How can I cover my patio cheaply?

If you don’t have a large budget, then look for coverage options that are affordable, and that you can install yourself. A shade cloth or shade sail is one option. A wood frame with plastic corrugated sheets is another affordable option.

How do you attach a covered patio to the house?

The exact method you use for attaching your patio roof will depend on the structural elements of your home. However, one common method used is to attach the roof to the facia board. Then reinforcing the facia to the beams in the roof. Doing this provides structural support and strength to the home while also placing the patio roof at a lower level to the home’s roof. That way, water on the roof flows downward and away from the home and doesn’t become trapped between the house roof and the patio cover.

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

The cost of covering your concrete patio will depend on the material you use and the size of your patio. Typically, the cost will range from $1,000 to $10,000. You can reduce the cost of your installation by doing the work yourself. This will reduce or even eliminate the labor costs, which can sometimes be the majority of the cost.

10 Ways to Cover Your Patio and Stay Cool This Summer

“Spending time outdoors makes you feel great.” – Elizabeth Hurley

You’ve worked hard to turn your boring concrete patio into a lovely outdoor living space. Perhaps it’s an outdoor kitchen or a cozy outdoor room designed for entertaining with sofas, a coffee table, and a fireplace. There’s just one thing missing, a roof.

There are patio cover ideas that can help you turn your new outdoor space into a covered outdoor room that you can use year-round.

These covered patio ideas are durable, protective, and will improve the look of your patio.

1. Aluminum Patio Cover

Aluminum patio covers are the most popular of the flat cover ideas. It’s affordable, lightweight, and corrosion-resistant. This helps your new roof investment to be a long-lasting one.

Aluminum patio covers require minimal maintenance and come in various colors and finishes to match your home’s exterior. Additionally, they are resistant to rust and rot, making them a long-lasting choice for any climate.

Sunlight streaming through modern terrace slats onto patio furniture; nearby buildings and lush greenery under a clear sky

Modern terrace with a slatted pergola, potted plants including a palm tree, and wooden deck furniture under a clear blue sky

Covered patio with wooden dining set, ceiling fan, and outdoor grill; large windows and green yard in background — Source: @builtrightpatios via Instagram

2. Glass

If you want to turn your concrete slab into an enclosed patio, then consider glass. It’s a much bigger investment than the other patio cover options. It requires a solid structural frame to be built around your patio.

You’ll also want to consider the amount of sun your area experiences. An all-glass roof in Florida or Arizona will result in you creating a heat box that will be insufferable to be in.

A skylight in the roof with all glass walls is a better glass patio idea. Then you can add patio furniture and turn your enclosed patio into a sunroom or day room.

Outdoor dining area with a wooden table, patterned chairs, and hanging wicker lamps under a vine-covered pergola

Glass-enclosed outdoor space with a pool, surrounded by trees and rocks, sunlight filters through the transparent roof — Source: @scandiacanadaltd via Instagram

3. Pergola

Pergolas look elegant and are freestanding outdoor structures. This makes it possible to erect one next to your house or out in the middle of your yard. While most pergolas are square, you could build yours in a triangle or rectangle. Then you have a pergola that’s just the right size and shape to cover your outdoor furniture.

A wood pergola will give your patio a traditional look. However, you can also have a solid patio cover that’s built out of vinyl or PVC. These are bright white and require less ongoing maintenance.

Modern white house with large glass doors and a dark pergola on a wooden patio, clear blue sky in the background — Source: @4kaluminum via Instagram

White pergola with a solid roof stands on concrete next to a pool, surrounded by a wooden fence and greenery — Source: @decker_patio via Instagram

Patio with wooden pergola, outdoor seating around a table, a fire pit, barbecue grill, and potted plants — Source: @rocknroll_stoneworks via Instagram

Wooden pergola with a slatted roof and sides, set on a tiled patio in a garden, surrounded by a lawn and trees under a blue sky — Source: @littlelunaloft via Instagram

A wooden pergola with lattice roof over a concrete patio, attached to a brick house, under a clear blue sky — Source: @egconstruction_ via Instagram

4. Plastic Sheeting

If you have a tight budget or want to do the roof addition project yourself, then consider using plastic sheeting. This isn’t the most elegant of the patio shade ideas, but it’s definitely effective.

The plastic comes in translucent or with a color tint. There are also opaque options if you want to completely block the light. However, if you block too much light, your patio can feel dark and depressing, even when it’s sunny out.

To prevent your backyard patio from getting too dark, try using a combination of translucent clear and opaque plastic corrugated sheets.

