How Much Does it Cost to Build a Covered Patio Enclosure?

Cost to Build a Patio Enclosure

Estimating Covered Patio Enclosure Costs

Material Prices

The cost of materials, depending on the type you choose, accounts for anywhere between $2 and $35 per square foot. Keep in mind, costs vary due to the square footage of the chosen space, the type of enclosure, and other features such as roofing, flooring, and amenities.

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 when getting ready to build your patio enclosure. 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.

How Much Does it Cost to Cover a Patio Per Square Foot?

To install a patio cover where the existing roof of your home extends over an outdoor space, a general price to expect is $35 per square foot for labor. The total cost depends on the style of roof you choose (vaulted, sloping, flat, etc.) and the materials you select.

Attached vs. Freestanding Patio Enclosure Cost

Average Cost to Build a Patio Cover Attached to a House

Covered patios attached to a house or "lean-to" patio covers cost an average of $1,400 to $1,900 total. They use the home's existing structure to support half the roof, and posts or beams to hold up the other side. This is also a good option for a carport if your home doesn't have a garage space but has a parking pad.

Average Cost to Build a Freestanding Patio

A freestanding patio is an independent structure that is separate from your home and includes some type of flooring, four posts, and a roof. The cost to build a freestanding patio ranges from $2,100 to $6,000 on average. This type of patio is often featured as part of a landscaped outdoor living space.

Cost to Cover it Yourself vs. Hiring a Patio Pro

With pre-made kits, you may be able to DIY a patio covering. For complex designs or materials, hire a pro to build it properly. Hiring a patio enclosure professional near you saves you time and money. For the best results, arrange a paid consultation with a professional to discuss your challenges and come up with a solution before tackling a job yourself.

Patio Roof Cost or Patio Kits

Patio roofs come standard with certain steel or pre-built patio kits that cost $200 to $900+. The cheaper options come with detachable, cloth awnings that allow you to hang drapes, curtains, or install roll shades. For custom-built structures with a custom roof, the price falls between $8,000 and $40,000 total.

Roofs are essential to protecting your enclosure from weather conditions. When considering which one to invest in, here are some pros and cons to consider:

• Custom Patio Roofs: These are the safest option. They protect against weather like snow and hail. They are more expensive because they’re like traditional home roofs, though for a smaller square footage. You can’t take them on and off since they’re permanent.

• Awnings: The cost to install awnings is highly affordable. They are fabric and thus not as durable as a traditional roof. They're susceptible to damage by weather conditions, so maintenance is essential.

How Much Does it Cost to Cover a Patio by Style?

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 install.

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. This type of patio covering 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 much more of an investment because of the materials needed to enclose the space and are often built as an extension of the house. Enclosed patios come in handy if you want to dine al fresco but don’t want to be bothered by pests or if you want a semi-protected outdoor recreation or studio space. The cost to build an enclosed patio runs anywhere from around $10,000 to $25,000.

How Much Does it Cost to Cover a Patio by Material?

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

Wood patio covers come in a variety of styles and cost around $13,000 for labor and materials.

• Usually custom-built

• Designing one requires blueprints to be drawn up by an engineer for between $1,500 to $2,000

• Looks great and is easily repairable

• Prone to deterioration at a much faster rate than other materials

• May need repainting or re-staining every few years for about $2,000 each time

Glass Patio Enclosures or Solariums

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. Similar to the cost of installing a conservatory, solariums allow sunlight to flow in during warm days. They are often made to accommodate indoor gardens or plants.

Note that in most areas, solariums that are used to grow plants need good ventilation (fans, heaters, etc.) to keep the temperature consistent.

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. Stucco trim can be customized 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. Insulated panel covers run about $5,000.

• Good for hiding wiring

• Provides solid coverage from the sun

• More costly than other covering types

Covered Patio Enclosure Costs: Full, Partial, or Sunroom

Your total cost for a covered patio enclosure averages $70 per square foot. The final cost comes down to the kind of enclosure you choose—a full enclosure, partial enclosure or a sunroom.

• Full enclosure: $20,000+. This is a completely built structure, either onto your home or separate from it. Everything (foundation, walls, windows, doors, roof) are built custom and from scratch. If you add it onto your home, the contractor will match it to the rest of the home. There may also be electrical, heating and cooling, and plumbing elements to include.

• Partial enclosure: $5,000-$10,000. This is usually when you leave some patio space open to the outside. You can add simple screens to enclose the space or doors, windows, or a different roof.

• Sunroom: $15,000-$22,000. Oftentimes, these are pre-made additions. There are climate controls to keep it from getting musty or moldy. A contractor builds it off-site and then brings it to install onto your home. You may customize it however you like.

