Patio Enclosures
A patio enclosure is a fantastic addition to your home that extends your living space and allows you to experience the beauty of the great outdoors more comfortably. These popular structures let you enjoy Florida’s fantastic weather while escaping common nuisances like insects, wind-blown debris and rain showers. Some homeowners elect to screen in their enclosure. Others choose to go with vinyl porch windows. Which option is right for you?
How do screen enclosures work?
With a screened patio enclosure, a woven fiberglass screen is used to enclose an existing porch or patio. If an additional structure is necessary, aluminum components are a handy solution. The screen does not block your view from the patio or the temperate breezes that feel so good. This type of enclosure also provides welcome shade, protection from the hot summer sun and a little privacy for those enjoying the patio.
How do vinyl patio enclosures work?
A vinyl porch enclosure is also known as a vinyl patio enclosure. These types of porch enclosures are more like a “Florida Room” which keeps out bugs and debris. What makes it different? This type of porch enclosure also has a second layer of vinyl porch windows or panels that deliver extra protection from the elements. Two styles/shades – different colors of vinyl are available. Generally, you can slide the vinyl panels aside or pop them out to expose the screens and let air flow in. We can add clear vinyl windows to any covered patio or porch.
What about durability?
Today’s woven fiberglass screen offers some serious upgrades from past versions of this material. Screens are now available that block up to 65 percent of the sun’s damaging ultraviolet rays and keep out insects as small as pesky no-see-ums. Pet owners even have the option of selecting special screens that resist punctures and tears to prevent damage from cats, dogs and other animals. The vinyl panels used in patio enclosures are also tough. While they look like glass, they are much harder to break. If hit or distorted, these hardy panels will snap back to their original shape.
What about the weather?
While a screened patio enclosure will block the worst of the sun and offer some protection from the rain, it doesn’t keep out extreme heat or chilly temperatures. Rain has been known to penetrate the space around its perimeter. As a waterproof material, vinyl porch windows will keep precipitation out. It may also do a better job of insulating your patio from temperature swings, making it more comfortable when the weather is less than ideal.
Ultimately, screen and vinyl windows for porches are both great options for an enclosure. However; the right material for your enclosure depends on your preferences and your budget. Serving central Florida for more than half a century, Dulando Screen & Awning is a trusted source of patio enclosures irregardless if you want vinyl porch windows. To learn more about these structures, contact us today.
Patio Enclosures, Pool Screen Enclosure
Have you seen those ads for a cheap patio or pool screen enclosure quote? We sure have! Here are a few ways you can protect yourself against companies who build patio or pool screen enclosures cheaply!
There will always be aluminum screen enclosure companies offering unbelievable deals in the Orlando, Daytona Beach, and New Smyrna Beach areas. Contractors that provide patio or pool screen enclosures can offer great deals, but going with the lowest bidder is not the best for your home. Don’t spend money on building an enclosure made of poor-quality materials just to save a few bucks. If you see an ad for a “cheap quote for patio or pool screen enclosure,” run the other way. Here are a few other tips to help protect yourself against these contractors.
Make an Informed Choice
Use these tips to weed out poor choices in patio screen contractors. It’s wise to do your homework first and then invest wisely in a company that does quality work the first time.
1. Look for consumer reviews and state licensing information.
ALWAYS check consumer websites and verify if other consumers have had problems with a local contractor. Enter the name of any company in a search engine like Google and verify its existence. All legitimate businesses in this field are registered with Florida’s Division of Business and Professional Regulation. DuLando Screen & Awning, Inc. has been building quality screened pool enclosures in Florida since 1968.
2. Look for proper insurance coverage.
Legitimate businesses carry professional liability insurance and other types of coverage to meet industry standards. A pool enclosure company needs insurance to protect against general liability for work performed by its employees and subcontractors. Look on a screened pool enclosure contractor’s website to identify its insurance information. If you aren’t sure whether a contractor’s insurance is legitimate, call the insurer and verify the coverage. Working with an insured company gives you peace of mind that you’re covered if something goes wrong with the contractor’s work.
3. Don’t be rushed into signing a contract.
A quality screened-in enclosure contractor stands behind its reputation. Their staff will clearly explain the terms of a service contract and the cost of a patio enclosure. The detailed quote should be free. A quality contractor won’t pressure you into signing a contract. Before choosing a patio or pool screen enclosure contractor, see if the service comes without any conditions and meets your scheduling requirements. Please take the free quote and compare it to quotes obtained from other patio enclosure companies in the same geographic area.
