How Much Does a Covered Patio Cost?

Cost to Build a Covered Patio by Location

Your patio’s location plays a significant part in how much you’ll pay when building one. There are two types of patio—attached and freestanding.

Building a covered patio attached to your house will cost between $1,400 to $1,900. Half of the enclosure’s roof is supported by your home, while beams and posts support the other part.

Freestanding patios are independent of your home and consist of flooring, four posts, and a roof. Costs typically range between $2,100 to $6,000. 

Cost to Cover a Patio by Style

Patio covers come in different styles to fit the needs of every homeowner. Check out the cost comparisons between each:

Sailcloth Cover

A sailcloth patio cover is a simple yet effective way to distribute shade. Relatively inexpensive compared to its counterparts, the stretched canvas cost varies by size but is typically around $100 to $500 for the cloth and another $1,000 to complete the installation.

Awning

Awnings offer excellent shade coverage and come in different formats, including canvas, metal, non-roll-up, manual retractable, mechanical or motorized, and portable. The typical cost to install an awning is between $1,400 and $4,200, depending on the size of the awning and whether or not it is retractable and motorized.

Gable

A gable patio cover offers an additional architectural design element to your patio with a vaulted ceiling. It works well for attaching to your house or as a freestanding patio. Gable patio covers range from $3,000 to $18,000, depending on the size of your patio and the intricacy of design that you choose.

Pergola

A perennial favorite, the pergola is a common patio feature for many outdoor spaces and garden areas. Famous for its spaced rafter style, the pergola is typically made of wood, metal, vinyl, or fiberglass. Depending on the size and material, a pergola costs about $2,100 to $6,000.

Gazebo

A gazebo provides an elegant shelter area complete with its signature hexagonal (or octagonal) roof and bench seating. This patio style is most commonly made of wood, vinyl, or metal. The national average cost to build a gazebo is $4,000.

Enclosed

Enclosed patio styles require more investment because of the materials needed to enclose the space. They come in handy if you want to dine al fresco but don’t want to be bothered by pests. You can also use them as a semi-protected outdoor recreation or studio space. The cost to build an enclosed patio runs anywhere from around $10,000 to $25,000.

Cost to Cover a Patio by Material

Like styles, patio covers come in different materials to match your preferred aesthetic. Here’s a breakdown of the associated costs:

Vinyl Patio Enclosures

Vinyl patio enclosures range between $4,000 and $6,500 for labor and materials. 

• Cheaper option than wood

• Warp-resistant

• Rot-resistant

• Bug-resistant

Lattice Patio Enclosures

Vinyl lattice patio covers cost between $2,000 and $4,500 total, and some DIY kits for this type range from $1,000 to $3,200.

• Design-savvy aesthetic

• Provides privacy without sacrificing natural light

• Multi-purpose use of space

• Critter-deterrent

• Does not provide coverage against the elements

Wood Patio Enclosures

Vinyl lattice patio covers cost between $2,000 and $4,500 total, and some DIY kits for this type range from $1,000 to $3,200.

• Design-savvy aesthetic

• Provides privacy without sacrificing natural light

• Multi-purpose use of space

• Critter-deterrent

• Does not provide coverage against the elements

Glass Patio Enclosures

Installing a solarium costs anywhere between $30,000 and $50,000, including labor and materials. The price becomes a bit higher than a typical patio enclosure since it has walls and a roof made entirely of glass.

Fiberglass Patio Covers

Fiberglass patio covers offer a versatile range of style and color, and averages between $2,500 to $3,000.

• Exceptionally durable material

• Quick installation process

• Easy to clean and maintain

• Available in different shapes and sizes from pergola rafters to panels

• Typically sold in kits, which offer less ability to customize the design

Stucco Patio Covers

Building a stucco patio cover ranges from $25 to $40 per square foot. This type of patio is advantageous if you would like the patio cover to look like a natural extension of your home. You can also customize it to match your home’s paint color.

Aluminum Patio Covers

Aluminum is one of the more popular choices for patio covers because of the value it provides homeowners. Aluminum patio covers cost around $2,500.

• Can last for a few decades

• Low-maintenance and durable

• Can’t be retracted like a vinyl awning

• May be a source of noise during storms

Insulated Panels Patio Covers

Insulated panel roofs provide a smooth, flat surface for covering patios. They are assembled by interlocking panels, and are typically made from aluminum-covered foam. Costs run about $5,000.

• Good for hiding wiring

• Provides solid coverage from the sun

• More costly than other covering types

Enclosed Patio Cost by Type

The type of enclosed patio you build for your home will determine how much you’ll pay for installation. The following table provides an overview of the average costs:

*square foot pricing model

Screened-In Patio Cost

For patios or porches that already have a roof, screening that consists of mesh materials costs roughly $4.50 per square foot, excluding labor. The cost to screen in a 200-square-foot space will likely be between $2,000 and $2,800. When you add in labor, you’re looking at an additional $370 to $470. This includes:

• Inspection of the space

• Gathering equipment

• Transporting materials

• Preparation and installation

• Clean-up

Sunroom Patio Enclosures

Installing a sunroom costs between $15,000 and $22,000, which includes labor and materials. With that in mind, sunroom enclosures also include specific types of designs for you to consider:

Four-Season (or Life Room): These high-quality, climate-controlled enclosures are beneficial for combatting the summer heat or cold winters.

Three Season: These enclosures can handle most seasons. But they’re not made for areas with heavy winters or extreme summers.

Traditional: These are the “true” add-ons to your home, made to match and act like a room addition.

