Pergolas on decks and patios: shade and rain cover, built in.
Covering a deck starts below the boards. Carstensen builds the deck or patio and installs the pergola, so the footings and framing are planned for it from day one.
One crew, deck and pergola.
Most pergola sellers don’t build decks, and most deck builders don’t install louvered roofs. Here one team handles both, so nothing gets handed off.
- Footings planned for the postsPost loads go to footings below frost
- New deck or existingBuild both together or add a pergola later
- Patios tooAnchored to a patio slab or pads
- Louvered roofOpen for sun, closed for shade and rain
- Installed by ToddThe Midwest dealer for The Luxury Pergola
How to cover a deck in Minnesota
There are three common ways to get shade and rain cover over a deck or patio: a fixed roof, a traditional wood pergola, or a louvered aluminum pergola. Each one changes what the deck has to carry.
| Louvered pergola | Wood pergola | Fixed roof | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | Your choice | Filtered | Blocked |
| Rain | Covered when closed | Not covered | Covered |
| Upkeep | Low | Stain or seal | Shingles, gutters |
What we check before a pergola goes on a deck
- Footing depth and size. In the Twin Cities, footings go below the 42-inch frost line.
- Where the posts land, and whether the framing under them can carry the load.
- Ledger and attachment to the house.
- Drainage, so water from the pergola gutters goes somewhere useful.
Building new? See decks and patios, composite decks and two-story decks. Old deck? Start with deck repair. For the pergola itself, see louvered pergolas and The Luxury Pergola.
From sizing to the first evening outside.
Todd helps you pick the model and size, and builds the deck or patio it sits on if you need one.
- 1VisitTodd measures your deck or patio.
- 2Choose a collectionSignature, Stratus, Icon or Paragon.
- 3Written estimatePergola and installation in writing.
- 4InstallTodd installs it himself.
- 5Enjoy itShade, rain cover and light, year after year.
Photo: The Luxury Pergola.
The Luxury Pergola.
Photos from The Luxury Pergola.
Authorized Midwest dealer
5.0 stars on Google for Todd and his crew.
“Fast is an understatement. Todd got back to me same day after I initially contacted him.”
“Todd was extremely helpful, easy to communicate with, gave us honest answers and roofed our house quickly and efficiently. Their work has high quality.”
“John and Todd and their crew were very professional and did a superior job on our roof and clean up.”
More from the same crew.
One family, one crew and one number to call for the whole house.
Straight answers.
Can you put a pergola on an existing deck?
Often, yes. Todd checks the framing and footings first. If they can’t carry the posts, the fix may be new footings or posts set beside the deck.
Is it better to build the deck and pergola together?
Usually. Footings and blocking go where the posts will land, so nothing has to be retrofitted later.
Pergola or a roof over the deck?
A fixed roof always blocks sun. A louvered pergola gives you the choice: open for sun, closed for shade and light to heavy rain.
Do I need a permit?
Most Twin Cities suburbs require a permit for a deck and for many pergolas. Rules vary by city, so check with yours before work starts.
Plan your covered deck with Todd.
Free sizing and a written estimate.