A walkway is an important architectural element that is often overlooked because of the simplicity of its function. Regardless of this, a walkway still serves an important purpose for any establishment. This is why more property owners are taking the time to improve their walkways. Whether this is to beautify it to better fit their property’s aesthetic or to enhance it for pedestrian use, there are plenty of ways property owners are optimising their walkways.
A popular design element that has practical advantages is the installation of a shading system. Many property owners are building canopies above their establishments’ walkways to improve their functionality. While this improvement mostly benefits pedestrians, there are plenty of ways it can benefit the establishment and broader community.
1. Protection from Bad Weather
One of the major advantages of covering a walkway with a canopy is the shelter it provides pedestrians from the elements. Often, the weather is unpredictable. It can be sunny one moment and raining heavily the next; most people are caught unaware and end up getting caught in a shower. A covered walkway prevents this. These canopies shield people from the rain as they move from one location to the next. Additionally, most shelter solutions use polycarbonate roofs which provide ample protection from the sun’s harmful UV rays without blocking out the light completely.
2. Cost-Effective Extension for Storefronts
A covered walkway has the potential to drive business growth. For properties that have shops in front, a covered walkway can serve as space for shop owners to display some of their products outside. Installing a canopy over an existing walkway is a cost-effective method of extending business space while creating an inviting environment for customers, particularly during less than ideal weather conditions.
3. Optimise Drop-Off Areas
One of the ways to increase the number of people visiting an establishment is to make it more accommodating. Installing a shading system in the drop-off area gives people a comfortable place to wait for their cars to arrive. By providing simple comforts like this, a property owner makes their space more inviting to people which can result in an increase to business growth.
4. Lower Maintenance Costs
Wear and tear are common for any property that regularly experiences traffic. This is why regular maintenance is a major cost component for any property owner. Keeping any property in top condition makes it visually appealing to visitors, which can play a role in driving them into the establishment. While shading systems have their own maintenance requirements, the costs involved are significantly lower than those that involve repair and reconstruction.
5. Cultivate a Culture of Walking
As many studies have established over the years, walking has numerous benefits—the majority of these involve health. Promoting a walking culture means people are more likely to be healthy, and if they get out and about more, are more likely to utilise and frequent local businesses.
Overall, walkways with shading systems have more advantages than disadvantages. For any property owner that wishes to invest in structures that aim to enhance their property, a curated canopy is not only aesthetically pleasing, it serves a number of practical functions.
