How to Cover an Existing Deck

I love spending time on my deck, but during the summer months, it’s way too hot to stand on and somewhat unusable during the rainy and snowy seasons. That’s when it’s time to look into a patio cover.

To cover an existing deck, you’ll want to meet with local builders to see what options are available to you and at what price you can expect them. The builder will need to look into things like If they can tie into the current deck or what structural options are available to your specific project.

Adding a layer of protection to your deck is easy by simply adding a cover. But how can you make sure that you’re doing this correctly? What types of deck covers are available? In this article, we’ll answer all these questions, telling you everything you could want to know about covering your deck. 

Can You Cover an Existing Deck? 

If your deck has started to lose its shine, an ideal option is to cover it. This will keep it looking great for many years. It will also reduce the amount of time you need to spend maintaining and caring for the wooden decking boards. Also, adding a roof will allow you to use the deck throughout the year. But once the deck has been built, is it too late to cover it?  

Thankfully, just because you’ve finished building the deck doesn’t mean that you won’t be able to enhance it with a roof. You will still be able to put in a cover. The first step should be consulting with your local deck builder. (If you live in or near Northern Colorado, then consider us your local builder. That goes for you too, Southern tip of Wyoming.) 

See what type of construction you’ll be able to get approved. A builder will be able to help you do this. They’ll be able to point out any potential roadblocks that you will face when you are building the cover. 

When you meet with the builder, they’ll be able to give you a rough quote. You can use this to budget for the rest of the project. Don’t forget to factor in a little extra money, in case you hit any unexpected roadblocks along the way. 

What Types of Covers are Available? 

For most of us, the most exciting part of the project is planning it out. There are so many possibilities that you’ll be able to explore. This will give you confidence that you’ll be able to find the perfect cover to suit your style. Let’s take a quick look at some of the most popular deck covers. 

First, you might want to have a retractable awning. You’ll be able to put these out whenever you are using the deck. When you’re not using it, you’ll be able to put the awning away. Most modern awnings will extend and fold back with just the push of a button. These tend to be the cheapest option and will be the easiest for you to install. 

Another option is a pergola cover. This is the most traditional look and tends to have the most stylistic approach. It has joists and beams going one way, and then smaller 2×2 slats going the opposite direction letting a set amount of light through.

With this design, you’ll be able to use wood like cedar, giving your roof a more natural appearance. Suppose low maintenance is high on your list. In that case, an alumawood all-aluminum material has the look of wood without the yearly upkeep.

Finally, you might want to consider a shingled hardcover. These are essentially a full roof that ties in with your house and has matching roofing materials to the house. It can be a gabled roof cut into the main roof or a lean-to style roof coming directly off one side of the house. The contractor should be able to take a small shingle sample to get a color match.

Though these are some of the most popular types of covers, there are still plenty more for you to choose from. Often, your builders will be able to present a portfolio of work that they have done before. These might spark some design ideas. Check out our project gallery by clicking here .

How to Put a Roof Over An Existing Deck? 

Hopefully, you now have a clear idea of what the finished deck cover should look like. But now comes the hard part. Taking it from your imagination into the real world. 

The way that the deck cover is built will often depend on the type that you selected. It will also depend on the type of building codes that are in place. For example, in some cases, you will be able to bolt the cover onto the existing deck structure with heavy-duty screws. This can be a great way of saving time. However, in other cases, you will need to put in new structural support posts and caissons. 

Once you’ve got the support posts and beams in place, you’ll be able to start installing the rafters. This is what will hold the roofing in place. They will be cut at an angle. This will create the pitch of the roof, stopping the rain from accumulating on it. 

Finally, the roofing will need to be attached. There are a few types of materials that you’ll be able to use. Some people might prefer to use wood or aluminum while others will want to use corrugated polyvinyl. When you’re putting in the roof, be sure to use all the correct fasteners that will get you signed off on an inspection. This will secure the roofing for years to come. Overlap the roofing materials slightly. This ensures that the roof won’t start to leak. 

How Much Will it Cost to Cover an Existing Deck? 

The amount that you can expect to pay will often depend on the type of materials you will use. It will also depend on the size and style of deck covering that you select. Don’t forget to factor in the costs of manual labor. 

As a general rule, though, you will want to budget for between $3,000 to $10,000. When you meet up with your builders, they’ll be able to go into more depth about how much you can expect to pay. Suppose you plan to install electrical elements, like fans or lights. In that case, you’ll need to pay extra and coordinate that work with the deck cover contractor. 

Also, you might need to change the insurance policy to accommodate the new deck covering. This can mean paying a little extra each month. 

How to Style the Cover of your Deck? 

Finally, you’ve built the cover, and now you’re ready to start decorating/styling it. This will add the final finishing touches that make it feel like yours. There are hundreds of ways that you’ll be able to do this. Let your imagination run wild. 

A popular way of styling the covering is by adding some lights. Some people prefer to use one or two large bulbs, while others like to use several smaller recessed lights. You can also decorate with string lighting to create atmosphere. 

A third popular option is to hang some baskets from the edge of the rafters. This adds a little greenery. If you are planning on making a barbecue area, you will be able to add some herbs. You can also paint underneath the roof. If you have a bigger budget, you might want to put a fan under the covering. 

Final Thoughts

Choosing to cover your deck is a great decision. You’ll be able to reduce the amount of time you need to spend maintaining it. Also, you’ll be able to enjoy it all through the year. Building the cover doesn’t need to be an intimidating process.

 As long as you get a good builder, they should be able to guide you through, making sure that everything is being done properly. So, all you need to do is pick out the perfect design, then sit back and watch as your dream deck cover comes together. 

Give us a call today to talk about our specific options and how we can help you out at 970-663-2868, or visit the contact page to send us an email. Click here to learn more about our deck covers.

