Covered decks and pergolas
Shade makes a deck usable on summer afternoons. Here's what to know before adding a roof or pergola.
Afternoon sun in Rapid City can make an open deck too hot to use, especially on a west-facing house. A pergola filters the sun; a solid roof blocks it and keeps rain and some snow off the deck too.
Pergola or roof?
- Pergola. An open beam-and-rafter frame that gives partial shade. Lighter, lower cost, and doesn't shed rain. Some have adjustable louvers or shade fabric.
- Solid roof. A roof tied into the house or freestanding, with shingles or metal. Gives full shade and weather cover, but it's real construction that has to carry snow and resist wind.
Snow, wind and hail
Any roof over a deck has to be designed for local snow loads. Local code summaries list a ground snow load of 40 pounds per square foot for Rapid City, and drifting near walls can add more. That load travels down through the posts and footings, so a roof usually needs bigger posts and footings than the deck alone. Hail is another reason to ask about roofing material for a covered deck.
Can a roof go on my existing deck?
Sometimes, but the existing deck usually wasn't built to hold one. A builder will check whether the footings and framing can carry the added load or whether new posts and footings are needed. If you're building a new deck and might want a roof later, ask to size the footings for it now.
Permits
Covered decks and roof structures generally need a building permit. Your builder should confirm the requirements with the City of Rapid City or your county.
Screened porches
Once there's a roof, some owners add screens to keep bugs out on summer evenings. That changes the project again, so mention it early.
The builder prices the job after seeing the site, measuring, and talking through materials and layout with you. We don't quote prices, and a number given over the phone is only a rough starting point.
Where we connect you with help
Common questions
Does a pergola need a permit in Rapid City?
It depends on the size, whether it's attached and whether it has a roof. Check with the City of Rapid City Building Services Division or ask your builder.
Will a deck roof hold up to snow?
It has to be designed for local snow loads. Ask the builder what load the design uses and how the posts and footings are sized.
Related services
More background: Rapid City deck guide.
Soft boards, a wobbly railing or a deck you've been planning for years?
Call now and a local deck builder will help you sort out the next step.