Does a Patio Cover Increase Home Value in Texas? (What the Data Says)

Every homeowner thinking about a patio cover eventually asks the same question: Is this actually going to add value to my house, or is it just money I'll never get back?

It's a fair question — especially when you're looking at a $10,000–$20,000 investment. You want to enjoy your backyard, but you also want to make smart financial decisions. So let's look at what the data actually says about patio covers and home value, with a specific focus on the Dallas-Fort Worth market where outdoor living is a major factor in how homes are priced and sold.

The Short Answer

Yes, a patio cover increases your home's value in Texas. In most cases, significantly.

But the specifics matter. A well-designed, properly built patio cover that matches your home's style and expands your usable outdoor living space can return 50–80% of its cost at resale — and in the DFW market, some projects return even more. A cheap, poorly built cover that looks like an afterthought can actually hurt your home's appeal.

The key isn't just "adding a patio cover." It's adding the right patio cover, built with quality materials and designed to complement your home. That's the difference between a genuine investment and wasted money.

What the Numbers Say

Several industry studies support the value of outdoor living improvements:

• The National Association of Realtors (NAR) Remodeling Impact Report consistently ranks outdoor living spaces among the top renovations for homeowner satisfaction and value recovery. Their data shows that outdoor living projects recover an average of 71% of project costs at resale, with higher returns in markets where outdoor space is usable for more months per year.

• The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) surveys consistently show that a patio or covered outdoor space ranks among the top 10 most-desired features for homebuyers. In their "What Home Buyers Really Want" report, a covered patio ranked higher than features like a home office, walk-in pantry, and hardwood flooring in the main living area.

• Remodeling Magazine's Cost vs. Value Report doesn't break out patio covers specifically, but their data on deck additions and outdoor kitchen projects shows ROI ranges of 50–75% nationally, with higher returns in the South and Southwest regions.

• A study by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) found that outdoor living spaces have been the most popular home renovation category for over a decade, with demand increasing year over year.

In practice, what we see in DFW aligns with and often exceeds these national averages. Here's why.

Why Outdoor Living Space Is Especially Valuable in DFW

National averages don't tell the whole story. The Dallas-Fort Worth real estate market has specific characteristics that make outdoor living improvements more valuable here than in many other parts of the country:

Extended Outdoor Season

DFW homeowners can realistically use covered outdoor space 9–10 months per year. Our mild winters mean that with a patio cover providing protection from the occasional cold rain or wind, outdoor living is viable from mid-February through mid-December in most years. Compare that to markets like Minneapolis or Chicago, where outdoor structures sit unused for 5–6 months. More usable months equals more value.

Extreme Summer Heat Creates Demand for Shade

The irony of Texas is that the long outdoor season is undermined by brutal summers. An uncovered patio in DFW is essentially unusable from June through September — surface temperatures on exposed concrete can exceed 140°F, and direct sun makes it physically uncomfortable to sit outside.

A patio cover changes that equation completely. A solid-roof cover can reduce the temperature underneath by 15–25°F compared to direct sun. Add a ceiling fan, and you've created a space that's genuinely comfortable even in July. That transformation from "useless in summer" to "usable year-round" is exactly the kind of functional improvement that buyers pay a premium for.

Competitive Real Estate Market

DFW is one of the largest and most competitive real estate markets in the country. Homes that stand out — with upgraded outdoor spaces, modern finishes, and move-in-ready backyards — sell faster and at higher prices than comparable homes without those features.

Real estate agents in the metroplex consistently tell us that homes with well-built covered outdoor spaces photograph better, generate more showing interest, and command stronger offers. In a market where buyers are comparing dozens of similar homes in the same subdivision, a beautiful patio cover can be the differentiator.

Large Lots With Underutilized Backyards

Many DFW homes, particularly in suburbs like Midlothian, Waxahachie, Mansfield, and Cedar Hill, sit on lots with spacious backyards that are completely bare. A slab of concrete with no shade isn't an "outdoor living space" — it's wasted square footage. Adding a patio cover transforms that dead zone into functional living area, and appraisers and buyers both recognize the difference.

How a Patio Cover Adds Value Beyond Resale

The ROI conversation typically focuses on what you get back when you sell. But that's only part of the value equation. Here's what a patio cover does for you while you live there:

Expanded Usable Square Footage

Think of a covered patio as an additional room for your house — one that you use more than your formal dining room and probably more than your guest bedroom. A 14×20 patio cover creates 280 square feet of functional space for a fraction of what it would cost to add 280 square feet of enclosed interior space (which runs $150–$300 per square foot in DFW for a room addition).

Energy Savings

A patio cover on the south or west side of your home shades exterior walls and windows from direct sun, reducing solar heat gain. This translates to measurable energy savings on air conditioning during the 5–6 months when cooling accounts for the bulk of your electricity bill. Homeowners in DFW with south- or west-facing patio covers commonly report a 5–15% reduction in summer cooling costs.

Furniture and Finish Protection

Uncovered patios destroy outdoor furniture, grills, and concrete stain finishes. UV radiation fades cushion fabric in a single season. Rain warps untreated wood furniture. Hail damages anything exposed. A patio cover protects your outdoor furnishings and surfaces, extending their lifespan and saving you replacement costs.