What Is the Difference Between a Deck, Patio, Porch, Covered Roof, and Sunroom?

picture of a huge deck and cover built in Loveland, CO

When it comes to home improvements and additions, it helps to know the difference between some of the different options before you start hiring contractors to begin working on your property. You may want to add things that will increase the value of your property while giving you more space to do some of your favorite things, such as grilling, sunbathing, or simply relaxing outdoors.

Whether you want a deck, patio, porch, or something else added to your home, it helps to know the difference between these options before you officially pay to have anything done. So, what is the difference?

A deck is a wood framed platform that is commonly attached directly to your home. A patio is usually a cement slab in the backyard right up against the house. A porch is most commonly a covered deck with screens for walls. A Covered Roof (or sometimes referred to as a hard cover) is a shade covering for a deck or concrete patio and is commonly made from the same roofing materials as the house. And lastly, a sunroom is similar to a porch except made from as much glass as possible.

pic of a wood deck built in Loveland featuring built in seating and lighting

What Is a Deck?

A deck is a structure composed of wood that does not have a roof attached to it. As a homeowner, you can get a deck installed on any specific area of your home. Some people like to have a deck in their backyard, while others prefer having a deck that is off to the side of the property. It all depends on the location of your home and the amount of space you have available to get this type of addition constructed.

Decks come in all different sizes and shapes. Before getting a deck installed, you would need to have measurements taken to determine how much space you have available to work with in the first place. You may want a large deck to have plenty of room for a grill and chairs that you will have out for guests to sit on when they visit you. In addition to getting a deck that is the perfect size for your personal space, you will also need to decide on the shape, style, and color of the deck.

You can have a deck built with different types of materials. While wood is the most common goto for decking, decks made from wood-plastic composite have become extremely popular. No matter what you plan on choosing, you will need to decide on the species of wood that you would like used based on its longevity and general appearance. You want something that is going to look good and last a long time while not requiring nearly as much maintenance as some other options.

What Is a Patio?

Many people often confuse a patio with a deck or porch, but these are three entirely different things. While the patio is an outdoor area like a porch and deck, it is typically a paved area that is outside of the home and not attached to it. When constructing patios for clients, it is common for contractors to use concrete, bricks, and even assorted stones that were selected by the clients.

The purpose of having a patio is to have an outdoor area where you can sit, eat, and relax. Many people with patios like to host parties and gatherings with their loved ones where they are preparing food and serving it outdoors. Once there is the patio, homeowners may invest in items for those patios, including outdoor furniture, that they can leave outside and use whenever they want to sit outdoors.

Not all patios look the same, and some are much bigger than others. It does depend on the space available to the homeowner. One thing that most patios have in common is that they are found in the back of the home and may even be situated near a deck.

What Is a Porch?

The porch is an open structure that has breathable walls, but protection above it. Because there is a cover or roof above the porch, you can comfortably sit outside in any weather without worrying about dealing with the rain, sun, snow, and other elements. The porch is often added to the front of the home. There are several reasons that homeowners choose to get a front porch installed if they do not already have one. It gives them a safe and comfortable place to sit out while enjoying the weather and chatting with their neighbors.

There are different types of materials used to create sturdy and reliable porches for those who would like them. Some of the most commonly selected porch materials include plastic, PVC, wood, aluminum, and solid stone. The materials, colors, and overall style picked for the porch will vary from one home to the next and will typically depend on the personal preference of the homeowners.

You can choose from various porch options. For example, you may want an open-air porch that does not have walls, or you may prefer having a porch with screened walls. These are some of the things you will need to think about before you get this type of addition to your home.

covered deck shingled roof stone pillars all covering a hot tub

What Is a Covered Roof?

A covered roof often goes along with a patio. While patios are usually out in the open and provide a space for dining and relaxing with friends, some people choose to invest in a covered roof that gets installed directly over the patio. Having a covered roof comes in handy for potential rainstorms and other weather elements that could get in the way of an outdoor event. The closed roof also provides additional protection from the sun when sitting outside for extended periods.

Before getting a covered roof installed over the patio, professionals must first take measurements. It is necessary to make sure that the roof will provide the maximum amount of coverage for the patio. If you are thinking about getting a covered roof, you must also decide how much coverage you want. Some people like to have a portion of the patio covered while leaving a separate part open because that allows them to soak in the sun if they would like to do so.

What Is a Sunroom?

The sunroom is a sheltered room that is attached to the home. It is an added room to the house that has more windows than the average room, allowing plenty of natural sunlight to soak through. Property owners often like adding assorted plants to their sunrooms because that is the perfect room to get plants to thrive because of the added sunlight. Those who want to enjoy the benefits of the sun without sitting directly outside where they would end up dealing with insects may enjoy having a sunroom available to them.

Sunrooms are often smaller than the average size of a living room or bedroom, but they still offer an adequate amount of space. While the location of a sunroom may vary from one home to the next, it is common for homeowners to have a sunroom attached to the back of the house. There is a common misconception that a sunroom and back porch are the same thing, but this is false. These two home features are different from one another.

It is quite common for people to confuse decks, patios, porches, covered roofs, and sunrooms. Many people believe these home additions are all the same, but that is the furthest thing from the truth. Each addition has something unique to offer. If you are thinking about adding something extra to your home, you should make a list of your wants and needs and then decide which of these different options are the best for you.

Once you decide which additions to add to your home, you can start choosing materials, styles, and colors. You can go over these details with a professional contractor by giving us a call today at 970-663-2868 or visit the contact page to send us a message. Also, if you want more info please check out our DECK and PATIO COVER services pages.

timber frame sun-room with amazing mountain views built by TNT Home Improvements