Old Patio Cover Leaking or Faded? Ask About a Re-Lid

Written October 20, 2026.

Quick answer: If your aluminum patio cover leaks or has faded, but its posts and beams are still straight and solid, you may not need a whole new cover. We offer re-lids: new roof panels on your existing aluminum cover. Every project starts with a free on-site design consultation. Call or text 725-502-3114 to set one up.

What is a re-lid?

A patio cover has two parts: the frame (the posts, the beams and the ledger on the house) and the roof (the panels on top). A re-lid keeps the frame and replaces the roof. It is for an old aluminum cover whose roof is the problem: it leaks, it has faded or chalked, or it has dents.

It is also a chance to change what the roof does. A solid roof blocks all direct sun, and rain runs off it into a built-in gutter system. An insulated roof adds a foam core between the panels, which keeps the space under it cooler.

Why do old aluminum patio covers leak?

These are the usual reasons, on any brand:

Screws and washers. Every screw through the roof has a washer that seals the hole. Years of sun dry those washers out, and each screw becomes a small leak.
Seams between panels. Where two panels meet, the joint is sealed. Heat and cold move the metal every day, and the seal opens.
Too little slope. A roof that is nearly flat holds water after a storm, and standing water finds every joint.
A clogged gutter. If the gutter at the front of the cover is full of dust and leaves, water backs up onto the panels.
Dents. Hail, a fallen branch or someone walking on the roof can dent a panel so water pools there.

Why does a cover fade?

Years of Las Vegas sun wear down the painted finish, and the color goes pale or chalky. Fading is about looks. A faded roof can still be sound, but many people re-lid to get a fresh color, sometimes because the HOA asks for it.

Re-lid or a whole new cover?

A re-lid makes sense when:

The posts stand straight and the beams do not sag.
The frame is firmly attached to the house.
You like the size and the shape you have.

A whole new cover is usually the better choice when the frame is bent, the beams sag, the posts are loose or damaged at the base, or you want the cover bigger or in a different place. At the consultation we look at the frame first and tell you which one fits your patio.

What can I check myself?

Where it drips. After a rain or a sprinkler run, look for drips at screws, at the seams between panels and at the front gutter.
The posts. Look along each post. Is it straight? Is the base solid?
The beams. Stand at one end and look down the beam. Does it sag in the middle?
Photos. Take photos of the roof from below, the drips and the posts, and text them to 725-502-3114.

Stay off the roof of the cover. Aluminum panels are not made to walk on.

What does City Seamless do?

We offer re-lids: new roof panels on your existing aluminum cover. We install Alumawood and Four Seasons Elitewood systems, solid and insulated among them, and we install Elitewood systems to manufacturer specifications. Elitewood insulated roof panels come in 4 colors: White, Desert Sand, Adobe, and Almond.

Most homeowner associations require architectural approval for patio covers, and they look at the design, the color and the placement. If your new roof will be a different color, check with your HOA first. If the work needs a permit, we handle the entire permit process, from application through final inspection.

Frequently asked questions

What is a patio cover re-lid?

A re-lid keeps the posts and beams of your aluminum patio cover and puts new roof panels on top. City Seamless offers re-lids.

Can a leaking aluminum patio cover be fixed without replacing it?

Often, yes. If the posts and beams are straight and solid, a re-lid replaces the roof panels and keeps the frame.

Can I change from a solid roof to an insulated one?

Ask at the free on-site design consultation. We look at your frame first and tell you what it can carry.

Will my HOA need to approve a new roof color?

Most HOAs require architectural approval for patio covers, and they look at the color. Check with your HOA before the color changes.

How do I get a price for a re-lid?

Every project starts with a free on-site design consultation. Call or text 725-502-3114 to set one up.

Related City Seamless resources

Planning a patio cover? Request a free on-site estimate or Call or Text 725-502-3114.

About City Seamless Patio Covers

Company: City Seamless Patio Covers, family-owned in Las Vegas, with trade roots dating to 1976
Nevada Contractor Licenses: #0081882 and #0082656
Awards: Best of Las Vegas, Las Vegas Review-Journal, 2024 and 2025 (Patio Covers)
Products: Alumawood and Four Seasons Elitewood patio covers: lattice, solid, insulated, combination and freestanding
Permits: Handled by City Seamless, from application through final inspection
Contact: Call or Text 725-502-3114 | cityseamlesspatiocovers.com

Old Aluminum Patio Cover Leaking or Faded? Ask About a Re-Lid