How much do patio enclosures cost to build?
How much do patio enclosures cost to build?
$10 – $25 cost per square foot (adding screens to existing patio)
$80 – $400 cost per square foot (new build with windows & walls)
$2,000 – $5,000 cost to enclose a patio with screens (200 SF)
$20,000 – $70,000 total cost to build (200 SF with windows & walls)
Average patio enclosures cost
Adding screens to enclose an existing covered deck or patio costs $2,000 to $5,000 on average or $10 to $25 per square foot. Building a new screened-in patio enclosure costs $50 to $175 per square foot. An enclosed patio with walls and windows costs $100 to $350 per square foot.
| Size (square feet) | Adding screens to existing patio | Building an enclosed patio with windows & walls* |
|---|---|---|
| 5'x10' (50 SF) | $500 – $1,250 | $5,000 – $17,500 |
| 8'x10' (80 SF) | $800 – $2,000 | $8,000 – $28,000 |
| 10'x10' (100 SF) | $1,000 – $2,500 | $10,000 – $35,000 |
| 10'x20' (200 SF) | $2,000 – $5,000 | $20,000 – $70,000 |
| 12'x12' (144 SF) | $1,450 – $3,600 | $12,400 – $50,400 |
| 12'x16' (192 SF) | $1,900 – $4,800 | $19,200 – $67,200 |
| 12'x20' (240 SF) | $2,400 – $6,000 | $24,000 – $84,000 |
| 16'x16' (256 SF) | $2,550 – $6,400 | $25,600 – $89,600 |
| 20'x20' (400 SF) | $4,000 – $10,000 | $40,000 – $140,000 |
| 24'x24' (576 SF) | $5,750 – $14,400 | $57,600 – $201,600 |
| 24'x36' (864 SF) | $8,650 – $21,600 | $86,400 – $302,400 |
*Costs to build an enclosed patio include materials & labor, but not variable site prep.
Cost to build an enclosed patio by type
The following table shows the cost to build an enclosed patio according to the type:
| Type | Cost per square foot | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Premade patio enclosure kit (DIY installation) | $10 – $20 |
|
| Screening in an existing patio | $10 – $25 |
|
| 3-season sunroom enclosure | $80 – $230 |
|
| 4-season sunroom enclosure | $200 – $400 |
|
| Solarium | $300 – $800 |
|
*Prices include materials and installation on a prepared site.
Glass patio enclosures cost
A glass patio enclosure or sunroom costs $8,000 to $80,000, depending on the size, type, and whether it's a 3-season or 4-season room.
A 3-season enclosure costs $80 to $230 per square foot, has lower-quality glass, and typically lacks insulation and HVAC systems.
A 4-season enclosure costs $200 to $400 per square foot, has high-quality insulated glass, and typically connects to the home with full insulation and HVAC connections.
A solarium costs $300 to $800 per square foot and allows maximum sunlight in through entirely glass walls and roofing.
Alternatively, a glass enclosure for a greenhouse costs $10 to $30 per square foot installed or $5 to $10 per square foot with plastic materials instead of glass.
Patio enclosures screen room cost
The cheapest full enclosures for a patio are screen rooms with widely varying costs:
A screened-in porch costs $10 to $25 per square foot for adding screens to enclose an existing patio.
A screened-in patio costs $50 to $175 per square foot for building a new patio base with framing, posts, a roof, and screens.
Screen-room patio enclosures are a cheaper alternative to sunrooms that still allow people to enjoy the outdoors.
Patio enclosure kits cost
A patio enclosure kit costs $1,500 to $5,000 on average for materials only. These kits typically come with framed screen doors and screen walls with canvas or aluminum roofs. The higher prices apply for polycarbonate wall panels. Most kits don't include any wall insulation.
Patio enclosure kits require an existing, stable, and level foundation to assemble properly.
Partially covered patio
Alternatively, if you want to add a cover or roof only without enclosing the whole patio, choose between the following options:
A covered patio costs $50 to $150 per square foot for flat and solid roofs that typically come in kits with frame posts. The most popular types are vinyl and aluminum.
Awning installation costs $200 to $6,000 depending on if it's a manual hand-crank model or a motorized unit.
A pergola costs $1,450 to $5,750 and has an open lattice design that doesn't provide full shelter from the sun and rain.
Enclosed patio cost factors
Enclosed patios have a very wide range of cost factors since there are so many different enclosure types and material choices. The term "enclosed patios" can also refer to porches with various options for the base.
Partial vs. full enclosure – Lower prices apply for partial enclosures with only a patio roof and 1 or more open walls. Higher prices apply for well-insulated and fully enclosed spaces.
New vs. existing foundation – Adding a new patio enclosure where no base existed before has these extra fees:
Porch – The cost to build a porch is $40 to $150 per square foot.
Deck – The cost to build a deck is $25 to $50 per square foot.
Patio – Patio installation costs $3 to $35 per square foot.
Materials – The cheapest enclosure materials are screens in plastic frames while glass panels in metal frames are the most expensive.
Design – The greater the patio design complexity is, the more labor will cost.
Site conditions – The cost to regrade a yard is $500 to $1,000 to prepare for building a new enclosed patio on uneven ground.
Permits – A permit costs $200 to $500 for most enclosures, especially when attached to the home like a sunroom.
Surveying – A property survey costs $380 to $540 on average. A new land survey document is necessary in some cities to get a building permit.
