Covered Walkways UK: Open-Sided vs Enclosed vs Wall-Mounted
As organisations grow, buildings on a site often end up separated from one another, whether that’s a new classroom block added to a school, an extra wing at a hospital, or additional units on an industrial estate. Moving people between these buildings in poor weather becomes a practical problem, and covered walkways are the standard solution used across schools, universities, transport hubs and commercial sites throughout the UK.
Not every covered walkway is built the same way. The right design depends on the site layout, the level of weather protection required and how people need to move through the space. This guide looks at three common approaches, open-sided, enclosed and wall-mounted walkways, and explains how each one works in practice.
Why Covered Walkways Matter on Expanding Sites
When buildings become detached from each other, whether through phased construction or a growing campus, staff, pupils, patients or visitors are often left crossing open ground in the rain, wind or snow. This isn’t just uncomfortable, it can also slow down movement between buildings, create trip hazards on wet surfaces and, in some settings, raise safety concerns during busier periods such as school changeovers or shift handovers.
A well designed covered walkway solves this by linking buildings directly, giving people a dry, defined route to follow. Beyond the practical benefit, walkways also help organise pedestrian flow, which matters in environments like transport terminals and busy campuses where clear pathways reduce congestion.
Open-Sided Covered Walkways
An open-sided walkway is the simplest form of covered route. It provides an overhead roof structure supported on posts, offering protection from rain and sun without fully enclosing the sides. This type of walkway suits sites where weather protection is the main priority but airflow and openness are also valued, such as school playgrounds or lightly used courtyards.
Open-sided designs are typically built from a galvanised steel frame, which can be finished in a range of colours to match existing buildings or corporate branding. Features such as integrated guttering, drainage and post protectors are usually included as standard, helping to manage rainwater runoff and protect the structure from everyday wear.
Because these walkways remain open at the sides, they’re generally quicker to install and involve less material than a fully enclosed structure. They work well as a straightforward link between buildings where full weatherproofing isn’t essential, but where a dry overhead route makes a noticeable difference to daily movement around the site.
Enclosed Walkways
Enclosed walkways take weather protection a step further by covering the sides as well as the roof. This creates a fully sheltered route, which is particularly valuable in exposed locations or where a clearly defined path is important for managing how people move through a space.
This type of structure is commonly used in higher traffic or higher profile settings, including airports, train stations and ferry terminals, where both weather protection and controlled pedestrian flow are essential. Materials for enclosed walkways typically include UV stabilised cladding or polycarbonate panelling in clear, opal or tinted finishes, allowing natural light through while still providing a full weather seal. Optional features such as lighting and CCTV can also be incorporated, which is often relevant for larger transport or public sector installations where safety and visibility matter around the clock.
Enclosed walkways involve more construction than an open-sided structure, reflecting the additional cladding and finishing work, but they offer a significantly higher standard of protection and are better suited to sites with heavier footfall or a need for a controlled, single route through the space.
Wall-Mounted Walkways
A wall-mounted walkway, sometimes referred to as a lean-to or attached canopy structure, is fixed directly to an existing building rather than being freestanding on both sides. This approach is often used where space between buildings is limited, or where one side of the route can be supported by an existing wall rather than requiring a full independent frame.
Wall-mounted structures tend to be a practical option for shorter connecting routes, such as linking an entrance to a car park, or covering a walkway that runs alongside a single building rather than between two separate structures. Because one side is supported by the building itself, this style can sometimes be a more cost effective way to achieve overhead cover, while still offering the option of side cladding if additional weather protection is needed.
As with open-sided and enclosed designs, wall-mounted walkways can be finished to match the building they’re attached to, using powder coated steel frames and a choice of cladding materials.
