
Icy = 0.74–0.83 m
Test Three: Mono Pitch Door Canopy
Our third test looked at the mono pitch canopy, a design with a sloping roof that naturally encourages water and snow to slide off. Its triangular geometry gives it strong load-bearing capabilities.
The canopy withstood an impressive 10.14 kN/m² (1,033.5 kg/m² - Over a Ton!) before failure, with only 1.9 cm of displacement. This makes it one of the best performers in our range, thanks to its efficient design.
Snow load equivalent: (Depth of snow)
Dry / powder = 10.34 m
Settled = 5.17 m
Medium = 3.45 m
Wet = 2.59 m
Very wet = 2.07 m
Icy = 1.24–1.14 m
In practice, the sloped design not only enhances strength but also reduces the likelihood of heavy snow building up in the first place, offering double reassurance for homeowners.
Test Four: Apex Door Canopy
Finally, we tested our most popular design: the apex door canopy. Loved by homeowners for its classic pitched roof appearance, the apex also offers outstanding structural performance.
The canopy reached a collapse point of 10.06 kN/m² (1,025.7 kg/m²- Over a ton again!) and showed just 2 cm of displacement before failure. This places it among the strongest of our tested designs.
Snow load equivalent: (Depth of snow)
Dry / powder = 10.26 m
Settled = 5.13 m
Medium = 3.42 m
Wet = 2.56 m
Very wet = 2.05 m
Icy = 1.14–1.28 m
This result confirms why the apex canopy is such a popular choice, it combines traditional styling with excellent durability, giving homeowners long-term peace of mind.
Real World Context
To put this into perspective, the heaviest snowfall recorded in the UK in recent years happened in March 2013. Parts of Northwest England, North Wales, Southwest Scotland and Northern Ireland saw snow depths of up to 1.2 m.
Even in this extreme scenario, none of our canopies would have failed. In fact, even the weakest design tested withstood far more load than would ever be experienced under real UK weather conditions.
What This Means for Homeowners
For anyone considering a front door canopy, strength and durability are just as important as style. These independent tests show that whether you choose a flat, mono pitch, or apex canopy, you can be confident it will stand up to the elements.
Our results highlight three key points:
Every design exceeded the loads likely to be experienced in the UK.
Even without brackets, our contemporary flat canopy comfortably handled more than enough weight.
Our mono and apex door canopies not only look great but also offers the highest performance for peace of mind.
By combining aesthetic appeal with proven strength, our canopies provide long-lasting protection against rain, snow, and general wear and tear.
What This Means for Housebuilders
For housebuilders, a front door canopy needs to do more than improve kerb appeal. It must meet performance standards, reduce maintenance concerns, and provide long-term reliability for homeowners. These independent tests confirm that whether you specify a flat, mono pitch, or apex canopy, you can be confident the product will stand up to the elements.
By combining consistent quality with proven strength, our canopies help housebuilders deliver homes that look good, perform well, and stand the test of time. With BBA approval in progress, you can also specify with confidence that these products meet recognised industry standards.
Looking Ahead: BBA Approval
With BBA certification in progress, homeowners can soon expect an additional level of reassurance. The British Board of Agrément is widely respected for its independent, third-party approvals, and once our products achieve this certification, they will carry an even stronger mark of trust.
For now, these tests underline what we already knew: our canopies don’t just look good, they are built to perform.
Frequently Asked Questions
How strong is a front door canopy?
Our independent tests showed that even our weakest canopy withstood more weight than would ever occur in UK weather conditions. For example, our contemporary flat canopy held the equivalent of over 6 metres of powder snow before failure, far more than any UK snowfall on record.
What does BBA certification mean for a door canopy?
The British Board of Agrément (BBA) is one of the UK’s most trusted certification bodies for construction products. A BBA-approved canopy has been independently assessed for quality, safety, and durability. It gives homeowners peace of mind that their canopy meets recognised industry standards.
Will heavy snow damage my canopy?
Unlikely. The tests carried out by STS simulated extreme loads far beyond what the UK climate could realistically produce. Even in the harsh winter of 2013, when some areas saw 1.2 metres of snow, our canopies would not have failed.
Do all canopy types perform equally well?
All of our canopies exceeded the loads likely to be experienced in real life. However, designs with additional structural support, such as apex or mono pitch canopies, naturally performed best under stress testing.
Why is independent testing important?
Independent testing ensures that results are unbiased and reliable. By working with STS and pursuing BBA approval, we can demonstrate that our canopies aren’t just stylish but are proven to perform under real-world conditions.