Location – Delivery fees vary based on the distance from the company or building material supplier. Material costs increase during local supply shortages.
Wood or vinyl deck railing costs $20 to $60 per linear foot.
Drainage system installation costs $1,000 to $4,000.
Gutter installation costs $5 to $15 per linear foot.
Enclosed patio labor costs
Enclosed patio labor costs $50 to $80 per hour minimum for a handyman to install a simple prefab kit on an existing base. Construction work for a sunroom addition costs $3,000 to $15,000 for labor alone to build a 3-season insulated enclosure.
Prices vary according to which types of contractors or professionals are necessary:
A general contractor costs $50 to $150 per hour.
A landscape architect costs $100 to $250 hourly for creating official building plans needed to construct a new enclosed patio.
Extra costs for a full enclosure may include the following:
Doors
The cost to install an exterior door is $420 to $1,700.
A sliding glass door costs $700 to $2,400 installed.
Screen door installation costs $175 to $580.
Electrical
Electrical wiring costs $4 to $9 per square foot.
Outdoor lighting installation costs $80 to $300 per fixture.
Windows
Window installation costs $400 to $1,000 per window.
Skylight installation costs $1,600 to $4,200 per skylight.
Other
Flooring installation costs $4 to $15 per square foot.
Ceiling installation costs $2 to $20 per square foot on average.
Drywall installation cost $1.50 to $3.50 per square foot.
A new HVAC system costs $7,000 to $16,000.
Add-on prices for an enclosed patio
Common add-on prices for an enclosed patio include:
Ceiling fan installation cost $250 to $700 per fan on average. Damp-rated typically cost more.
An outdoor heater costs $150 to $500.
Building a fire pit costs $325 to $2,000. Check building codes before installation to ensure adequate ventilation.
A BBQ or grill costs $50 to $500. However, an exhaust vent through the patio roof is often necessary due to local fire codes for cooking in enclosed spaces.
An outdoor fireplace costs $2,000 to $20,000.
An outdoor kitchen costs $7,000 to $35,000.
Precast concrete steps cost $500 to $3,500.
A TV and mounting kit costs $200 to $425 with DIY installation.
Outdoor furniture costs $500 to $1,500 per set.
The average cost to install an outdoor outlet is $180 to $350.
A hot tub costs $3,000 to $10,000 for an aboveground unit.
Basic hot tub installation costs $150 to $500.
Landscaping costs $4 to $12 per square foot for general work on the grounds around the patio.
Flower bed installation cost $20 to $65 per square foot for custom-made raised planter boxes.
Privacy fencing costs $13 to $25 per linear foot installed.
Retractable side-awning shades cost $50 to $300 for extra privacy.
Mosquito-screen curtains cost $50 to $200 for fine-mesh drapes without frames.
A pool enclosure costs $5 to $65 per square foot, depending on the material choice of screens, plastic, or glass.
Patio enclosure FAQs
What is the cheapest way to build an enclosed patio?
The cheapest way to enclose a patio is with a DIY patio-enclosure kit made of polycarbonate panels, vinyl-plastic sheets, or screens. Canvas is typically the cheapest roofing material.
Does a patio enclosure add value to a home?
A well-constructed 4-season patio enclosure typically adds value to the home by increasing the total appraisal amount of the property. In some areas, even a basic screened patio enclosure boosts curb appeal when well-maintained.
Does a patio enclosure add to square footage?
An attached patio enclosure does add to the home's square footage if fully insulated, heated, and built with high-quality materials matching the rest of the home.
How long does a patio enclosure take to build?
Building a patio enclosure takes 1 to 3 days when screening in an existing roofed patio.
Adding screens and a roof to an existing patio base takes 2 to 7 days.
Building takes 2 to 4 weeks or longer for a full glass enclosure, depending on the type of base, other material choices, and the design.
A 4-season patio enclosure of the same quality as a sunroom takes 2 months or more to build, especially when attached to the home.
How long does a patio enclosure last?
A screened-in patio lasts 5 to 10 years before the screens need replacing. A glass patio enclosure lasts up to 50 years, depending on the quality of the materials and installation.
Do you need a permit for a patio enclosure?
You typically need a permit for a new patio enclosure attached to the home, depending on local regulations. The contractor should pull the necessary permits from the local building department.
If you want to enclose an existing roofed patio, then you may not need a permit unless you're also changing the home structure to build it.
Getting estimates from patio enclosure contractors
Before hiring patio enclosure companies near you, be sure to:
Check if they're part of local or national home builders associations.
Verify they have liability insurance, surety bonds, and licenses.
Compare multiple bids from companies with at 5+ years of experience.
Read their reviews on HomeGuide and Google.
Ask for a detailed, written 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 many years of experience do you have building patio enclosures?
Can I see your references list and past project photos?
What are my material options?
How long will the patio construction take?
Can I use my existing patio for the base, or will I need a new concrete slab?
Do you offer a warranty on your work?
Which screens or glass panels do you recommend?
Can you match the patio roof to my home roofing type?
What are the maintenance requirements for this material?
Which enclosure style suits my property best?
Does this estimate include all materials, labor, delivery, and cleanup fees?
How many people will work on my property?
What's the best way to contact the project supervisor?
Which unexpected extra costs are common on these jobs?
Will you handle permits and zoning requirements?