How Much Does a Covered Patio or Deck Roof Cost? [2024 Data]
Normal range: $14,000 - $31,000
Installing a roof over your deck costs around $21,000 in most cases, but totals can range from $1,250 up to $130,000 depending on the square footage and the type of roof.
On average, new patio roofs cost $21,000 for the standard project. Depending on factors like your deck’s roof type, the materials you choose, and the overall size, your total cost can range from $1,250 for a DIY basic roof to $130,000 for a large, intricate deck roof.
When you built your dream deck or patio, you likely imagined relaxing afternoons and lively outdoor gatherings. But rain, direct sunlight, and wind have a way of putting a damper on your plans. You can one-up Mother Nature by building a roof over your existing deck or patio space, maximizing your time outdoors. Let’s take a closer look at patio roof costs.
- Average
- $21,000
- Low end
- $1,250
- high end
- $130,000
Cost to Build Deck or Patio Roof by Type
Each roofing type has little quirks and price ranges that impact a homeowner’s final decision. Below, let’s look at some deck or patio roof types.
| Roof Type | Average Build Cost |
|---|---|
| Gable | $13,00–$30,000 |
| Pergola | $2,000–$15,000 |
| Louvered | $10,00–$25,000 |
| Lean-to | $4,500–$11,000 |
| Awning | $1,500–$7,000 |
Gable Roof
Gable roofs have two sloped sides typically attached to your roof or wall. You can expect to pay $13,000 to $30,000 to build this roof type for your deck or patio. Factors like its height, material, and square footage impact its cost.
Pergola
A pergola roof type can be attached to your home or left standing independently. These roofs provide shade but don’t offer protection from rain or wind. If that’s a feature you’re interested in, you can discuss a customizable solution with your local decking company. Pergolas come in various materials, colors, and styles and range between $2,000 and $15,000.
Louvered
A louvered roof can be a beautiful addition to your deck or patio that focuses on combining function and aesthetics. These roofs fit your home’s design while also allowing you to control how much sunlight or shade you want with slates that open and close. These roofs cost around $10,000 for a manual design or as much as $25,000 for a motorized one.
Lean-To Roof
Lean-to roofs are attached to a home where it’ll lean against it with a downward slope. On average, to build this simple roof, expect to pay between $4,500 and $11,000.
Awning
The cost of installing an awning is $2,940 for most homeowners but generally ranges from $1,430 to $4,470. Awnings are commonly made of fabric, vinyl, or aluminum and can either be stationary or retractable. Because these can be retracted towards the home, these are a great option if you don’t want protection from Mother Nature all the time.
Cost to Build a Deck or Patio Roof by Material
| Material | Cost |
|---|---|
| Wood | $4,000–$25,000 |
| Aluminum | $3,800–$10,000 |
| Vinyl | $5,000–$20,000 |
| Fiberglass | $6,000–$15,000 |
| Stucco | $8,000–$22,000 |
You can choose from various materials for your deck or patio’s new roof. Let’s look at what makes them unique and what prices you can expect for each.
Wood
Wood deck or patio roofs are a traditional material option that can cost $12,000 to $24,000 for a solid patio cover, though the average is around $14,700. If you want to save a little money, you can opt for a lattice option for an average cost of $10,100, but it can range anywhere from $7,750 to $12,500.
Besides roofing type—you can choose panel or pergola in addition to solid or lattice—the cost depends on the wood you choose. Available options are redwood, cedar, and pine, to name a few. And if you treat, paint, and stain it, you can be looking at an increased overall cost. Wood roofs are beautiful, easy to work with, and can match your existing deck or patio.
Aluminum
Homeowners typically spend an average of $6,000, or between $3,800 and $10,000, for an aluminum lattice patio roof. If you’re looking for an uninsulated aluminum patio roof, you should budget around $5,100 on average, but it can go up to $7,050.
Aluminum is a popular roofing material because it’s versatile, affordable, resistant to rot, termites, and corrosion, and is lightweight. However, “if you install a metal roof, make sure it has at least some slope so it can shed water,” says Ami Feller, Angi Expert Review Board member and owner of Roofer Chicks in New Braunfels, TX. “If it’s perfectly flat, water will pond on the roof, which will oxidize the materials and also rot out the gaskets on the fasteners.”
Vinyl
When it comes to vinyl patio roofs, you have a few options that vary greatly in price. If you're looking to build a solid vinyl patio cover, you can expect to pay an average of $9,000, but that cost can range from $5,000 to $20,000. If a lattice style is more what you're looking for, budget around $4,600 as an average price, but expect to pay between $3,100 and $6,100.
Vinyl patio roofs are a great option because they’re lightweight, don’t warp or rot, come in various colors, are relatively inexpensive, and are moderately low-maintenance.
