A good outdoor space changes how you use your home — and in Central Texas, where summers are long and storms roll through fast, the right structure makes all the difference. Here's how the main options compare so you can choose what fits your yard, your budget, and how you actually want to live outside.
Patio cover
A solid roof over your patio, usually attached to the house.
- Shade & sun: full overhead shade.
- Rain: keeps the space dry.
- Bugs: open on the sides, so bugs can still reach you.
- Best for: making a patio usable through the summer as an extension of the home.
Learn more about patio covers.
Pergola
An open framework of beams overhead.
- Shade & sun: partial shade, depending on slat spacing (add a canopy for more).
- Rain: not weatherproof on its own.
- Bugs: fully open.
- Best for: style, structure, and defining a space with an airy, open feel.
See decks and pergolas.
Screened porch
A roofed space with screened walls.
- Shade & sun: full overhead cover.
- Rain: mostly protected.
- Bugs: the big one — screens keep mosquitoes and debris out.
- Best for: the most finished, room-like space you'll use spring through fall, including buggy evenings.
Explore screened-in porches.
Deck
A raised floor surface, often paired with a pergola or cover.
- Best for: uneven or sloped yards, multi-level outdoor space, and connecting the house to the yard.
How to choose
Ask yourself:
- Do bugs matter? If evenings get cut short by mosquitoes, lean screened porch.
- Do you need full sun and rain protection? Then a patio cover or screened porch — not a pergola alone.
- Is the look the priority? A pergola brings style with partial shade.
- What's your budget and HOA situation? Covered, roofed structures typically cost more and often need permits and HOA approval — requirements vary by city and neighborhood, and we coordinate that when required.
Many of the best backyards combine options — a covered patio next to a pergola-shaded deck, for example.
Build it to last
Outdoor structures live in tough Central Texas conditions, so materials and construction quality matter. We design outdoor living spaces to tie into your home and hold up to the climate.
Not sure which fits your yard? Request a consultation and we'll walk your space and recommend the right approach.