Patio Cover vs. Pergola: Which Is Right for Your Texas Backyard?

Homeowners across Dallas-Fort Worth ask us this question more than almost any other: Should I build a patio cover or a pergola?

Both structures transform your backyard. Both add value to your home. But they serve different purposes, look dramatically different, and perform differently in the Texas climate. Choosing the wrong one means either spending more than you needed to or ending up with a structure that doesn't do what you actually wanted.

This guide breaks down every meaningful difference between patio covers and pergolas — from cost and shade to durability and curb appeal — specifically for homeowners in the DFW area who deal with triple-digit summers, spring storms, and the occasional hailstorm.

What Is a Patio Cover?

A patio cover is a solid-roof outdoor structure attached to your home (or built freestanding) that provides complete protection from sun and rain. Think of it as an extension of your roof over your patio.

Patio covers come in several roof styles:

• Lean-to (shed style): A single-slope roof that attaches to your home's fascia and pitches away. The most affordable solid cover option.
• Gable: A peaked, two-slope roof that mirrors a traditional residential roofline. More expensive but significantly better-looking.
• Hip: A four-sided sloped roof. The most complex and refined design.

Most patio covers in DFW are framed with cedar or treated pine, roofed with composition shingles that match the home, and supported by 6×6 posts (often wrapped in trim for a cleaner look). They're fully engineered, permitted, and built to handle North Texas wind loads.

For a deeper look at each style, see our complete guide to patio cover styles.

What Is a Pergola?

A pergola is an open-beam outdoor structure with a series of cross rafters (and sometimes a lattice top) that provide partial shade. Unlike a patio cover, a traditional pergola doesn't have a solid roof — sunlight filters through the beams, creating a pattern of light and shadow.

However, modern pergolas have evolved. Many homeowners in DFW now add polycarbonate roofing panels, shade sails, or retractable canopies to pergolas, blurring the line between a pergola and a solid cover. A pergola with polycarbonate panels provides nearly as much rain and sun protection as a traditional patio cover, but with a different aesthetic.

Pergola styles we commonly build include:

• Traditional open-beam: Classic look with exposed rafters and no overhead covering. Best for areas where you want some shade but still enjoy open sky.
• Modern with polycarbonate panels: Translucent panels sit on top of the beams, allowing light through while blocking rain and most UV. This is one of our most popular builds.
• Hybrid: A pergola-style structure on one side transitioning into a solid-roof cover on the other. Great for L-shaped patios or multi-use outdoor spaces.

Key Differences at a Glance

| Feature | Patio Cover | Pergola (Open) | Pergola (w/ Panels) | |---|---|---|---| | Shade coverage | 100% — full shade | 30–50% — partial | 85–95% — nearly full | | Rain protection | Complete | None | Excellent (with proper slope) | | UV protection | Complete | Minimal | Good (blocks most UV) | | Hail protection | Yes (shingle/metal roof) | No | Limited (panels can crack in severe hail) | | Ceiling fan friendly | Yes | Possible but less effective | Yes | | Cost (12×16, installed) | $10,000 – $16,000 | $6,000 – $9,000 | $9,000 – $13,000 | | Maintenance | Moderate (re-stain/paint every 3–5 years) | Low (periodic stain) | Low (occasional panel cleaning) | | Permit required in DFW | Yes | Usually yes | Usually yes | | Curb appeal | Matches home architecture | Adds architectural interest | Modern/contemporary feel | | Light underneath | Shaded (can be dark) | Bright, filtered light | Bright, diffused light | | Best for | All-weather outdoor living | Decorative garden areas, partial shade | Modern outdoor living, entertaining |

Pros and Cons of Patio Covers in Texas

Pros

Complete weather protection. This is the big one. A solid patio cover keeps you dry in a spring downpour, shaded during a 105°F August afternoon, and protected when a surprise storm rolls in. In North Texas, where weather can shift in 20 minutes, having a solid roof overhead means you can actually use your outdoor space reliably.

Usable in all seasons. With a solid cover, you can add a ceiling fan for summer airflow and a space heater or fire pit underneath for winter evenings. Your covered patio becomes a true three-season (or even four-season) room.

Matches your home's architecture. A well-built patio cover with shingles matching your roof looks like it was always part of the house. This matters for resale and for HOA approvals in communities across Frisco, McKinney, Allen, and Plano.

