Spec guide
How Far Can a 4K Cantilever Patio Cover Reach?
On 4KLA’s published specs, a 4K Aluminum patio cover can be cantilevered up to 16 feet, with a clear span up to 32 feet post to post. Post sizes and footings are not one standard chart. They come from site-specific engineering for each project.
October 20, 2026
Once you know you want a cantilever layout, the next questions are about reach. How far can the roof go past the posts? How many posts does it need, and what goes under them?
4KLA distributes 4K Aluminum systems from Reseda for residential and commercial projects across Southern California. This guide sticks to what our published specs say and shows where site engineering takes over.
The short answer
A 4K Aluminum patio cover can be cantilevered up to 16 feet, with a clear span up to 32 feet post to post, and slats can run up to 5 feet past the end of a beam.
Those are maximums. The post layout and footings for your project come from engineering tailored to the site.
4K cantilever specs at a glance
| Item | What 4KLA publishes | What still gets confirmed per project |
|---|---|---|
| Cantilever | Up to 16 feet | Actual projection for the roof type and site |
| Clear span | Up to 32 feet post to post | Post spacing that fits the layout |
| Slat extension | Up to 5 feet past the end of a beam | Whether the design uses it |
| Posts | Set back from the outer edge in a cantilever layout | Number, size and location |
| Footings | Not published as a standard size | Foundation design from site engineering |
| Engineering | Can be tailored to the site | Wind exposure, attachment, drainage, permits |
What these terms mean
Cantilever
A cantilever patio cover supports the roof from one side, so the outer edge stays more open than a cover with posts at every corner. It helps around patios, pools, walkways and outdoor dining where front posts would be in the way.
Clear span
The open distance between two posts. 4KLA lists up to 32 feet post to post.
Projection
How far the roof reaches past its support line. For a 4K cantilever, the published limit is 16 feet.
Slat extension
The roof slats can run past the last beam, up to 5 feet, for a lighter edge.
How posts and footings are decided
Cantilevered does not mean unsupported. The post, beam, footing and projection work together as one engineered system, so the post and footing sizes are not picked off a chart.
Before a cantilever system is prepared, the project team confirms the dimensions, support locations, foundations, roof configuration, drainage, utilities, clearances and any engineering or permit requirements. The required span, wind exposure and attachment conditions all feed into that.
4K posts, beams and trellises can be set up as cantilevered two-post designs. See the posts, beams and trellises page and our guide to aluminum pergola framing details.
Roof choice changes the plan
Roof options for a cantilever include solid, louvered, trellised and decorative Soleil panels. Add-ons include insulated roof panels, traditional or zero-edge lattice, slide wire systems and tension screens. The roof and frame should be reviewed together, since the roof you pick is part of what the engineering has to carry.
Still deciding on the layout? Read cantilevered pergola vs. four-post pergola, or see all cantilever patio covers and pergolas.
What the frame is made of
4KLA patio covers and pergolas use extruded 6061-T6 aluminum with an AAMA 2604 powder-coated finish and a Gold Promate primer. Hardware includes fabricated 304 stainless steel and powder-coated galvanized steel brackets, with hidden, color-matched fasteners and stainless steel U-bolts. Limited 20-year manufacturer warranties apply, subject to product, maintenance and location requirements.
Colors are Adobe Tan, Espresso, Black, Apollo Gray and Quartz White. If you are weighing a steel cantilever, our aluminum vs steel pergolas comparison covers the trade-offs. You can see more systems on the aluminum patio covers and aluminum pergolas pages.
What to send for a cantilever review
- Project location and approximate width and projection
- Where posts can and cannot go
- Site photos and plans, if you have them
- Roof preference: solid, louvered, trellis or Soleil panels
- Lighting, drainage and electrical needs
- How the space will be used
Common questions
How far can a 4K Aluminum patio cover be cantilevered?
4KLA’s specifications list a cantilever of up to 16 feet. The projection used on a real project depends on the roof type, support conditions, site exposure and engineering.
What is the clear span between posts?
4KLA lists a clear span of up to 32 feet post to post. That is the published maximum, not a default size for every layout.
What size posts and footings does a cantilever patio cover need?
4KLA does not publish one post or footing size for every job. Engineering can be tailored to the site, and support locations and foundations are confirmed for each project before materials are prepared.
Can the slats extend past the beam?
Yes. 4KLA’s specifications say slats can extend up to 5 feet past the end of a beam.
Does a cantilever patio cover have no posts at the front?
The posts are set back from the outer edge instead of placed at every corner. It is still a supported, engineered structure.
Check the span for your project
Send the dimensions, photos and any post restrictions. The 4KLA team in Reseda can go over cantilever options with you or your contractor before ordering.