How Much Does a Covered Deck Cost?

A covered deck is typically an excellent choice for enjoying your outside space and being comfortable while also staying protected from the sun or rain.

Covering your deck may also extend the lifespan of your house exterior preventing it from wearing out over time from outside factors like the weather.

Experts state that having a covered deck may also increase the value of your home, if you may want to sell it.

Covered decks are known for their adaptability and can be found in a variety of forms such as pergolas, pavillions, shade sails, and others.

With so many alternatives, customers frequently ask about the cost, utility, and type that will work best for their needs.

How Much Does a Covered Deck Cost?

The cost for covering your deck is somewhere between $2,000 and $20,000, depending on the type of covering, materials, the size of the deck, and your geographical location.

Depending on the size of the deck, style, and the materials that are used in its construction, the cost range for one square foot may be as little as $1 to as much as $155 installed. The cost will greatly vary on your geographical location and the contractor that you hire.

Here’s what we found about the type of deck and their cost range:

These costs are estimates and are subject to change.

According to the website Tools’n’Goods.com, the professional carpenter Sean Chapman stated that the cost for covering your deck can be anywhere from $1,000 to $10,000, depending on the materials and size of the area to cover.

MGDecks.com stated in an article that depending on the square footage of your deck, you may expect to pay between $1,000 and $4,000 for a retractable awning.

RealHomes.com wrote in one of their articles that you should expect to pay as much as $10,000 to $20,000 for a pergola.

Decks.com claimed that the cost will greatly vary based on the material and style of the covering. They also stated that the cost of a pergola may exceed $20,000.

All the costs listed above have the installation material and labor cost included. However, we browsed around for the costs of labor charged by different types of contractors, and we listed them in the table below:

Factors that affect the cost to build a deck

• Materials used – Depending on the material used for building a deck, the overall cost will vary. For example, opting for pressure-treated wood will be on average $10 per square foot while Alumawood, made of aluminum materials with wood texture finishes will cost you $45 per square foot on average.
• Location – Your geographical location influences the costs as well. For example, Decks.com stated that covering a deck in L.A. will definitely be more expensive than Wichita.

Type of deck coverings

When thinking of covering your deck, there are several types of covers, made of different materials and designs. Before deciding which is best and which one fits your needs and preferences, you may want to know more about each type. We did some research and put together a small description of each covering type:

Shade Sail

• Made from tightened canvas fabric
• Usually tied to the posts with ropes or cables
• Easy to adjust due to its flat shape
• Possible DIY installation
• Proper only for seasonal shade
• Will not resist strong winds or bear heavy snow

Awnings – manually retractable

• Made of canvas, acrylic, polyester, PVC, steel or aluminum
• Hand-crank for manually retracting the awnings
• Seasonal or permanent option
• Possible DIY installation
• Will not resist strong winds or bear heavy snow

Awnings – motorized

• Aluminum frame
• Made of canvas
• Automated opening and closing through an app, remote, or integrated button
• Seasonal or permanent option
• Will not resist strong winds or bear heavy snow

Pergola

• Made from wood or metal beams
• Partial shade
• Usually open top, not covered
• No rain protection
• Permanent construction
• Requires regular maintenance of the wood
• Concrete footings

Pavilion

• Frame made from wood
• Solid roof
• Shingles or clay tiles on the roof
• Freestanding or lean-on option
• 1 to 4 slope-side options
• Permanent structure
• Provides shelter in any weather
• Concrete footings in locations with severe weather
• Requires regular maintenance of the wood

Roof extension

• Frame made from wood
• Solid roof similar to the house roof
• Lean-on option
• Gable option with two sloped sides
• Permanent structure
• Full weather sheltering
• Durable
• Concrete footings always, due to the weight of the roof
• Engineer for custom building plans

Alumawood

• Solid aluminum exterior
• Interior foam insulation
• Freestanding or lean-on option
• Flat roof option or 1 to 2 sloped sides option
• Permanent structure
• Full weather sheltering
• Pests and moisture resistance
• Concrete footings in locations with severe weather

Screened-in porch

• Solid roof extension
• Screen walls
• Window screen material made of fiberglass, aluminum, vinyl-coated, or polyester
• Lean-on option
• Gable option with two sloped sides
• Permanent structure
• Full weather sheltering
• The most durable deck covering
• Always having concrete footings, due to the weight of the roof
• Engineer for custom building plans

What are the extra costs?

Opting for an aluminum insulated roof may add an extra 20% to 50% to your budget.

These kinds of projects may often require an electric system. For example, installing an outdoor outlet will add an extra cost of $180 to $350, and outdoor light will add another $80 to $300 per fixture. In hot summer, some people choose to install a ceiling fan which may be an additional cost of $150 to $350 per fan.

You might also like our articles about the cost of retractable awnings, concrete patios, or Bright Covers.

Also, adding outdoor heating will definitely increase your budget. For instance, a portable electric heater may cost you around $150 to $300, while a gas heater costs $200 to $500.

Gutters are additional costs that you may want to consider and the cost range is between $5 and $15 per linear foot.

Depending on your geographical location, building permits may be required. The permit costs for basic and small projects, such as a pergola, are around $60 to $150. For a roof extension, the cost of a building permit will heavily increase your budget by a few hundred dollars.

While building or installing a roof cover, deck damage may appear. We strongly recommend budgeting an extra $100 to $500 for minor fixes. However, if there are major damages, you should expect to pay up to $2,500 to fix your deck.

Important things to consider

Consider choosing the right deck covering based on your location and typical weather. For instance, harsh winters with snow and wind may require a sturdy, extended roof.

Complex deck coverings may often require hiring a professional contractor.

When in search of a contractor, always look for reviews or recommendations from past employers.

If you pick an extended roof covering, a contractor would usually integrate it with the existing deck and house roof’s design.

An extended roof will often be built to cover the entire deck. This way, you will protect the existing deck from bad weather or outside elements.

How can I save money?

Simple projects such as a shade sail or an awning, usually do not require professional installation. Read the manufacturer’s instructions, in order to get the job done properly and save money from hiring a contractor.

In off-season periods, costs may be cheaper than in full summer, when all the contractors are extra busy. Hiring a professional in slower periods will definitely save you some money.

Always ask for multiple quotes from different contractors, in order to find a deal that suits your budget.