Plan Your Patio: How Much Does a Patio Cover Cost? (2025 pricing guide)
A Solid Roof Patio Cover in Riverside
If you're trying to figure out how much a patio cover costs in 2025, you're not alone. For many people, price is the most important consideration when planning a patio cover. It makes sense! Most home improvement projects aren't cheap.
In this guide, I’ll break down typical costs for both aluminum and wood covers, including DIY kits and fully installed options, so you can make an informed decision when planning your patio.
How much does a patio cover cost in 2025?
If you're looking for a quick estimate, aluminum pergola kits built with Alumawood or Weatherwood typically range from $12.77 to $18.04 per square foot for DIY. A similar design built with wood runs higher, at around $27.41 to $42.41 per square foot, not including the added cost of sealing and staining.
Professional installation usually adds $7 to $11 per square foot, depending on the site conditions and local labor rates.
To put it in perspective, having a small 10'×12' slatted aluminum pergola installed would cost between $2,372 and $3,484, while a comparable wood version would range from $4,129 to $6,409.
Example: How much does a 12x20 patio cover cost?
Let’s look at a basic cost estimate for a no-frills 12'×20' pergola. This design uses 2"x2" lattice slats spaced 2 inches apart, providing roughly 50% shade at midday. We’ll assume it’s attached to the house and supported by three posts attached to an existing concrete slab.
Cost of Aluminum vs Wood Patio Covers
| Patio Cover Type | Material | Kit Price | Installed Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12'x20' Lattice Pergola | Alumawood or Weatherwood | $2,579.34 | $4,274.40 |
| 12'x20' Lattice Pergola | Wood - Yellow Pine | $5,931.60 | $10,131.60 |
| 12'x20' Lattice Pergola | Wood - Western Red Cedar | $7,708.79 | $11,908.79 |
| 12'x20' Lattice Pergola | Wood Prefab - Yellow Pine | $8,655.00 | $11,055.00 |
| 12'x20' Lattice Pergola | Wood Prefab - Western Red Cedar | $13,215.00 | $15,615.00 |
As you can see, a fully installed Alumawood or Weatherwood pergola costs significantly less than a similar wood design. In fact, even the wood kit alone costs more than the professionally installed aluminum patio cover.
What are the ongoing maintenance costs for patio covers?
Let’s start with the easy one. Aluminum patio covers require almost no maintenance. Aside from an occasional rinse with warm, soapy water to remove dust, there’s nothing else to do. You’ll never need to paint or stain an aluminum cover. The powder-coated finish is durable, fade-resistant, and backed by an excellent warranty. That means no ongoing maintenance costs.
Wood patio covers are a different story. To preserve their appearance and prevent structural damage, you'll need to re-seal and re-stain them every 3 to 6 years. Each sealing treatment typically costs around $6 per square foot, or about $1,440 for a 12'×20' structure.
Some homeowners skip this upkeep, but that comes with risk. Without regular maintenance, wood patio covers are vulnerable to rot and termites. An untreated pergola might last anywhere from 2 to 12 years before it becomes unsafe. We frequently hear from homeowners looking for patio cover replacement in Irvine and other areas where older homes often have deteriorated wood structures.
How much does patio cover installation cost?
The typical labor cost of aluminum patio cover installation in Southern California adds $7 to $11 per square foot, depending on the time of year and the complexity of the project.
Wood patio covers often come with higher labor costs. Many designs require detailed craftsmanship, especially when working with custom cuts, exposed beams, or decorative joinery. The added time and skill involved can push installation costs well above what you'd pay for aluminum.
What makes patio covers expensive?
A luxury extruded aluminum pergola with motorized louvers and cantilevered design
Choices matter! When it comes to designing your patio cover, every choice you make impacts the final price. Most quotes you see online are for a bare-bones patio cover without any add-ons or upgrades.
For example, the price table above shows $17.79 per square foot for a 12'×20' aluminum cover. But looking at my sales history, the median price lands closer to $29.26 per square foot. So what drives that difference?
Let's look at a patio cover cost breakdown of the most common optional upgrades.
Material
Selecting the right patio cover material has one of the biggest impacts on both overall cost and long-term satisfaction. If you're leaning toward aluminum (which we recommend), it helps to understand the two main types.
Roll-formed aluminum, like Alumawood or Weatherwood, is more budget-friendly. It’s lightweight, low-maintenance, and offers great value for most homes.
Extruded aluminum, like 4K or Equinox, costs more but offers greater design flexibility, a more durable frame, and a higher-end finish.
Wood is still a popular choice for its natural look, but it’s usually more expensive than aluminum and requires ongoing maintenance. Common wood types include:
Pressure-Treated Yellow Pine – The most affordable wood option, but prone to warping and splitting over time if not maintained properly.
Western Red Cedar – Higher in both cost and curb appeal, with better resistance to rot and insects.
Imported Hardwoods (like teak or mahogany) – Known for durability and beauty, but also the most expensive and harder to source.
Fabric, vinyl, and other materials are also available, but in most cases, aluminum offers the best overall balance of durability, appearance, and price.
Size Matters
A larger patio cover is going to cost more. There's more material, and it will take longer to install. That said, the patio cover cost per square foot decreases as the size increases. This holds true for both DIY kits prices and fully installed covers.
Lighting & Fans
If you’re in Southern California, chances are you want your outdoor space to be comfortable in the evenings. Most homeowners looking for a patio cover company in Corona and surrounding areas choose to add built-in lighting or ceiling fans.
Insulated patio cover with fan, lighting, privacy wall, and motorized outdoor roller screen
In fact, over 70% of our patio cover projects last year included lights or fans. On average, adding lights and wiring for fans increased the total cost by $1,640 (not including the fan itself).
