How Much Does Adding a Roof Over a Patio Cost?

Adding a roof over your patio is a fantastic way to increase your home’s outdoor quality and curb appeal, and that’s true for new and old patios. Gratefully, the variety of solutions available cover your patio allows homeowners on any budget to find something that works for their pocketbook and looks great.

Of all roofing projects, patio roofs are one of my favorites. In this article, I’ll lend you some of my wisdom about patio roofs, break down average costs, and give you an overview of the various options available.

If you’re in the market for a new roof or roof repair for your house or patio, check out my recommended roofing companies:

What Is the Cost of Adding a Roof Over a Patio?

The total cost of adding a patio roof can vary widely. You can build (or buy) a simple canvas awning for a few hundred dollars. If you want something more luxurious, some options cost tens of thousands of dollars. It all depends on what you want and how much you want to spend. Because patio roofs are non-essential, they’re not a mandatory expense like the roof on your house.

Here’s a general estimate for a patio roof:

If you’d like to see how professionals build a gable patio roof, check out the video below:

The type of roof can be a substantial component of price. Here, we’ll go over the basic types, and I’ll explain what they are and any cost considerations.

Note: Chart assumes professional installation.

Awning

An awning is the cheapest option, but don’t let that discourage you. It can pack a lot of charm in a dirt-cheap package. Even a simple shade sail can dramatically improve the look of a patio.

Awnings are generally either freestanding or attached to the house. The awning roof is no more than a single material layer, like cloth or aluminum roofing. Some awnings are even retractable and come in various styles, from fancy metal awnings that retract with motors to simpler cloth awnings that are rolled up by hand or stationary.

One advantage of awnings is that homeowners can install them without hiring a professional, keeping costs low.

While hiring a professional is certainly possible for homeowners on a budget, installing it yourself can save you a few hundred dollars. Another nice feature is that most prefabricated covers have a manufacturer’s warranty.

Lean-To

A lean-to design is a classic patio and deck roof design. Architects and builders use them widely. It’s the most common type of roof I’ve encountered.

A lean-to is a mono-pitch roof that “leans” against the house. If you took a typical dual-pitch roof — like the one on your house — cut it in half, then attached it to the side of your house, you’d have a lean-to roof. Sometimes, these roofs are attached to the wall, but other times, they’re tied into the roof to look more like a kick out of the house’s roof rather than a separate one.

Lean-tos are easy to construct. They require posts, light framing, and a roofing material to support them. You can build them in a few days with little mess or equipment.

A lean-to is the cheapest and most economical long-term solution for a constructed patio roof. It provides plenty of protection from the weather and potential falling debris, and, properly maintained, you can expect it to last as long as the house.

Pergola

A pergola is a freestanding structure (though a builder can tie it to the house) that historically was used to accommodate vines and other climbing plants to create a shaded area that was partly manufactured and natural.

These days, they’re commonly made of weatherproof wood, like cedar or redwood, in a traditional post-and-frame style and are only sometimes used to support plants. You can construct them in an open style, without a traditional roof. Or you can build them with a flat, roof-like surface. Pergolas have a unique look with little variation, so they’re only suited for a homeowner who likes that form and aesthetic.

As far as price, they’re not necessarily cheap, even though other options can be far more expensive. Wood pergolas are, unfortunately, rigid in most of their costs. Only certain types of wood are suited for the conditions that pergolas experience, so there’s little room for savings on material costs or installation costs.

The cheapest version of a pergola is a “hardware” style, where the wooden members are attached to plates, gussets, bolts, etc. Optionally, a homeowner can choose to have it constructed with wood joinery, which eliminates potentially undesirable hardware but substantially increases labor costs.

The other option is a prefabricated kit pergola. As a carpenter, woodworker, and roofer, I generally disagree with these being called pergolas. They’re certainly pergola-like, but they deviate from the historic (and most contemporary) notions of what a pergola is and looks like. However, they’re perfectly serviceable as a patio cover. These can range anywhere from economical to astronomical in price.

Hip or Gable Roof

One of the more expensive patio roofs is the hip, or gable, roof, similar to a house’s hip roof. In form and structure, it’s almost identical in most areas, with only slight variations to accommodate being over a patio rather than a house.

Hip and gable roofs can be freestanding or tied into the house, depending on the homeowner’s preference. Connecting them to the house costs more than a freestanding one and more than tying in other types of patio roofs. That’s because of the larger area that’s needed.

Like a lean-to, a hip or gable roof is a robust roof that will last as long as the house. Because it has material like a normal roof, you must replace it regularly. Do this every time you install a new roof. Most homeowners want their patio and house roofs to match, and constructing them simultaneously eliminates the burden of a second, separate project (and saves on labor.)

Free-Standing

A freestanding roof is a blank canvas. Homeowners can install it on a traditional patio or an outside gazebo. Because it’s not tied into the house, any roof design a homeowner can imagine is possible: barrel, pavilion, flying gable, or even a simple hip roof. It can be constructed of any material and roofed with any material.

The cost of a freestanding patio roof is as open as the design. Homeowners can build them economically or spend tens of thousands or more. The only limits are budget and imagination.

What Does a Patio Roof Cost by Size?

The square footage of a patio roof is another principal component of the price. However, this metric can get strange because of the differences between prefabricated and constructed patio roofs.

Most prefabricated patio roofs and covers are within the 100- to 200-square-foot range. Some can be luxurious and expensive. There are few prefabricated options for patio roofs above that cost range, so most are built from common materials, which is a fairly predictable and cost-efficient process. As such, counter-intuitively, a high-end prefabricated roof for a small patio can cost far more than a high-end constructed roof for a large patio.

