How much does it cost to build a covered patio?

Reviewed by Adam Graham remodeling expert. Written by Fixr.com.

Patios are great places to gather, entertain, cook, eat, and socialize in warm weather. But on a very hot or sunny day, the standard patio does not offer any respite from the sun and heat. A covered patio, however, provides shade to make the area more comfortable. Some covers also offer protection from rain and other elements, making the patio accessible and usable in inclement weather.

Patio covers come in a wide range of types, styles, and materials. They can be made of simple awnings or be a fully formed roof that extends off your home. The patio also has different styles, sizes, and materials to consider. This means that the cost of a covered patio ranges tremendously.

The national average cost of a covered patio is $4,000 to $12,000, with most homeowners paying around $8,500 for a 12’ x 18’ patio laid with pavers with an attached pergola cover. The low cost for this project is $700 for a 6’ x 10’ gravel patio with a sailcloth cover. This project’s high cost is $24,000 for an 18’ x 24’ flagstone patio with a gable roof cover.

Covered Patio Cost

Cost to Build a Covered Patio by Location

Most patios are located beside the home. This makes them easily accessible and still leaves plenty of space for the rest of the yard and landscaping. But patios can be located elsewhere on the property, particularly if you want them located beside another feature like a pool, tennis court, or fountain.;

The cover can also have different positions. If the patio is located beside the home, the cover can be either attached to the home, extending out over it, or it can be freestanding. When the patio is moved away from the home, the structure must be freestanding, limiting your choices for the cover. Both attached and freestanding covered patios have a wide range of costs because patios and covers come in many sizes and materials.

Build a Covered Patio Attached to a House

The cost to build a covered patio attached to a house ranges from $500 to $25,000 on average. A small bistro patio with a sailcloth cover is at the lowest end of this cost. An outdoor kitchen patio with a full roof is at the high end. Because these structures come in so many different sizes and styles, the cost range is large. Attaching a patio and cover to the house allows more options. Attached pergolas and awnings can be less expensive than freestanding gazebos.

Freestanding Covered Patio

The average cost of a freestanding covered patio averages $3,000 to $25,000. Freestanding patios and covers come in all the same sizes as attached patios. They can also have all the same base materials. The difference is that you are slightly more limited in the materials you can use for the cover. In addition, the cover often needs more material and support if it is not attached to the house. For example, a freestanding pergola has four legs, while an attached pergola has two. This means that the starting costs can be higher for freestanding pergolas.

Covered Patio Cost by Size

The size drives much of the costs. While a standard patio costs $8 to $25 a square foot, a covered one costs significantly more. The average range for a covered patio is $14 to $87 a square foot, although most fall within the $25 to $40 a square foot range.

They are generally designated by their size and usage. For example, if you plan to use your space as an outdoor living room, you need more area than if you plan on using it as a bistro setting.

Covered Patio Cost by Type of Cover

When you build a covered patio, you have several different components to consider. The first is what the cover will be made of. Costs vary by material for all the parts, including the cover. Sailcloth and awnings tend to cost considerably less than gazebos and full roofs.

The patio also has a wide range of costs, depending on the material, so costs vary dramatically based on the materials.

Sun Shade Sail Canopy

The cost of a sailcloth canopy over a patio is between $100 and $200 on average. This makes the average total cost for a 12’ x 18’ patio between $1,828 and $5,600. This assumes that the area is ground level and not raised. Costs range for the finished patio, depending on the rest of its features. Sailcloths can be installed freestanding or attached to the house. They can also be combined with pergolas for additional shade.

Build an Awning Over a Patio

The cost to install an awning over a patio ranges from $100 to $25,000. This makes the total average cost for a 12’ x 18’ patio between $1,828 and $27,400. In this case, the awning and patio material and style create the wide range of costs. Awnings come in many different styles and materials. They can be simple sailcloths or motorized, retractable covers. This, combined with the many different material types, creates a wide range of associated costs.

Gable Patio Cover

The cost of a gable roof or patio cover averages $2,200 to $13,500 for the roof. This makes the total cost range between $3,928 and $18,900. These covers come in one of two ways. They can be attached to your home, at least on one end. They can also be freestanding “pavilions,” a type of structure with a roof but no walls. Depending on the height and material of the gable cover, it has a wide range of costs.

