covered walkway school shade

Solve Your School’s Weather Challenges with Covered Walkways.

school shade

A covered walkway keeps students, staff and visitors dry and out of the sun as they move between buildings, and it turns the path itself into usable space for bag bays, seating and waiting areas. Shade Systems designs, consents, manufactures and installs covered walkways for New Zealand schools, councils and business premises using our Sola Gola® canopy system: a galvanised steel frame with a polycarbonate or fibreglass roof that is fully waterproof, blocks up to 99% of UV and comes in flat or curved profiles to suit the site.

Shade and UV Protection.

Harsh sunlight can be a significant concern for the safety and comfort of your school students and staff. Our polycarbonate or fiberglass canopies block up to 99% of harmful Ultraviolet rays, providing a cool, shaded environment. Available in various colours and styles, our canopies enhance the aesthetic appeal of your location while offering crucial sun protection.

Weatherproof Covered Walkways.

Rainy days can disrupt the flow between buildings and create hazards. Our Sola Gola® shade structures ensure dry, safe passage with waterproof coverings that effectively channel rainwater into your stormwater system. This prevents flooding and maintains clear, accessible walkways even during heavy downpours.

school shade
covered walkways nz

Natural Light and Lightning.

Maintaining visibility and safety is essential, especially during early mornings or late evenings. Our covered walkways allow natural light to filter through while blocking harmful UV rays. For nighttime use, we can integrate a full lighting system with automatic sensors, ensuring well-lit paths only when needed.

Comprehensive Project Management.

From the initial design phase to the final construction, at Shade Systems our experienced team handles every aspect of your covered walkway project. Our end-to-end service includes planning, obtaining any necessary consent, and building to your exact specifications. We ensure that your walkways are robust, aesthetically pleasing, and fully functional.

Customised Features.

We offer a range of design elements to tailor your walkways to your needs. Choose from various colours and materials, and add features such as seating, bike racks, and pedestrian traffic management solutions to create a safe and welcoming environment.

To learn more about how our Covered Walkways can solve your weather-related challenges, view our Sola Gola® product page, download our catalogue PDF, or contact us to discuss your needs in detail.

covered walkways nz
covered walkways nz
covered walkways nz

Designing a Covered Walkway for a School.

Most school walkway projects start with three questions: how wide, how high and how far. Width is set by how many students move through at once and whether the walkway also has to shelter bag bays or seating; 2.4 metres is a common minimum for a main route. Clearance height is set by the buildings it connects to, so that the canopy ties into existing eaves without trapping water. Length is often a series of runs between buildings rather than one straight line, which is where a modular system earns its keep.

Roofing choice comes next. Clear or tinted polycarbonate lets light through and blocks UV; fibreglass diffuses light and runs cooler underneath. Both are waterproof and both drain into the school’s stormwater system. Walkways over a certain size need building consent and, for a state school, sign-off through the school’s Ministry of Education property process; Shade Systems handles both as part of the project. If you have a site plan, send it with your enquiry and we will come back with a layout and a price.

get in touch.

Contact our Shade Specialists today to request a site visit or chat about your requirements.

We work with various education, governmental, and commercial partners to produce premium shade and shelter structures across New Zealand and around the globe. Furthermore, we aim to help make outdoor spaces enjoyed by the public more sun-safe and weatherproof!