This idea may or may not work for you, but I had a similar issue. I wanted a shaded area over a patio without blocking all light into the back of the house. A pergola with clear cover was outrageously expensive. The solution was a covered porch with strategically placed inoperable skylights. The skylights are placed in front of windows. It works well adding shade without darkening the adjoining rooms. And for a fraction of the cost.

Thank you! This would’ve been great but considering the span of the patio, a shed roof would be low towards the end of the patio. Alternative are Gable or Hip roof, both of which may be complicated when connected to a shed roof.

IMO neither of those will enhance that lovely house and all those slats will create really weird shadows inside . . I think it I guess depends on how many times you will use this space in the rain or the wind . We have no covers on our large outdoor area but we do have umbrellas placed where they are needed in colors we like and honestly have never needed to use the space in a rain storm or a wind storm I do see a huge need for some fix on the area around the patio and is the plan to enlarge that patio to allow for some seating ? Maybe something like this is you want a permanent system. There are some very large cantilevered umbrellas you might want to check out too

Have you priced a retractable awning? They can be installed on the roof.

Also get a large cantilevered umbrella for additional shade on the patio. Both solutions won't affect your indoor lighting.

You might consider a motorized awning. Retract it fully or partially when not needed, when inside or a shady/cloudy day. We have two in our west-facing home, and we love them. Switch inside the house allows easy access.

I love thos awnings but I can't see how she could attach them but maybe worth having someone come out to see what can be done thye really are a great idea in the right spot.

I love that permanent structure Patricia! Is that a solarium from patio enclosures?

I like your take and I’m very open minded. The need for a cover is to have comfortable seating out there that is protected from the elements.
I did have the awning guy come for an estimate but he said the cantilever is extensive requiring a double system, which would be very costly. He said it’s not worth it.

Your house and patio are so attractive! I fear that by adding an attached structure to the house you might add charm to the patio but spoil the substantial charm of your wonderful house. Can you consider other options? Have you consulted a landscape designer? Please consider it before making a final decision.

Appreciate your input so much! I’m starting to come to that conclusion, specifically after the outrageous quotes. What other options can you think of?

Have you tried a large cantilevered umbrella? You could have 2 of them.

Maybe a standalone structure at the end of the patio or garden. Or well-placed trellises. Or a secondary seating area in the shade. Or, as @chispa says, large umbrellas. I'm not a designer but I'll bet given the amount of money you were going to have to spend on a patio overhang, a great designer could come up with something that would both look great and meet your objectives. Worth a try. Good luck!

P.S. Look into sun shades.

Thank you for the suggestions! I came here looking for such opinions because I felt I’m not exploring all options. Sun shades may be awesome, I’d have to find someone to install them we’re not too handy 😬.
I will look for a landscape designer as I definitely need someone to brainstorm with.

I have not tried cantilevered umbrellas. I may end up
putting a dining set with umbrella and a cantilever umbrella over the cushioned seating.

The back of your home is very attractive - I would hate to cover any of it up!

What direction does the back of your house face? We added a new large patio - covered part of it, added a fire pit area + left part of it open. While I liked the idea of reducing the heat that comes in through the three large windows in the living room, I was concerned about losing too much natural light (I hate artificial light - and wouldn't ever have a need to turn on any lights prior to night (sunset).

I didn't really lose much light - plenty of sunshine still available.

The back of my house isn't as pretty as yours is - so, adding this cover isn't hiding any pretty windows or cedar shakes.

This is what we did:

We used cedar wood for everything

We have an outdoor tv + nice speakers + two really good heating units

I just started making containers/hanging baskets two years ago - I went a little crazy

Fire pit area (and photo bomb by Baxter 😂)

Love your outdoor oasis!! I see you are a plant addict too😂😂
That would be a saving and a preference. I think it faces south but we don’t get much light due to large trees blocking the sun. Don’t have ample light in the sunroom/ family room so definitely worry about loosing sunshine.
I’ve been considering extending the patio and adding a fire pit. Yours look gorgeous but of course your planters and baskets are main players too 😍

wow that gazebo is really nice, dan!

It is!! You guys got me thinking!

@dan1888 your garden is beautiful and Baxter is adorable ❤️

Dana - yes, I have a plant addiction!

njmomma - I assume your comment was meant for me (not Dan1888) - Baxter is pretty adorable - and he knows it! He seriously photo bombs pics all the time! He is barely three pounds - and will be three years old on July 2nd.

