What patio covers actually cost in Las Vegas.
Aluminum lattice, solid-panel, Alumawood, structural pergola — what each one really costs in the valley, and the engineering math that drives the price.
A typical 12 × 16 ft patio cover runs $4,500 to $14,000 installed in the valley. The number that drives every quote is span — how far the cover reaches without a support post — because span dictates the structural load, which dictates the gauge of the aluminum or the size of the timber, which dictates everything downstream.
The four real choices
- Aluminum lattice — open-top "egg crate" pattern, cheapest, partial shade, lets some rain through.
- Aluminum solid-panel — flat-pan or insulated-pan top, full shade, full rain protection, the valley default.
- Alumawood — trade name for an embossed aluminum that looks like wood. Same engineering as solid-panel, more expensive finish.
- Structural timber pergola — actual cedar or pressure-treated lumber, post-and-beam, often with a fabric or polycarbonate top. Custom carpentry pricing.
Cost ranges, by type and size
| Type | 10 × 12 ft | 12 × 20 ft | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum lattice | $3,000 – 5,000 | $5,500 – 8,500 | Partial shade. Rain leaks through. |
| Aluminum solid-panel | $4,500 – 7,500 | $8,000 – 12,000 | Valley default. Full shade. |
| Insulated solid-panel | $6,000 – 9,500 | $10,000 – 15,000 | Foam-core panels. Quieter in rain, cooler underneath. |
| Alumawood | $6,500 – 10,000 | $11,000 – 16,000 | Wood-look finish premium. |
| Cedar/timber pergola | $5,000 – 10,000 | $9,000 – 18,000 | Custom carpentry. Wide range. |
Lattice vs solid: the actual decision
We watch homeowners agonize over lattice for the airflow and the dappled-light look, then realize three months later that "partial shade" in the valley still means brutal radiant heat in July. Lattice works in San Diego. In Henderson, you want full shade most of the year — solid-panel earns its keep within the first summer.
The exception: if the patio is exclusively a winter-shoulder space, or if the look-and-feel of dappled light matters more to you than the cooling, lattice is fine. Otherwise, default to solid.
Insulated panels are worth it more often than you think
An insulated panel (foam core sandwiched between two aluminum sheets) costs about 25% more than a single-skin panel. In exchange:
- Patio surface temperature under the cover drops 10-15°F on a hot afternoon
- Rain on the roof is a soft drumming instead of a steel-pan racket
- Cooling system can be vented under the cover (think outdoor TV, ceiling fan) without baking
For a patio you actually want to use in July, the math on insulated favors paying the premium.
Span and what it costs you
A cover that hangs off the house and drops to two posts at the outer edge has an unsupported span equal to the depth of the cover. A 10-foot span needs lighter structural members than a 16-foot span needs. Push past 14 feet and the metal gauge bumps up, the rafters get deeper, and the cost per square foot goes up faster than the size does. If your patio is 18 feet deep, accept that you might need an intermediate post — it's $400 in materials and saves $1,500 in beefier structural members.
Permits, HOAs, and the boring stuff that bites
Clark County requires a permit for any attached patio cover. Most reputable installers handle it for $300-500 included in the quote. Check the line item — if it's not there, plan to either pay the contractor extra or pull the permit yourself.
HOA review for color and design takes 2-6 weeks in most valley HOAs. Build that into your timeline. Anderson Tuftex tan is the safe-pick color across most master-planned communities; "Henderson white" stops being approved north of Lake Mead Parkway in newer HOAs.
Cross-link
Pairing a patio cover with a screen enclosure is the most common upgrade we see — turns the covered patio into a usable room from April through October. Adding drop shades on the open sides handles low-angle afternoon sun the cover can't block.
Bottom line
For a typical valley homeowner with a 12 × 16 patio: a single-skin solid-panel aluminum cover at $7,500-9,500 is the value pick. Bump to insulated for $1,500-2,500 more if you want to actually use the patio in July. The lattice is cheaper but stops earning at the curb.