Patio Enclosures, Pool Screen Enclosure
In Central Florida, nothing is more enjoyable than a screened porch or pool screen enclosures. They will help you make the most of your outdoor living, and all in the comfort of your home! It’s one of the main reasons why pool screen enclosures and pool decks have become so popular with Florida homeowners, not to mention outdoor entertaining.
This checklist will help you understand and prepare for the design and build process of your screen enclosed structure. We’ll cover everything from the survey to building permits, Home Owners Association (HOA) concerns, to information concerning fabrication, installation and inspection – all to help you create the perfect screen patio enclosure or pool enclosure.
Getting Started
Building pool screen enclosures or patio enclosures seem exciting until you need to get started. But before jumping ahead and choosing the type of design and layout you would like, there are some less exciting things to consider so your project turns out just the way you want it.
We’ve prepared a simple 4-Point Checklist to make sure that your project stays on track and the project runs smoothly, from start to finish:
1. Budget: If you don’t know already you should work up an idea of how much you want to spend on your screen enclosure project. Setting a budget will help guide you as you make decisions about what to include in the structure. Once you’ve figured out a project budget amount, you’ll have a better sense of what you can spend on screening materials, fixtures, and extras.
Additional Reading: Factors in Screen Enclosure Cost and How To Maximize Your Budget
2. Time: Many people assume that if they are building (or renovating) pool screen enclosures, it will only take a few days. This is not necessarily the case. Depending on variables such as permitting, HOA approval, weather and other factors, you or your contractor will have to go through all the same steps as a larger screen enclosure. However, planning refers not only to defining the timeline of the project work but also may include intermediate steps, such as a land survey, measuring the project area, fabrication, installation and inspection.
3. Pool Screen Enclosures Sequence: When it comes to building a patio or pool screen enclosure, completing the job in a specific sequence saves you and your family any confusion or concern over what to expect throughout the building process. Yes, you may need a building permit, which includes local zoning approval before construction may begin. Here is the sequence of steps involved when building a patio and/or pool screen enclosure:
- During your consultation, the Dulando team member will provide you with a quote (of the cost) for the screen enclosure project.
- When you/we have gathered all the required information (contract to build, design, Notice of Commencement, survey), you’re ready to request HOA approval (if required) and apply for a building permit from your local municipality, city or county building/zoning agency. Keep in mind, this may step may take a day or two, or a week or two – it all depends on how quickly the approving agency processes the request(s).
- After all permits and building requests are confirmed as approved, a Dulando team member will verify the measurements and begin the fabrication of your custom pool or patio screen enclosure.
- Once fabrication is complete, our team of licensed and insured installers will come out to your property to install your new, custom-designed patio or pool screen enclosure. Please note: For the safety of your home and our team members, inclement/stormy weather may delay the installation of your outdoor screen enclosure.
- The last step involves an inspection of the screen enclosure project by your local municipality, city or county building/zoning agency.
4. Enjoy Your New Patio Or Pool Screen Enclosure: Once installed, it’s yours to enjoy, year-round, with family and friends! Consider your new outdoor living space as a wonderful extension of your home. By adding décor and outdoor furniture, you will create an inviting, relaxing space for you, your family and guests.
Need help or have additional questions? Please call (407) 862-6060 for assistance from one of our friendly and helpful team members. Whatever your question, Dulando Screen & Awning is here for you!
Since 1968, our goal is to make your backyard dream a reality by turning your outdoor space into a paradise for you and your family. Dulando has created pool screen enclosures and enclosed screen patios for over 50 years. Our team of professionals will work with you on a patio screen or swimming pool screen enclosure design to best suit your needs and stay within your budget. Please ask us about our referrals and testimonials – our past clients can tell you more about the great work we’ve done for them and their home(s) over the years!
