Covered Decks & Pergolas in Elgin, IL

Covered decks and pergolas stretch the season on a deck in Elgin. July afternoons in the mid-80s with high humidity, spring showers and the mosquitoes that come with them can make an open deck hard to use; a cover changes that. The choice is between a pergola, which gives filtered shade with an open top, and a solid roof, which keeps off rain and sun entirely. Either one adds weight and wind load to the deck, and a roof has to carry snow, so the structure has to be planned for it from the footings up.

Pergolas

A pergola is a frame of posts, beams and rafters with an open or slatted top. It can sit on the deck, stand on its own footings, or attach to the house. HomeGuide puts a prefab pergola at about $1,450 to $5,750 installed and a custom 12x12 wood pergola at roughly $4,300 to $9,400. Cedar and treated wood are common; aluminum and vinyl need less upkeep. Retractable canopies or shade sails can be added for more cover on the hottest days.

Louvered covers

Louvered systems use aluminum slats that tilt open for light and close to shed rain. HomeGuide lists manual louvered roofs at about $45 to $110 per square foot and motorized ones at about $55 to $125. They are heavier than a basic pergola and are usually installed on their own posts and footings.

Solid roofs

A roofed deck is the most protection and the biggest structural job. The roof can be a shed roof or a gable that ties into the house, often shingled to match. HomeAdvisor lists a deck roof at about $3,000 to $10,000, and Fixr puts a covered deck at about $40 to $100 per square foot including the deck. In northern Illinois the roof, beams, posts and footings all have to be sized for snow load, and tying into the existing roof means flashing it so water does not get behind the siding or into the house. Adding a roof over an existing deck is possible only if the deck's footings and framing can take the extra load, which we check before quoting.

Permits and zoning

A roof over a deck typically requires a building permit with structural drawings, and a large covered deck may also need zoning review because it adds to lot coverage and must meet setbacks. In Elgin's historic districts, visible roof structures may get closer review, and many HOAs have rules about covers, materials and colors. We find out what applies to your lot first.

Screened and enclosed options

Under a solid roof, screens keep bugs out on summer evenings. HomeAdvisor lists deck enclosures at about $20 to $75 per square foot depending on the materials. A screened porch is a different project from a deck, with its own code requirements, and we will tell you where the line falls for your plans.

Choosing the right cover

If you want shade and a defined outdoor room without blocking light into the house, a pergola is usually enough. If you want to sit outside in the rain or keep furniture dry, plan on a roof.