Covered Deck & Deck Roof Cost Calculator

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to put a roof over a deck?

For a 16 by 12 ft deck, an aluminium patio cover kit runs roughly $4,500 to $8,500 installed, a framed shed roof with shingles about $6,500 to $12,000, and a gable roof matching the house $8,500 to $16,000. Adding a finished tongue-and-groove ceiling is another $1,200 to $2,100 on that size, and dedicated footings for the roof posts add $320 to $750 each.

Can my existing deck support a roof?

Often not as built. An open deck is framed for 40 pounds per square foot of live load and 10 of dead; a roof adds permanent dead load plus the winter snow load the deck was never designed to hold, all concentrated at the posts. The usual fix is dedicated roof posts carried on their own footings beside the deck frame rather than on it. Have it looked at before you buy anything.

Is a patio cover cheaper than a framed roof?

Yes, typically 30 to 45 percent less, because an aluminium kit arrives pre-engineered and goes up in a day or two. The trade-offs are appearance and resale — a framed roof with matching shingles reads as part of the house, an aluminium cover reads as an add-on. If the deck is visible from the street, that difference matters more than the price.

Do I need a permit for a deck roof?

Nearly always, even where the deck itself did not need one. A roof changes the structure's load path and its footprint, and it usually ties into the house's own roof, so building departments want a plan showing the beam, post and footing sizes. Many also require a snow load calculation. Budget for drawings as well as the permit fee.