We've Got You Covered
VHS Outdoor Living designs and builds pergolas, patio covers, and shade structures for homeowners across San Antonio, Boerne, Helotes, Alamo Heights, Stone Oak, and surrounding communities. Our projects include wood, steel, and aluminum structures with options for open or solid roofs. We also build attached and freestanding structures based on the property and where the shade is needed. Covered patio structures start at $5,000.
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Built for a City That Tries to Cook You Every Summer
San Antonio summers are serious. A patio that feels great in March can be hard to use by June when the afternoon sun hits it directly. Adding shade can turn that same space into somewhere you want to sit, eat, and spend time during more of the year.
We build pergolas and covers to work with your home's roofline, your patio layout, and how you use the space. The result should look like it was always supposed to be there.
Designed to the House
A patio cover is a pretty big addition to the back of your home. We pay attention to the architecture, proportions, materials, and roofline so the new structure feels like it belongs there.
Material That Fits the Project
Wood, steel, and aluminum each have advantages depending on the design, the budget, and how much maintenance you want long term.
The Right Amount of Cover
A pergola keeps things more open and provides partial shade. A solid roof gives you more protection from direct sun and rain.
Plan for What's Underneath
Dining, lounging, cooking, or a little of everything. Furniture and features like fans, lighting, and outlets are easier to account for when we know how you want the space to function.
Made in the Shade
Shade Structures and Covered Patios for South Texas Properties
An open pergola defines the patio and provides partial shade while keeping an open-air feel. Wood, steel, and aluminum can each create a very different look. Pergolas can be attached to the house or stand on their own elsewhere in the yard.
Open Pergolas
A solid roof provides more complete shade and protection from rain. Patio covers can tie into the house or stand independently over another part of the yard. The roof style, materials, height, and finishes are selected to fit the property and the amount of coverage you want.
Covered Patio Structures
Attached structures connect to the home and can make the patio feel like a natural extension of the house. The existing roof, attachment points, doors, windows, and drainage all have to be considered before deciding how the structure should connect.
Attached Structures
Freestanding structures work well over patios and seating areas that sit away from the house. They also give us more flexibility with placement when attaching to the existing home doesn't make sense.
Freestanding Structures
Each material has a different look and maintenance level. Wood brings warmth and character but needs periodic maintenance. Steel works well when the design calls for slimmer profiles or a more architectural look. Aluminum is lightweight, low maintenance, and won't rust.
Wood, Steel, and Aluminum
What Do Patio Covers Cost in San Antonio?
Estimated Pricing
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Basic Patio Cover - Starting at $5,000
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Enhanced Outdoor Living Structure - Starting at $15,000
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Custom Architectural Structure - Starting at $25,000
Size is only one part of the price. Material, roof style, height, attachment to the house, electrical work, and structural requirements can all change the scope. A simple open pergola has very different construction requirements than a solid-roof structure with fans, lighting, gutters, and custom finishes.
What moves the price:
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Square footage and height of the structure
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Material selection (wood, steel, aluminum)
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Attached vs. freestanding
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Roof type (open, solid, or partial cover)
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Electrical, fan, or lighting integration
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Permitting requirements
Just Need Some Shade?
We can do that too.
Do I need a permit for a pergola or patio cover? Most structures do require a permit, especially anything attached to the home or with a solid roof. We handle permitting coordination as part of every project scope.
Frequently
Asked Questions
What is the difference between a pergola and a patio cover? A pergola has an open roof structure with beams and rafters that define the space without fully blocking the sky. A patio cover has a solid or semi-solid roof that provides weather protection. We build both and can talk through which fits your goals during the consultation.
How much shade does a pergola actually provide? It depends on the spacing and orientation of the overhead members and where the sun hits the patio. An open pergola creates partial shade, while a solid cover provides much more protection from direct sun and rain. We look at how you want to use the space before recommending the amount of coverage.
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