How Do You Use A Covered Patio In Murfreesboro?
The covered patios in Murfreesboro can be used for dining, chilling and often cooking. With fans and lighting above you can create a space that is comfortable for most of the year if planned well. At JB's Enclosures, we design the cover around how you'll actually live under it.
By Jeremy Bolton, Founder and Owner · Last updated October 27, 2026
How does a covered patio living space get planned?
Just like inside, it is important to think about layout in each room of your covered patio. Each section of your living space should have a purpose, good floor space and adequate power and lighting.
When people ask what can go under a covered patio they usually look at furniture first. This is a great place to start as it will be down to the amount of furniture you want, what size your cover will need to be. Most layouts are:
Zone | What usually goes there | What it needs from the cover |
Dining | Table and chairs for family meals | Room to pull chairs out, plus good overhead light |
Lounge | Sofa, chairs, rug and maybe a TV | Fan coverage, outlets and glare control |
Cooking | Grill, smoker or outdoor kitchen | Safe clearance and ventilation (more below) |
Walkway | Path between the house door and the yard | Clear space so traffic doesn't cut through seating |
This is a common mistake. We measure your furniture layout so that we can size the cover accordingly. This means that your dining table will not be in half the rain!
We also need to take the floor into consideration. Many patios in Murfreesboro are a plain concrete surface. You can extend, stain or lay pavers on this area. If you are having a larger roof than your slab, we can plan this into the layout. It is harder (and usually more expensive) to pour new concrete around posts that have been put in.
If you're still choosing materials, our guide to patio covers in Murfreesboro compares options and costs.
What do patio ceiling fans and lighting need?
A good structural framework to support them, fixtures rated for outside use and having a correctly permitted electrical circuit will transform your cover into a covered room. Planning your patio ceiling fan and lighting will make things easier.
A ceiling fan will require some solid blocking or a fan rated bracket. It is much easier to incorporate this into your cover during construction. Planning for recessed/surface fittings will also be needed plus planning the wiring route.
Second, the ratings. Fixtures under a covered patio should be rated for damp locations at minimum. Any fixture that can catch blowing rain should be wet-rated instead.
Third, the circuit. In Tennessee, new electrical work needs a permit and inspection. The State Fire Marshal's Office electrical permit page notes that at least two inspections are required, including one before wiring is hidden from view. That means the electrical work has to be scheduled before the ceiling is closed in, not afterward.
Here's a quick checklist for this stage:
Fan location centered over the main seating area
Light zones for dining, lounging and the walkway
Outdoor-rated outlets for a TV, speakers or a heater
Separate switches so lights and fans work independently
Summer storms in Middle Tennessee often blow rain sideways, so outdoor outlets should also have in-use covers that stay closed while something is plugged in.
How does an outdoor kitchen under cover stay safe?
Through placement, clearance and ventilation. An outdoor kitchen under cover is very popular in Rutherford County, but heat and smoke rise straight into the roof, so it needs more planning than any other zone.
The U.S. Fire Administration's grill safety guidance recommends keeping a grill at least 3 feet from siding, deck railings, eaves and overhanging branches. A standard freestanding grill tucked deep under a patio roof breaks that rule.
So there are two common solutions. One is to place the grill or smoker at the edge of the cover, just beyond the roofline, while the prep counter and fridge stay under the roof. The other is a built-in kitchen with a vent hood designed for outdoor use, installed to the manufacturer's clearances.
Either way, a few rules apply:
Follow the grill manufacturer's clearances to any overhead surface
Use non-combustible materials around the cooking area
Plan gas lines and outlets with licensed trades before the build
Allow extra ceiling height over the cooking zone
What keeps a covered patio comfortable from July to January?
Shade and ventilation in the summer, wind protection and heating in the winter. If you plan to use your covered patio in both seasons it will be usable for most of the year.
