Covered patios in Northwest Arkansas
Summer sun and spring storms are the two reasons most NWA homeowners want a roof over the patio. The important part is how it connects to the house and carries the load.
Patio cover styles
- Attached shed roof: a single slope tied into the house wall or fascia. The most common and usually the least expensive.
- Gable roof: a peaked roof that ties into the existing roofline. It reads as part of the house and gives more headroom, but it involves more roof framing and flashing.
- Freestanding pavilion: its own posts and footings, away from the house. Good for a patio out in the yard or by a pool.
- Pergola: open rafters for partial shade. It won’t keep rain off unless it gets a solid or louvered top.
What we look at first
- How it ties in: attaching a roof to the house means flashing it properly and making sure the wall or roof framing can carry the load. Where the roof can’t tie in cleanly, a freestanding beam with its own posts is often better.
- Footings and posts: the posts carry the roof, so they need real footings, not pavers or the edge of an existing slab.
- Roof pitch and drainage: low slopes limit which roofing you can use, and the water has to go somewhere other than against your foundation. Gutters and downspouts are part of the plan.
- Matching the house: roofing, trim and paint that match make a cover look original rather than added on.
- Lighting and fans: running wiring while the ceiling is open is far easier than adding it later.
Permits, setbacks and HOAs
A roof structure generally needs a building permit, and electrical work needs its own. Setbacks matter too: Bella Vista’s default residential setbacks are 20 feet in front, 7.5 feet on the sides and 15 feet in back, and its Architectural Control Committee reviews exterior changes. Many subdivisions around Bentonville and Rogers have HOA rules on exterior structures as well. We check the city and HOA requirements before we design.
Covering an existing deck
An existing deck usually wasn’t built to carry a roof. Its posts and footings may need to be upgraded, or the roof may need its own posts. If the deck itself is aging, it can make sense to rebuild it at the same time. See deck replacement and our main decks and outdoor living page.
Recent covered patio work
Questions about covered patio
Can a patio cover attach to my roof?
Often, yes. It depends on the roof pitch, the framing and where the gutters are. When tying in would leave too little slope or overload the framing, we use a freestanding beam and posts instead.
Do I need a permit for a covered patio?
Generally, yes, because it’s a roof structure. Electrical for lights and fans is a separate permit. We confirm with your city and pull them.
Can you add a covered patio to a new deck?
Yes, and it’s cheaper to plan them together, because the deck’s footings and framing can be sized for the roof from the start.
Where we do covered patio
We work across Northwest Arkansas:
Our process
Free consultation
We talk through what you want, look at the space and give you an honest read on feasibility and budget.
Itemized estimate
A written estimate with every line item. No hidden costs.
Contract and scope
A clear scope of work, timeline and payment schedule, agreed before anything starts.
Planning and permits
Selections, ordering, scheduling and any permits the city requires.
Construction
Our crew and trusted trades do the work, and you get regular updates along the way.
Final walkthrough
We walk the finished job with you and fix anything that isn’t right before we call it done.
From our clients
From homeowners and property owners we’ve worked for. See all our Google reviews.
“The boys at Harvey Construction are top notch! Great quality and great people! I’ve used them for everything from fascia repairs to bathroom remodels and they always deliver exceptional results.”
“We have an air bnb in downtown Bentonville and these guys helped us fix it up. They also really helped us get it back up and running after the tornado in June 2024. They even connected us with some of the services needed that they don’t cover such as water removal. Thanks guys!”
“Would recommend. Harvey Construction’s got some excellent staff in their office and on the field. They were eager to get us on the schedule quickly, communicated when weather delays occurred, and delivered quality work.”
Other services
Bathroom Remodeling
Tub-to-shower conversions, walk-in tile showers, new vanities and full primary-bath remodels.
Kitchen Remodeling
Cabinets, countertops, islands, lighting and layout changes, from a refresh to a full gut.
Basement Finishing
Turn an unfinished basement into living space, done right on moisture, egress and code.