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Serving Austin, MN and surrounding areas. (507) 305-8446
A passing rain shower should not end your evening outside. A covered deck or patio cover gives you a permanent outdoor space you can use no matter what the weather is doing - built to hold up through Austin winters.
Covered decks and patio covers in Austin involve building a permanent roof structure over an outdoor platform or existing patio slab. The roof can be solid - blocking all rain and sun - or open-lattice for filtered light. Most projects take one to three weeks from the first day of construction, depending on size and whether permits are already in hand.
Austin's outdoor season runs roughly from late May through September, and every evening matters. A covered outdoor space means a July rain shower becomes background noise instead of a reason to go inside. It also slows the weathering that Austin's freeze-thaw cycles cause on unprotected decking. If you want full insect protection along with weather coverage, our screened-in porches and screened decks service can be combined with a covered structure for a fully enclosed outdoor room.
We work with homeowners in Austin and across southern Minnesota, including Mankato and Faribault. Call or submit a request and we will get back to you within one business day.
If a passing shower sends you back indoors even on a warm July afternoon, you are losing some of the best outdoor time Austin's short summer offers. A covered deck means light rain becomes background noise instead of a reason to leave. If you watch the forecast before planning any outdoor time, a cover would change that habit.
Austin's freeze-thaw cycles are hard on unprotected wood. If your current deck surface shows boards that are cupping, cracking, or feeling rough underfoot, part of the problem is that it has no protection from the elements. Adding a roof dramatically slows weathering, and if you are already thinking about replacing the decking, this is the right time to add a cover at the same time.
Southern Minnesota summers bring stretches of intense sun, and an exposed concrete patio can become uncomfortably hot by midday. If your patio sits empty during the warmest part of the day, a patio cover would make it usable again - and it can be built over an existing slab without tearing anything out.
Sometimes the signal is simply that you have a yard and a door to the outside, but no real transition space between the two. A covered deck creates a sense of place - it gives the space a ceiling, a defined boundary, and a reason to spend time there. Neighbors have noticed. You have too.
We build covered outdoor structures two ways: new covered deck construction where we build the platform and roof from the footings up, and patio cover additions where we build a roof over an existing concrete slab or deck without removing what is already there. For the roof itself, the most common choices are a solid shingled or metal roof that matches your house, translucent polycarbonate panels that let in light while blocking rain, or an open-lattice design that provides shade without full weather protection. Each option has a different feel and a different price point - we walk you through the tradeoffs before you decide.
For homeowners who want to go further, a covered structure pairs naturally with our pergola installation service for a connected outdoor living area with distinct zones. We also work alongside our screened-in porches and screened decks service for homeowners who want to fully enclose the covered space.
Best for homeowners starting from scratch who want a full outdoor living platform with a permanent roof built to current code.
Best for homeowners with an existing concrete patio who want shade and rain protection without tearing out what is already there.
Best for homeowners who want full rain and UV blocking, making the space usable in any weather and protecting the decking below.
Best for homeowners who want a sense of shelter and shade while keeping the space feeling open and connected to the outdoors.
Austin's warm outdoor season runs roughly from late May through September, and covered outdoor spaces extend it meaningfully at both ends - a covered deck gives you a usable space in April and October when open decks are too cold and windy to enjoy. Because usable outdoor time is limited here, homeowners in southern Minnesota get strong value from a covered space that protects against rain and early-fall chill. Contractors in Austin book up fast every spring, so homeowners near Mankato and Faribault who want their space ready for summer need to book by February or March.
Austin's winters also demand specific construction practices. The ground can freeze 42 to 48 inches deep in a hard winter here, and posts that are not set below the frost line will slowly heave upward over time, causing the entire cover to shift or pull away from your house. Austin also has a significant share of homes built in the mid-20th century with older siding and sheathing that requires extra care when attaching a ledger board. Austin sits on relatively flat, open terrain, which means wind loads on outdoor structures can be meaningful during spring and fall storms. All of these factors are handled correctly when you work with a licensed Minnesota contractor who builds to NADRA standards and pulls the required permits through the City of Austin.
We ask about your space, the kind of cover you have in mind, and when you are hoping to be done. No commitment on either side - just enough information to schedule a site visit. Most homeowners get a visit within a week or two.
We come to your home, measure the space, look at how your house is built, and talk through your roofing style options. We explain the tradeoffs between solid roofs, lattice covers, and polycarbonate panels in plain terms. You receive a written estimate within a few days.
Once you approve the estimate, we submit the permit application to the City of Austin Building Department. Permit approval typically takes one to three weeks. Construction starts after the permit is approved - not before. We keep you updated so you do not have to chase us.
The crew sets posts, frames the roof, and installs the roofing material over several consecutive days. A city inspector signs off at key stages and at completion. We do a final walkthrough with you and address anything that needs adjustment before we leave.
We will come to your home, measure your space, and give you a written estimate with no obligation and no sales pitch.
(507) 305-8446The ground in Austin can freeze 42 to 48 inches deep in a hard winter. Every post we set goes below that mark, which is the only way to prevent heaving and shifting after the first freeze-thaw cycle. This is a non-negotiable part of building correctly in southern Minnesota.
Austin has many mid-century homes with older siding and sheathing. We install proper flashing and sealing at every ledger connection to prevent water intrusion behind the siding. Ask any contractor you interview to explain exactly how they handle this step.
We pull every permit through the City of Austin and schedule all required inspections. The final record stays with your property, protecting you at resale and for any insurance claim. No shortcuts, no unpermitted work.
We give you a written estimate that covers everything - including any site preparation your project needs - before a single permit is pulled. You know the real number upfront. No surprise additions halfway through the job.
Every detail - frost-depth footings, proper ledger flashing, permitted construction - works together to deliver a covered deck that looks and performs exactly the same five years from now as it does on the day we finish. That is the standard we hold ourselves to on every project in Austin and across southern Minnesota.
Build a freestanding or attached pergola that adds shade and an architectural focal point to your outdoor space.
Learn MoreTake the next step and fully enclose your covered space with screening to keep insects out while letting fresh air in.
Learn MoreSpring booking fills up fast in Austin - reach out now to lock in your build date and have your space ready before summer.