How Much Do Patio Roofs Cost?
Written by Masie Pitchard
A patio roof gives you the freedom to do whatever it is you've always wanted to do—entertain friends and family all year long, enjoy the rain without getting wet, set up a barbeque station, or curl up with a good book!
Patio roofs cost on average, a minimum of $8,000 in the United States. The upper demarcation line can, however, go a lot higher. Custom designs, high-quality materials, unique features, and the labor required can raise the cost to as high as $30,000 or more. In terms of sq. feet, you can expect to pay anywhere from $25 to $75 per sq. foot for a patio roof.
The choice of material and how well it bodes in your local weather, the type of patio roof you want, and how you want it to be positioned - all these factors and more contribute to the total cost of a patio roof. As such, here’s a complete guide to choosing the patio roof of your dreams, and figuring out an estimated cost while you are at it!
How Much Does A Patio Roof Installation Cost?
A mid-range, complete patio enclosure with a roof, built from scratch, will cost up to $26,000. This is the cost of a fully constructed structure that you can affix to or detach from your house.
This type of bespoke patio roof includes walls, windows, doors, foundations, etc., and is built from the ground up making it one of the more expensive options.
A simple vinyl patio roof, on the other hand, is amongst the cheapest options in terms of materials with the cost ranging from $2520 to $6300 for a fully covered roof.
However, a 6’ x 10’ gravel patio takes the lead in the low-cost patio roof segment, costing only $700 for the whole project!
Keep in mind that the prices of patio roofs can vary greatly, depending on the size, material, chosen space, and type of roof structure. If you want something luxurious, your cost can go up to as high as $45,000.
To simplify things, here is a table that offers a low-end and high-end range of the expected average cost breakdown for a 12’ x 18’ patio roof installation.
| Types Of 12’ x 18’ Patio Roofs | Average Cost Of Roof Material | Average Total Cost Including Labor |
|---|---|---|
| Sail Canopy | $100 - $200 | $700 - $3,500 |
| Awning | $100 - $2,500 | $1,500 - $25,000 |
| Pergola | $2,500 - $6,000 | $4,200 - $11,500 |
| Timber (Gabled) | $2,500 - $13,500 | $4,000 - $19,000 |
| Gazebo | $7,500 - $10,000 | $10,000 - $16,000 |
| Louvered | $4,500 - $21,000 | $6,500 - $26,000 |
| Timber (Enclosed) | $8,000 - $25,000 | $12,000 - $35,000 |
At the end of the day, every patio roof project is different. It’s an extremely personal home improvement project where homeowners have free creative reign in terms of designing and installing a patio roof that best suits their lifestyle and budget.
Factors That Affect The Cost Of A Patio Roof
The prices of the type of patio roof, material, installation, etc. change on a day-to-day basis and from one city to another. For the sake of the article and to get an overall idea of the cost, understand that all the prices we refer to here are the ‘average’ price.
The labor cost also varies greatly, not just between cities but even within a city. Our goal in this article is to give you a picture of what to expect and to go into this project with a sense of the average cost and range. That said, let’s get into it:
The Type of Support You Want Or Need
One choice that you’d have to make early on is whether you’d like to have your patio roof attached or freestanding. This choice will give you the first hint of your total cost.
An attached patio roof is as the name implies ‘attached to your home and extends from it. A freestanding one requires beams and supports to stand, which of course, raises the total cost.
The cost of an attached covered patio roof can range between $500 and $25,000 depending on the size and materials chosen.
A freestanding patio roof requires complicated construction and additional materials, raising the cost to between $3,000 and $25,000.
The Type of Material
There are endless options when it comes to the materials used in the installation of a patio roof. We’ll talk about some of the most popular materials and their average cost:
Aluminum
Two aluminum patio roofs may not be the same. A low-end aluminum can cost $20 per square foot –with installation – on average. Designer aluminum, on the other hand, will be of higher quality costing $70 per square foot. High-end aluminum is thicker, better insulated, and more durable.
The advantage of choosing aluminum is that it’s highly versatile and can be louvered, installed in slats, or used to create a unique design with a mix of other materials.
Stucco
This coating material is always used on a solid base. It is also installed in two parts. First, the cover is built using another material, such as wood, and then stucco is used to coat it.
A stucco installation can cost between $20 to $45 per square foot. A one-coat stucco is the cheapest option, whereas three-coat stucco and stucco with exterior insulation and finish are higher-end and much more durable. All types of stucco covers provide a long-lasting outer finish.
Wood
As we are all aware, there is an endless variety of styles and qualities in wood. Wooden patio covers are almost always built to order and their cost ranges from $15 - $35 per square foot.
A wooden patio cover requires a more detailed construction. Blueprints are drawn up first for the design before installation can take place. The more complex the design, the higher the cost.
On the plus side, wooden patio roofs are the most aesthetically appealing patio roofs money can buy. They are also highly durable and can be renewed every few years with a quick re-staining or a re-painting job.
Vinyl
This patio material is a lot cheaper than wood or aluminum and is resistant to rot, warp, and even bugs.