Life Room Cost

A life room is a branded experience similar to a four-seasons room, but with a modern spin. With a low-end design, the cost to install a life room is between $10,000 and $20,000, and higher-end designs spike to $72,000 to $100,000, which includes labor, materials, and any other amenities built in.

Screened Lanai Cost

Lanai enclosure costs are anywhere between $1,200 and $3,000 for labor and materials. Broken down to a square footage pricing model, it falls between $6 to $8 per square foot. The final cost ultimately relies on what materials you choose.

A lanai is similar to a patio cover since it's also built from an extension of a home's existing room, although it typically includes a swimming pool within the enclosure.

Enclosed Breezeway Cost

Enclosed breezeways start around $40,000 but the final cost will depend on your home’s size, chosen materials, and design. A typical price range to install four windows in an enclosed breezeway is between $1,200 and $3,200, which includes labor and materials. To add screens around your breezeway, expect to pay between $800 and $1,000 total or roughly $4.50 per square foot.

Arizona/Florida Room Cost

You can expect to pay $35 per square foot in labor to install an Arizona room in your home. Plus, you'll pay an additional range between $1,200 and $3,200 to install four windows to outfit the space. Other factors, such as flooring and amenities, also affect your final price.

Additional Enclosed Porch Cost Factors

Flooring

Most homeowners spend $8 to $20 per square foot installing a patio, and the total floor price depends on the material you choose. Typical patio flooring options require hardier surfaces that can stand up to moisture and are easy to maintain. A simple poured concrete runs about $3 to $6 per square foot while concrete pavers cost $4.50 to $21 per square foot.

Grading and Drainage

When building a patio, you’ll need to create a level surface and have the area properly graded for pavers or concrete. Residential patio grading typically costs $1,000 to $2,500. Drainage options are neccessary to manage water overflow and keep soil from running into your patio and foundation every time it rains. The average cost to install a drainage system is $2,000 to $6,000. 

Add-Ons & Extras

Once your enclosure is up and running, it’s time to consider the extras. What kind of space do you want the enclosure to be? What will be its overall purpose for you? Here are some add-ons you might consider for your enclosure:

Environmental Controls: You can install a small HVAC system (ductless mini split) between $650-$4,500 depending on its size and capabilities.

Greenery: Think about purchasing planter boxes at $120 apiece.

Motorized Screens: One press of a button, and you could avoid hundreds in repair bills. The average cost to install a retractable screen is $3,000 total.

Outdoor Entertainment Systems: Add a TV, stereo system, or a mini home theater. Costs for this vary depending on the quality of your products. You may have to hire an electrician to add wiring and outlets to your space.

Lighting: Outdoor lighting can enhance the aesthetic appela of your outdoor space. Expect to pay $260 to install porch lights, while larger exterior lighting projects will cost between $2,000 and $4,500.

Patio heater: These energy-efficient units for your outdoor space cost between $100 to $500.

Fireplace: Patio fireplaces usually range around $1,500 to $6,500 with labor and materials included. Fire pits are cheaper and the cost to install one is between $300 and $1,400.

Outdoor kitchen: The typical cost range to build an outdoor kitchen is $5,500 to $22,600, depending on framework, finish, countertops, and patio surfaces.

Windows vs. Screens

The cost to install windows in your patio enclosure (a set of four) falls between $1,200 and $3,200, including labor and materials. If you want to add screens around your enclosure, expect to pay about between $800 and $1,000 total or roughly $4.50 per square foot.

If you want to have a very elaborate and complex addition, you need windows. Sunrooms usually have 40% of the walls covered in windows. Consider how many windows you want, what size and any insulation or decorative add-ons. Mesh curtains or other types of see-through material are less expensive to add than windows. However, that does come with the downside of not enjoying your enclosure in inclement weather.

Labor Costs

Labor accounts for the majority of the patio enclosure cost, and entails ground and site prep work, and building and installation. The average cost runs $20 and $40 per square foot.

Permits

Some types of enclosures need permits, so add between $100 and $300 to your budget to cover the building permit costs. Full enclosures or custom sunrooms require this, especially if they change your home’s existing structure in any way. Partial types usually do not require one, unless it's a complex, custom install. Check with your local municipalities before you embark on this project. You don’t want to redo the project later because it isn’t up to code.

Full vs. Partial Enclosure

When choosing between a full or partial enclosure, a few things you’ll need to consider will include:

• If permits are necessary

• Replacing or adding walls

• Roofing materials

• Adding windows

Remember, full enclosures are brand new structures either attached or built separately from your home. If you plan to spend a significant amount of time there, you’ll need heating and cooling, plumbing, and electrical components, which could increase costs.

Partial enclosures will be more wallet-friendly since you won’t need to add those functions.

FAQs About Building a Patio Enclosure

What’s the difference between a sunroom and a covered patio?

The difference between a sunroom and a covered patio are the glass design elements and roof structure. For instance, a sunroom is usually fully enclosed in glass. A covered patio is an extension of the home's roof and may be open to the outside.

What’s the difference between a covered patio, covered porch, lanai, and veranda?

The difference comes down to the placement of the structure and its design elements.

Covered patios and lanais: They are both extensions of a home's existing room, typically occupying the side or back of a home.

Covered porch: Usually sits in the front of a home and is open to the outside. It holds the same design elements as a covered patio and lanai.

Veranda: An open-air structure connecting to the outside of a building. It’s enclosed by a railing that extends across the front or sides.

How much does it cost to extend a roof over a patio?

The cost to extend a roof over a patio depends on the type of materials chosen.

Steel pre-built patio kits: $200-$900

Patio enclosures with a custom wooden roof: $8,000-$40,000, including labor.

Aluminum roofs cost: $5,000-$6,000