Patio with glass roof, beige couch, round table, black chairs, and potted plants on a stone floor. Fenced yard in the background — Source: @scandiacanadaltd via Instagram

Covered patio with wooden deck, dining table, chairs, pink accent seats, string lights, and fenced backyard on a sunny day — Source: @scandiacanadaltd via Instagram

5. Retractable Awning

If you have an outdoor space that’s connected to the side of your home, then a retractable awning will give you flexibility in your patio design.

When you don’t need the cover, you can retract it back. Then when you do need it, you can extend it out and have full coverage. With the push of a button, the awning will retract back and roll up and out of the way.

What’s nice about awnings is that they come in a range of colors and patterns. This lets you pick a custom design that will match your home and patio design perfectly.

Modern house with large glass windows, two retractable awnings, a small rectangular pond, and a paved patio next to a grassy lawn

A white retractable awning extends over a patio area with glass double doors on a red brick house wall

A patio with a metal awning, two chairs, a coffee table, a potted plant, and two wall lamps on a wooden deck by a building — Source: @awningscanada via Instagram

Modern patio with white awning, glass doors, beige outdoor furniture, and wooden deck, surrounded by trees

House with a large, extended gray awning over a patio area, surrounded by trees and a clear sky in the background — Source: @seattleshadeandawning via Instagram

6. Solid Wood Patio Cover

Wood is a durable material that’s easily adaptable. This makes it a perfect solution for building your wood patio cover. First, choose the type of lumber you want to use.

Hardwoods are best because they are the most durable and beautiful. However, they are also more expensive. Treated softwood is an acceptable, more affordable alternative. Regular treatment and maintenance are necessary to protect the wood from weathering and pests.

Wood pergola over a porch with beige siding, green railings, and small flowering bushes in a garden under a clear blue sky — Source: @dc_cruz_construction via Instagram

Outdoor patio with a wooden pergola, pink climbing flowers, a long dining table, wooden chairs, and a blue patterned rug on a sunny day — Source: @helensroyalteahouse via Instagram

Modern patio with a pergola, wicker lights, decorative white screen, and small hedge plants in a grassy yard — Source: @studio_ddiseno_7 via Instagram

Cozy patio with sectional sofa, fire pit table, and stools under a pergola; wooden fence, mirror, and greenery in the background — Source: @thecheshiregreyhome via Instagram

7. Covered Pergola

Combining the charm of a traditional pergola with the practicality of a full cover, covered pergolas offer the best of both worlds.

Covered pergolas provide more substantial protection from sun and rain while retaining the pergola’s open, airy feel. This option is great for those who love the pergola look but need more shelter.

Outdoor patio with wicker furniture under a wooden pergola, lit by soft lights. Surrounded by greenery and potted plants at night

Elegant house entrance with a lit pathway, stairs, and a glass canopy, surrounded by greenery and hanging plants at dusk

A wooden deck with black railing and a pergola attached to a house, overlooking a green lawn

Cozy outdoor patio with wooden decking, lounge seating, hanging plants, and wicker lamps under a covered roof

Stone pergola with a dining area beneath it, two loungers sit beside it, set against a rocky wall under a clear blue sky

8. Shutter Panel

Shutter panels add a dynamic and flexible covering option for your patio. These panels can be adjusted to control light and ventilation, offering a balance between privacy and openness. Their sleek design suits various architectural styles, and they are particularly suitable for areas with changing weather conditions.

Covered patio with a fireplace, two cushioned chairs, and a barbecue grill overlooking a grassy backyard

Modern patio with a wooden deck, white seating, a pergola, and a palm tree. A pool is in the foreground under a clear blue sky

Outdoor patio with wooden dining set under a pergola, beside a pool, leading to an open living room with warm lighting

Modern house with a covered patio, outdoor seating area, and a rectangular pool, surrounded by grass and trees

9. Jute Deck Shade

Jute deck shades offer a rustic and eco-friendly shading solution. Made from natural fibers, these shades bring an organic texture and warmth to your outdoor space. They are ideal for creating a cozy, shaded nook, perfect for relaxation while adding a touch of bohemian flair.

Patio with a wooden table under a woven canopy, overlooking a scenic view of mountains, trees, and a large clay pot

10. Sail Shade

Sail shades are a contemporary and artistic approach to patio covers. Resembling the sails of a ship, these shades are made from durable, weather-resistant fabric stretched across anchor points. They provide excellent UV protection and are perfect for adding a modern touch to your outdoor area. Their unique shape and design possibilities make them an eye-catching feature.