Under-Roof Patio Conversions in Southeast Louisiana — Enclose Your Covered Patio the Right Way

Turn a covered patio or porch into an everyday living area that feels like it was built with your home. Southern Home Improvement Center (SHIC) designs and builds under-roof patio conversions across Slidell, Mandeville, Covington, Greater New Orleans, and Baton Rouge — engineered for Gulf Coast heat, humidity, and sudden storms. This service page explains how we enclose existing roofs with a tight, quiet envelope, how we protect the water path, and how we keep the finished room comfortable in July and calm during a downpour.

Use the quick links above to jump to specs, options, and scheduling. If you’re early in planning, start with the envelope: tight thermal walls, energy-efficient windows, a clean water path, and a right-sized comfort plan are what make an enclosed patio work year-round.

What Is an Under-Roof Conversion?

An under-roof conversion closes in a covered patio using the roof structure you already have. We add insulated wall sections, Low-E/argon windows, and full-view doors; integrate electrical and fan beams; and finish floors with durable materials — all while keeping proportions, sightlines, and soffit lines that match the original architecture. For homeowners deciding between a fully new build and a conversion, this approach often delivers the best balance of comfort, speed, and curb appeal.

If your home lacks a cover now but you plan to enclose later, consider starting with an insulated cover so you’re set up for a future enclosure — the spans and panels in our Patio Covers guide show what’s possible in Southeast Louisiana.

Benefits vs. Building a New Addition

Choosing a conversion over a brand-new footprint can save time and simplify permitting while delivering a room that looks “built-with-the-house.” Below are the advantages homeowners mention most often after their walkthroughs.

Uses your existing roof and structure, preserving fascia lines and overhangs for a seamless aesthetic.
Shorter timeline than a ground-up addition in many cases, because structure and roof are already in place.
Clean tie-ins to siding, soffit, and walkways; fewer unknowns at the property line and foundation.
Room feels original — a key factor for curb appeal and appraisal in Slidell and Baton Rouge neighborhoods.

We’ll still evaluate slab level, vapor barrier, and how water currently leaves the space. If a new doweled slab is the better long-term choice, we’ll include it in the plan with clear photos and line items so you can weigh cost vs. performance.

The Envelope: Walls, Glass & Doors

Performance starts at the envelope. Our conversions use thermal wall systems, vinyl frames, and energy-efficient glazing so the space stays bright without the heat spike. We align heights and mullion rhythms with adjacent elevations so the finished room reads as original construction, not an afterthought.

Thermal wall assemblies with insulated base panels that lift glass above splash zones and reduce transfer from the slab.
Energy-efficient window packages with Low-E/argon glass; frame options sized for Gulf exposure and daily cleaning.
Full-view doors — sliding or French — with weather-tight transitions and tidy thresholds that vacuum easily.
Service-ready framing: backed locations for shades/TVs, concealed wiring routes, and quiet fan beams.

Want a deep dive on glass choices and frame options? Browse Replacement Windows for the packages we install locally, and compare a complete glass-room build in our Glass Room in Slidell, LA case study.

Water Path: Gutters, Downspouts & Drainage

Great rooms leak on paper long before they leak in life. We design the water path alongside the walls and doors so runoff leaves quickly without staining fascia or pooling near thresholds. That means correct outlet count, 3×4 downspouts, and discharge that avoids splash-back on the new envelope.

Factory gutters tied into existing runs at proper pitch with sealed transitions at miters and terminations.
3×4 downspouts sized for short, heavy bands common to Gulf storms; extra outlets on long eaves.
Drainage coordinated with landscaping and hardscape so water doesn’t return to the slab.

If you’ve battled overflow or streaking, our Seamless Gutters overview explains outlet sizing and when to extend or relocate downspouts during an enclosure.

Comfort: Conditioning, Noise & Sun Control

Comfort comes from balance: a tight envelope, right-sized conditioning, and materials that dampen noise. We design for daily use — breakfast sun without glare, afternoon shade without heat load, rain on the roof without TV volume spikes.

Right-sized PTAC or coordinated HVAC branch sized to glass area and exposure, plus dehumidification for sticky days.
Insulated ceiling (existing roof deck with added insulation as needed) and quiet fan beams to move air without wobble.
Sun-control options like low-maintenance shades and strategic transoms/clerestories to borrow light without hot spots.

For material and finish ideas that hold up to pets, pool traffic, and sand, see waterproof LVP patterns and trim details throughout our Project Gallery.

Design → Permits → Build

Clear planning and communication keep projects smooth. You’ll know what’s happening, when crews arrive, and what’s next — from estimate to handoff.