Patio Enclosures, Pool Screen Enclosure
With year-round outdoor living in Florida, having patio and pool privacy is important for homeowners who spend a lot of time on their patio, or in the pool and deck area. Enclose your pool or patio with a privacy screen to keep your privacy as well as the sun’s UV rays out. An added bonus of privacy screen keeps insects out that threaten to ruin your outdoor activities. In Central Florida, we live in an area especially prone to mosquitoes and other insects. Privacy screens provide an excellent barrier between you and unwanted pests of all types.
Before adding a screen enclosure to your patio or pool area, check with your neighborhood’s homeowner’s association (if you have one) to make sure you are not violating deed restrictions. Once you are clear, you can decide on the style and type of privacy screen for your pool enclosure you would like to install. The following tips and information will help make your decision a little easier.
Benefits of a Privacy Screen
Patio or Pool Privacy Screen Adds Resale Value To Your Home. Installing a privacy screen will be fast to install and can instantly transform your backyard patio area into a comfortable, shaded environment. Not only are you adding an extra space for easy outdoor living, a screened-in patio adds resale value to your home. According to Zillow.com, the return on investment for this type of home-improvement project is estimated at nearly 80% in most cases! So you’ll enjoy all the benefits of a privacy screened patio or pool while you live in your home and then it becomes an attractive selling point if you decide to put your home on the market later.
Pool Privacy Screens Are Ideal for Homes in Central Florida. Backyards seem to be getting smaller these days. Some homes are even developed on zero-lot lines. With homes that close, privacy can be an issue. Privacy screened-in patios and pools create a secluded retreat for your family and friends to simply enjoy being outside day or night.
Privacy Screened-In Patio And/Or Pool Decks Are Great Place For Relaxation. Even though others won’t be able to see into your patio, you can still sit comfortably and look out at the nature in your backyard. Just sit back, read, enjoy a cold glass of lemonade, nap, or just do nothing and enjoy the view.
Creates A Safe Play Area For Your Children And Their Friends. Even if it is raining outside, your children (and pets) can still have a place to play outside and get fresh air. And because it’s right outside your back patio door, you can keep an eye on them in a close, safe environment.
Helps Protect Your Own Personal Home Space. Just as the name implies, privacy screen helps to block out unpleasant external sights that would otherwise create an eyesore or visual disturbance. Plus they screen your activities and movements from the watchful eyes of neighbors.
Keep in mind, screened-in patios and pool enclosures will require regular routine maintenance. While the patio itself will be protected from the elements for the most part, this is not true of the screening. Dulando Screen & Awning uses only the best quality privacy screen materials, Phifer Screen. You can count on years of use before it may be necessary to replace parts of the screening.
Overall, a screened-in patio and/or pool enclosure can be a wonderful addition to any home in Central Florida. Not only does it help you better utilize your outdoor spaces, but a quality privacy screen can also add significant resale value to your home down the road. Homeowners looking to make a smart and useful home improvement investment should consider this option for themselves. Contact us for a FREE In-Home Design Consultation today: (407) 862-6060
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Patio Enclosures, Pool Screen Enclosure
Are you interested in beautifying your outdoor living space with paving stones or a concrete deck? Spending time outdoors, relaxing in comfort and entertaining on your deck or patio are just some of the great seasonal activities that we all enjoy in our homes. If you’re ready to build or renovate your patio or pool deck, you’ll appreciate knowing the difference between pavers and stamped concrete. In fact, we hope you’ll find that pavers over concrete is the more sensible choice.
Here’s a hint: pavers, also known as paving stones, are a top choice for durability, cost-effectiveness, attractive appearance and easy up keep. This is especially important here in Central Florida where weather, moisture and temperature change are major factors.
Paving Stones
Let’s begin with a quick description of pavers: Paving stones are individual units or “bricks,” with natural joints between each that allows for pressure, expansion and contraction. Pavers over concrete offer great durability, a custom look and little to no maintenance. Here is some valuable information about paving stones:
- Available in a wide variety of surface finishes, colors and shapes that will complement the architectural style of your home and can be installed in various patterns to create eye-catching floor design on your patio or deck area.
