Covered Decks & Pergolas in Tacoma, WA

Covered decks and pergolas are popular in Tacoma for a simple reason: the rain here is frequent but usually light. Tacoma sees measurable rain on about 155 days a year, yet July averages only about half an inch. A deck with no cover is mostly a summer space. Put a roof over part of it, add some light and a heater, and you can grill, sit outside and keep the patio furniture dry through much of fall and spring.

Types of cover

• Solid roof: shingled or metal roof framed off the house or on its own posts; full rain protection, but it darkens rooms behind it.
• Clear or translucent roof: polycarbonate or glass panels keep rain off while letting light into the house, which matters in a region with about 46% of possible sunshine.
• Open pergola: beams and rafters that give shade and structure, with room for a retractable canopy or climbing plants; it does not keep rain off on its own.
• Louvered pergola: aluminum louvers that open for sun and close to shed rain, manually or with a motor.

Getting light and water right

In Tacoma the bigger risk of a deck roof is losing daylight, not too much sun. Many homeowners choose a clear or translucent roof near the house and leave the outer part of the deck open. Every roof also collects water, so gutters, downspouts and where that water goes are part of the design. Water should not dump onto the deck boards, against the house foundation or onto a neighbor's yard.

Structure and attachment

A roof adds weight and catches wind. Posts, beams and footings have to be sized for the roof load, and an attached roof needs a proper connection to the house framing, flashed where it meets the siding. Existing decks often were not built to carry a roof, so we check the footings and framing before adding one and reinforce or rebuild where needed.

Permits for covered decks

Covered decks need a building permit in Tacoma, and the rules on height, setbacks and lot coverage can apply to a roofed structure differently than to an open deck. We prepare drawings that show the roof framing, attachment and drainage, and schedule the inspections. Pergolas and louvered systems may also need a permit depending on size and attachment; we confirm for your address.

Lighting, heat and power

Short winter days make lighting part of most covered deck projects. Recessed lights in a solid roof, string lights on a pergola, a ceiling fan and a heater are common add-ons. Electrical work is done by a licensed electrician under its own permit, and we plan the wiring paths during framing so nothing has to be opened up later.