Site visit & options: We measure roof planes, fascia, and slab; verify sun/wind exposure; and discuss how you’ll use the room.
Photo-rich, itemized estimate: Line-by-line scope with brand-level components and calendar windows for each phase.
Permits & fabrication: We pull permits and order custom wall sections; electrical and drainage are pre-coordinated.
Prep & framing: If needed, we pour a reinforced, doweled slab with vapor barrier; then set thermal walls and weather-seal openings.
Glazing, doors & comfort: Low-E/argon windows and full-view sliders/French doors go in; fan beams, fixtures, and conditioning follow.
Finish & handoff: LVP floors, trim, caulking, magnet sweep, and a final walkthrough with photos and care tips.

If you’re comparing contractors, our structure mirrors the clarity used on major projects — the same “apples-to-apples” approach you’ll find in our homeowner guide for reading estimates. When you’re ready to see options on your lot, request a free estimate.

Popular Options & Upgrades

Most conversions use a clean, simple palette. If you want more light, storage, or control, these upgrades add comfort without complicating the water path or envelope.

Transoms or clerestory bands to borrow light from the main house while keeping privacy lines intact.
French doors for traditional elevations or multi-panel sliders for wide patios and pool access.
Layered lighting: dimmable cans, task fixtures, and a quiet ceiling fan on a prewired beam.
Coordinated gutter/downspout changes paired with a broader seamless gutter upgrade when runoff is a chronic issue.
Low-maintenance interior profiles and shade packages that wipe clean easily after beach or pool days.

We’ll present good/better/best packages with clear pricing so you can invest where comfort and longevity improve the most.

Quick Comparison: Screen Room vs. Under-Roof Conversion vs. Full Sunroom

Not sure which path fits your home and routine? This table offers a fast, practical comparison you can use during planning. For a deeper Northshore discussion, read our local guide Screen Room vs. Sunroom.

Type	Comfort & Use	Envelope & Water Path	Typical Upgrades
Screen Room	Breezy, bug-free; limited in peak heat/cold; wind-driven rain passes through	Open walls; roof only; basic gutters	Future glass conversion; outlets/lighting
Under-Roof Conversion	Daily-use; quiet in rain; strong curb appeal (reads original)	Thermal walls under existing roof; integrated gutters; sealed doors	Transoms, French doors, layered lighting, shade systems
Full Glass Sunroom	Four-season comfort with tailored glass area	Thermal walls + insulated roof panels; custom spans; complete water path	Clerestories, multi-panel sliders, advanced shading

We’ll help you right-size the footprint, glass, and comfort plan for your lot — then document it in a photo-rich, line-by-line proposal you can compare with confidence.

FAQs

These quick answers cover the questions we hear most often on enclosed patios in Southeast Louisiana. We’ll tailor specifics during your site visit and include them in your written scope.

Can we reuse our existing slab?

Often yes, if it’s level, tied to the house slab, and has a vapor barrier. If not, we pour a reinforced, doweled slab so doors track smoothly and floors stay tight.

Will the room be comfortable in July and August?

Yes. The insulated envelope, Low-E/argon glazing, and a right-sized PTAC or HVAC branch keep temperatures steady and humidity in check during peak summer.

How noisy is rain on the roof?

Under an existing roof deck, insulation and quiet fan beams help. Where we add insulated panels, rain noise drops significantly compared with thin metal covers.

Do conversions affect gutters or drainage?

They can. We plan outlet count, 3×4 downspouts, and discharge paths from day one and coordinate with seamless gutter upgrades if runoff has been a chronic issue.

Can you match our home’s style?

Yes — we align window heights and profiles, preserve overhang proportions, and keep the soffit line clean so the room reads like original construction.

Case Studies & Resources

See how the system comes together in real weather and real yards. Walk a Northshore build from slab to trim in our Glass Room in Slidell, LA case study; compare spans and finishes under Patio Covers; and explore window packages on Replacement Windows. For region-wide service, review our overview of Insulated Additions.

Service Areas & Next Steps

SHIC encloses covered patios across Southeast Louisiana — Slidell, Mandeville, Covington, Hammond, Metairie, Kenner, Greater New Orleans, and Baton Rouge. We’re licensed and insured (LA #81801; MS #R07326), manufacturer-trained, and focused on tidy job sites, clear timelines, and finishes that look like they’ve always belonged.

Request a Free, Photo-Rich Estimate — or call our local coordinators in Slidell/Northshore at (985) 643-6611 and in Baton Rouge at (225) 766-4244. Let’s enclose your covered patio with a tight, quiet envelope that works for Gulf Coast weather.