I would consult an architect or designer/engineer type and build a covered walkway that physically attaches the two. In my opinion, you don't have enough room for something freestanding like a pergola.

There could be an attached pergola. If you only need the pathway between doors protected, it could be an awning.

We don’t have enough info. Some things to think about:

Is the framed opening near the peak of the garage gable a window or a vent? Does it need access?

Do you need access to the backyard through this space? On foot or the lawnmower or . . . ?

What kind of funds are available? Not your actual budget, but perhaps think about if this is a low budget solution or would you consider adding on to the porch with a mudroom?

How would the structure or roofing change the light levels in the porch since it would be over the windows on the side?

Thanks all. Answers to questions:

- the framed opening near the garage gable is a window & we don’t need access

- yes we want foot access to the backyard

- we would welcome an overhead structure that blocked light into the attached sunroom.

I am attaching a pic that shows the area from the backyard. The pic shows the before & after of the patio area before we redid it last year. As for the pergola, we were thinking a pergola ceiling structure that attached to the walls of the other structure. Has anyone had experience with something like that?

A less expensive way to control light entering a room, if that's all you're trying to do, is with awnings. If you want weather protection for the whole area between buildings, a roof spanning the space would do it. A pergola would help with light but not rain. For either of those, you'd need to consult with a building designer/remodeler. The overall concept might be simple, but you need someone to figure out all the details, including style, so you're not unhappy with the finished product.

It looks like the roof angles of the main house, the porch, and the garage are all the same pitch, so if you use a pitched roof, you will want it to be the same.

If you decide to go with a pergola, you can give it a translucent roof of a material such as the clear version of Onduline which won’t be particularly visually obtrusive. The pergola would need at least a bit of pitch that works with the direction of the valleys in the Onduline to allow precipitation to drain. I don’t know how it will hold up with high elevation and winds since I have only seen it used here in NH.

Regardless, there will need consideration of the window location for both the garage and the porch. As Yardvaark says, you need someone on site to help you figure out the best solution to this; it isn’t a problem that can be solved on line.

An Awning would be a good quick fix if you are just trying to block out the sun/heat. If you want a little more coverage go with a pergola!