How much does a covered deck cost?
How much does a covered deck cost?
$10 – $60 cost per square foot installed (cover only)
$2,000 – $12,000 average total cost (200 SF cover only)
$5,000 – $18,000 total cost to build (200 SF deck & cover)
Average cost to cover a deck
The cost to cover an existing deck is $2,000 to $12,000 on average or $10 to $60 per square foot. Building a covered deck costs $5,000 to $18,000 for a new deck and cover. The cost to build a gable roof over a deck is $60 to $155 per square foot.
| Deck size | Total cost to cover* | Total cost to build (deck & cover) |
|---|---|---|
| 10'x10' | $1,000 – $6,000 | $2,500 – $9,000 |
| 10'x20' | $2,000 – $12,000 | $5,000 – $18,000 |
| 12'x12' | $1,450 – $8,650 | $3,600 – $13,000 |
| 14'x20' | $2,800 – $16,800 | $7,000 – $25,200 |
| 16'x16' | $2,550 – $15,350 | $6,400 – $23,000 |
| 20'x20' | $4,000 – $24,000 | $10,000 – $36,000 |
*Prices for basic & unattached deck covers that aren't extensions of a home roof.
Cost to cover a deck by type
The following table shows the wide range of deck cover costs by type:
| Cover type | Cost per square foot installed | Description / pros / cons |
|---|---|---|
| Shade sail | $1 – $2 |
|
| Manually retractable awnings | $5 – $15 |
|
| Motorized awnings | $20 - $35 |
|
| Pergola | $10 – $40 |
|
| Pavilion | $35 – $60 |
|
| Roof extension / permanent roof | $60 – $155 |
|
| Alumawood | $30 – $60 |
|
| Convert existing deck into screened-in porch | $10 – $25 |
|
Shade sail installation cost
Shade sail installation costs $1 to $2 per square foot total or $150 to $500 installed on average. A shade sail is canvas pulled tight to create a seasonal flat roof. Most shade sails have cables or ropes tied to the deck posts.
A general handyman can install this roof type.
Awning cost
Awning installation costs $5 to $35 per square foot total, depending on the type, size, and whether it's manual or motorized. A retractable awning costs $200 to $3,000 installed for a manual model and up to $6,000 for motorized models.
Pavilion cost
Building a pavilion costs $35 to $60 per square foot installed. Most pavilions are metal or vinyl, and cedar wood is a popular but more expensive choice. A solid pavilion roof can have any roofing material on top, including shingles or clay tiles.
Cost to build a pergola
A prefabricated pergola costs $10 to $40 per square foot installed. Building a custom pergola costs $30 to $65 per square foot. The cheapest pergola materials are aluminum, vinyl, or pine wood while hardwoods are the most expensive. Most designs have open lattice-beam tops.
Louvered pergolas that open and close cost up to 2 times more.
Deck roof cost
A deck roof costs $60 to $155 per square foot, depending on the design. These prices are for solid, permanent roofs attached to the home and added to an existing deck.
| Solid wood home-roof extension type | Average cost per square foot installed |
|---|---|
| Single-slope shed roof | $60 – $120 |
| Double-slope gable roof | $70 – $155 |
For building a freestanding roof over part of a deck, consider a pavilion that's typically half the price.
Alumawood deck cover cost
An Alumawood® deck cover costs $30 to $60 per square foot installed. This brand imitates the look of wood out of aluminum materials with a wood-texture finish. Inside the aluminum exterior is a foam core at least 3" thick for insulation.
Cost to screen in a deck
The cost to screen in a porch or deck is $10 to $25 per square foot on average for an existing deck. This price includes materials and labor for adding screens to a deck with an existing roof to fully enclose the space.
Covered deck cost calculator
Building a covered deck costs $5,000 to $18,000 on average for a new deck plus a cover. The cost to build a deck alone is $25 to $50 per square foot. Prices to build a home-roof extension over a deck are 2 to 6 times more.
| Cost factor | Cost per square foot | Average total cost* |
|---|---|---|
| Build a new deck | $25 – $50 | $3,600 – $20,000 |
| Add a cover (Basic types like Alumawood®️, awning, pergola, or pavilion) | $10 – $60 | $2,000 – $12,000 |
| Total cost installed | $25 – $90 | $5,000 – $18,000 |
*For a 10'x20' size deck.
Cost factors include:
Cover type – Lattice pergola roofs are typically 2 to 3 times cheaper than solid deck roofs, depending on the materials and design quality.
Roofing materials cost $80 to $800 per 100 square feet depending on the type.
Existing roof replacement costs$3 to $6 per square foot for only the top exterior layer and not the framing.
Deck design & complexity – Attaching the deck cover to the home in a seamless transition costs more than installing a freestanding deck-roof kit.
Roof size – Bigger roofs cost more for labor, materials, and reinforcements to support the extra weight.
Material – Seasonal awnings are the cheapest. Aluminum frames are the cheapest permanent deck roof while hardwood gable designs cost the most.