The cost ranges from $5 - $13 per sq. foot and is among the most affordable options for patio roof materials one can opt for.
If what you seek is a patio roof on a tight budget, vinyl is the material you need to go with!
Fiberglass
The go-to patio roof for many designers, fiberglass, is considered the gold standard in the home improvement industry. However, by those standards, it is quite affordable, with the cost ranging between $16 and $39 per square foot.
The reason why fiberglass is the top choice for many contractors is that it is visually appealing, durable, easy to maintain, and comes in a variety of styles - making it easier to get creative with.
Fiberglass is also a great insulator which negates the need for added insulation costs.
Distance from the Trees
If you have trees in your backyard that you don’t want to lose and your desired patio roof is to be built within 10 feet of those trees, be prepared to pay additional costs.
The preservation and protection of trees require extra labor work and can increase the time duration of the project which in turn raises costs.
The Style and Design Of the Patio Roof
There are a variety of styles and designs of patio roofs available in the market. It is likely that your designer or contractor will help you decide what suits the rest of your house’s décor best, but the ultimate choice is always yours!
Louvered Patio Roof
A louvered patio roof has posts and columns to support the frame and includes numerous configurations and materials. The roof itself has panels and beams that help create a covered top.
This intricate design also requires more labor and can cost anywhere between $4,320 and $20,700, or $100 per square foot, depending on the material you choose and the size of your deck.
An added feature of a louvered patio roof is that the slats are often operable, which means you have control over how much rain and sunshine you want to come in. You can shutter them open or close, or leave them mid-way for some natural light along with shade.
A louvered patio roof offers the ultimate luxury outdoor experience!
Pergola
Where louvered patio roofs are quite traditional, a pergola offers a more modern approach to patio roofs with its open design that offers greater exposure to the natural elements.
Instead of providing complete shade, pergola filters in some sunlight and uses fewer materials. A mid-range pergola will cost around $20 to $60 per square foot.
Sail Canopy
The cheapest form of patio roof is a sail canopy. It provides shade from the harsh sun and does the job of providing you with an outdoor space you can vibe in during the day and night.
However, it isn’t as aesthetically pleasing as its counterparts and provides little protection from rain or strong winds. You can purchase the sail for about $10 per square foot and have it installed for $1200—to $2000. Most people opt for DIY patio roofs with sail canopies as they are much easier to set up.
In some cases, you might need to add posts for the sail, which will add to the cost.
Timber-Framed Patio Roofs
A timber-framed patio roof is a traditional design that looks amazing in country-style homes. Homeowners who wish to maintain the design and theme of their wooden western-themed homes can have this rustic-looking roof that uses wood and large supportive beams.
It is expensive, though. A 12 x 12 timber frame roof can cost an average of $20,000.
Outdoor Gazebo
Patio roofs are also designed in the form of a gazebo. It is perfect for those with a large backyard with plenty of space.
In addition to the roof, an entire enclosure is built and requires lots of materials and labor work. It also includes flooring in many cases.
Gazebos are iconic for outdoor relaxing spaces and entertaining guests. It offers a hangout space from day to night because of the netting enclosure, options to hang lights, and additional shade or privacy.
The total cost of an outdoor gazebo can be as little as $325 or as much as $27,000. In most instances, you can expect the average cost of a decent gazebo to be about $7000.
Fabric Cover
A quick patio roofing solution comes in the form of fabric covers. You can choose retractable shades, umbrellas, or awnings to provide shade from the sun and give a nice and cozy outdoor space. It’s best for people with a small backyard and deck space.
Fabric covers and their installation can cost you between $450 to $3000.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does A Covered Patio Add Value?
While crunching the numbers, many homeowners find themselves on the fence about patio roofs and if it adds value to their homes. The answer is yes! Many homeowners looking to sell their homes make this addition to get a higher resale value.
It gives an additional outdoor living space and a place to cook, lounge, and host guests. It also encourages homeowners to add a firepit, a kitchen, a barbeque station, etc. which further adds value and gives the house several selling features.
Do Patio Roofs Have A Warranty?
A well-reputed company will always provide a warranty for their roof installation work. While a well-built and well-constructed roof hardly requires any work in years, you need to have your bases covered and must explicitly ask about it from your choice of contractors.
How Long Does The Process Take?
The patio roof installation can be done in 2 days or 3 to 4 weeks. The length of the project depends on your contractor and the size and design of your patio roof. A simple, attached patio roof can be installed in two days. However, if you are going for a complicated design with lots of details, it can certainly take weeks.
Ask your contractor about the timeline beforehand if you have an event to host or have somewhere to be.
Final Thoughts
The main takeaway from this article is that it doesn’t cost much to build a patio roof. You can get one done for as little as $700. However, if you are looking for a patio roof, not just for functional purposes but to add value to your home, improve your lifestyle and add aesthetic appeal, you’ll likely have to pay a much higher cost.
For those of you on a tight budget, we recommend designing your outdoor oasis with simple sun sails or a patio umbrella.