Comparing the Three Walkway Types
The table below summarises the key differences between open-sided, enclosed and wall-mounted covered walkways.
| Feature | Open-Sided | Enclosed | Wall-Mounted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weather protection | Overhead only | Full protection on all sides | Overhead, with optional side cladding |
| Typical use case | School courtyards, lighter footfall areas | Airports, stations, high traffic sites | Short connecting routes alongside buildings |
| Structure | Freestanding steel frame on both sides | Freestanding frame with full cladding | Attached to an existing building on one side |
| Airflow | Open on the sides | Sealed | Partially open, depending on cladding |
| Lighting and CCTV | Optional | Commonly included on larger installs | Optional |
| Installation complexity | Lower | Higher, due to full cladding | Moderate, depending on wall fixing |
| Best suited to | Simple building-to-building links | High footfall or exposed locations | Space constrained sites |
Choosing the Right Walkway for Your Site
Selecting between these options usually comes down to three factors: how exposed the route is to wind and rain, how many people use it and when, and how much space is available for a freestanding structure. A school linking two teaching blocks across an open courtyard may only need an open-sided design, while a station or airport managing constant footfall in all weather conditions will usually require a fully enclosed structure with lighting built in. Where space between buildings is tight, a wall-mounted approach can offer a practical middle ground.
It’s also worth considering how the walkway will be finished. All of these structures can be powder coated to match existing branding or building colours, and cladding options range from polycarbonate to fabric wind break sections, so the finished result can be tailored to fit in with the wider site rather than looking like an add-on. You can view the different covered walkway options to compare how each design is typically specified.
Because every site is different, walkways are usually designed on a bespoke basis rather than as an off the shelf product. This allows the layout, length, cladding and finish to be adapted to the specific buildings being connected, rather than forcing a standard structure onto an irregular site.
Getting the Right Walkway Specified
If you’re planning a covered walkway project, it helps to think through the practical details early on, including the length of route required, ground conditions, and whether the walkway needs to accommodate wheelchair access, trolleys or high volumes of foot traffic at peak times. A site visit is usually the most reliable way to establish this, since ground works and structural requirements can vary considerably even across similar looking sites. Reviewing examples of completed projects, or speaking directly with a specialist walkway design and installation team, can also help clarify what’s realistic for a given budget and timeframe.
Lockit-Safe has designed and installed covered walkway solutions for schools, universities, transport operators and commercial sites across the UK, including enclosed walkway projects at airports and ferry terminals where weather protection and pedestrian flow are equally important. If you’re considering a walkway project and want to discuss the options for your site, you can get in touch about your walkway requirements and talk through the layout involved. Many projects also start alongside other site upgrades, such as cycle storage installations, particularly for schools and universities looking to improve both weather protection and cycle provision at the same time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the main difference between an open-sided and an enclosed walkway?
An open-sided walkway provides overhead cover only, leaving the sides open to airflow, while an enclosed walkway is fully covered on all sides, offering complete weather protection and a more controlled pedestrian route.
Are wall-mounted walkways cheaper than freestanding designs?
Wall-mounted walkways can be more cost effective in some cases, since one side is supported by an existing building rather than requiring a full independent frame, though the exact cost depends on the length, materials and cladding specified.
Can covered walkways include lighting and CCTV?
Yes, both open-sided and enclosed walkways can be specified with optional lighting and CCTV, which is common on larger installations such as transport hubs, universities and sites with extended operating hours.
What materials are covered walkways usually made from?
Most walkways use a hot-dipped galvanised steel frame as standard, with options for stainless steel, aluminium or timber. Cladding materials vary from polycarbonate and PET-G panelling to fabric wind break sections, depending on the level of protection required.
How long does it take to install a covered walkway?
Installation time depends on the length and complexity of the structure, with enclosed walkways generally taking longer due to the additional cladding and finishing work involved. A site survey is usually the best way to establish an accurate timescale.
Can a covered walkway be matched to existing building colours?
Yes, walkway frames can be polyester powder coated in standard or bespoke RAL colours, allowing the structure to be finished in line with existing branding or building aesthetics rather than standing out as a separate addition.
Covered walkways serve a straightforward purpose, keeping people dry and moving safely between buildings, but the right design depends heavily on the site itself. Comparing open-sided, enclosed and wall-mounted options against your site’s layout, footfall and exposure to the elements is the clearest way to work out which structure will actually solve the problem you’re facing.
