How Much Do Patio Covers Cost?

Superior Awning | Awnings, Patio Covers, Cabanas, Shades

A patio is a great asset to any large family home. It allows you and your loved ones to spend time outside without the risk of getting too dirty, or dealing with other issues related to being outside for extended periods of time without shelter. But there may be times when your patio isn’t quite up to the job of keeping you safe and happy outside on its own. That is why it’s important to take a look at patio covers to make your patio more aesthetically pleasing and functional in all scenarios.

Just like finding or building a unique patio that suits your tastes and needs, it’s important to take great care in getting the perfect patio cover. One big aspect of this, no matter how much we don’t like to admit it, is cost. There is nothing more frustrating than finding an amazing patio cover and discovering it is out of your price range. To avoid this, it’s important to have an idea of what a patio cover would cost, so you can plan and save accordingly. To help you, I’ve created a nice manual breaking down the cost of different types of patio covers. Peruse the information below to help you put together a budget.

Types of Patio Covers

The cost of a patio cover will differ dramatically based on a few key factors. One of these factors is the size of the patio cover and the material it is made out of. You may want a patio cover that only covers about half of the actual patio, or you may want one that even goes a few inches farther than the patio itself to provide extra shade and aesthetic appeal. Bigger may be better for some people, but bigger almost always means more expensive as well.

Not only do you need to have an idea of the size of your patio cover, you need to plan for the style of cover you want. Is it a plain, open, rectangular shape? Is it a triangle shape with a lattice covering? Is it some crazy unique shape that includes a solid covering? These things will also increase or decrease the cost of your patio cover.

Material Makes the Man

Now that you’ve decided on the size and style of your patio cover, consider what it will be made out of. Making a patio cover out of wood would cost less than one made out of a metal like aluminum. You could even make your patio cover out of more than one material, though that will cost more than a regular, single-material patio cover. When choosing material, it’s important to factor in things like style, and the weather conditions in your area. Wood, glass, aluminum and plastic can all vary greatly in price.

Something else to consider with your material choices is that the market for these materials fluctuates. The cost of wood today may be two dollars per foot, but next week it might be three and a half dollars per foot. This can affect your material choices and your patio cover budget.

How It’s Done

Lastly, you have to consider how the patio cover is going to be installed. If you hire a professional to do the installation, it will obviously cost more than if you try to do it yourself. However, doing it yourself may not be an option because you simply don’t have the tools or knowledge to install the patio cover you want. The labor used to install your patio cover is the most expensive part of patio cover costs, so consider your options carefully. 

The Basic Costs

Here I will list the basic cost ranges for patio covers of different materials, styles, and labor. These, of course, are only estimates and averages, so keep this in mind when shopping on your own. Unless stated otherwise, assume all costs include professional installation of your patio cover.

Wooden Patio Covers

  • Keep in mind that wooden patio covers do not last as long as other materials, and there are many types of wood that can be used to make them, making these patio covers the most expensive of the bunch.
  • A solid 10 x 10 patio cover made out of standard wood can cost between $7,000 and $14,000.
  • A wooden lattice patio cover can cost anywhere from $4,500 to $7,000, which is less costly initially but is more likely to require repairs over time.
  • Any wooden patio cover will need to be repaired or replaced after being exposed to the elements for a length of time, so the cost of maintaining a wooden patio cover can be very high.

Aluminum Patio Covers

  • Aluminum is much cheaper, more versatile, and easier to work with and maintain than wood, making it a far more preferable material for patio covers.
  • A 10 x 10 non-insulated cover would cost between $2,000 and $4,000.
  • A 10 x 10 lattice cover is a bit cheaper at $1,800 to $2,000.
  • Lastly, a 10 x 10 patio cover with 3 inch thick insulation would be the most expensive, ranging from $3,500 to $5,500.
  • An aluminum patio cover will require less repair and maintenance than wood, meaning that once it’s installed you’re done dealing with it outside of major disasters.
  • Do make sure there aren’t any community ordinances against aluminum patio covers before installation.

Vinyl Patio Covers

  • The expense for vinyl patio covers is higher because of the need for supporting materials, whereas wood and aluminum can work on their own.
  • It is the least popular material for this reason.
  • A 10 x 10 fully-covered patio cover made of vinyl costs between $4,000 and upwards of $6,000.
  • A vinyl lattice cover costs between $2,000 and $4,500.
  • If you installed a vinyl patio cover yourself, a solid patio would cost $1,800 to $4,000, and a lattice patio cover would cost from just under $1,000 to over $3,000.