Because Draper sits away from the moderating influence of the Great Salt Lake, its winters are slightly drier and its temperature swings more dramatic than other Salt Lake suburbs. Average temperatures range from 30–50 °F in winter to 80–100 °F in summer, with monsoonal thunderstorms in July and August and regular snow from November through March. Our Construction offerings are crafted for this cool‑to‑warm semi‑arid environment: we build water‑wise landscapes that stay lush through hot, dry spells, include rain‑capture and drainage systems for sudden storms, and choose materials that endure freeze‑thaw cycles. Whether you’re updating a foothill home or a new build near the tech hub at the Point, we create outdoor spaces that stand up to Draper’s dynamic climate.

The right structure depends on how much shade you want, your yard's orientation, and how the structure will integrate with your home and existing hardscape.

Open-roof pergola — The most common choice. Heavy timber or aluminum beams with open slat spacing overhead. Provides filtered shade, defined outdoor room feel, and is ideal for climbing plants or string lighting. Works best on south or west-facing yards where filtered light is preferred over full shade.

Louvered pergola — Adjustable aluminum louvers that rotate from fully open to fully closed. Controls shade and rain protection without a permanent roof. Premium option; mechanized versions can be motorized.

Solid patio cover (attached) — A full roof structure attached to the home's fascia, typically matching the roofline pitch. Provides complete weather protection. Requires a permit in most Utah municipalities and must be engineered for snow load.

Freestanding shade structure — Not attached to the house. Can be positioned anywhere on the property — over a pool deck, at the far end of a patio, or at the center of a large yard. Foundation requirements depend on size and local wind exposure.

The shade structures that work best on a property are the ones that were part of the design from the beginning — not added as an afterthought to an existing patio. When a pergola is designed alongside the patio below it, the post footings land in the right place, the electrical rough-in for lighting and ceiling fans is coordinated with the concrete pour, and the overhead structure frames the view from inside the house the way the owner intended.

At Pitt Landscape & Construction, shade structures are typically part of larger outdoor living builds: a pergola over an outdoor kitchen, a patio cover anchoring one end of a full hardscape installation, or a freestanding structure defining the entertainment zone of a complete landscape build. The license and experience to coordinate structural, electrical, concrete, and landscape scope under one contract is what makes these projects work.