Covered and screened decks in Appleton
A roof, screens or both over a new or existing deck, so you can sit out in the rain and after dusk.
A covered or screened deck adds weeks of use to a Fox Valley summer: rainy evenings, bright afternoons and the hours after sunset when bugs come out near the river and the ponds. Appleton-area homeowners can get connected with a builder who adds a roof or screen room to a deck that can carry it, or builds one new.
Options to consider
- Open roof. A shed or gable roof over all or part of the deck.
- Screened room. A roof plus screen panels, often with a screen door to the yard.
- Three-season room. Removable glass or vinyl panels that close off cold-weather wind.
- Pergola. Open rafters for partial shade, without snow load concerns of a solid roof.
What the structure has to handle
A roof puts weight from snow onto the deck's beams and footings. Appleton averages close to 50 inches of snow a year, and drifted snow against a house wall can load one side of a roof far more than the other. That's why most roofs over decks need footings and beams designed for them, not just posts set on the existing deck. A builder should also plan how the new roof drains so meltwater doesn't dump onto the steps.
Signs a cover would help
- Your deck faces west or south and is too hot in late afternoon
- Rain keeps you inside more evenings than you'd like
- Mosquitoes chase you in at dusk
- Furniture and cushions wear out quickly from sun and rain
Permits and planning
Grand Chute's permit table lists new screened porches as permit work, and roofed additions generally go through plan review across the Fox Cities. A roof also counts toward setbacks and lot coverage, so check your zoning before designing. If you plan to add electric for fans or heaters, that's usually a separate electrical permit.
Adding to an existing deck
If your deck was built without a roof in mind, the footings may be too small and too few. Options include adding new footings and posts under the roof, rebuilding the deck frame, or building a freestanding roof structure. The builder can tell you which applies after looking at the footings.
What sets the price?
- Roof size, pitch and how it ties into the house
- New footings and beams for the load
- Screens, panels and doors
- Electrical for lights, fans or heaters
- Gutters and matching the house roofing
Covered decks are priced after a visit. We don't quote them.
Fox Cities communities we cover
Common questions
Can I add a roof to my existing deck?
Sometimes, but most decks weren't built for roof loads. Expect the builder to check footings and beams, and to add or replace them if needed.
Does a screened deck need a permit?
Generally, yes. Grand Chute's permit table lists new screened porches, and roofed structures go through plan review in most Fox Cities municipalities.
Is a pergola an alternative to a roof?
A pergola gives partial shade and doesn't collect snow like a solid roof, though it still needs proper posts and footings.
Related services
Footings, permits and Wisconsin code: Appleton deck guide.
Want a new deck, or worried about the one out back?
Call and we'll put you in touch with a deck builder who works in the Fox Cities.