Patio Pergola

The cost of a pergola is between $2,500 and $6,000 on average. This makes the total cost range to install a patio and pergola between $4,228 and $11,400 on average. Pergolas can be either attached to the home in the back or freestanding. They can be made of many different materials as well. Most pergolas have open rails or slats on the top. However, it is possible to build pergolas with louvered slats that open and shut and those with plexiglass roofs to help keep out the rain.

Louvered Patio Cover

The cost of a louvered patio cover is between $4,320 and $20,700. This makes the total cost of a patio with a louvered roof between $6,048 and $26,100. Louvered roofs come in many configurations and materials. A roll-formed roof is the least expensive. This is a thinner type of slat material. An extruded roof is the most expensive. This is a more durable and longer-lasting roof option, but costs can approach $100 a square foot if you choose to include all the options.

Outdoor Patio Gazebo

The cost of building a gazebo on your patio averages $7,500 to $10,000. This makes the total cost of a patio with a gazebo between $9,228 and $15,400. Gazebos offer more shade and protection than pergolas. However, they do not have louvered options that allow light and breezes in. They have varying wall types, from screens to fully formed walls with windows. The more structure a gazebo has, the higher its overall costs.

Enclosed Patio

The average cost of a patio enclosure is $8,000 to $24,000. This makes the total cost of an enclosed patio between $9,728 and $29,400 on average. There are many ways to build an enclosed patio. You can build a basic pavilion or roof and screen it in. You can also build a type of outdoor sunroom, with partial walls and windows. The more structure the enclosure has, the higher the average costs. Creating the enclosure so that it is attached to the home has the lowest costs, while a freestanding structure has the highest costs.

Patio Roof Cost by Material

The material your cover or roof is built from also influences costs. While the amount of the material can change dramatically based on the roof style or type, it is possible to create a single style out of several materials. For example, pergolas can be vinyl, fiberglass, aluminum, or wood. This means that the pergola has a range of different costs even if its size, shape, and features remain the same.

When choosing a material for your roof, find one that matches your patio style and aesthetics and your budget and maintenance needs.

Vinyl Patio Cover

The average costs of a vinyl cover are between $5 and $13 a square foot installed. Vinyl is one of the lowest-cost options for any cover. It is easy to work with and comes in many different styles. It is also fairly low maintenance but is not as durable as other materials. Vinyl can be made into pergolas, lattice, panels, and many other roofing styles. You may be limited in colors and overall patterns.

Lattice Patio Cover

The costs of a lattice patio cover range from $5 to $38 a square foot installed. Lattice is not technically a material because lattice can be made of wood, vinyl, fiberglass, or aluminum. Lattice is more of an open-patterned style for the roof. Like a pergola, a lattice cover will not completely block the sun. Instead, it offers sections of sun and shade. To get more shade, add a cloth to the top or train vines to cover it.

Wood Patio Cover

A wood cover averages $15 to $35 a square foot installed. Wood is a very versatile material. This allows you to create a wide range of different looks and styles for your enclosure. The wood can be formed into a lattice, pergola, gazebo, or any cover type. There are many wood types to choose from as well. Some are more costly but longer-lasting. Each also has its own color and grain pattern to consider.

Fiberglass Patio Cover

The cost of a fiberglass cover is between $16 and $39 a square foot installed. Fiberglass is one of the materials considered to be the gold standard by many contractors. It is attractive, durable, and very easy to maintain. Fiberglass comes in lattice, pergola, panel, and many different styles, colors, and shapes. Fiberglass is sometimes combined with other materials to give it greater durability. It is also a good insulator, making it a useful option for roofs where the sun is directly overhead.

Stucco Patio Cover

The average cost of a stucco patio cover ranges from $20 to $45 a square foot installed. This is a two-part cover. You essentially have a cover built from another material like wood with stucco applied to that cover. The stucco is the long-lasting outer finish, but it is not what you build the cover from. There are three different stucco types used for this purpose - one-coat stucco, three-coat stucco, and exterior insulation and finish systems (EIFS). The most common is the thin-coat or one-coat method of stucco. It is faster and easier to apply and less expensive.

