Adding a cover over an existing 12x16 deck in the Lower Mainland typically costs about $7,000 to $20,000. A new 12x16 deck built with a solid roof runs about $20,000 to $45,000, including permit and engineering. Open pergolas sit at the low end, and louvered aluminum roofs and wood-framed roofs tied into the house sit at the top.
These are typical ranges for budgeting, before GST. Real quotes depend on a site visit, your deck's height and your city's rules. Expect the higher end in Vancouver and on the North Shore, and the lower end in the Fraser Valley.
Why covered decks are so popular in BC
Rain is the reason. Most of the Lower Mainland is wet from fall to spring, and the North Shore gets around 1,700 mm of rain a year. An open deck is mostly a summer space. A covered deck is somewhere you can grill in November, drink your coffee during a March shower and leave the furniture out.
A roof also keeps the worst of the weather off the deck surface and railings. It gives you a dry spot by the back door for shoes, bikes and the barbecue.
Covered deck cost by type
| Cover option | Keeps rain off? | Typical installed cost |
|---|---|---|
| Open pergola (wood or aluminum) | No, shade only | $5,000 to $18,000 for about 10x12 to 12x16 |
| Louvered aluminum roof (motorised) | Yes, when closed | $15,000 to $30,000 for about 12x16 |
| Aluminum patio cover, solid or insulated panels | Yes | $35 to $60 per sq ft (about $6,700 to $11,500 for 12x16) |
| Polycarbonate roof | Yes, and lets light through | $7,000 to $15,000 for 12x16 |
| Glass roof on aluminum | Yes, the brightest option | At or above the top of the aluminum range |
| Standing-seam metal roof | Yes | $9,000 to $18,000 for 12x16 |
| Wood-framed roof tied into the house | Yes | $60 to $120 per sq ft (about $11,500 to $23,000 for 12x16) |
| New 12x16 deck with a solid roof | Yes | $20,000 to $45,000 including permit and engineering |
For a rough number on your own deck size, try the deck cost calculator. For the cost of the deck itself by material, see our Lower Mainland deck cost guide.
Your options, from open to fully roofed
Open pergola. A pergola gives shade and the feel of an outdoor room, but rain falls straight through. Pressure-treated pergolas run about $3,000 to $8,000, cedar about $5,000 to $12,000 and powder-coated aluminum about $6,000 to $18,000. If it attaches to the house, stamped drawings are often needed.
Louvered aluminum roof. Motorised blades tilt open for sun and close to shed rain. It is very flexible and one of the priciest options, at about $15,000 to $30,000 for a 12x16 area.
Aluminum patio cover. This is the usual budget route to a real roof. Panels can be solid, insulated, polycarbonate or glass. Insulated panels give a finished ceiling underneath. Expect $35 to $60 per sq ft for solid or insulated panels, with glass systems at or above the top of that range. Powder-coated aluminum will not rot, which suits our climate.
Wood-framed roof tied into the house. A framed roof with shingles or metal, gutters and soffit can match the look of your house. It is also the most involved option, because it ties into the existing wall or roof and usually needs engineering. Budget about $60 to $120 per sq ft.
Building a new deck with a roof
Building the deck and roof together lets one design handle the posts, beams and footings for both. A new 12x16 deck with a solid roof typically runs $20,000 to $45,000 with permit and engineering. A simple pressure-treated deck with a basic roof sits near the bottom of that range. Premium boards with a louvered roof can go past the top. Builders who specialise in covered decks can show you where your design lands.
Raised decks need a different approach. A board deck lets water drip through the gaps, so keeping the patio below it dry takes a separate under-deck drainage or membrane system, at significant extra cost. A vinyl deck is waterproof by design. That is one reason it is common on second-storey decks over patios and living space.
Permits and engineering for covered decks
A roof changes how the city sees your deck. Covered decks usually need a building permit plus a zoning review of lot coverage, floor space ratio (FSR) and setbacks. Engineering for a covered roof commonly costs about $1,000 to $4,000. Permit review for covered or engineered decks typically takes 6 to 12 weeks, and fees usually run $200 to $1,500 depending on the value of the work.
