What is a louvered roof?
Simply put, a louvered roof is a roofing system composed of louvers. What are louvers, you ask? Well, louvers are horizontal slats, hung at regular intervals, that can be adjusted or angled to allow air and light to pass through. Louvers help keep out rain, direct sunlight, and some noise.
The most common types of louvers are found in blinds and shutters. Just like with your indoor blinds, the louvers on a roof can be opened, closed, or angled to allow the perfect amount of sunlight or provide just the right amount of shade. This helps to create the ideal patio environment.
Louvered patio roof systems have been around in other countries for about 25 years, but in the United States, they are still a relatively new concept. The most popular use of a louvered roof is over a patio area. But louvered roofs can be found over garden areas, pools, or hot tubs.
Louvered roofs are the ultimate patio covering. They look great and provide excellent protection from the elements. But, a louvered roof often comes with a higher price tag than other patio covers. Keep reading to see what factors determine the cost of a louvered roof.
1. Manufacturer
One of the first things to consider when planning your new louvered roof is the manufacturer or brand. There are a bunch of different manufacturers out there that carry and fabricate louvered roof materials.
As with most things, prices and quality will vary between brands. While you may be tempted to believe that a higher price tag means higher quality, that isn’t always the case.
Be sure to do your research and compare different manufacturers. Find one that offers quality products for a competitive price.
2. Size
One of the main factors affecting your louvered roof’s cost is the size. As with many things in life, the larger something is, the more expensive it will be. While, yes, a larger louvered roof will cost more than a smaller one, you may get a better deal on a larger one.
Think about buying toilet paper. A case of toilet paper at Costco will cost more than a case at Walmart. But, the cost per square will be a bit less when you buy it in bulk. You get more toilet paper for your money this way.
The same is often true for a louvered roof. Many manufacturers offer discounts once you reach a certain amount. So, the larger your roof system, the lower the price per square foot.
3. Operating System
Most commonly, louvered roof systems will be motorized. However, there may be an option for a manual operating system. You may save a little bit of money with the latter. A manual system is fine if you don’t mind a little work each time you want to adjust the louvers.
But, it may be worth the extra money to have the ease of a remote controlled patio cover.
4. Accessories
Many manufacturers offer optional accessories for your louvered roofing system. These accessories may include fans, light fixtures, visors, automated controls, sensors, etc.
While these accessories are pretty cool, keep in mind that adding any accessory will increase the final price of your louvered roof.
5. Design
The design of your roof and structure is also something you need to consider when comparing costs. A standard, fixed, rectangular louvered roof may cost less than a customized free-standing, triangular, or curved roof.
You also must choose what materials to use for the substructure parts, including the support beams, posts, and headers. The material you select for the substructure will affect the overall cost of your patio system.
6. Custom Colors
Most manufacturers offer a handful of standard color options. If the provided colors don’t fit your style or aren’t quite what you are looking for, you can opt for a customized color.
Choosing a customized color will help ensure your outdoor patio area is precisely what you want. But, this customization could significantly increase the cost of your roofing system.
7. Location
Your location can also affect the cost of your louvered roof system. Reinforcements for snow, wind, or rain require more material. More material means a higher cost.
For example, a patio cover in Arizona may cost less than one in Montana. This is because the one in Montana will need reinforcements to handle heavy snow loads.
8. Building Permits and Codes
Before installing a patio cover, you should check with your local building department to learn about local codes and find out if you will be required to obtain a permit. A permit is an added expense for your project.
9. Contractor
You may be tempted to figure out how to install a louvered roof system yourself, but we highly advise against it. Find a licensed, knowledgeable contractor to get the job done right.
As with the manufacturer, be sure to do your homework and find a contractor that does quality work at a reasonable price.
There’s no doubt that the installation will make up a good portion of your overall cost, but having your louvered roof installed correctly is vital to the performance and lifespan of the system.
If you’re in the Mesa or Phoenix areas, check out Royal Covers. Our skilled contractors will work with you every step of the way to ensure you get the beautiful, quality, functional patio cover of your dreams.