Pergola & Patio Cover Painting San Diego
Pergolas, patio covers and arbors sit in full sun all day, and their open beams and rafters are hard to reach and easy to miss. PB Painting repairs, prepares and paints or stains outdoor wood structures so your backyard looks finished and the wood is protected from San Diego sun and moisture.
Painting and Staining Outdoor Structures
Pergolas and patio covers have more edges, ends and joints than any wall, and every one of them is a place where water gets in and paint lets go. We clean the structure, scrape and sand failing finish, fill or repair damaged areas and prime bare wood before applying two full coats. Rafter tails and beam ends, the most exposed parts, get extra attention because that is where peeling and rot usually start.
Structures We Paint
We paint and stain wood pergolas, attached and freestanding patio covers, lattice covers, gazebos, arbors, trellises, outdoor kitchens framed in wood, and exposed rafter tails and beams on the house. We also paint aluminum patio covers, which need a cleaning and bonding primer rather than the system used on wood.
Our Pergola and Patio Cover Services
Depending on the structure, the work can include:
- Cleaning and mildew removal
- Scraping and sanding loose paint and stain
- Wood rot repair on beams, posts and rafter tails
- Caulking joints and sealing end grain
- Priming bare and repaired wood
- Solid-color paint or semi-transparent stain
- Aluminum patio cover painting with a bonding primer
If rot is found during prep, we can repair it with the same crew. See our wood rot repair page.
Careful Prep and Protection
Patio covers usually sit over furniture, outdoor kitchens and pavers. Before any work starts we:
- Move or cover patio furniture and grills
- Cover pavers, decking and nearby plants
- Protect lights, fans and electrical fixtures
- Mask the house walls where beams attach
- Set up stable ladders or staging for high beams
Overhead work drips, so protection is a big part of how we price and schedule these jobs.
Paint or Stain for a Pergola?
Paint is the best choice when the pergola should match the house trim or the wood is older and patched. Stain suits newer cedar and redwood and is easier to refresh later because it does not peel the same way. We will show you samples and explain the maintenance each option needs. Product details are on our paints we use page.
Built for San Diego Sun
The tops of pergola beams take direct UV from sunrise to sunset, so finishes break down there first. We choose exterior coatings with strong UV resistance and recommend a lighter color where heat is a concern, since dark colors make wood expand and move more. In coastal areas we also look for mildew-resistant products for the shaded undersides.
Signs Your Pergola Needs Refinishing
Plan to repaint or restain if you notice:
- Peeling paint on beam tops and rafter ends
- Gray, dried-out wood
- Cracks opening along the grain
- Soft or dark spots that may be rot
- Mildew on the shaded undersides
Pergola and patio cover work is covered by our 2-year workmanship warranty.
How Your Project Works
1
Free Estimate
We inspect the structure for rot and failing finish and discuss color and paint versus stain.
2
Written Proposal
A clear scope listing repairs, prep, products, coats and schedule.
3
Protection
Furniture, pavers, plants and fixtures are moved or covered before work begins.
4
Prep and Repairs
Cleaning, scraping, sanding, wood repair, caulking and priming of bare wood.
5
Application
Two coats of paint or stain, with extra attention to beam tops and end grain.
6
Walk-Through
We review the finished structure with you and handle any touch-ups.
Our Projects
Why Choose PB Painting?
PB Painting is a licensed and insured painting contractor based in Del Mar. Homeowners choose us for outdoor structures because of:
- Wood repair and painting by one company
- Thorough protection of patios and furniture
- UV-resistant exterior products
- Clear written proposals
- Local crews who show up when scheduled
Get a free estimate for your pergola, patio cover or arbor.
Jennifer Fanelli
I just completed 2 painting projects using PB Painting as my contractor. The entire process from estimating the jobs to completion has been seamless. The team who painted led by Crescensio was super professional and did a fantastic job. Definitely consider this contractor for your next painting job – you can expect excellent service and quality!
