Services · Covered decks & patio covers
Covered decks and patio covers
Where it rains from fall to spring, a roof over the deck can double how often you use it. Options run from an open pergola to an aluminum patio cover with clear panels to a full wood-framed roof tied into the house. Tell us what you're picturing and compare quotes from up to three local builders.
- Pergola about $5,000–18,000
- Aluminum cover about $35–60 per sq ft
- Permit and engineering often required
Options
Ways to cover a deck
| Cover type | What it is | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Open pergola | Beams and rafters for shade and structure, open to the sky | Sun shade and a defined outdoor room |
| Louvered aluminum roof | Adjustable slats that open for sun and close for rain | Year-round use with control over light |
| Aluminum patio cover | Solid, insulated or clear panels on an aluminum frame | Rain cover that keeps the house bright |
| Wood-framed roof | A roof tied into the house with shingles or metal | A built-in look that matches the house |
Local conditions
Rain cover without a dark house
The most common worry about covering a deck is losing light in the rooms behind it. Clear polycarbonate or glass panels on an aluminum frame keep the kitchen bright, while a solid roof gives more shelter and a built-in look.
Covered decks also bring extra rules. Many towns want a permit, some want an engineer's design for a roof attached to the house, and covered areas can count toward lot coverage. A good builder checks this before drawing it up.
What a good quote includes
- Cover type and roofing material
- Clear or solid panels
- Post locations and footings
- Attachment to the house and flashing
- Gutters and where the water goes
- Wiring for lights, heaters or fans
- Permit, drawings and engineering
- Snow load rating
- Warranty on the frame and roofing
Costs
Typical covered decks & patio covers prices
| Job | Typical range | What moves the price |
|---|---|---|
| Open pergola | $5,000 – $18,000 | Size, wood or aluminum |
| Louvered aluminum roof | $15,000 – $30,000 | Size, motor, lighting |
| Aluminum patio cover | $35 – $60 / sq ft | Panel type: solid, insulated or clear |
| Wood-framed roof tied into the house | $60 – $120 / sq ft | Roofing, gutters, soffit, engineering |
| Roof added to an existing deck | $7,000 – $20,000 | Whether the deck can carry the posts |
| Engineering for a covered deck | $1,000 – $4,000 | Often required for attached roofs |
Budget ranges in CAD before GST. Your quotes are based on a site visit.
Questions
Covered decks & patio covers questions
Will a cover make my house darker?
It can with a solid roof. Clear polycarbonate or glass panels on an aluminum frame keep most of the light, and a louvered roof lets you choose.
Do covered decks need a permit?
Usually. Roofs attached to the house generally need a permit and often an engineer's design, and covered areas can count toward lot coverage. Check your town's rules.
Can I add a roof to my existing deck?
Often, if the deck frame and footings can carry the new posts and loads. A builder will check before quoting. Expect roughly $7,000–20,000 for a roof added to an existing deck.
Often done together
Guides
Covered decks & patio covers by town
Metro Vancouver
- Surrey →
- Vancouver →
- Burnaby →
- Richmond →
- Delta →
- White Rock →
- Coquitlam →
- Port Coquitlam →
- Port Moody →
- New Westminster →
- North Vancouver →
- West Vancouver →
- Pitt Meadows →
Fraser Valley
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