Protects outdoor furniture and electronics. If you have a TV, sound system, or high-end patio furniture, a solid cover protects those investments from UV damage, rain, and hail.

Higher ROI at resale. Real estate agents in DFW consistently report that covered patios are a top-three feature buyers look for. A well-executed patio cover can recoup 50–80% of its cost.

Cons

Higher upfront cost. A solid patio cover costs more than a basic pergola — typically $3,000–$8,000 more for a comparable footprint. If budget is the primary constraint, this matters.

Can feel enclosed. Depending on the height and design, a solid cover can make the space underneath feel darker or more closed-in, especially on smaller patios. Proper planning (adequate ceiling height, light-colored finishes, good lighting) mitigates this.

More complex construction. Solid covers require more engineering, heavier framing, and more labor. The build takes longer and involves more coordination with permit offices.

Pros and Cons of Pergolas in Texas

Pros

Lower cost. An open-beam pergola is the most affordable way to define an outdoor living space. With less material and simpler engineering, a 12×16 pergola can cost 30–40% less than a comparable solid cover.

Open, airy aesthetic. Pergolas create a sense of space without boxing you in. The interplay of light and shadow underneath is visually appealing, and you maintain a connection to the open sky.

Design flexibility. Pergolas work well as standalone structures in the yard — over a fire pit, around a pool, or in a garden setting — where a solid roof would feel heavy or out of place.

Easier to add onto later. Starting with a pergola and later adding polycarbonate panels, shade fabric, or even converting to a solid roof is straightforward. It's a good "start small" option.

Less visual impact on the home. Some homeowners worry that a large solid structure will overwhelm their home's façade. A pergola's open design is lighter and less visually dominant.

Cons

Minimal rain protection (open design). A traditional open-beam pergola offers zero rain protection. If it starts raining during your barbecue, everyone's heading inside. In DFW, where pop-up storms are a way of life from March through October, this is a real limitation.

Limited shade. Open rafters typically block only 30–50% of sunlight depending on beam spacing and orientation. During peak summer when the sun is directly overhead, you might get decent shade. But in the morning and late afternoon when the sun is lower, light streams in at angles the beams can't block. That matters in Texas.

Not ideal for electronics or sensitive furniture. Without a solid roof, anything underneath is exposed to UV, rain, and hail. You'll need weather-resistant furniture and should avoid mounting TVs or speakers.

Polycarbonate panels add cost and change the character. Once you add panels to get rain and UV protection, you've closed the cost gap with a solid cover significantly — and the resulting structure looks and feels different from the classic open pergola aesthetic.

Which Is Better for Texas Weather?

Let's be blunt: DFW weather is hard on outdoor structures. Here's how each option holds up.

Heat

North Texas regularly sees 95–105°F from June through September. A solid patio cover blocks 100% of direct sunlight, reducing the temperature underneath by 15–25°F compared to exposed concrete. An open pergola helps some — the beams cast shadows that shift throughout the day — but the thermal relief is modest. A pergola with polycarbonate panels splits the difference: it blocks most UV and heat while still allowing diffused light.

Winner: Patio cover (but pergola with panels is close)

Rain

DFW gets approximately 37 inches of rain per year, much of it in heavy spring and early-summer storms. A solid patio cover keeps everything underneath dry. An open pergola offers no rain protection at all. Polycarbonate panels perform well in rain, though you need proper slope and guttering to manage water runoff.

Winner: Patio cover

Hail

North Texas is in one of the country's most active hail corridors. A patio cover with composition shingles or metal roofing handles hail the same way your home's roof does — it absorbs the impact and protects what's underneath. Polycarbonate panels can withstand moderate hail but may crack or dent in severe storms (panels are replaceable, typically $200–$500 per panel). Open pergolas offer no hail protection.

Winner: Patio cover (by a wide margin)

Wind

DFW gets regular 40–60 mph wind gusts during storm season. Both patio covers and pergolas, when properly engineered and built to code, handle these wind loads. Solid covers have more surface area for wind to act on, which is why engineering and proper connections matter more. Open pergolas let wind pass through, which is actually an advantage in extreme conditions.

Edge: Pergola (slightly, in extreme wind events)

Overall Weather Verdict

If you want a truly all-weather outdoor space in DFW, a solid patio cover is the clear winner. If you're comfortable retreating inside when it rains and don't mind less shade, a pergola works — especially with polycarbonate panels for partial protection.

