Glenlakes Homes: Adding a Covered Patio, Screened Porch or Deck in Foley

Glenlakes is a master-planned community in Foley built around the 27-hole GlenLakes Golf Club, just off County Road 12 and the Foley Beach Express. Many homes here are newer builds, and many sit on golf course or lake lots. That combination leads to a common situation: a great view from the back of the house and a small builder patio that isn’t big enough to enjoy it.

This guide walks through the most common ways Glenlakes homeowners expand their outdoor living space, and what to plan for with each.

The Builder Patio Problem

Most new homes come with a small covered slab off the back door, often just enough for two chairs. There are three common ways to expand it:

• Extend the slab and the roof: pour new concrete or pavers next to the existing slab and build a patio cover that ties into the house roofline. This gives the most usable covered space and looks like it was part of the original home.
• Add a freestanding cover or pergola: a separate structure over a new patio, useful when the roofline is hard to tie into or you want the shade farther out in the yard.
• Build a deck: a ground-level composite deck is a good option where the yard slopes toward a lake or the ground stays wet after rain.

We compare costs for these options in our Foley patio installation cost guide.

Tying a New Roof Into a Newer Home

An attached patio cover has to connect to your house’s structure and roof without causing leaks or voiding warranties. Before designing, we check:

• the existing roof pitch and whether the new cover can match it or needs a lower pitch
• where the new beam can attach to the house framing
• shingle or metal roofing that matches the original
• gutters, so water from the new roof doesn’t end up on your patio or against the foundation

If your home is still under a builder warranty, check its terms before any attached addition. Some warranties have conditions about changes to the roof or structure.

Screened Porches for Golf Lots

A screened porch is one of the most popular upgrades on golf course lots. It keeps out bugs, gives you shade and rain cover, and protects you from stray golf balls. Screens can go on a new covered patio or be added to an existing one, as long as the structure is sized for it.

HOA Approval Comes First

Glenlakes neighborhoods have HOA guidelines that typically cover materials, colors, setbacks and rooflines. Plan on submitting a site plan and elevation drawings before applying for a permit. A 3D design makes approval easier because the committee can see exactly how the finished addition will look against your home.

Build for Wind, Rain and Humidity

Foley is only a short drive from the beach, and outdoor structures here see heavy rain, humidity and hurricane-season wind. We build patio covers and pergolas with hurricane ties, through-bolted connections and properly sized footings. Many Foley homeowners ask about FORTIFIED construction, which can matter for insurance. Red Branch is a FORTIFIED Gold provider, so we can explain how an addition fits with your home’s designation.

Railings and stairs also have to meet local code. See our guide to Foley deck code requirements for railings and stairs.

Drainage Near the Lakes

Lake lots in Glenlakes can stay wet after heavy rain. Before extending a slab, we check where water drains today and slope the new surface away from the house. On soggy ground, a composite deck on proper footings can be a better choice than more concrete.

Other Foley Neighborhoods We Serve

We also work in Cypress Gates and throughout Foley. Learn more about our outdoor living services in Foley and read what to look for in a Gulf Coast deck builder.

Get Started

If your Glenlakes patio is too small for how you want to live outside, contact Red Branch Outdoor Living. We’ll look at your lot, your roofline and your HOA rules, and design an outdoor space that fits your home.

Planning a kitchen? Read our guide to the best outdoor kitchen builders in Foley.