Shade you can turn off
A louvered roof is a patio cover with rotating blades. Open them and you have a pergola that lets light and breeze through. Close them and you have a solid roof that sheds rain. That is the entire pitch, and in North Texas it is a strong one, because the same patio needs shade in July and sun in January.
It is the most expensive way to cover a patio, and it is the only one that adapts. Everything below is about deciding whether that trade is worth it for your yard.
Louvered roof pricing
| System | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Manual louvered, installed | $45 to $110 per sq ft |
| Motorized louvered, installed | $55 to $125 per sq ft |
| 12 by 12 manual | $6,500 to $15,800 |
| 12 by 12 motorized | $7,900 to $18,000 |
| Premium branded systems | $150 to $200 per sq ft |
These are national installed ranges for louvered systems, which track closely to what the DFW market pays. For comparison, a conventional solid patio cover runs $20 to $60 per square foot installed, and a standard pergola typically lands between $1,450 and $5,750 for the whole structure. A louvered roof is a different category of purchase. Full context is in the patio cover cost guide.
Where the money goes
- Motorized or manual. The motor, the controller, and the wiring are the single clearest line item between the two ranges above.
- Frame material. Extruded aluminum is the standard and the most affordable. Hardwood framing costs the most and needs maintenance you will not enjoy in this climate.
- Sensors and smart controls. Rain and wind sensors that close the roof on their own, plus phone control, add real cost and are the features owners actually use.
- Custom color. Off the standard chart can add up to half again on the finish.
- Attached or freestanding. Tying into the house means a structural connection and, in DFW, a permit with engineered plans.
- Electrical. Motors need power, and most people add fans and lights while the conduit is open. Budget the circuit, not just the fixture.
Ask for the engineered wind rating in writing, and ask where the water goes when the louvers are closed. A system that drains through the posts is doing it properly. A system that sheets water off the edge onto your patio is not.