Expanding an existing covered patio in Tulsa is a request VistaScapes & Design receives regularly — homeowners who built a covered patio five or ten years ago at a smaller size now want to enlarge it to accommodate an outdoor kitchen, more seating, or a larger outdoor living environment. The feasibility and cost of expanding an existing covered patio depends on how the original structure was built. Here is what Tulsa homeowners should know about covered patio expansions.
Covered Patio Expansion Options for Tulsa Homeowners
- Adding length to an existing covered patio – Extending the depth of an existing covered patio (adding more distance from the house into the yard) requires: new footings or piers at the outer edge of the expansion; new beam and rafter framing extending from the existing ridge or ledger; the new roof section must connect to the existing roof structure at the same pitch and in a way that sheds water correctly; if the existing covered patio has a gable roof, extending it typically requires removing and rebuilding the gable end and extending the ridge beam; the expansion is typically 60-80% of the cost of a new covered patio of equivalent size because the ledger board and home connection already exist
- Adding width to an existing covered patio – Widening an existing covered patio (extending sideways along the back of the home) involves: a new ledger board section attached to the home adjacent to the existing ledger; new columns and footings at the outer edge; new ridge beam extension or a separate but connected roof section; the new section’s roof must be properly flashed where it meets the existing roof; width expansions are typically easier than depth expansions because the new section can often be framed without disturbing the existing roof structure
- Adding an outdoor kitchen to an existing covered patio – Adding a masonry outdoor kitchen under an existing covered patio requires: verifying that the existing patio foundation and structure can accommodate the outdoor kitchen weight; adding electrical circuits for appliances (recessed lights, ceiling fans, and outlets may need to be added or extended if the original patio lacked them); running a gas line from the home to the outdoor kitchen location under the covered patio; the masonry outdoor kitchen work is independent of the covered patio framing if the kitchen is positioned within the existing covered footprint — no changes to the covered structure required
- When expansion is more complex than a new build – Some covered patio expansion requests are more complex and expensive than building a new covered patio because: the existing structure was not built to code (no permit, undersized framing) and must be brought to current code standards before expansion is permitted; the existing roof connection to the home is improperly flashed and must be repaired as part of the expansion; the existing ceiling material (T&G cedar) must be partially removed and replaced to accommodate new framing; in these situations, VistaScapes provides an honest assessment of the expansion vs rebuild cost tradeoff during the consultation
- Getting a permit for a covered patio expansion in Tulsa – A covered patio expansion in Tulsa requires a building permit in the same way as a new covered patio; the permit application should reference the original permit if one exists; if the original covered patio was unpermitted, the expansion permit may require bringing the existing structure into compliance — the building inspector will evaluate the existing structure when issuing the expansion permit. VistaScapes handles all permitting for covered patio expansion projects in Tulsa area municipalities
Call VistaScapes & Design at (918) 779-1317 for a free covered patio expansion consultation in Tulsa. We assess your existing structure and provide an honest recommendation for the most cost-effective path to the outdoor space you want. Free on-site visit, no obligation.