- With a minimum rating of 8000 psi, paving stones are one of the strongest paving materials, rivaled only by brick.
- Paver patios will not deteriorate under normal wear and tear or due to outdoor weather conditions. Paver stones will stay beautiful for years to come as you enjoy your home.
- Because paver stones ‘give’ under pressure, it eliminates cracking commonly seen in conventional asphalt and concrete slabs. Pavers will look ‘new’ and stylish for years to come, needing little upkeep to maintain appearance.
- For pavers to look good and last long term, they must be properly installed. Shoddy workmanship and installations can lead to surface problems on your patio or pool deck.
- Finally, one of the biggest advantages of pavers is when it comes time for a repair. In the unlikely scenario that a repair ever does become necessary, pavers are manufactured to be uniform and can may easily and efficiently replaced without creating unsightly patches or scars.
Concrete
For many years, concrete and even asphalt have been traditionally used as the standard paving material in home patios, pool decks and walkways. There’s no denying it’s low cost (per square foot) makes it an obvious choice for many home builders and homeowners. Though it may initially be an inexpensive option, the reality is that concrete will inevitably crack and require repair after repair, regular cleaning and even resurfacing.
These costs add up over the long-term making the initial investment a lot more costly than originally understood. Over the lifetime of use, wear and repair concrete will cost far more than installing paving stones, without providing any of the beauty, quality and little maintenance. It might be a good choice to install pavers over concrete. Other common problems with concrete decks, patios and walkways:
- Most all concrete will crack at some point in time. Common causes of cracking: base is compromised due to heavy loads or house settlement; concrete shrinks over time; expansion and contraction caused by harsh weather conditions.
- Contractors and home improvement store staff may tell you to place joints in concrete pavements and patio floors to encourage concrete slabs to crack in a neat, straight line along a joint. But be aware that may not happen so unsightly cracks may randomly appear anywhere on the surface of the concrete.
- Once one crack forms, the integrity of the slab loses strength and durability. More and more cracks tend to form and it becomes both difficult to exactly match the color and composition of the original material for each repair. It becomes an eye sore. Your patio, deck or walkway will appear old, worn and shabby.
- As a last resort, repairs might include a thick resurfacing or an entirely new slab and both of these options are costly – all this headache and expense to simply replace plain old concrete!
Homeowners might choose stamped concrete to replicate the attractive patterns associated with paving stones. Stamping is done once the concrete has been poured and before it hardens. Stamped concrete may also be tinted (a.k.a colored) before it is poured with standard or custom colors. While more attractive than plain concrete, the problems associated with trying to maintain, repair and replace portions of a slab are considerable and expensive. Trying to cover scars, wear and cracks becomes a major ordeal in both time and money.
We’ve been in this business since 1968 and have lots of experience and expertise in working with homeowners to build beautiful and durable decks, patios and walkways. We hope this information on paving stones and concrete materials has proved helpful to you. If you have additional questions and/or would like to speak with one of our helpful and friendly patio and pool deck specialists, please contact us today at (407) 862-6060 for an in-home design consultation.
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Aluminum Screen Enclosure, Patio Enclosures, Pool Screen Enclosure, Screen Enclosures
A chill in the air, a cozy fire and colorful leaves falling everywhere — these are among the outdoor pleasures of autumn. With this lovely backdrop, fall is the perfect time for backyard entertaining. Using “warm” and “cozy” as your fall entertaining by words, a little planning and a few fall decorating ideas are all you need to host wonderful fall dinner parties alfresco. To help you get started, here are ten suggestions:
- Let nature provide your theme. The changing colors of trees offer a beautiful setting for your fall dinner party. By scattering natural elements such as berries, leaves, pinecones and acorns across patio tabletops and into strategically placed mason jars along with the window sills of your sunroom, you carry the fall theme throughout your party. Small pots of chrysanthemums on dining tables and around your pool deck are another simple decorative embellishment.
