Solid. Full shade and rain cover. Insulated panels keep it cooler underneath.
Lattice. Filtered shade, more light into the house. No rain cover.
Louvered. Blades rotate open for light, closed for shade or rain.
Illustrations, not photos. Real systems vary by product and builder.
A patio cover, a pergola and a louvered roof can look alike in photos, but they solve different problems. In East Contra Costa, where summer afternoons are hot and most rain falls between November and March, the deciding question is usually how much sun you want to stop and whether you want to sit outside in the rain.
Side by side
| Patio cover (solid roof) | Pergola (open beams) | Louvered roof | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shade | Full | Partial, from the rafters and slats | Adjustable, open to closed |
| Rain | Keeps you dry | None, unless a cover is added | Dry when closed; water drains through the beams |
| Heat under it | Cool shade; insulated panels keep the house side cooler | Dappled; hot at midday | Open for breeze, closed for sun |
| Typical installed cost | $20–$50/sq ft aluminum (HomeGuide) | $10–$65/sq ft (HomeGuide) | $45–$175/sq ft (HomeGuide) |
| Permit in Brentwood | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Upkeep | Low for aluminum; clean gutters | Low for aluminum; wood needs refinishing | Low, plus motor and sensor care |
| Look | Clean roofline; can feel heavy on small yards | Open and architectural | Modern, high-end |
Patio cover: shade and rain, lowest cost per square foot
A solid-roof aluminum patio cover is the workhorse. It keeps the table dry in winter, blocks the afternoon sun completely, and with insulated foam-core panels it can take a fan, recessed lights, and noticeably reduce heat coming through the back windows. The trade-off is light: a deep solid cover on a north-facing wall can make the room behind it darker. A lattice roof, or a combination of solid and lattice, keeps some light.
Pergola: filtered shade and a defined outdoor room
A pergola is open beams and rafters. It shades part of the patio, shifting through the day, and it frames the space without closing it in. It does nothing for rain unless you add a polycarbonate panel or shade cloth on top. Wood pergolas look warm and need refinishing every few years; aluminum ones do not. Pergolas are often the right answer for a garden area or an outdoor kitchen away from the house.
Louvered roof: both, at a premium
A louvered roof has aluminum blades that rotate: open for breeze and light, angled to block the sun, closed to shed rain into gutters inside the beams. It solves the "shade in summer, light in winter" problem better than anything else, and it costs more: HomeGuide lists about $45–$175 per square foot depending on manual, motorized or smart controls, against $20–$50 for an aluminum cover.
Which fits which yard
- West-facing patio off the family room: a solid or insulated cover, or a louvered roof, to stop late-afternoon sun on the glass.
- Pool-side or garden seating: a freestanding pergola or louvered roof, where light matters and rain doesn't.
- Small yard or a dark room behind the patio: lattice or a combination cover, or a pergola, to keep light coming in.
- Year-round dining or an outdoor kitchen: a solid cover or a louvered roof, so you can use it in the winter rain.
- Tight budget, big area: an aluminum lattice or solid cover gives the most shade per dollar.
What about a gazebo?
A gazebo is a freestanding structure, open on the sides, with its own pitched roof. It is a destination in the yard rather than an extension of the house. Brentwood's permit rules name gazebos too. This site does not cover gazebos separately; contractors who build pergolas and covers often build them.
Costs for each are on patio cover and pergola cost, and the permit rules are on patio cover permits in Brentwood.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a pergola and a patio cover?
A patio cover has a solid or lattice roof and gives shade and, if solid, rain protection. A pergola is open beams and rafters that give partial shade and no rain protection unless a cover is added.
Is a pergola cheaper than a patio cover?
Often, but not always. HomeGuide lists pergolas at about $10–$65 per square foot and aluminum patio covers at $20–$50. Aluminum pergolas sit at the low end; redwood and cedar pergolas can cost as much as an aluminum cover.
Does a pergola keep rain off?
Not on its own. An open-beam pergola lets rain through. A polycarbonate panel or shade cloth on top helps, and a louvered roof can close to shed rain.
Is a louvered roof worth the extra cost?
If you want summer shade and winter light from the same structure, or to use the patio in the rain, it is the only option that does both. If you only need shade, a solid or lattice cover costs far less per square foot.
Cost ranges and technical notes on this page are general information from the sources named, not a quote or professional advice. Prices vary by size, material and design; get a written quote for your patio. See the disclaimer and cost sources.