4. Research the quality of materials and workmanship.
Ensure that all aluminum and screen materials used for your new screen enclosure will not endure Florida’s weather patterns. Verify the types of materials used and how they will stand up to regular amounts of rain, wind, dirt and resist contact from children and pets. Although you cannot expect materials to be hurricane-proof, look for materials and workmanship that will withstand tropical storm winds.
Not all pool screen enclosure contractors are the same. Every decent company has a reputation for building enclosures to satisfy customers. Our goal in preparing this list is to help protect you against unsavory contractors. Read more about pool screen enclosures.
Additional Reading: Pool Enclosure Replacement
If you’d like to receive a free estimate for a pool screen enclosure, please get in touch with us using the form on our website or call us at 407-862-6060.
Patio Enclosures
Living in Florida has its perks. You get abundant sunshine, proximity to beaches and many attractions within driving distance. However, dealing with yearly hurricanes is one of the major drawbacks of living in the Sunshine State. Hurricanes cause millions of dollars worth of damages each year in Florida, and you don’t want to become another statistic in their path.
One of the best ways to handle an emergency is to prepare yourself beforehand. During hurricane season, you should act like a storm is already on the way. Floridians know all about hurricane preparedness, such as keeping enough water, batteries, and other non-perishable foods on hand. However, hurricane preparedness can also involve securing your pool and patio.
We’ve compiled a list of ways to Prepare your patio enclosure now, which will keep you from running around frantically once a hurricane has finally been announced.
How to Prepare your patio in case of a Hurricane
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Reduce the chances of flying projectiles. Strong winds can whip through the patio and pick up potted plants, decor and umbrellas, turning your belongings into dangerous projectiles. When a hurricane is on the way, bring those items indoors and store them safely away from windows.
- Lockdown unmovable items. If you have an outdoor patio table that cannot be relocated, turn it over. Otherwise, the wind could pick it up and send it flying through your screen enclosure or into a neighbor’s home. Consider latching things down with a heavy-duty chain or tie-downs to keep items in place during the storm.
- Take care of overhanging trees. Before a hurricane approaches, contact a tree trimming company to thin out the canopy of your majestic oaks and other amazing trees we love so much to provide shade. Overhanging trees can cause serious damage to your patio enclosure and home during a hurricane. Trim back any limbs that could tear through the screen or fall onto the roof. If you have new trees on your property, tie them down to keep them in place during high winds.
- Turn off the electricity to the patio area. If you have a pool near your patio, you’ll want to stop the flow of electricity to the area. During a hurricane, there’s a chance that your pool could overflow and send water into the pumps. Locate your home’s electrical panel, and turn off the breaker to the pool and patio area. You should also cover all outdoor electrical devices with a waterproof material to reduce damage in the storm.
As you can see, hurricane preparedness does not only include supplies you have to keep on hand. In fact, some of these items can be completed any time during the year. Trust us; you will have enough to consider if a hurricane approaches. Preventative measures before a hurricane saves you time and peace of mind. You’ll have more time to ensure the security of other parts of your home and reduce your cleanup efforts once the storm subsides.
Of course, each year, we really hope there won’t be any major storms, but who are we kidding? Since we have no control over when a storm will approach, at least we can be prepared.
We hope this list has been helpful to you and given you peace of mind. Dulando Screen and Awning, Inc. wants to be your outdoor living partner. If there is anything else we can help you prepare for a hurricane, please call us. 407-862-6060.
Patio Enclosures
You’ve thought about building a new patio, a place where you can sit back, relax and enjoy the view of your yard. However, you might have discovered your lack of skills or patience when it comes to installing a patio yourself. You’ll want to find a patio contractor who understands your needs and knows how to deliver a quality outdoor space you expect.
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Patio Enclosures
The most popular question we receive weekly from customers is…
What’s the price difference between screen or vinyl enclosures?
Though we can answer this question with a single dollar amount, let’s take a look at it more thoroughly and determine whether screen or vinyl is the best choice for your patio enclosure.
Why Choose Screen or Vinyl for your patio enclosure?
Although there’s an obvious price difference, screen enclosures provide many of the same benefits as vinyl. Specifically, screen will:
- Keep out bugs and debris.
- Block out UV rays and reduce solar heat gain.
- Create an intimate space for the outdoors.
- Resist mold and mildew.
- Phifer Pet Screen will even withstand pet scratches.
Both vinyl and screened-in enclosures welcome light into a space, so the real deciding factor comes down to how much you’re willing to spend for the style you want.