Some factors you need to keep in mind when choosing between these three options are:

• Roofing materials

• Whether you’ll need a permit or homeowners association pre-approval

• Walls to add or replace

• Windows to add on

While you won’t have to worry about most of these with a partial type, they are major considerations with a full enclosure or sunroom. This is especially true if you will have to knock down walls for the addition to your home. The average cost to demo a home's interior is between $1,150 and $4,900, although demo prices go as low as $400 for single walls or small rooms.

How Much Does a Screened-In Patio Cost by Type?

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. For a 12-hour day consistent with a 240-square-foot porch, labor costs range from $370 to $470 total. This includes:

• Inspection of the space

• Gathering equipment

• Transporting materials

• Preparation and installation

• Clean-up

As a freestanding alternative to create a screened-in effect, roll shades or privacy screens cost between $13-$35 apiece for a window-size of 36 inches by 48 inches or $62 and above for a custom-fit roll shade. Wide shades average 96 inches by 132 inches and cost between $92 and $825 each.

Mesh screens are perhaps the most popular option since pre-made kits sell for $50 apiece at most hardware stores. Plus, each kit comes with adequate supplies and materials to install them yourself. Mesh screens are versatile because they come in a variety of types such as copper or brass that work well with any structure.

Stainless steel, polyester, and aluminum mesh screens offer the best protection with strong durability and non-corrosion. Copper and brass options are great for looks, but damage easily. Bronze tends to discolor quickly, and fiberglass is easily torn.

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 are high-quality, climate-controlled enclosures. You can use them in the heat of summer or the chill of a cold winter. Transforming your patio into an all-year-round space requires additional features like HVAC systems and insulation.

• Three Season: Depending on where you live, this type can handle most seasons. They’re not made for areas with heavy winters or extreme summers. They have no heating and cooling systems.

• Traditional: These are the “true” add-ons to your home, made to match and act like a room addition. You can use the same materials as your home, just with more windows and another door.

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.

Picture a fully functional, comfortable and high-tech space with access to the outdoors. Then, with the click of a button, you cut off access to the outside and transform it into an indoor space that serves as an addition to your home. It typically uses retractable walls or shades to maintain versatility between two living experiences.

Screened Lanai Cost

Lanai enclosure costs are anywhere between $1,200 and $1,600 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

A typical price range to install four windows in an enclosed breezeway is between $1,200 and $3,200, which includes labor and materials. Breezeway enclosure costs are comparable to the same price ranges as screened-in patios or other types relating to covers and solariums. If you want to add screens around your breezeway, expect to pay about between $800 and $1,000 total or roughly $4.50 per square foot.

Cost factors Include:

• Materials chosen

• Whether you install windows or mesh screens

• The size of openings that needs coverage

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, although these rooms are known for having many windows to allow cool air to flow through, so the final price may be more. Costs are similar to that of a lanai, in which the room is an extension of the house that combines outdoor and indoor living. Other factors, such as flooring and amenities, also affect your final price.

What Additional Factors Influence the Cost to Cover a Porch?

Lighting

Outdoor lighting can enhance outside living spaces with both aesthetic and performance features. The cost to install porch lights averages $260. Larger exterior lighting projects surrounding your patio can range from $2,000 to $4,500.

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 may be needed to manage water to keep water and 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. 

Patio Heater

These types of heaters are energy-efficient and cost-effective. They range from $100 to $500 per unit.

Fireplace

A patio fireplace averages $1,500 to $6,500 for labor and materials. The cost to install a fire pit is much cheaper at $700 total on average, but a project can land anywhere between $300 to $1,400 per job.

Outdoor Kitchen

Outdoor kitchens range from simple to extensive, offering more function and possibility for your patio use. The typical cost range to build an outdoor kitchen is $5,500 to $22,600, depending on framework, finish, countertops, and patio surfaces.

Patio Security

Privacy shades help you stay cool on a hot day. Expect to pay a total between $90 to $180 for a set of six windows installed.

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.

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.

• Seating: Pre-made seating arrangements from retail stores cost anywhere from $350-$1,100 for a set or individual pieces. Custom seating arrangements may cost anywhere from $2,000-$5,000 for individual pieces or a set.

• Decking: Consider the cost of building a standing or floating deck to create more immersive outdoor space. Costs for this vary depending on the square footage of the deck, labor, and materials.

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 occupy the side or back of a home.

• Covered porch: Usually sits in the front of a home. Open to the outside. Holds the same design elements as a covered patio and lanai.

• Veranda: An open-air structure connecting to the outside of a building. 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

What does a covered patio with a fireplace cost?

To install a patio cover where the existing roof of your home extends over an outdoor space, a general price to expect is $35 per square foot for labor only. The total cost depends on the style of roof you choose (vaulted, sloping, flat) and the materials you select. The cost to install a fireplace is between $1,500 and $6,500 for labor and materials. The cost to install a concrete patio is roughly $700 total when using pavers. Hiring a pro will cost you $2,000 and $4,000 total. Fire pit installation costs between $300 and $1,400.