Which Factors Impact the Cost of Adding a Patio Roof?

Like most construction projects, size, style, and material dominate as cost factors. The one unique cost factor of patio roofs is whether it’s prefabricated or constructed.

Prefabricated or Constructed

Prefabricated vs. constructed significantly affects cost. To summarize, building a roof is cost-efficient and predictable, so there are few potential surprises when costing one out. The techniques and materials are all common and well known to roofers and carpenters — everything is a known quantity — there isn’t much that will blindside the contractor or the homeowner.

Prefabricated roof costs, on the other hand, can be frustratingly wide. In researching this article, I found myself giggling incredulously (on more than one occasion) at the cost of some prefabricated roofs. That isn’t to say those options aren’t worth it for the right homeowner — they may very well be — but in the process of seeking potential options, you should be aware that a $12,000 prefabricated pergola that only covers 100 sq. ft. isn’t the rule. Digging a little deeper, you’ll find plenty of more affordable options.

Size

Still, homeowners should know that costs don’t necessarily scale linearly when constructing a patio roof instead of buying a prefabricated one.

What does that mean?

That means if a 100 sq. ft. roof costs $1,000, a 200 sq. ft. roof won’t necessarily cost $2,000. Each project a contractor does comes with a kind of baseline investment of time. Simply put, doing more work is cheaper if you’re already there and set up.

It’s something worth considering when you’re weighing your options. The best way to approach that variable is to ask. Most contractors worth their salt give free estimates. For those of us in the industry, it’s an accepted part of marketing and sales — that is to say, an investment in our business — so call up your local contractor and ask them to take a look. I’m sure they would be happy to.

Style

Style doesn’t usually affect cost but it can. Complicated constructions can add to the price, but it’s similar to the prefabricated vs. constructed issue. Certain patio cover styles aren’t available as an off-the-shelf option, while others are. Of prefabricated options, some vary widely in cost for similar products.

But to reassure you, for whatever style you want, there will be an economical option, prefabricated or constructed.

Material

Materials play a role in costs for constructed patio roofs. Certain styles, like pergolas, are commonly made of weather-resistant wood, like cedar. For other roofs, like gables or lean-tos, homeowners can get away with using common, construction-grade lumber. Many patio roofs use exactly that. Cedar is another option, but it means there is flexibility.

And in truth, there isn’t any reason you can’t use treated, construction-grade lumber for something like a pergola. The assumption is that all homeowners want the longest-lasting wood, but that isn’t strictly the case. I have seen pergolas built with treated pine. There’s nothing wrong with it if you don’t mind the look. But it likely won’t last as long as something build with cedar.

Permits

As ever, permits are a part of the construction process. I can’t give you any hard or fast insights here. Building codes and zoning laws vary by jurisdiction. And I can’t tell you if you’ll need a building permit to construct a patio roof.

But you or your contractor will have to check with the local zoning authority about needed approvals. It may mean paying for a permit. In my experience, permits are never prohibitively expensive, but it’s worth mentioning that they are a cost — and so is the time for contractors to sort them out if you’re content to let them handle it.

What Are the Benefits of Investing in a Patio Roof?

Adding a patio roof is a cost-effective way to increase curb appeal and resale value. A home is more than just the house — it includes the property. A beautiful patio and backyard space is appealing to most homeowners, and that’s reflected in the market value of homes with beautiful and well-cared-for outdoor living spaces.

Professional Vs. DIY Adding a Patio Roof Cost

You can expect to pay 40 to 50% more for professional construction or installation. This doesn’t strictly hold for more economical options like store-bought awnings, which will cost 20 to 30% more, but for most things beyond that you can expect it to be in that price range. So, a DIY patio roof can save you a lot on cost.

Adding a Patio Roof Yourself

For some patio roofs, like store-bought awnings, doing it yourself is absolutely within the reach of most homeowners. These types of kit projects are perfect for the hands-on homeowner or the homeowner on a budget. They come with written instructions and all the necessary material. With a little help, you can knock it out over a weekend.

Leave it to professionals for properly structured patio roofs that require posts and framing. The reality is that improperly built roof structures can collapse. Worse, they can collapse with people under them. Unless you have expertise in construction, let the experts handle it.

Hiring a Professional to Add a Patio Roof

Hiring someone to do a patio roof should be no different than hiring for any other work.

1. Find local experts near you: Most roofing and general construction companies do patio roofs. The internet is a great resource for looking up local companies and reading reviews. Recommendations from friends and family are another good resource.
2. Get a quote from a few options: As with all major work on a house, shop around to ensure you get a fair price. Check the internet for average rates for whatever type of cover you’re considering.
3. Consult them about their recommendations: The contractor will explain any variables or potential issues. If you have any questions or concerns, be sure to tell them. Customer satisfaction is part of the job; every good contractor understands that.

So, Is Adding a Patio Roof Worth the Cost?

I think adding a patio roof is worth the cost.

For homeowners considering the potential resale value of their home, a patio roof enhances curb appeal and market value. Homes are more than walls and rooms. Most potential buyers want a house with a desirable outside space. Easier options are also great home improvement projects for those who like DIY projects.

For homeowners who care less about market value and more about the comfort of their home, a covered patio is a great way to increase the enjoyment of a home’s outside space. Having a roof to keep the sun and rain at bay allows the homeowner and their guests to indulge in the beauty of the outdoors.