The benefits of Vinyl include:
- An additional element of safeguard against the temperature outside.
- Vinyl windows have vent systems that slide either horizontally or vertically to allow for cool breezes to enter your outdoor living space. Then of course, you can close them when the weather is not as pleasant.
- For vertical panels, they offer 75% ventilation – 3 of 4 panels can be raised.
- Easy to remove and clean both sides.
- Design is sleek and modern.
- Comes in 4 colors to match your home’s architecture.
To Repair or to Rescreen: That is Another Question.
This question also comes up from our customers after we’ve discussed the price difference between screen and vinyl. Perhaps your cat has left small tears in the screen as it reached for lizards, or maybe your screen has shown some wear and tear after a few hurricane seasons. Deciding whether to move forward with screen enclosure repairs or to rescreen your enclosure comes down to the extent and size of the damage, the age and condition of the screen and the integrity of the structure.
In some cases, it’s possible to repair the damage as long as it’s contained within a specific area. If the damage extends beyond one section, it’s probably a good idea to rescreen the entire enclosure and make it look as good as new. Because the underlying structure is already in place, rescreening is a more budget-friendly process and takes less time to complete than new construction.
Read more about When Is it Time to Rescreen Your Patio / Pool Enclosure
Breaking It Down in Dollars and Cents
On average, to rescreen your already built enclosure costs about $1 per square foot. Vinyl windows, on the other hand, cost about $3 per square foot; these estimates are based on rescreens and having an existing structure already in place. Expect a higher dollar amount for new construction.
Contact Dulando for a free in-home consultation to determine whether to repair or to rescreen your enclosure with either new screen or vinyl windows. Our experienced, professional team can inspect the damage and create the ideal solution that fits within your budget and fulfills your needs.
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Patio Enclosures
Choosing which patio surfaces to use for your patio comes down to a few things, such as personal preference, price and maintenance. In addition, you have to consider the advantages and disadvantages of each material. You may like the look of a flagstone patio but think a concrete patio would work best for your yard. Whereas concrete is an affordable and quick option, brick and stone pavers last a lifetime and require very little maintenance. Each patio surfaces offer different characteristics and can help create an outdoor entertainment space for your home.
Pros and Cons of using Concrete
Concrete is one of the more affordable surface used for creating patios and pool deck surfaces. It can be poured to fit any size or shape of your pool deck or patio and it dries quickly to give you a hard surface for your new space. However, a solid concrete slab doesn’t offer much visual appeal, and it shows surface cracks over time. Dyed and stamped concrete has a more attractive appeal, but the color tends to fade in trafficked areas.
Pros of a concrete patio
- Inexpensive
- Fits any shape or size
- Stamped options
Cons of a concrete patio
- Shows surface cracks
- Color fades
- Requires regular maintenance
Pros and Cons of Using Brick Pavers
The most popular option in patio surfaces is pavers. Brick pavers come in many different colors, surface finishes and shapes for creating most any patio design. The natural joints between each paver allows for greater expansion, contraction and pressure, providing maximum durability for years. Furthermore, pavers resist normal wear and tear and withstand extreme weather conditions. If a paver cracks or is damaged, you can replace the individual paver without scarring or creating an unsightly patch in the area. The best way to make sure that your pavers will match the ones you are replacing are to buy a few extra and keep in storage for future use.
Pros
- Comes in a variety of colors and shapes
- Withstands heavy pressure and resists wear and tear
- Nonslip surface
- No or minimal maintenance required
Cons
- Costs more than a concrete slab
- Requires professional installation
Pros and Cons of Using Stone and Flagstone
A stone patio enhances your backyard space with its natural coloring and design. Natural stone not only transforms an open space into a patio or a pool deck but also adds beauty to a walkway or steps. If you currently have a concrete patio, you can easily overlay the concrete with natural stone pavers for an instant upgrade. The stone comes in many different colors to complement your design aesthetic, and you only have to replace a single stone paver if it ever chips or cracks.
Pros
- Increases your home’s resale value
- Varied color palettes
- More visually appealing than concrete
- Easy replacement if a stone cracks
Cons
- High cost
- May chip or crack
We hope this list has been helpful to you in determining what kind of patio surfaces to use on your upcoming project.
The best way to make a decision about the materials you use for your patio is to sit down with one of our consultants to ask more questions about the nuances of your project. DuLANDO has been in business for over 50 years. Put our experience and creativity to work for you.
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