I was just coming back to add a similar type of gazebo as dan added below. They sell them all over - most seem to have really good reviews. Some people place them up against their house = looks like it's attached - while others use them as a freestanding unit:

The next three photos are of the same gazebo (on Amazon):

The next two photos are of another gazebo on Amazon:

This is a larger on Amazon:

They also sell pergolas with working panels that can close or open + have curtains:

Here they added a fireplace/tv + storage to the stand along pergola with slats that open and close:

Here is one used up next to the house:

Purple Leaf is one of the sellers on Amazon for the pergolas above - they appear to have good reviews.

Thank you thank you! Yes meant for you because I am a fellow plant addict too! Love all these ideas, you guys are awesome!!

We had a 12’ cantaliever umbrellla from Purple Leaf at our old house. It was extremely sturdy (we lived right on SF Bay - it was on our back deck over the water, which was very windy - it had to be) The base filled with water, which was handy when it came time to put it way for the winter.

Yes that pic is from Patio Enclosures . I really can not imagine and solid roof structure that would curt off all light coming into the house. I would try the umbrells first I think the best choice with your home

May I suggest posting a pic or two of what your yard looks like from the inside of the house? It’s also important to think about what you will be looking at from that point of view and how a structure will change that looking from inside out. If you end up looking mostly at the patio’s roof (because the house seems to be higher up than the back yard) I’m not sure that will be as pleasant as looking at umbrellas would be. If you are a plant addict, you probably want to showcase your lovely yard and planters more than looking down on an aluminum pergola roof. Also, I really see classic English garden style trellis work fitting in nicely. Maybe install corner sections to frame the area and hang baskets from if you do opt for umbrellas? Will see if I can find pic to show what I’m thinking of.

Very good point! The tricky part is a patio cover would attach to the fascia above the sunroom shed roof

Excuse the clutter! I have many plants waiting in Q to be plated after the patio cover is up.

Now that you all got me thinking, I moved this patio set outside and used an old umbrella I once had to get a feeling. So far I love it, but the rain remains to be an issue.
I have 100% cancelled the covered pergola as an option. I don’t see how I can use a louvered pergola on part of the patio only, unless I move the seating area down between the trees.
Im definitely considering a designer and the sun shades/ umbrella options.

That garden is downright lovely! I like the umbrella for now. You have a wonderful green thumb. I also really like the iron trellis you already have.

Thank you! A work in progress like everything else! I’m patiently waiting for climbing hydrangeas to take over that arbor. The umbrella definitely adds charm but not that much with rain protection.
I think sun shades/ sails would block view just like a pergola. If I’m not mistaken, 2/3 of the window view would be blocked.

I've seen this kind before.

You have goal conflict--you want something to provide shade for the patio, but you don't want to block light/sun in the house, and these two are at odds with one another. You can't have both, so you need to choose the lesser of the two evils, so to speak. Which is more important to you?

So interesting enough, I’m looking for shelter from rain rather than shade. I have enough trees that sun is not my issue.
I want to have comfortable seating without having to cover and uncover every time I sit in it. Umbrellas won’t provide full protection from the rain.

I can afford some light dimming in the house but cannot be 100% so I’m looking for sky lights or clear covers.

Beautiful yard! (And wow you too @dani_m08) -

I’d be tempted to try a pergola from Costco and be mentally prepared to return it if you’re not happy with it. I feel like a sun shade is too informal for your lovely yard and won’t provide the rain protection you want - I would trust Costco over Amazon but that’s just me

A neighborhood handyman could assemble/disassemble the pergola for you

So then a pergola is for sure not what you want. They are charming looking but if you truly have a harsh sun issue--they do not give you the cover needed anyway! Rain means solid surface and that will impact the light coming into the home unless you go with more glass. But given your lovely sun porch I would let this go. When it rains move inside, open the windows wide... Add the sky lights to it....

I had similar conflicting goals for my vacation home in Hawaii. I found my solution with Tropical J’s, based in Honolulu, but servicing the mainland
as well. They make custom sized awnings and umbrellas which are a tight marine grade canvas and waterproof. My 14’ square umbrella was perfect, operated on a pulley system and allowed me to easily collapse the umbrella when I didn’t need its protection.

It’s been a year and I have an update that I’m thrilled to share. Patio cover is up, kitchen is built off the patio and a bonus patio extension with seating bench and fire pit.

Wow!!!! It's absolutely beautiful--thanks for coming back and showing us the final outcome!

My daughter just did something similar and she loves it--enjoy your beautiful new outdoor space!

Question--you were concerned that a structure like this would block light into your house--did you find that to be the case?

Oh my, given the discussion and suggestions you went full on $$$$$$$ . It's breath-taking.

Diana, not at all! I have 4 (4x4) skylights and the height of the ceiling is 9-10’. I also removed a bunch of trees allowing more sun in. It’s perfect!

It certainly is!

Really nice integration with the house.

Ohh boy! It is great!! Wow!