---
title: How To Upgrade Or Repurpose Your Existing Canopy Structure
description: Discover cost-effective ways to upgrade or repurpose your canopy with our versatile solutions, including adding solar panels, heating, lighting, and vibrant designs.
---

[Information On Canopies And Shelters At Kensington Systems ](https://kensingtonsystems.co.uk/blog)

# [How To Upgrade Or Repurpose Your Existing Canopy Structure](https://kensingtonsystems.co.uk/blog/upgrade-or-repurpose-existing-canopy)

 Written by [Admin](https://kensingtonsystems.co.uk/blog/author/admin) | 19 December 2025

[Canopies](https://kensingtonsystems.co.uk/spaceshade) are used for a wide range of functions from a [dining](https://kensingtonsystems.co.uk/spaceshade/outdoor-dining-canopies), rest or [play](https://kensingtonsystems.co.uk/spaceshade/outdoor-learning-playground-canopies) area to a shelter, [entrance area](https://kensingtonsystems.co.uk/spaceshade/entrance-canopies) or [walkway](https://kensingtonsystems.co.uk/spaceshade/covered-walkway-canopies) but over time they can outgrow their original use.

It’s understandable. Pressure on space changes all the time whether in a [school](https://kensingtonsystems.co.uk/spaceshade/education), [healthcare ](https://kensingtonsystems.co.uk/spaceshade/healthcare)facility, [leisure centre](https://kensingtonsystems.co.uk/spaceshade/leisure) or [business](https://kensingtonsystems.co.uk/spaceshade/commercial). 

That’s why Spaceshade canopies are so versatile. Their modular designs are not only robust and long-lasting but also extremely adaptable to our customers’ changing needs. 

## Change Canopies Functions

You can easily change the function of your canopy by transforming it into a new space.

For example, if you have an open [entrance](https://kensingtonsystems.co.uk/spaceshade/entrance-canopies), [walkway](https://kensingtonsystems.co.uk/spaceshade/healthcare), [play or activity area](https://kensingtonsystems.co.uk/spaceshade/education) or [shelter](https://kensingtonsystems.co.uk/spaceshade/healthcare) you can enclose area on two or more sides with side walls and doors to create another room.

Our [side walls](https://kensingtonsystems.co.uk/spaceshade/commercial) come in clear glass or tough polybarbonate to provide all year-round weather protection.

> With budgets being squeezed from all directions, upgrading or repurposing your existing canopy is a much cheaper and easier option than building a new traditional structure.

 

An equivalent traditional new build can cost up to three times the cost of a canopy and takes far longer because you will probably need planning permission.

## Canopy Heating & Lighting

[LED lighting and heating](https://kensingtonsystems.co.uk/spaceshade/commercial) can easily be added to provide an ambient temperature and atmosphere during the darkest winter months.

Their addition allows you to provide an extra waiting room, a quiet space for patients or restroom for staff.

> All our canopies have anti-ligature features meaning it’s difficult to tie anything onto the canopy and therefore keep patients in mental health facilities safe.

 

### Brighten up an older canopy

Like our frames, our roofs are available in a range of cheerful colours.

These [brightly coloured roof panels](https://kensingtonsystems.co.uk/spaceshade/education) can be added to canopies easily helping to bring some sunshine into a school or hospital on the dullest cloudy days.

We have fitted ‘rainbow’ roof panels to many outdoor playground canopies where children can take part in outdoor learning and messy play.

> You can also brighten up an older canopy at the same time as increasing safety at schools by installing foam padded post protectors to the legs of your canopy.

 

## Produce your own energy

As we move towards Net Zero in 2030 and away from fossil fuel reliance, more schools, businesses and hospital facilities are investing in renewable energy.

[Solspans’ canopies](https://kensingtonsystems.co.uk/spaceshade/solar-panel-canopies) are unique in that they can be retrofitted with solar panels at any time.

[Solar panels](https://kensingtonsystems.co.uk/spaceshade/solar-panel-canopies) can help cash-strapped schools and hospitals slash their energy bills and lessen the impact of soaring energy prices and a volatile energy market

The energy generated by the sun not only cuts your carbon footprint but frees up money for you to spend where it’s most needed whether that’s on students, patients or staff.

> For example, we have fitted 50 solar panels to a playground canopy at the [Three Peaks Academy](https://kensingtonsystems.co.uk/case-studies/three-peaks-academy-case-study) in Tamworth helping to save up to £10,000 in energy bills for the Trust and cutting carbon emissions by 9.3 tonnes CO2e per year.

 

If you already have solar panels fixed to your roof, our [Spaceshade® solar canopies](https://kensingtonsystems.co.uk/spaceshade/solar-panel-canopies) are an alternative to rooftop solar panels.

### Real time data for learning

Installing [solar canopies](https://kensingtonsystems.co.uk/spaceshade/solar-panel-canopies) or solar panels on canopies also provides an excellent opportunity for learning at schools.

Students can learn about how solar energy works in real time while under the canopy, helping to spark an interest in science and renewable energy.

### Let us help

If you’re being squeezed by ever decreasing budgets and space, [our experts](https://kensingtonsystems.co.uk/contact-us) will be happy to talk to you through the options of repurposing or upgrading your canopy.

[View full post](https://kensingtonsystems.co.uk/blog/upgrade-or-repurpose-existing-canopy)

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