- Cloth table linens enliven fall backyard entertaining. While paper napkins and tablecloths are just fine for summer barbecues, cloth linens in the rich, jewel tones of autumn add a bit of warmth to fall dinner parties. Select one color for an elegant monochromatic look or use several fall colors together — orange, olive, maroon, gold — to create a warm, festive atmosphere.
- A fire pit chases the chill away. There’s just something about the warmth and beauty of a fire that draws people. That’s why your guests are likely to gather around your fire pit if you have one. If not, portable fire pits are available at every price point, making them easy to incorporate into your backyard for entertaining and for evenings with your own family.
- Add cushions to your outdoor seating. Whether wood, wrought iron or fiberglass, your seating immediately becomes warmer and more comfortable with the addition of cushions. Just be sure to use colors that complement your overall theme.
- Throws and blankets add an additional layer of coziness. Even with a fire pit, throws and blankets are a gracious way of offering guests an extra bit of comfort. Have them available in your theme colors. They will surely be a welcome addition to outdoor entertaining in the fall.
- Lighting sets the atmosphere. Rather than the glare of bright lights, soft lighting creates an inviting ambiance. Combining two kinds of lights — low wattage bulbs and a multitude of candles — heightens the appeal. Place both throughout your screen enclosed patio at varying heights for a beautiful effect.
- Greet guests with hot drinks. From hot apple cider with cinnamon sticks to mulled wine with exotic spices, hot drinks are a nice welcome for guests as they arrive. Offer two different kinds and be sure to have plenty on hand to replenish glasses throughout the evening.
- Use an assortment of plates and glasses. Matching sets of plates and glasses are traditional, but using an eclectic mix of china and glassware adds playfulness along with color and vibrancy. What’s more, the weight of these items serves to anchor your table linens on a breezy day.
- Prepare hot foods in advance. Since grilling has become virtually a year-round activity, you might choose it for your fall entertaining. However, preparing hot soups, stews, chili or other seasonal favorites is very appetizing at this time of year. Besides, making them in advance affords you more time to enjoy your guests. Chafing dishes will keep everything hot.
- Be prepared to bring your gathering indoors. As delightful as fall temperatures are, the weather can be unpredictable. Holding your event on an early fall date, for example, makes cold weather less likely, but it may still rain. You will avoid a ruined evening by installing an aluminum awning and having your patio covered so it’s ready for entertaining in case the weather doesn’t cooperate.
Coming up with plans for hearty fall fare and creative fall decorating ideas is just part of the fun of outdoor entertaining. After all, the key to entertaining is to make your guests feel comfortable and welcome. Then just relax and enjoy your guests.
We hope you enjoyed these Fall entertaining tips! We love helping you make the most of your outdoor living space and Florida lifestyle. Since 1968, Dulando Screen and Awning has built thousands of patio, screen and pool enclosures and sunrooms in Central Florida.
We’re a local company, a family-owned screen enclosure contractor. Let us help you learn more about a quality screen enclosure, sunroom or patio enclosure for your home. We offer free in-home consultation, please contact us today! Phone: 407-862-6060.
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Pool Screen Enclosure
It’s increasingly rare to find an Orlando pool without a screen. From Central Florida down to the tip of Key West and back up to Pensacola, residents are quickly realizing that a Florida screened in pool enclosure is essential to guard against the elements. Adding a pool enclosure allows you to enjoy the sun while blocking out some of the more undesirable atmospheric factors. If you aren’t sure whether adding a pool enclosure is worth the expenditure, here are some benefits you may have overlooked.
Keep the Bugs At Bay
There’s nothing quite like a Florida summer. Even with frequent afternoon thunderstorms and the sometimes unbearable humidity, the hotter months of the year remind residents why they bought a house with a pool in the first place. Unfortunately, summer brings with it a host of unpleasant insects, none of which you want to deal with when you decide to go for a dip. Standing water of any kind acts as an oasis for these insects, particularly mosquitoes, who use it as a breeding ground. Adding a pool enclosure can keep those mosquitoes away, along with bees, wasps, horseflies, and all the other uninvited guests of the animal kingdom.