Cost Comparison

Here's a realistic side-by-side for a 12×16 structure in the DFW market (2026 pricing):

| Cost Factor | Patio Cover (Gable) | Pergola (Open Cedar) | Pergola (w/ Panels) | |---|---|---|---| | Materials | $4,500 – $6,500 | $2,500 – $4,000 | $3,500 – $5,500 | | Labor | $4,000 – $6,000 | $2,500 – $3,500 | $3,000 – $4,500 | | Engineering + permits | $600 – $1,200 | $400 – $800 | $500 – $1,000 | | Electrical (fan + 4 lights) | $800 – $1,200 | $600 – $900 | $700 – $1,000 | | Total installed | $10,000 – $16,000 | $6,000 – $9,000 | $8,000 – $12,000 |

Notice that once you add polycarbonate panels and electrical to a pergola, the price gap with a solid cover narrows to roughly $2,000–$4,000. At that point, many homeowners decide the extra investment in a solid cover is worth the complete weather protection and more traditional aesthetic.

For detailed pricing on all patio cover types, see our 2026 DFW pricing guide.

Which Should You Choose?

There's no universally "better" option. The right choice depends on your priorities. Here's a framework we use with homeowners:

Choose a patio cover if:

• You want to use the space rain or shine, year-round
• You plan to mount a TV, hang a fan, or install lighting
• Your HOA requires structures that match your home's roofline
• You want maximum resale value impact
• You live in an area with frequent hail (most of DFW)
• You want to protect outdoor furniture, electronics, or a full outdoor kitchen

Choose a pergola if:

• You want a more open, garden-like aesthetic
• Your budget is under $10,000
• The space is secondary (a fire pit area, garden seating, pool surround) rather than your primary outdoor living area
• You want the option to add coverage later
• The structure will be freestanding (away from the house) where a solid roof would look heavy

Choose a pergola with polycarbonate panels if:

• You want rain protection with a modern, light-filled feel
• You like the open-beam aesthetic but can't tolerate getting rained on
• Your budget falls between a basic pergola and a full patio cover
• The space will be used for entertaining where natural light matters

Still not sure?

That's completely normal — most homeowners go back and forth before deciding. The best thing you can do is talk through your specific space, budget, and goals with someone who's built both. At Structure1, we build patio covers, pergolas, and hybrid structures across Dallas-Fort Worth, so we can walk your yard and show you what each option looks like in your specific setting.

Can You Convert a Pergola to a Patio Cover Later?

Yes, but it's not as simple as "just adding a roof." Converting a pergola to a solid cover typically requires:

• Reinforcing or replacing the existing beams and posts to handle the added roof load
• Adding a ridge beam or rafter system
• Installing roofing material, flashing, and tie-ins to your home
• Updating the engineering plans and pulling a new permit

The cost to convert is usually 60–80% of what it would have cost to build a solid cover from scratch. So while it's possible, it's more cost-effective to build the right structure the first time. If there's any chance you'll want a solid roof eventually, we'd recommend either going with a patio cover now or building a pergola that's engineered to support a future roof addition.

What We Recommend for Most DFW Homeowners

After building 150+ outdoor structures across Dallas-Fort Worth over the past four years, here's our honest take:

For primary outdoor living spaces — the area right off the back door where you eat, watch TV, and entertain — a solid patio cover is almost always the better investment in Texas. The sun is too intense and the rain too unpredictable for an open structure to serve as your main outdoor room.

For secondary spaces — a seating area by the pool, a garden retreat, or an accent structure over a fire pit — a pergola is often the better choice. It defines the space beautifully without the cost and visual weight of a solid roof.

For homeowners who want the best of both worlds, a combination build — solid cover over the main area with a pergola extension for the secondary zone — delivers tremendous value and visual interest. These are some of our favorite projects to design and build.

Check out examples of all three approaches on our projects page, or explore our full range of patio cover services.

Get Help Deciding — Free Consultation

Not sure which direction to go? We get it. Get a free estimate and we'll come out, look at your space, and walk you through the options with real pricing. No pressure, no sales pitch — just honest advice from a team that builds these structures every week.

Call us at (580) 665-2758 or fill out the form on our website at structure1builds.com.