Amanda Lee
The team at all levels provided excellent service and did a great job. I am very appreciative of their hard work and efforts that really went above and beyond. Many thanks!
Robyn Drake Swanland
I think my house looks fantastic! It’s an old house (early 1940s) and they were very attentive to removing the old paint and making sure all the cracks were filled. Everyone from PB Painting was so nice and so easy to work with and kept me updated on their progress daily. The project took longer than the initial quote but isn’t that normal? I would recommend PB Painting to everyone.
H Hewitt
I have used this company twice and will use them again in the future. They are very fairly priced, work fast and want to make sure the customer is completely satisfied before the job is fully finished.
Justin B Taller
We hired PB Painting to paint our San Diego office and they delivered outstanding results. The painters were careful around our equipment, worked quickly without sacrificing quality, and the paint job looks professional. They even made helpful color suggestions. Top-notch company!
Alex Best
PB Painting did an awesome job painting my house. It was very refreshing to see their professional painters do their work. The owner came by everyday doing quality control! Who does that? I highly recommend them for whenever you want a high quality paint job done…
Nicole Minner
I found PB painting on the internet. I read the reviews and decided to contact them. Communication went very smoothly with Cameron and his team. He quickly was out to my house to give me a quote. His quote was reasonable so I hired them that day. Luis and David did amazing job painting my house. They were there on time every morning and worked really hard. I was very pleased with all their work and would recommend them to my neighbors and friends.
Yuan Mei
We hired PB Painting to repaint the exterior of our house, and we had a very positive experience overall. I was impressed by how responsive and prompt they were throughout the process. Cameron came by every day to check on the progress and make sure things were going well, which we really appreciated. We also want to thank Jose and his team for all of their hard work. They were careful, responsive, and put a lot of effort into making our house look nice. We appreciated their attention to detail and the care they took with the project.
Bryce Goldman
PB Painting just completed a full exterior paint job on our house in La Jolla and we couldn’t be happier. They owner Cameron was great and the quality of work his team provided was fantastic. They were super friendly as well. Will use them again. 5 stars.
Sabine L
Phenomenal job done by PP Painting! Really love the end result! Highly recommend this awesome company!
PB Painting did another great job for us, this time interior.
Reasonable price, quality work and they did the entire house in three days. We were blown away.
Bambini Montessori Spanish Academy
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Excellent experience with PB Painting! Reliable, professional, and very efficient.
They completed the job in just two days over the weekend, and the quality was outstanding.
Highly recommend 100%! ✨
sandra gashnikova
Very professional. Very amazing. And very fair priced. I hired them to paint a few bedrooms in a couple bathrooms in my house and they finished all within about a day and a half leaving a spotless job. I would absolutely recommend anybody looking for any work done.
Ready to Make a Difference?
Join hundreds of San Diego homeowners who trust PB Painting with their homes
Service Areas
PB Painting provides pergola and patio cover painting throughout San Diego and nearby communities, including:
- Poway
- Sorrento Valley
- Torrey Pines
- Solana Beach
- Del Mar Shores
- Fairbanks Ranch
- Carmel Valley
- La Jolla
- Rancho Bernardo
- Encinitas
- Greater San Diego
- Rancho Santa Fe
- Del Mar
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to paint a pergola?
Most pergolas and patio covers take one to three days, depending on size, height and how much repair is needed.
Can you repair rotted beams?
Yes. We repair localized rot on beams, posts and rafter tails as part of prep. Structural problems are referred to a carpenter.
Do you paint aluminum patio covers?
Yes. Aluminum needs a thorough cleaning and a bonding primer before the topcoat.
Is stain or paint better for a pergola?
Stain is easier to maintain on newer wood, while paint is better for matching the house or covering older, repaired wood.
Will paint drip on my patio?
We cover everything below the work area before we start and clean up each day.
What warranty comes with pergola painting?
Pergolas and patio covers are covered by our 2-year workmanship warranty, with the details written into your agreement.