Old deck removal – Tearing down an old, damaged deck costs $5 to $10 per square foot. Partial removals are sometimes necessary for big repairs or installing roof posts.
Deck repairs – Most deck repairs cost $750 to $2,500, or $100 to $750 for simple fixes.
Cover height – Taller deck roofs cost more for the larger posts and bigger footings needed to bear the extra weight.
Insulated vs. non-insulated – An insulated aluminum roof costs 20% to 50% more than a solid aluminum roof without insulation. Most insulated deck roofs have a foam-board core encased in aluminum.
DIY vs. pro installer:
The labor alone for a solid deck roof costs $15 to $50 per square foot.
A DIY-installed canopy or simple awning costs $50 to $200 minimum.
A DIY pergola kit costs $700 to $4,000 for materials.
Paint – Deck painting costs $2 to $5 per square foot.
Railing – Deck railing costs $20 to $60 per linear foot for wood or vinyl.
Gutters – Gutter installation costs $5 to $15 per linear foot.
Permits – A permit costs $60 to $150 minimum for simple structures like a pergola, and prices increase for home roof extensions. Permit fees are typically a fixed percentage of the total project cost.
Electrical & plumbing:
The cost to install an outdoor outlet is $180 to $350.
Outdoor light installation costs $80 to $300 per fixture.
Ceiling fan installation costs $150 to $350 per fan.
A misting system costs $500 to $2,000.
Outdoor heating – A portable electric heater costs $150 to $300 while a gas heater costs $200 to $500.
Additional amenities:
A hot tub costs $3,000 to $10,000 for an above-ground unit.
Basic hot tub installation costs $150 to $500.
Outdoor furniture costs $500 to $1,500 per set.
Labor cost to cover a deck
The labor cost to cover a deck depends on the type of contractor hired:
A carpenter charges $30 to $100 per hour for custom woodwork.
A handyman charges $50 to $80 per hour to assemble a basic deck-cover kit.
A general contractor charges $50 to $150 per hour.
An electrician costs $50 to $130 per hour to add a new breaker for wiring out to the deck before adding lights or a ceiling fan.
A roofer charges $30 to $100 per hour depending on their expertise.
An architect costs $100 to $250 per hour to design a home roof extension over a deck.
Covered deck FAQs
Does a covered deck increase home value?
A covered deck typically does increase the total home appraisal value. Homeowners can get a 40% to 65% ROI from adding a new deck to their home when reselling. However, a covered deck doesn't count as square footage unless it's a fully insulated area with HVAC systems and full windows.
Can you cover an existing deck?
You can cover an existing deck if you have footings strong enough to bear the weight of the new roof. To extend a home's roof over a deck, you typically need to add more footings around the deck to support the roof columns. Otherwise, reinforce the deck.
Check local building codes with a professional before designing a new deck roof to avoid building plan rejections.
How high should a deck roof be?
A deck roof should be 8' to 12' high or the same height as the home's interior ceilings. Shorter roofs trap more heat underneath in the summer, and taller roofs can interfere with second-story windows.
Can you grill on a covered deck?
You cannot grill on a covered deck in many states. Grills and fire pits aren't safe under a deck roof since most roofs are flammable and smoke collects quickly under them. Building codes may require installing a roof vent above the grill for safety reasons. Ask your building inspector.
How do you safely heat a covered deck?
You can safely heat a covered deck with a portable electric space heater. If you have enough ventilation, then you can also use a propane heater or tabletop firepit heater.
Most state fire-safety agencies require space heaters to be more than 5' from a building's walls, flammable materials, and exits of an enclosed space.
Can you use interior paint on a covered deck?
Although you can use interior paint on a covered deck, the paint will crack and peel much faster than it would indoors. The ingredients in exterior paint make it more durable and mold-resistant and protect the color from fading. Always use a sealant for best results.
Getting estimates from covered deck builders
Before hiring a patio roof contractor or deck builder near you, be sure to:
Compare multiple bids from companies with 5+ years of experience.
Check that they have licenses, liability insurance, and surety bonds.
Ask if they've received additional training from a roof manufacturer or an association of roofing professionals.
Read their reviews on HomeGuide and Google.
Ask for a detailed estimate and contract before work starts.
Beware of the cheapest quotes that typically result in low-quality work.
Give the final payment only after the job is complete.
Questions to ask
How long have you been building deck roofs?
Which roofing types are you most familiar with?
Can I see your reference list and portfolio photos?
How long will this roof construction take?
Do you offer a labor warranty?
How will you anchor the roof to my deck?
Which designs are strong enough to withstand storms in my area?
How many people will work on my property?
What's the best way to contact the project supervisor?
Does this estimate include all materials, labor, delivery, and cleanup fees?
Are unexpected costs common on a job like this?
Can you extend my existing home roof over the deck with matching materials?
What type of wood or materials do you recommend?
Will you handle permits and zoning requirements?