Entertainment and Lifestyle Value

This is the value that doesn't show up on a spreadsheet but matters enormously. A covered outdoor space becomes the place where your family eats dinner on warm evenings, where you host friends for football Sundays, where you drink coffee on Saturday mornings. It changes how you live in your home every single day, and that quality-of-life improvement is worth something real.

Which Types of Patio Covers Add the Most Value?

Not all patio covers are created equal when it comes to home value. Here's how the main styles rank in terms of value added:

Attached Gable Cover — Highest Value

A gable patio cover that attaches to your home and matches your existing roofline creates the most seamless, built-in look. To a buyer, it looks like part of the original house, not an add-on. Gable covers with architectural shingles matching the main roof, ceiling fans, and electrical typically return the highest percentage of their cost at resale.

Typical cost in DFW: $14,000–$22,000
Estimated value added: $10,000–$18,000 (60–80% ROI)

Attached Lean-To Cover — Strong Value

A lean-to (also called a shed-style or flat-pitch) cover is the most common style we build. It attaches to the home's fascia and slopes away at a single pitch. It's simpler than a gable but still looks clean and intentional. Well-built lean-to covers with quality materials add strong value.

Typical cost in DFW: $8,000–$16,000
Estimated value added: $5,000–$12,000 (55–75% ROI)

Pergola — Moderate to Strong Value

Pergolas add visual appeal and define outdoor space, but their open-rafter design provides limited weather protection unless you add polycarbonate panels or a similar covering. Buyers appreciate the aesthetics but often discount pergolas compared to solid-roof covers because of the reduced functionality. A pergola with polycarbonate roofing, however, bridges that gap nicely.

Typical cost in DFW: $6,000–$14,000
Estimated value added: $3,500–$10,000 (50–70% ROI)

Freestanding Cover — Moderate Value

Freestanding covers (not attached to the house) are versatile and useful, but they add slightly less perceived value than attached structures because they don't extend the home itself. They're still a positive addition, especially when positioned over an outdoor kitchen or seating area.

Typical cost in DFW: $10,000–$20,000
Estimated value added: $5,000–$13,000 (45–65% ROI)

For a deeper dive into patio cover styles, including how each one is built and when to choose it, check out our complete guide to types of patio covers.

Tips to Maximize Your Patio Cover ROI

If you're building a patio cover with resale value in mind (in addition to enjoying it yourself), these strategies help you get the most return:

1. Match Your Home's Architecture

A patio cover that looks like it belongs on your house is worth far more than one that looks bolted on. Match your roof pitch, use complementary materials, and align your roofing shingles or metal with the main house. This is the single most important design decision for value.

2. Use Quality Materials

Cedar or premium pressure-treated pine with quality stain will always appraise higher than aluminum or vinyl. Buyers in DFW expect real wood in a covered outdoor space. Check our material comparison guide for a detailed breakdown.

3. Add Electrical

A patio cover with a ceiling fan, recessed lighting, or at least a switched outlet adds significantly more value than one without. Electrical shows buyers that the space is finished and ready to use, not a bare structure they'll need to invest more in.

4. Size It Appropriately

Bigger isn't always better for ROI. A patio cover that's proportional to your home and yard looks balanced and intentional. One that overwhelms a small lot or looks too small for a large patio can actually detract from curb appeal. For most DFW homes, a 12×16 to 16×20 cover hits the sweet spot.

5. Pair It With Quality Hardscape

A beautiful patio cover over cracked, stained, or plain gray concrete sends mixed signals. If your existing patio is in poor condition, consider upgrading to stamped concrete or a new pour when you build the cover. The combination multiplies the value of both improvements.

6. Get It Permitted and Inspected

Unpermitted structures are a liability in a real estate transaction. Buyers' inspectors flag them, lenders may require them to be removed or brought to code, and they can kill deals. Always build with permits and inspections — it protects your investment. Read more about permit requirements in DFW.

7. Keep Maintenance Records

A well-maintained patio cover with documentation (staining receipts, inspection records) reassures buyers that the structure has been cared for. This is especially relevant for wood covers that require periodic maintenance.

Is It Worth It? Our Take

We're obviously biased — we build patio covers for a living. So take this with that context in mind.

But here's what we see across 150+ projects in DFW: homeowners who build quality patio covers don't regret it. Not once has a customer told us they wish they hadn't done it. What we hear instead is "I wish we'd done this years ago."

The financial return is strong — 50–80% recovery at resale in most cases, with the possibility of higher returns in competitive neighborhoods with well-designed projects. But the real value is the years of daily use you get from a space that transforms your home.

If you're planning to stay in your home for at least 2–3 years, the combination of daily enjoyment, energy savings, furniture protection, and resale value makes a patio cover one of the highest-return improvements you can make to a Texas home.

View our completed patio cover projects across DFW to see the quality and craftsmanship that goes into every Structure1 build.

When you're ready to explore what a patio cover could look like in your backyard, get a free estimate from Structure1 Construction. We've been building covered outdoor spaces across Dallas-Fort Worth for over 4 years, backed by a 2-year workmanship warranty on every project. Call us at (580) 665-2758 or fill out our contact form to get started.