Other accessories (retractable screens, lattice privacy walls)
Dining outdoors is a great experience until the late afternoon sun blinds you or your guests. We offer two popular solutions that add both shade and privacy.
Motorized retractable screens allow you to reduce glare at the press of a button. When fully lowered, they also offer increased privacy. Premium retractable screens typically cost between $3,500 and $9,500 fully installed, depending on size and features.
Lattice privacy walls, built from the same material as your patio cover, provide a permanent solution for blocking low-angle sun. These usually cost about the same per square foot as the rest of your patio cover.
Preserving a View
Whether you're trying to preserve your view of the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto mountains in the Coachella Valley or catch sunsets over the Pacific in Orange County or San Diego, chances are you'd prefer a patio cover with as few posts as possible.
Using standard materials and engineering rated for 110 MPH winds, the spacing between posts typically ranges from 7'8" to 15'4", depending on the roof type (lattice vs. solid) and how far the cover extends from the house. By upgrading the beam and post system, spans can extend upwards of 25 feet between posts.
Custom gable roof patio cover with a view of the Santa Rosa mountains
For homeowners requesting aluminum patio cover installation in La Quinta, CA and nearby areas, minimizing the number of posts is a common priority. This type of upgrade typically ranges from $300 to $6,000, depending on the design. In the last year, over 85% of our customers chose an upgrade to increase post spacing, with the average cost landing at $1,569.
Custom Designs
Features like gabled roofs, mixed roof styles, or architectural flair will increase the cost of your patio cover. These types of designs often require custom engineering and typically take longer to install. The added design time and construction complexity increase labor costs, which pushes up the overall price of the project.
If you're looking for custom patio covers in San Diego or other Southern California cities, we'd be happy to provide a free estimate.
Permits & HOA Approvals
One of the hidden costs of a patio cover project is the permit and HOA fee. In order to avoid unexpected fees, you should always check if you need a permit for a patio cover in your city. Permit costs vary by city but can reach up to $1,400, especially when engineering and inspections are involved. HOA architectural review fees may add another $50 to $250 or more.
A good contractor will walk you through these costs up front, and in many cases, handle the entire approval process for you. If you're looking for an Alumawood dealer in Southern California, Valley Patios can help. We provide full support when working with HOAs and building departments.
Seasonality
In Southern California, most homeowners start thinking about patio covers when the first spring heatwave hits. That’s when demand spikes, phones ring nonstop, city inspectors are booked weeks out, and manufacturers face long lead times.
If you’re hoping for deep discounts during the summer rush, it’s unlikely. But with a little planning (and some patience), you may be able to save 10–20% on the total cost by scheduling your project in the off-season.
Many contractors have lighter workloads in January and February, which makes winter an ideal time to plan your patio cover installation.
What is the cheapest patio cover design?
Despite all the upgrade options we've covered, it’s absolutely possible to build a patio cover on a tight budget, especially if you’re open to creative solutions.
One of the most affordable designs skips the slats or solid roof altogether. By using rafters only and adding a fabric shade on top, you can cut costs significantly. A high-quality 95% UV-blocking Textilene cloth provides excellent shade and can be installed with minimal framing.
The cost of a 10'×12' aluminum patio cover with a fabric roof can be as little as $720 for materials.
Brand & Material Specific Pricing
How much does a 4K Aluminum patio cover cost?
A 4K Aluminum patio cover typically costs between $40 and $60 per square foot, depending on the size, layout, and optional upgrades. This premium extruded aluminum system is known for its modern design, long lifespan, and low maintenance.
It's a popular choice for modern pergolas in Encinitas and other Southern California cities, especially among homeowners who want a clean, architectural look that complements contemporary homes.
How much does an Alumawood patio cover cost?
Alumawood and Weatherwood patio cover kits typically cost between $12.77 and $18.04 per square foot for standard lattice or non-insulated designs. Insulated roof kits range from $18.77 to $27.04 per square foot.
When you include the most common upgrades, the average Alumawood installation in Riverside County and other areas in Southern California comes in between $22.74 and $37.45 per square foot, or roughly $5,000 to $12,500 total, depending on the size and layout. These prices will be similar across all of Southern California.
How much does a louvered pergola cost?
Motorized louvered pergolas in Southern California come at a premium price. In our experience as an Equinox louvered systems dealer, pricing typically starts around $100 per square foot, with most projects falling in the $120 to $160 per square foot range, depending on size and features.
There are some lower-cost louvered systems on the market, but in our experience, they don’t hold up well over time.
Is a solid or slatted patio roof more expensive?
A lattice or slatted pergola is usually slightly more expensive than a comparable non-insulated solid roof, due to the additional material and labor involved in evenly spacing the slats.
However, if you upgrade to an insulated solid roof patio cover, that will typically cost more than a lattice design of the same size.
Is a free-standing or attached pergola roof more expensive?
Free-standing pergolas are more expensive than a similarly designed pergola attached to a house, since they require double the posts. Free-standing structures often require concrete footings, which also contributes to a higher cost.
Planning Your Patio Cover Budget
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to how much a patio cover costs, but hopefully, this guide gave you a clear picture of what to expect across different materials, sizes, and design choices.
If you're looking for the best mix of durability, appearance, and low maintenance, aluminum patio covers offer some of the strongest long-term value in Southern California. Whether you're planning something simple or fully customized, your final cost will depend on the material, size, upgrades, and permitting requirements in your area.
Need help pricing out your project?
We’ve helped hundreds of homeowners across Riverside, Orange County, and San Diego get the right patio cover at the right price. Reach out today to get a free patio cover estimate based on your space, design goals, and budget.