Aluminum Patio Roof

The cost of an aluminum roof cover averages $20 to $70 a square foot installed. There are many different aluminum types for these areas. You can find aluminum lattice, pergolas, and panels that come in several different gauges. Aluminum can be louvered, installed in slats, or combined with other materials. The thicker the aluminum, the longer-lasting its appearance but the higher its cost. Extruded aluminum costs more than rolled aluminum. Insulated aluminum costs more than extruded and rolled.

Glass Patio Cover

The average cost of a glass patio cover is between $25 and $45 a square foot installed. These covers give a very contemporary appearance. They offer a solid cover, which keeps off the rain. However, unless the glass is tinted or shaded somehow, it does not offer much protection from the sun. Glass roofs also heat up the area below very quickly, so they work better in cooler climates. Several different glass types can be used this way, but using panels is the most common method.

Insulated Patio Roof Panels

The cost of an insulated patio roof ranges from $26 to $59 a square foot installed. Insulated roof panels help prevent the area from becoming overheated. This is a particularly good idea if your patio has some type of enclosure or walls like a gazebo. Insulated panels can be made of fiberglass, aluminum, or wood. They come in several different styles and can be added to many different types of roofs or covers. The material being insulated and the overall structure style dictate the final cost.

Covered Patio Cost by Flooring

The patio “floor” or ground cover plays just as big a role in determining your final costs as the cover. Like the cover, you have a wide range of different materials and styles for this area. You can coordinate your patio with the cover or mix-and-match to find a style and function that works for you.

Patio material is usually sold and installed by the square foot. Different materials have varying costs, both for the material and installation, depending on the pattern and your landscaping.

Labor Cost to Build a Covered Patio

The cost to build your covered patio can typically be broken down into two areas - material and labor. For this installation type, you may have one professional who can do both the flooring and cover. Or, you may need to work with two different professionals - one for the patio and one for the cover. This depends largely on the type of roof or cover you purchase and whether it is readymade, in a kit, or custom.

Labor costs also vary depending on the material and type of patio and cover you are building. A gravel patio with a sailcloth awning may have labor costs of between $4 and $6 a square foot, while a stamped concrete patio and pavilion-style gable roof have labor costs closer to $50 a square foot. Total labor costs average $25 to $40 a square foot for a covered patio. The more intricate the patio or more substantial the cover, the higher your total costs.

Patio Cover Installation

The cover has a wide range of labor costs. Awnings usually have a fixed labor cost of $200 to $400 for the project. A gazebo has labor costs closer to $7,000. On average, expect labor costs for the cover to range from $10 to $30 a square foot. But you may find that some materials and structure types have much higher or lower costs than this average range.

Covered Patio Drainage Cost

While some covered patios keep the rain off the area, it is always a good idea to make sure that it slopes and drains away from your home effectively. This is particularly true for the ones located against the house and covered patios that do not have protection from the rain.

Depending on the grade, location, and how well your patio is covered, you have two choices for draining the area - a drainage slope and a French drain. You may find that one is the right fit for your patio or possibly a combination.

Drainage slopes do not have additional costs because they are incorporated into the patio layout and placement. A French drain can do a better job at draining water away from your home and directing it elsewhere, but it will have higher costs. French drains are essentially perforated pipes that carry water away from the area.

Below are the average costs for a 12’ x 18’ covered patio that has been installed with each option.

Covered Patio Lighting Costs

Adding lighting to your covered patio makes it usable for more hours of the day. Depending on the layout, how close it is to your home, and the cover type, you have several lighting choices available. Each illuminates your patio differently and has a range of installation costs.

Cost to Screen In a Covered Patio

If your patio has a “hard” cover, meaning not an awning or one of fabric, and it is solid, not louvered or a pergola, you can screen the sides. This essentially creates a enclosure, which helps keep bugs, the sun, and the rain out. The cost to screen it is $5 to $7 a square foot if the patio already exists. Building a covered, screened-in patio averages $30 to $47 a square foot, depending on the material you choose and the cover.

Patio Screen Enclosure Cost

While you can screen a covered patio, you can build a screen enclosure for the patio as well. This has an average cost of around $20 to $25 a square foot for the enclosure. In this case, you build a frame over the entire patio, which has some type of screen. Many screens provide shade when used on the upper portion, particularly if you choose an option designed to help filter light.

Screen enclosures can have doors added. This allows you to enter and exit the patio easily from the house or yard.