Increased Safety
Have you ever considered what would happen if a neighborhood child wandered over into your yard, only to fall in the pool? Swimming accidents happen every day, all around the country, and many of them are fully preventable. By putting up a pool screen enclosure with a high door handle, it can be used as a child safety fence. It’s that easy to live up to your duty as a responsible neighbor.
Decreased Debris
If you’re sick of having to scoop floating piles of leaves out of the pool every time you walk into your backyard, you have two options. One, you can cut down all of your trees (a move that will irritate your neighbors, decrease your resale value, and increase your air conditioning bill), or two, you can put up a swimming pool enclosure. By choosing the latter option, you can enjoy the benefits of a clean pool while still enjoying the shade and clean air that a yard full of trees can provide.
Improve The Value of Your Home
In many Orlando neighborhoods, the choice of whether or not to put up a screened in pool enclosure really isn’t a choice at all: the homeowners’ association may demand it. Even if you aren’t bound by your deed to put one up, you can increase the resale value of your home by doing so. In a real estate market that can be unpredictable, at best, don’t miss out on a golden opportunity to make your home stand out.
Check out a few of our screen pool enclosures in our gallery.
Additional Reading: Buyer Beware – Quality Pool Enclosures at the Lowest Price!
Dulando Screen & Awning has been assisting homeowners by adding a pool enclosure since 1968. Our experienced team has helped with the design and construction of thousands of screened in pool enclosures of all different sizes and shapes. Call us today at 407-862-6060 to schedule a no-obligation free in-home consultation for a free estimate.Save
Aluminum Screen Enclosure, Hurricane Preparedness, Pool Screen Enclosure
Homeowners in Florida know this time of year can be one of the busiest for tropical storm and hurricane activity. Since these volatile storms pose a major threat to your property and family, it’s important to prepare your home before hurricane season. The patio and screened enclosures are often overlooked during storm preparations; however, they can be easily secured and protected from the damaging effects of a hurricane.
As part of your outdoor living area, patios and screen pool enclosures are most susceptible to gusting winds and drenching rains. Large outdoor items such as patio furniture, umbrellas, trash cans, plant pots and wall décor need to be properly stored or secured. All too often, we’ve seen lightweight outdoor furniture, like PVC chairs and tables, become flying projectiles during a hurricane through home windows or screen pool enclosures. So when news of an approaching tropical storm or hurricane is coming your way, start with securing or storing large outdoor items such as as the following:
- Heavy items and furniture, such as a patio table, may be turned on their sides or upside down to help prevent it from being caught by the wind and tossed about the patio.
- Potted plants – even small pots can become dangerous projectiles in hurricane strength winds; therefore, they should be removed
- Patio umbrellas – close them and remove them from stands and/or patio tables. A gust of wind can send an open umbrella flying through your screen enclosure
- Decorative items – store them safely inside your home or garage to ensure protection from water damage
- Overhanging trees – cut back limbs, remove decaying branches, trim off weak limbs and loose leaves. Pay extra attention to any trees or shrubs that are close to your home and especially your patio area and screen enclosure or pool.
- Enclosed swimming pool – Pool builders recommend leaving water in your pool during a hurricane or strong storm, but adding more chlorine to reduce storm water contamination. Your pool may overflow, but will be less likely to be damaged by the storm and/or debris that may fall into it. Most importantly, cover outdoor electrical devices with appropriate waterproof material to reduce the risk of damage.
By being prepared and taking the necessary preventative measures during hurricane season, you are ensuring the safety and security of your home, family and pets.
Follow the steps we’ve outlined above and you’ll have peace of mind knowing you’ve taken care to keep you, your family and home safe this hurricane season.
If you’ve been hit by a storm and are in need of a pool enclosure replacement, please give us a call at 407-862-6060
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