Full Shade, Clean Look, Best Price
A flat pan cover is a solid aluminum roof made from interlocking flat panels. It's the simplest cover we build and the most affordable way to get complete shade and rain protection over your patio. No lattice gaps, no foam core — just a clean, solid roof that does its job every day of the year.
At JAM Construction Patios, flat pan is the workhorse of our lineup, built the same way everything we do is built: by the owners, in-house. Samer Numan and Justin McDaniel, licensed California contractors, measure, build, and install every cover themselves. No subcontractors. We are the builders, not salesmen.
Why Homeowners Choose Flat Pan
Full shade and rain cover. A flat pan roof blocks 100% of the sun and sheds rain off your patio. Furniture stays dry, the slab stays usable, and you're outside in weather that would otherwise send you in.
Best value per square foot. Flat pan is our lowest-priced solid cover. If the goal is maximum covered space for the budget — a big slab, a side yard, a pool deck — this is how you get there.
Clean, simple look. The smooth panel ceiling reads as a flat, modern roofline that doesn't fight with your home's style, and the Alumawood-style finish looks like painted wood with none of the maintenance — no rot, no termites, no repainting.
Dry storage. Because it's a real roof, flat pan is the go-to for things that need to stay dry — patio furniture, a spa, an outdoor kitchen.
Who Flat Pan Is For
Flat pan is the right call if shade and rain protection matter more than insulation, and you'd rather put the savings toward size or electrical. It's also our most common pick for large areas, rental properties, and side patios. If you'll sit under it for hours in afternoon sun, ask about insulated too — we'll price both.
Pricing
Flat pan (non-insulated) covers are $27 per square foot, with a $3,000 project minimum.
- 10 x 20 (200 sq. ft.): $5,400
- 12 x 20 (240 sq. ft.): $6,480
That's the cover, built and installed by us. Free in-person estimates — we measure your space and give you an exact price before you commit to anything.
Options and Add-Ons
- Recessed lights: $100 each
- Ceiling fan installation: $200 (you supply the fan)
- GFCI outlet: $150 each
- Post light: $150 each
- Switch or dimmer: $100 each
A couple of recessed lights and a fan turn a simple cover into an evening hangout spot for a few hundred dollars more.
Permits
Many cities require a permit for a patio cover. If yours does, we offer a full permit service for $600 plus city fees — we handle the paperwork, drawings, and inspections.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between flat pan and insulated?
Both are solid roofs. Flat pan is a single aluminum panel — great shade and rain protection at the lowest price. Insulated panels have a foam core that reduces heat underneath and quiets rain noise.
Will a flat pan cover make my patio dark?
It shades the patio fully, and rooms right behind it get less direct light. Most homeowners find the trade worth it in our summer heat — and recessed lights under the cover make up for it in the evening.
How long does installation take?
Most flat pan covers go up in a few days once materials are ready — and since we do the work ourselves, the timeline we give you is one we control.
Get Your Free Estimate
Call or text JAM Construction Patios at (951) 605-3526 to schedule a free in-person estimate. You'll talk to Samer or Justin — the same two guys who will build your cover.
Licensed California contractors #1130642 and #1128339. Every cover backed by our 10-year craftsmanship warranty.