Fiberglass
If you’re looking for a deck roof with a personality of its own, look no further than fiberglass. Fiberglass deck and patio roofs are midrange in price, averaging around $6,000 to $15,000 for a 10’ by 20’ roof. These are fire-resistant and lighter in weight compared to other materials, making them a great choice for nearly every deck or patio. Take note: fiberglass patio roofs tend to have a longer life span in cooler climates, so you might want to consider another option if you live somewhere extremely warm.
Stucco
Stucco deck roofs are known for their sturdiness, making them a choice option in climates where the weather can get nasty in the winter. These roofs generally range from $8,000 to $22,000 and are considered one of the most eco-friendly roofing options.
Deck or Patio Roof Cost Factors
The money you’ll spend to build your roof goes to labor, material, and permit costs. We’ll cover the ranges you’re looking at below.
Labor
One of the most significant expenses for this project is the labor cost of adding a roof over a patio. Labor fees for a new deck roof depend on your location, materials chosen, and type of roof, but they average around $25 to $40 per square foot. Get quotes from at least three companies to understand the going rate. Some places where funds are spent on labor include:
General labor, which could be a roofer, handyman, or carpenter
Old patio removal and installation, if required or wanted
Additional fees for deck roof design
Electrical add-ons, if desired
Ceiling fan installation, if desired
Gutter installation
Material
The material you choose, such as beams, rafters, fasteners, and the type of roofing material, will also factor into your total cost. The material costs range from $5 to $70 per square foot.
Permits
Adding a roof to your deck or patio is a major project that’ll require you to potentially add the framing, attach it to your home’s structure, and possibly get a permit. You’ll have to ask your contractor if you’ll need a building permit for this project. If you do, you can expect to pay between $425 and $2,300 on average, depending on location.
Cost to Build a Deck or Patio Roof Yourself
You can build your deck or patio roof yourself to save on labor costs. The average cost to DIY a simple roof is $1,250 to $1,350. However, it’s important to note that this type of DIY project involves working on a ladder and can be strenuous, so take caution.
Another DIY option, if you’re not interested in building one from scratch, is to buy a pre-built patio kit. The most popular patio kit is for a pergola roof, and they’re typically pre-cut and already come styled and colored. A 10-by-10 pergola kit can cost as little as $500 to as much as $10,000, though that's a high-end cost.
Another popular DIY patio roof option is a vinyl lattice roof. You can purchase a DIY lattice vinyl kit for about $3,000.
The final price is based on the color, material, types of rafters, number of beams, and accessories like electrical packs and fans.
How Can You Save Money While Building a Deck or Patio Roof?
Building a deck or patio roof comes with a few options. While labor will impact your final cost, most of your budget will go toward the material you pick.
You can save money by opting for functionality over beauty and extras. To help you cut corners without sacrificing quality, consider the following questions:
What do I need from my deck roof: shade, weather protection, or both?
Do I need it to cover my entire deck or extend over the essential sections?
Should it be freestanding, or connected to my roof, eave, or wall?
What material should I choose? One that’ll let me save money now or has a good ROI?
Do I need extra posts, and how do I want them spaced?
What type of accessories do I need now, and what can wait?
Thinking ahead with these questions will help you save money where needed. It'll also get you started with some talking points with your local deck-building company to get the most out of your project.
Bry'Ana Arvie contributed to this piece.
Frequently Asked Questions
Although the terms “deck” and “patio” are often used interchangeably, they do have a few distinguishable differences. Patios are built directly on the ground, whereas decks are elevated off the ground. Also, since patios are on the ground level, they don’t require a railing, unlike most decks.
In terms of roofs, using the terms “patio” and “deck” interchangeably is fine—ultimately, the project is still the same regardless of whether it’s on the ground or elevated.
You can add a roof to most decks if yours didn’t come with one; however, if your deck didn’t come with a roof initially, it may not be able to handle the weight without some help. You can add additional supports to your existing deck to safely add a roof.
The material you choose will determine how much maintenance you’ll need. For example, an aluminum roof will need a good spray with a hose to look good as new, while certain wood roofs will need periodic treating, staining, and painting. Remember also that the material affects when it'll need replacing; vinyl patio roofs, for instance, will need replacing much sooner than aluminum.
Aluminum patio covers can make noise during rainstorms, though how much noise depends on how heavy it’s raining. Light rain falling on your roof might sound soothing. But heavy rainfall might be more noticeable. In any case, the rain you'll hear shouldn't sound louder than a normal conversation or air conditioner, about 50 dB to 55 dB.
While there are a few great choices when it comes to patio roofing materials, extruded aluminum is the most long-lasting. This lightweight but strong option helps protect against cracks, rust, warping, and mold. You can expect this to last between 20 and 30 years on average.