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Patio cover ideas: green fabric canopy over a riverside patio with outdoor sofas

Fabric patio covers, canopies and shade sails in Portland

For long walkways, open patios, docks, entrances and anything that needs cover. Canopies stand on posts or a welded framework, shade sails tension between anchor points, and Open Air Cabanas stand on their own.

  • Posts or weldedFrames built to fit
  • Walkway to rooftopPatios, docks, entries
  • Open Air CabanasBy SummerSpace

Canopy vs. awning vs. shade sail: what’s the difference?

An awning attaches to a building wall. A canopy is a stationary fabric roof held up by posts or a welded framework, so it can cover walkways, patios, docks and entries away from the wall. A shade sail is tensioned fabric between anchor points. A cabana is a free-standing fabric pavilion.

Awning
Attaches to a building wall.
Canopy
A stationary fabric roof held up by posts or a welded framework, so it can cover walkways, patios, docks and entries away from the wall.
Shade sail
Tensioned fabric between anchor points.
Cabana
A free-standing fabric pavilion.
  • CanopiesWalkway, patio, BBQ, boat, entrance, rooftop
  • StructurePosts or welded framework
  • Shade sailsCustom-fit, tensioned
  • CabanasSummerSpace Open Air Cabana
  • PergolasTension Zip screens shade from above
  • FabricSunbrella and other proven fabrics

Which fabric structure fits your space?

Four ways to put fabric overhead, compared on the questions customers ask us first.

  1. Canopy
  2. Shade sail
  3. Open Air Cabana
  4. Tension Zip screen
Canopies, shade sails, cabanas and pergola screens compared
FeatureMost versatileCanopyLightest lookShade sailFree-standingOpen Air CabanaOver a pergolaTension Zip screen
How it standsPosts or a welded frameworkTensioned between anchor pointsAluminum legs and roof systemMounted horizontally or at an angle
Attached to a wall?OptionalOptionalNoMounted to the structure
Retracts?No, stationaryNoCurtains draw open and closedYes, it’s a retractable screen
Good forWalkways, patios, docks, entries, rooftop decksPatios, takeout windows, open areasPools, terraces, hospitalitySkylights and pergolas

Canopy types we build

If it needs cover, we can probably frame it.

  • Covered walkway: long teal fabric canopy curving over a covered walkway

    Walkway canopies

    Covered paths between buildings, entries and parking.

  • Canopy for deck: fabric patio canopy on a steel frame over the deck of a cedar home

    Patio & deck covers

    Fabric covers for patios, decks and BBQ areas.

  • Boat canopy: white fabric canopy over a boat at a private lake dock

    Boat canopies

    Cover for boat pull-ups and docks.

  • Entry canopy: white fabric entry canopy over a sitting area beside concrete steps

    Entrance & commercial canopies

    Covered entries, walkways and outdoor spaces for businesses, often with lettering.

Cabana: two white SummerSpace Open Air Cabanas on a waterfront lawn

SummerSpace Open Air Cabana

Open Air Cabanas for pools, terraces and patios

  1. Cupola roof

    Built-in ventilation to help keep the space cool.

  2. Aluminum legs and roof

    Commercial-grade frame in a range of colors, shapes and sizes.

  3. Corner curtains and privacy panels

    Pull the fabric across for more shade and privacy.

20°SummerSpace says its cabanas can keep temperatures as much as 20 degrees lower underneath.

See the cabana on summerspace.com (opens in a new tab)

More canopies and shade sails

From restaurant terraces to a sail over a takeout window.

Walkway canopy: green walkway canopy with a scalloped valance
Walkway canopyScalloped valance
Outdoor shade structures: coral shade sail over a restaurant takeout window
Shade sailOver a takeout window
Shade sail: dark shade sail over the deck of a modern home
Shade sailModern home deck
Shade canopy: yellow shade canopies over a restaurant terrace at dusk
Restaurant terraceShade canopies
Deck canopy: canopy shelter over a waterfront deck BBQ area
BBQ shelterWaterfront deck

Fabric patio covers for Portland weather

Fabric covers suit Portland for the same reason awnings do: shade in July, cover in a drizzle, and a lighter look than a solid roof.

Is a fabric patio cover a good fit for me?

If you want shade and light cover without building a solid roof, a fabric canopy or shade sail is a lighter, more flexible option. If you need a roof that sheds every downpour, tell us and we’ll talk through what fits.

Can I close in the sides later?

Often, yes. Motorized screens can close the sides of a covered space against wind-driven rain, low sun and bugs.

Motorized screens

Canopy and shade sail questions

Photos of the space from a couple of angles and rough dimensions are the best start. Mark where posts could go, if you know.

Get a canopy estimate

What is the difference between a canopy and an awning?

An awning attaches to a building wall and projects from it. A canopy is a stationary fabric roof supported by posts or a welded framework, so it can stand away from the building to cover walkways, patios, docks and entrances.

What is a patio canopy?

A patio canopy is a fabric cover over a patio or deck, held up by posts or a welded frame. Rose City Awning & Flag builds patio, deck and BBQ-area canopies to fit the space, with covers sewn in our NW Portland shop.

Do you install shade sails in Portland?

Yes. We make and install custom shade sails for patios, decks and open areas, including a sail over a restaurant takeout window. Send photos and rough dimensions of the space for an estimate.

Can you cover a pergola?

Yes. The SummerSpace FlexShade Tension Zip screen mounts horizontally or at an angle, so it can shade a pergola or skylight from above. We can also add motorized screens to close in the sides.

What is an Open Air Cabana?

It’s a free-standing SummerSpace cabana with aluminum legs and a fabric-covered roof with a ventilating cupola. Corner curtains and privacy panels add shade and privacy. They suit pools, terraces and hospitality patios.

Do you build canopies for businesses?

Yes. We build entrance and walkway canopies for businesses, often with lettering, including canopies for the Oregon Maritime Museum and the Pancake House.

Get a canopy or shade sail estimate

Send photos of the space and rough dimensions. We’ll suggest a structure and follow up with a ballpark and a site visit.

Send us your project

Photos and rough measurements are often enough for a ballpark.

RCA Quick Estimate (service pages)
Add photos of the wall or space. Phone photos are fine.JPG, PNG, WebP or HEIC · up to 8 photos, 20 MB each

    Prefer more detail? Use the full form.