Glass-Enclosed Patio Cost

In addition to screens, you can enclose your patio in glass panels. There are many different panel types on the market, from using roofs and walls to those you can use with an existing cover. Some filter UV light, while others do not, so consider how you intend to use the space and how much light it gets during the day. With so many options for this material and project, it has a wide range of costs. It is common to see prices from $30 to $95 a square foot installed, although the majority fall around $65 a square foot installed.

Covered Patio Add-Ons Cost

You can add many things to your covered patio to make it more usable, enjoyable, and attractive. Depending on how and when you use the area, some things are more helpful than others. These include heaters, furniture, and hot tubs. Each has something to add to the space, as well as a cost range.

Patio Heater

The average cost of a patio heater is between $100 and $500. These heaters are a great addition for those who want to extend the use of their patio into the cooler months of the year. They can run on many different fuels, from electricity to propane. They come in several sizes and styles. Find one that can comfortably heat your patio, while allowing room for movement around it. For large patios, you may find that two heaters offer the best results.

Covered Patio Furniture

The cost of furniture for your covered patio is between $200 and $2,000 on average. Outdoor furniture comes in a very wide range of styles and types. With a cover, you may want to choose a furniture style that complements the cover material. This may mean coordinating colors with your awning or choosing furniture that matches the overall material or style. Purchase furniture that is well-sized to the patio, which allows you plenty of room to move around the furnishings.

Covered Patio With a Fireplace

The cost of an outdoor fireplace is $1,500 to $20,000 on average. This makes the average range of a covered patio with a fireplace installed between $4,524 and $38,792 for a living room-sized patio. If you choose to install an outdoor fireplace, you want a larger patio, designed to be an outdoor living room or kitchen. This gives you plenty of room to install the fireplace and have seating and entertaining areas. Smaller areas may not accommodate both comfortably. Outdoor fireplaces can run on both wood and gas/propane.

Hot Tub Inside a Covered Patio

The cost of a hot tub is between $4,000 and $8,500 on average. Hot tubs come in many sizes, styles, and configurations. Any of them can make an excellent addition to your covered patio. The key is to make sure that you have enough room to comfortably fit the tub inside the covered area, while leaving enough room for other activities. Hot tubs need to be wired to your home’s electrical panel, so place them fairly close to the home for the best results.

Outdoor Kitchen

The cost of an outdoor kitchen is between $7,000 and $20,000 on average. Outdoor kitchens are ideally suited for use on a covered patio. The cover helps ensure that the space does not overheat when cooking. Covers that keep off rain extend the use of the outdoor kitchen on days with inclement weather. Outdoor kitchens can be simple or elaborate. The more features you add to the kitchen, the higher your total costs.

Covered Deck vs Covered Patio

Both decks and patios are frequently used for the same purpose. These are outdoor living spaces meant for relaxation and entertaining, both frequently situated on the back of the home.

The biggest difference between the two is that decks tend to be elevated structures, while patios tend to be ground level. Of the two, patios are more likely to be covered, whether with an awning or a full roof. Decks can also easily accommodate an awning, but if you want a full roof, your costs for the deck will begin to approach those of a porch.

This is because the weight of the roof for the deck needs to be compensated for in its footings. Therefore, the deck foundation needs to be much larger than an uncovered deck. Patios, being typically ground level, do not have the same concerns. Hence, covered patios tend to be more common than covered decks as well as less expensive overall. Below are the average costs to build a covered patio and a covered deck of similar sizes.

Enhancements and Improvement Costs

Patio Security

Depending on where you live and how secure your yard is, you may want to consider adding security features to your patio. Fencing can be a good deterrent to thieves and trespassers. If you do not have fencing or want added peace of mind, consider outdoor surveillance cameras, which cost between $200 and $400 each.

Additional Considerations and Costs

• Permit. To build any type of structure on your property, including a covered patio, you need to obtain a permit. Check with your local town or city hall to find out more information.
• Cushions. Ensure that any patio cushions or furnishings you use are meant for outdoor use if you intend to leave them outside.
• Resale Value. Patios and outdoor living spaces can increase the value of your home. The amount varies, depending on the patio type you build.
• Sun Exposure. When planning the position of your patio and the cover, consider the sun exposure and shade and what you plan on doing there. While covers provide some shade, the area can still become overheated in a very sunny area.