People often ask, "Do covered patios stay cooler?" Yes, mostly because the roof blocks direct sun. An insulated roof panel does even more, since it keeps the underside of the roof from radiating heat down onto you. Our aluminum patio cover guide explains how insulated panels compare. Add a ceiling fan, and a July afternoon becomes much easier to handle.
The other common question is, "Can a covered patio be used year round?" In Murfreesboro, the answer is usually yes, with a few additions:
Infrared or electric heaters, mounted with proper clearance
Wind screens or panels on the side facing the prevailing wind
Screens, which also keep mosquitoes out in summer
A west facing patio will need some consideration. The sun will be very low in the sky during the late afternoon and having a screen or shade panel on that side will make a real difference. For details on screening, see our guide to patio screens.
Where do we build covered patios around Murfreesboro and Smyrna?
Across Murfreesboro and Rutherford County, from Blackman and Cason Trailhead to Christiana and the older streets near downtown. We're based in Murfreesboro, so local projects are close to home.
If you've been searching for covered patios in Murfreesboro TN, we're happy to walk your yard with you. And if you've asked "who builds covered outdoor living spaces near Murfreesboro and Smyrna Tennessee," we do, along with screen rooms and pergolas.
If you searched for covered patio builders Murfreesboro TN, you can see our local work on the Murfreesboro patio covers page. We also build in Smyrna and across Middle Tennessee.
How do you plan your covered patio with JB's?
Call or send a request, and we'll visit to measure, talk through how you'll use the space and check where power and gas can reach. Then you'll get a written, itemized estimate.
A good covered patio should feel like part of the house the day it's finished. To get started, contact JB's Enclosures or call (615) 713-7902. Financing options are also available.
Frequently asked questions
1. What can actually go under a covered patio?
Most outdoor furniture can, including dining sets, sofas, rugs and outdoor TVs. Ceiling fans, lights and heaters can be built into the cover. Cooking equipment can go there too, but it needs the right clearance and ventilation to be safe.
2. Do fans and lighting need wiring run out to it?
Yes, hardwired fans and lights need a new circuit run from the house, plus a permit and inspections. The wiring is easiest to add while the cover is being built. Plug-in string lights or solar lights can work for lighter needs, but they won't power a ceiling fan.
3. Does a cover keep the space usable through a Tennessee summer?
Yes it will be usable for the majority of the summer. The shade and ceiling fan will really come in handy during the hot and humid afternoon months. Insulating roof panels will also help the space become more usable especially on south and west facing patios.
4. Can a covered patio take an outdoor kitchen or grill?
Yes we can. Grills will need to be kept clear of the roof and walls so often they are placed at the edge of the cover or underneath an outdoor rated extraction hood. Preparation areas, sinks and fridges can all be entirely under the cover.
5. Is a covered patio usable in winter here?
Yes on many winter days. Winters in middle Tennessee are generally quite mild and with a heater and some wind protection the area can be very comfortable. Adding fully enclosed screening or glass panels can also extend the period that you can use it.
6. How high should a covered patio ceiling be for a fan?
Most fan manufacturers recommend a minimum blade height of seven feet. Having a higher ceiling will give more space for the downrod and improve air flow, especially when sitting.
7. Can a covered patio be screened in later?
Generally yes we can. If you think you may want screening in the future please let us know during the design process. We can design the posts and framing so it is easier to add screens in the future.
8. Will a covered patio make the inside of my house darker?
It can make rooms that open onto the patio darker. Using lighter coloured roofs, translucent panels and having a slightly higher roof line can help increase the amount of natural light.
Contact JB's Enclosures
JB's Enclosures
Address: 1349 Marymont Dr., Murfreesboro, TN 37129
Phone: (615) 713-7902
Email: [email protected]
Veteran-owned and operated by founder Jeremy Bolton. Serving Murfreesboro, La Vergne, Smyrna, Eagleville, Christiana, Nolensville, Spring Hill, Nashville and all of Rutherford County, TN.