Rules vary by municipality. Here is what some local governments' official documents say:
| City | What the rules say about covers |
|---|---|
| Port Coquitlam | A building permit is required to put a roof cover over a deck. The deck guide asks for lot coverage, and window and door sizes if the deck is covered. |
| Maple Ridge | The Residential Deck Application Guidelines require a structural engineer's sealed design for decks with roof structures attached. |
| White Rock | Constructing, covering or enclosing a porch or sundeck requires a building permit. |
| West Vancouver | The zoning guide counts covered deck areas toward site coverage. Only uncovered decks less than 0.6 m (2 ft) above grade are excluded. |
| Abbotsford | The building bylaw's exclusion for freestanding decks under 0.6 m applies only to decks with no roof. The City's drawing checklist asks for roof framing, roof finish, ceiling heights and protected soffit details on covered decks. |
| District of North Vancouver | Attached decks higher than 600 mm (2 ft) count toward building coverage, and those higher than 1,981 mm (6 ft 6 in) count toward FSR. The deck guide does not address roofs, so ask before you design one. |
| Burnaby | Expanding a patio cover is treated as an addition that needs a permit, and the City publishes requirements for aluminum patio and deck covers. |
Coverage rules matter most on smaller lots that are already near the limit. Always confirm the rules with your city's building department before you commit. Our guide on whether you need a deck permit in BC covers the basics, and you can check the local details for Maple Ridge and West Vancouver.
Lighting, heaters, gutters and drainage
The extras are what make a covered deck usable on a dark January evening. Plan them before the roof goes on, since wiring a finished ceiling is harder and costs more.
Lighting. Pot lights or LED strips in the ceiling, plus a couple of outdoor outlets, are common choices. Ask your builder to coordinate with an electrician so the wiring runs inside the framing.
Heaters. Electric infrared heaters mounted under the roof are a popular way to stretch the season. Check the manufacturer's required clearance to the ceiling, and make sure the circuit can handle the load. Gas heaters and fire tables have their own clearances, which matter more under a low roof.
Gutters and downspouts. A deck roof sheds a lot of water in a Lower Mainland storm. Make sure the quote includes gutters and downspouts that carry water away from the footings and the house foundation. This matters most on wet clay and high water tables, which are common in parts of Surrey, Langley, Delta, Richmond and the Fraser Valley floor. Where the roof meets the house, proper flashing is critical to keep water out of the wall.
Keeping the house bright under a cover
A solid roof shades the rooms behind it. That is welcome in July and less so in December, when days are short and skies are grey. Rooms that open onto the deck feel it most, especially on north-facing yards.
You have a few ways to keep the light:
- Clear or lightly tinted polycarbonate panels
- Glass roof panels on aluminum, the brightest choice
- A louvered roof you can open on dry days
- A higher roof line, or a cover that stops short of the main windows
- Light-coloured ceilings and soffits that bounce light inside
Light helps the deck too. Shaded decks are prone to moss and mildew, and a roof that lets daylight through helps the surface dry out between showers.
Get covered deck quotes
A covered deck has more parts than an open one: structure, roof, drainage, lighting and permits. Prices swing widely with size, height and local rules, so comparing quotes is the best way to know your real cost. Get free quotes from up to 3 vetted local builders, and see how their designs and prices stack up for your yard.
Common questions
How much does it cost to put a roof over an existing deck?
For a 12x16 deck in the Lower Mainland, a cover typically costs about $7,000 to $20,000 before GST. Aluminum patio covers sit at the low to middle end, wood-framed roofs tied into the house at the high end, and louvered roofs run about $15,000 to $30,000.
Do I need a permit to cover my deck in BC?
Usually, yes. Covered decks typically need a building permit and a zoning review of lot coverage and setbacks, and cities such as Port Coquitlam and White Rock list covering a deck as permit work. Rules vary by municipality, so confirm with your city.
Is a pergola cheaper than a patio cover?
An open pergola typically costs about $5,000 to $18,000, but it only gives shade because rain falls through. An aluminum patio cover at about $35 to $60 per sq ft keeps the rain off and can cost a similar amount on a 12x16 deck.
Will a patio cover make my house darker?
A solid roof can shade the rooms behind it, especially in winter and on north-facing yards. Clear polycarbonate or glass roof panels, or a louvered roof you can open, let more daylight through.