Custom Covered Pergola With Metal Roof

Project Overview

The homeowners had an existing 24' × 16' concrete patio furnished as an outdoor seating area, but the space was completely open to the sun and weather. They wanted a permanent structure that would cover the entire patio rather than relying on a prefabricated gazebo that would leave portions of the existing space exposed.

Pro Build Solutions developed the covered pergola design around the existing patio and home. The project included design, rendering, permit drawings, permit coordination, structural construction, electrical work, required inspections, roofing, drainage, and finish details.

The resulting design treats the pergola as a permanent extension of the outdoor living space while maintaining an open view toward the backyard. A raised house connection allowed the roof to maintain the required slope while preserving approximately 8 feet of height at the front of the structure.

Project Goals

• Create permanent weather protection over the entire existing 24' × 16' patio.
• Avoid the partial coverage and dimensional limitations of a prefabricated gazebo.
• Maintain an open view from the patio toward the backyard.
• Preserve approximately 8 feet of height at the front of the structure while maintaining adequate roof pitch for rainwater runoff.
• Design the structure as a permanent extension of the home's outdoor living area.
• Incorporate electrical service for a ceiling fan and perimeter lighting.
• Use natural cedar finish details to give the pressure-treated structural frame a cleaner, more finished appearance.
• Collect roof runoff with gutters and downspouts and direct it into the existing river-rock drainage area.

The Challenge

Covering the full 24' × 16' patio required more than placing a standard pergola over the existing concrete.

A conventional ledger-board connection at the house was impractical because of the existing brick, windows, gutters, soffit, and low roofline. Attaching the new roof at the normal exterior-wall height would also have lowered the front of the structure below the approximately 8-foot clearance the homeowners wanted.

The design therefore needed to raise the house-side connection enough to establish a functional roof pitch while preserving headroom and creating a clean transition from the existing house.

The 24-foot front width also required the structure to be divided across three front structural posts, keeping the spacing between supports to approximately 8 feet. At the same time, runoff from the new roof needed to be collected and directed into the existing river-rock area surrounding the patio instead of simply shedding onto the finished outdoor space.

Our Approach

Scope of Work

• Design and layout of a custom 24' × 16' attached covered pergola.
• Project rendering and permit drawings.
• Building and electrical permit coordination.
• Excavation and installation of three independent 12-inch-diameter concrete piers extending 42 inches deep..
• Construction of pressure-treated structural framing.
• Installation of three 6 × 6 front structural posts.
• Construction of a built-up pressure-treated front header.
• Installation of two SkyLift roof risers at the house connection.
• Required opening and restoration of portions of the existing roof for the raised structural connection.
• Roof penetration flashing and replacement shingles at modified roof areas.
• Installation of a 2.5:12 exposed structural metal roof system.
• Installation of gray 29-gauge SM-Rib Galvalume steel roof panels coordinated with the home's existing gray roof.
• Natural red cedar wrapping around the structural posts and front header.
• Installation of 5-inch perimeter gutters.
• Installation of two front downspouts discharging into the existing river-rock area.
• Installation of a dedicated 20-amp electrical circuit for the pergola.
• Installation of a ceiling fan.
• Installation of perimeter string lighting.
• Separate interior switching for the ceiling fan and lighting.
• Building and electrical inspections through final approval.
• Daily site cleanup and final project cleanup.

Project Outcome

The completed project turned the previously uncovered 24' × 16' patio into a permanent covered outdoor living space without reducing the openness of the backyard.

The custom roof now covers the full patio as intended, giving the homeowners shade during summer days, protection during light rain, and a more comfortable space for evening use. The raised SkyLift connection allowed the roof to maintain its 2.5:12 pitch while preserving approximately 8 feet of clearance at the front of the structure.

Natural red cedar wraps give the pressure-treated structural frame a finished architectural appearance, while the gray metal roof coordinates with the home's existing gray roof and provides permanent overhead coverage. A ceiling fan and perimeter string lighting extend the usefulness of the patio into warmer days and evenings.

The gutter and downspout system directs roof runoff into the existing river-rock area at the patio perimeter, and the system has performed as intended during rain.

The homeowners specifically praised the finished attached pergola, the design process, permit and inspection coordination, professionalism, and the daily jobsite cleanup. The result is a covered outdoor space designed specifically around the house and existing patio rather than a prefabricated structure that would have compromised coverage or fit.

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