Pergolas & Patio Covers in San Antonio, TX
Custom Patio Covers & Pergolas Near You in San Antonio, TX
Alamo Decks & Fence builds pergolas and patio covers across San Antonio and Bexar County. A pergola gives you filtered light. A patio cover gives you a solid roof and a space you can use in the rain. We build both, in cedar, vinyl, and fiberglass. We pull the permits too.
Enhance your outdoor living space with a custom pergola or patio cover designed and built by our team. Want shade, privacy, or a space for guests? We build backyards people actually use.
Free estimates. Call us or request a quote online.
Pergolas & Patio Covers for Every Home
At Alamo Decks & Fence, we design and build structures that extend your outdoor living area. Our San Antonio patio builders work with wood, vinyl, and fiberglass to deliver quality that lasts. Want a pergola for relaxing? Or a patio cover that works year round? We build to match your plan.
Pergola or Patio Cover? How to Choose
People use these terms interchangeably. They are different structures with different jobs.
| Pergola | Patio Cover | Gazebo | |
| Roof | Open or slatted | Solid | Solid |
| Blocks rain? | No | Yes | Yes |
| Shade level | Partial | Full | Full |
| Attaches to house? | Either | Usually attached | Freestanding |
| Typical use | Defined seating, plants, light | Year-round outdoor room | Standalone garden feature |
Pick a pergola when you want light, structure, and airflow. Add louvered panels or a fabric canopy if you need more shade later.
Pick a patio cover when you want the space usable in July heat and October rain. Attached covers usually tie into your existing roofline.
Plenty of San Antonio yards use both. A solid cover over the dining area, a pergola over the fire pit. See our deck and pergola guide for how each works with an existing deck. Our post on creative pergola uses covers the rest.

The Benefits of Pergolas & Patio Covers
A well-designed structure changes how you use your yard. Here is what homeowners get:
- Extend Your Living Space. You get a defined area for dining, lounging, or guests. No existing deck or patio required.
- Design Flexibility. Add string lights, ceiling fans, a chandelier, or outdoor speakers.
- More Privacy. Pergolas are open by design. Lattice, screens, or curtains close them off from neighbors.
- Shade & Comfort. San Antonio averages 116 days a year at or above 90°F, according to the National Park Service. Shade is not a luxury here.
- Resale Value. The National Association of Realtors reports full cost recovery on a $9,000 yard upgrade. A $10,500 patio recovers about 95%. Outdoor structures hold value where outdoor living matters.

Types of Pergolas & Patio Covers
The right material decides how long your structure lasts and how much upkeep it needs.
- Pressure-Treated Wood. The most affordable option. Durable, but it can warp or crack over time. Looks best painted or stained.
- Cedar Wood. Shrugs off insects and rot, which matters in our climate. Leave it raw for a rustic look, or stain it to hold the color.
- Vinyl. Low upkeep and fade resistant. Fewer color choices, but almost no work.
- Fiberglass. The premium pick. Light, very strong, and good for long spans without extra posts. Easy to paint. Works on decks or patios.
- Aluminum. Low upkeep. Will not rot or warp. Popular for attached covers, and often the fastest install.
- Louvered Systems. Slats that open for airflow and close for shade or rain. The top pick for year-round use.

