In the world of outdoor living spaces, patios, decks, and pergolas are tried-and-true crowd-pleasers. But here’s the game-changer that can elevate your builds from “nice” to “next level”: adding a roof. Not just for aesthetics, but for practical benefits that reward both you—the contractor—and your clients.
If you’ve been offering only open-air structures, you could be leaving serious money (and customer satisfaction) on the table. Let’s talk about why a covered structure should be a standard upsell and how polycarbonate roof panels can give you the edge over your competitors.
The Contractor’s Benefits: More Revenue, More Referrals, Less Risk
1. Bigger Project Value = Bigger Profit
Adding a roof turns a standard build into a premium product. The cost for materials, labor, and installation goes up—but so does your margin. Homeowners are often willing to invest more in a space they can use year-round, and that willingness translates directly into higher revenue per job.
2. Expand Your Service Offering
Not every contractor offers roofed outdoor structures. By positioning yourself as a one-stop solution for fully weather-protected patios, decks, and pergolas, you immediately set yourself apart in a crowded market. When a client asks, “Can you add a roof?” and your answer is an immediate “Absolutely,” you’ve just reduced the chance they’ll go shopping for another builder.
3. Fewer Callbacks and Maintenance Complaints
Open structures take a beating from sun and rain, leading to faster wear on the surface below—whether it’s timber decking or pavers. When you add a roof, you protect not just the homeowner’s enjoyment but also your own craftsmanship. This reduces the chance of complaints, warranty claims, or reputational damage from weather-related issues.
4. Boost Your Portfolio Appeal
Nothing says “custom” like a beautifully integrated roof. When you share project photos online, covered spaces look finished, high-end, and magazine-worthy. This kind of visual impact leads to better marketing traction and higher perceived value for your services.
The Homeowner’s Benefits: Comfort, Protection, and ROI
1. Weather Protection = More Use
A roofed outdoor space turns into an all-weather retreat. Homeowners can host a summer BBQ without melting in the heat, enjoy a glass of wine during a fall drizzle, or relax outside without worrying about harsh UV rays. This makes the patio or deck an extension of their living room, rather than a “nice when the weather’s good” zone.
2. Protect Furniture and Flooring
Patio furniture, rugs, and decking fade and deteriorate quickly under direct sun and rain. A roof shields these investments, saving homeowners money in the long run and keeping the space looking fresh for years.
3. Increase Property Value
An outdoor living area that’s functional year-round is a major selling point. Real estate agents consistently report that covered decks and patios rank high on buyers’ wish lists. It’s a renovation that pays back—both in day-to-day enjoyment and resale value.
4. Reduced Maintenance
Covered areas stay cleaner and drier, meaning less time sweeping leaves, wiping down furniture, or dealing with mildew. For busy homeowners, that’s a big plus.
Why Polycarbonate Roof Panels Are the Smart Choice
When it comes to selecting roofing materials for patios, decks, and pergolas, you’ve got options—wood, metal, asphalt shingles, even fabric covers. But for many contractors, polycarbonate is becoming the go-to solution. Here’s why.
1. Lightweight and Easy to Work With
Polycarbonate panels are significantly lighter than glass or traditional roofing materials, making them easier to transport, handle, and install. This can cut down on labor time and reduce strain on your team. The ease of installation also means fewer days on-site—allowing you to move on to your next project faster.
2. High Strength and Durability
Don’t let the light weight fool you—polycarbonate is incredibly strong and impact-resistant. It can withstand hail, falling branches, and high winds far better than many other materials. For homeowners, that means peace of mind during storm season; for you, it means fewer warranty headaches.
3. Superior Light Transmission
One of the main reasons homeowners hesitate to roof their outdoor spaces is fear of losing natural light. Clear or tinted polycarbonate panels solve this problem. They allow sunlight to filter through, creating a bright and inviting space, while still blocking harmful UV rays.
4. UV Protection
Polycarbonate panels often come with built-in UV protection, keeping the space below cooler and protecting people, furniture, and flooring from sun damage. This is a major selling point in sunny climates, and a detail that can help you close more deals.
5. Weatherproof Versatility
From heavy rain to snow loads, polycarbonate panels perform well in a variety of climates. They resist warping, cracking, and fading over time, which keeps the structure looking professional and the homeowner happy.
6. Design Flexibility
Available in a range of colors, finishes, and profiles, polycarbonate panels give you the flexibility to match your client’s aesthetic preferences. Whether they want a sleek modern look or something that blends into a rustic backyard, there’s a polycarbonate solution to fit.
SUNTUF® Corrugated Panels – #1 in the US Market
SUNTUF turns every deck or patio into an all-season space, every pergola into a destination. It’s how you add $10K of value with $2K of material, and it’s why SUNTUF is the top-selling corrugated polycarbonate roof panel in North America.
These panels offer long-lasting durability without a heavy price tag, reliable weather resistance, UV-blocking capabilities, and a limited lifetime warranty. SUNTUF is available in many light-transmission and color options, ranging from clear to let light shine through, to rich tints for full shade.
Learn more about SUNTUF here.
EZ GLAZE® Glass-like Polycarbonate Panels
If you’re after a sleek, modern aesthetic but don’t want to endure the hassles of working with something like glass, EZ Glaze is your go-to. At three times the thickness of standard SUNTUF, EZ Glaze is less than half the weight of glass but looks exactly like it. The panels are virtually unbreakable and the edge corrugation was specifically designed for effortless installation to rafters on 24 inch centers—no heavy handling or confusing processes to worry about. EZ Glaze is backed by a limited lifetime warranty and is available in Clear or Bronze.
Click here to learn more about transforming outdoor spaces with EZ Glaze.
SUNSCAPE® 3-Part Roof Covering System
For outdoor spaces that require a truly high-end look and feel, SUNSCAPE delivers an elegant, architectural aesthetic that you more often find in commercial applications.
This multi-part residential roofing system is installed with aluminum profiles and is available in clear, translucent white, and transparent grey to match a variety of home styles.
The panels are 2 feet wide and come in 8, 10, 12, & 16 foot lengths, and are easy to trim if needed to fit an existing outdoor roof structure.
Visit the Palram website to learn more about why SUNSCAPE is the ultimate solution for projects that require a little extra sophistication.
Roof it and Reap the Rewards!
Adding a roof to patios, decks, and pergolas isn’t just a design enhancement, it’s a business growth strategy. For contractors, it means higher margins, reduced callbacks, and a more impressive portfolio. For homeowners, it’s about creating a protected, comfortable, and valuable extension of their home.
Plus, with Palram’s Panel Pros Contractor Rewards App, registered contractors can earn rewards! It’s easy. Just download and register for the Panel Pros App. Then earn rewards for your Palram roof panel purchases! Simply upload your receipts in the app, earn points and redeem for gift cards and other promo items. The app also has valuable install tips, product spec info, install help videos, and more!
About Palram Americas
Palram Americas is a state-of-the-art thermoplastics manufacturer based in the Lehigh Valley, PA. For over 60 years, Palram has provided high-quality polycarbonate & PVC solutions used in countless markets spanning construction and architecture, sign and display, agriculture, safety & security, transportation, and outdoor living.
Whether you’re a contractor, fabricator, designer, architect, printer, or homeowner interested in DIY projects, Palram’s range of polycarbonate and PVC solutions will help transform your vision into reality.
To learn more about Palram’s home & outdoor living panel & sheet products, see here.
To sign up for Palram’s Panel Pros Contractor Rewards program which will help you save money long-term on roof panel installs, download here.
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