Covered Decks & Pergolas in Aurora, CO

Covered decks and pergolas turn an Aurora deck from a spot you abandon by noon into somewhere comfortable at 3 p.m. in July. With UV running roughly 10 percent stronger here than at sea level and young trees in many newer subdivisions, shade is a common add-on. The catch is that any structure over a deck has to stand up to snow and wind as well as sun.

Pergola, louvered roof or solid cover

• Open pergola: beams and rafters with spaced slats that filter sun and let snow fall through
• Louvered roof: adjustable aluminum blades you open for light or close for shade and light rain
• Solid roof: a framed, roofed structure that sheds rain and snow and protects the deck below

Each has a different load. The City of Aurora's engineering criteria list a 30 psf roof snow load for roofs and 20 psf for pergolas, plus a 115 mph design wind speed for typical homes. A solid roof catches more snow and wind than an open pergola, so it needs larger framing and stronger connections.

Wind is the overlooked load

Aurora sits on open plains, and the city's design criteria call for a 115 mph design wind speed for typical homes. A pergola or cover acts like a sail when wind gets under it, which pulls up on posts and connections. We anchor posts to engineered footings with rated hardware and tie rafters and beams together so the structure resists uplift, not just downward weight.

Attaching to the house or the deck

A cover can attach to the house wall, stand on its own posts, or bear on the deck framing. If it bears on the deck, the deck beams and footings may need to be upsized to carry the extra roof load. If it ties into the house, the connection has to be flashed so water does not get behind siding or stucco. We look at both options during the estimate and explain the trade-offs.

Materials

Cedar pergolas look warm but need the same finishing as a wood deck. Aluminum pergolas and louvered systems are low-maintenance and do not need stain. HomeGuide lists material costs of about $10 to $30 per square foot for aluminum or vinyl and $25 to $40 for cedar, before labor. For solid roofs, the roofing often matches the house so the cover looks like it belongs.

Hail and covers

A solid cover can shield the deck and furniture below from hail. The cover itself still takes the hit, so roofing and gutter materials should be chosen with that in mind. Louvered aluminum blades are generally closed or angled during storms according to the maker's instructions.

Permits and HOA approval

Patio covers and roofed structures attached to a house usually need a building permit, and pergolas often do as well, depending on size and attachment. HOAs in many Aurora communities also review height, color and material. We prepare drawings, load information and product details for both reviews before construction is scheduled.