What Pergolas & Patio Covers Cost in San Antonio
Most contractors dodge this question. Here are real ranges so you can budget before you call.
Pergolas. Most professionally built pergolas run $2,100 to $6,400, with a national average near $4,250 for a 100-square-foot structure. That is roughly $30 to $60 per square foot. Figures from 2026 Angi and HomeAdvisor data.
Patio covers. Angi puts the national average at $8,500. Most projects land between $4,500 and $12,000, or $20 to $50 per square foot. Larger insulated covers with wiring run higher. HomeGuide places full outdoor-room builds at $50 to $150 per square foot.
The spread is wide for a reason. “Patio cover” means anything from a simple shade structure to a framed roof with wiring. A quote is the only way to know your number.
What moves the price:
- Size and span. Longer spans need heavier beams or extra posts.
- Material. Materials account for roughly 80% of a pergola build.
- Attachment. Attached covers need a properly flashed ledger board tied into your roof.
- Electrical. Fans, lights, and outlets add cost and require a licensed electrician.
- Site conditions. Grading, drainage, and access all affect labor.
Spreading the cost is an option. See our financing page.
Permits, HOA Approval, and Build Timeline
Two approvals, not one. People miss this and lose weeks.
City permit. The City of San Antonio treats pergolas, patio covers, and carports as accessory structures. Smaller one-story projects go through a Residential Improvements Permit. Larger or two-story work needs a full Residential Building Permit with plan review. Confirm your scope with Development Services at 210-207-1111.
HOA approval. A city permit does not satisfy your HOA. Most neighborhoods require written architectural approval before work starts. Get it first.
We handle the permit process on every build. You will not be standing in line at Development Services.
Best time to build. Fall and winter. Crews have more availability and nobody is framing in triple-digit heat. Book in December and you are using the space by spring.
Professional Patio Cover & Pergola Installation in San Antonio
Choose Alamo Decks & Fence and you get a team that cares about the work. We handle each detail, from design to final walk-through. Our patio cover contractors walk you through each step. The finished structure matches what you signed off on.
Why Alamo Decks & Fence?
- Experience. Years of work here. We know local codes, our soil, and what lasts in Texas heat.
- Tailored Solutions. Every yard is different. We design to your space, not to a catalog.
- Top-Quality Materials. Premium materials so the structure lasts.
- Follow-Through. We keep you posted from first call to last nail. Read our reviews.
Areas We Serve
We build pergolas and patio covers throughout Bexar County, including Alamo Heights, Castle Hills, Converse, Cibolo, and Universal City. See the full list on our areas served page.
Pergola & Patio Cover Repair
Not every project is new construction. We repair and rebuild structures that have started to fail. That includes leaning posts, rotted beams, sagging spans, and storm damage. Has your pergola shifted? Is the cover pulling away from the house? Call before it gets worse.
Pergola & Patio Cover FAQs
How much does a 20×20 patio cover cost?
A 20×20 cover is 400 square feet. At the typical $20 to $50 per square foot range, that lands between $8,000 and $20,000 installed. Material, roof style, and electrical move it within that band.
What is the average cost for a patio cover?
Angi puts the 2026 national average at $8,500, with most homeowners paying $4,500 to $12,000.
What is the cheapest way to cover a patio?
A simple pergola with a fabric shade panel costs less than a solid roof. It also gives you less protection. If you want the space usable in rain, pay for the roof.
What kind of patio cover is best?
For San Antonio, a solid attached cover gives the most usable space year round. Cedar handles our climate well. Louvered systems cost more but let you adjust shade by season.
Do pergolas provide enough shade in Texas?
A standard open-slat pergola blocks roughly a third to half of direct sun. That works in spring. For August afternoons, tighten the rafter spacing, add a canopy, or choose a solid cover.
Do I need a permit for a patio cover in San Antonio?
Yes. The city treats these as accessory structures and attached builds require a permit. We handle it.
How long does installation take?
Most builds take a few days to two weeks on site. Size, material, and weather set the pace. Permitting and HOA approval add time before that.
Contact Alamo Decks & Fence Today for Your Pergola & Patio Cover Project
Ready for a custom pergola or patio cover? As San Antonio’s trusted patio cover contractors, we offer free consultations and detailed estimates.
Call us or get a free quote to start your project.
Pergola & Patio Cover Gallery


BUILD YOUR FENCE TODAY!
If you’re looking to beautify and enhance the security of your property, turn to Alamo Decks & Fence in Bexar County. We truly value our customers, which is why you can trust us to build your fence using the highest quality materials at the best prices possible.
