7 Surprising Advantages of a Florida Pool Enclosure

7 Surprising Advantages of a Florida Pool Enclosure

It’s no secret you’ve heard that surrounding your swimming pool with a screen enclosure forms a protective barrier that enhances safety and keeps bugs and minor debris out of your pool area. Those may be the obvious advantages of a Florida pool enclosure, but they are far from the only ones. While these seven benefits may surprise you, we’re sure you’ll appreciate them.

1. Sun Protection – There’s a reason that Florida is called the Sunshine State. The Florida sun is both beautiful and relentless. A swimming pool enclosure that uses Phifer Solar Screen lets in plenty of the sunlight that people love. It also screens out 70% to 90% of the sun’s heat and glare and the harmful ultraviolet rays that are so very damaging to the skin. Enclosing your pool with a screened enclosure allows you to enjoy an afternoon of swimming or lounging without constantly reapplying your sunscreen.

Additional Reading: Choosing the Right Pool Enclosure Screen Material

2. Cooler WaterDiving into the pool is supposed to be a great way to cool off. Unfortunately, Florida’s intense sun and soaring temperatures can make any place exposed to direct sunlight too warm for comfort, including your pool. Filtering the sun with a screen enclosure keeps your pool’s water cooler, making your afternoon or evening swim refreshing and comfortable.

3. Privacy – Do you want your pool to be a refuge? Are you longing for a secluded space to relax and exercise without worrying about what the neighbors see you? When privacy matters, a swimming pool screen enclosure is a must. After all, there’s a wide range of screening products. It’s easy to select one that protects you from prying eyes.

4. Style Opportunities—Create a space that reflects your style. With so many styles, materials, and options, a custom screen enclosure offers a chance to add both practicality and flair to your pool area. From adding custom Perma-Wood columns to beautiful patio paver bricks to pool enclosure screen material that blocks out those harmful rays, there are so many ways to create a backyard oasis.

5. Reduced Chemical Requirements – A swimming pool enclosure slows evaporation and algae growth by shielding your pool from the steamy Florida sun. As a result, you need fewer chemicals to keep your pool water clean and healthy. That means you can spend less time and less money on pool maintenance.

6. A Longer Life for the Pool – When debris tumbles into your pool, it makes your filter work harder. If you have an above-ground pool, debris can also damage your pool’s liner. Because a swimming pool screen enclosure keeps debris, critters and other troubles out of your pool, having one can extend your pool’s lifespan.

7. Increased Property Value – Your home is an investment, so it’s always wise to consider how any change might impact its value. What effect does a Florida pool enclosure have? Generally speaking, your home’s value will be increased in an amount equal to roughly 50 percent of the pool screen enclosure cost.

How will a pool screen enclosure enhance your outdoor living space? When you’re ready to explore the possibilities, turn to Dulando Screen & Awning. We’ve built Florida pool enclosures and screen patios for over 50 years.  Highly trained experts design our custom screen enclosures to meet your needs, engineered specifically for your home by a licensed engineer and built with top-quality materials by skilled craftsmen. Our service area includes all parts of Orlando and the coastal regions, including New Smyrna Beach and Daytona Beach. Contact us today at 407-862-6060 to schedule your free in-home consultation.

Building a DIY Pool Enclosure vs. Hiring a Pool Enclosure Contractor

Building a DIY Pool Enclosure vs. Hiring a Pool Enclosure Contractor

Do-it-yourself projects are everywhere. You’ll encounter them online, in magazines and books, and on countless television programs. While many people tout the satisfaction of completing a DIY project, a hands-on approach is not always the best choice. Many home improvement projects come with real risks. A mistake can have serious consequences for your health and your property values. It would help if you only embarked on a project after carefully considering its requirements and your skills. Are you interested in adding a swimming pool screen enclosure? If you’re wondering if you should build a DIY pool enclosure or hire a pool enclosure contractor, we’ve outlined a few questions to help you decide on how to assess the answer.

Answer these questions if you want to build a DIY Pool Enclosure

Can I Do This Safely?

Positive thinking and a willingness to get your hands dirty are good assets, but they aren’t always enough to get the job done right. Pool screen enclosures seem like simple structures. However, they need to be properly engineered and constructed. Do you have the skills and knowledge to do that? Do you have the necessary tools and a thorough understanding of how to use them safely? Working over and around your pool to build a DIY pool enclosure makes this project even more challenging.

Will a Pool Enclosure Kit Offer What I Really Want?

Swimming pools, along with pool screen enclosures, come in all shapes and sizes. Can you design and build a custom enclosure that will fit your pool area? Will the new pool enclosure complement your home?  Several pool enclosure kits are on the market, but can you find one that meets your needs? What about quality? Many pool enclosure kits are produced in foreign countries with less strict quality standards than in the United States. Will the materials and design of a kit be able to withstand Florida’s notoriously windy weather? If you are exploring a pool enclosure kit, it’s a good idea to weigh these differences and talk to a pool enclosure contractor as you decide.

What About Cost and Value?

Affordability is one supposed advantage of DIY, but it’s not always cheaper to do it yourself. You may avoid labor costs by opting for a DIY pool enclosure, but those savings can quickly be offset by the price of any tools you need to buy or rent. What if you make a mistake? The need to buy extra materials or call in a professional will add to the expense of a DIY project. There’s also a matter of opportunity cost. Your time has value. Is building a pool screen enclosure the best way to use it? Speaking of value, the quality of the finished project has a significant impact on the value of the enclosure and any increased value to your home. Can you deliver a first-rate product, or will inferior workmanship negate any increase in home value?

If you have any concerns about your ability to construct a swimming pool screen enclosure that you can be proud of, then you should entrust the job to a professional. At Dulando Screen & Awning, custom screen enclosures are our specialty. We take pride in providing residents of the Orlando area with custom structures that blend expert craftsmanship with top-notch materials to produce amazing results. Contact us today at 407-862-6060 for a free, no-obligation in-home design consultation.

Preparing to Build a Swimming Pool Screen Enclosure

Preparing to Build a Swimming Pool Screen Enclosure

Custom swimming pool enclosures come in an impressive array of shapes, sizes and styles. The possibilities are practically endless, so you can create a pool screen enclosure that’s ideal for your needs. It also means that you’ve got lots of decisions to make. How do you make the most of these opportunities without being overwhelmed by them? Turn to Dulando Screen & Awning. We’re happy to help you understand your options so that you can feel confident about your selections. When you’re preparing to build a swimming pool screen enclosure, these are a few of the decisions you’ll have to make as well as some steps you’ll need to take.

Steps When Building a Swimming Pool Screen Enclosure

Initial Preparation

Installing a screened pool enclosure means bringing in the materials, equipment and workforce needed to get the job done and providing them with room to work. Before any actual construction begins, you’ll need to clear away any furniture or landscaping plants that you want to save. Items that can’t be moved should be protected. It’s also wise to make sure the workers have a clear path to the site and access to electricity.

Land Matters

How large will your planned swimming pool screen enclosure be? Will its boundaries extend beyond your existing pool deck? If so, more than the surface prep of the site may be necessary. The land itself may need to be clear or leveled. As a result, plant life and other debris may need to be removed. If there is a slope on the property, that will also need to be leveled out.

A Sturdy Frame

With Florida’s steamy sunshine, hurricane-force winds and corrosive sea air, choosing quality materials is vital. Although better materials may add to your initial pool screen enclosure cost, they’ll generally pay off over time with increased durability and reduced maintenance requirements. What should you choose for the framing that forms the supportive skeleton of your pool enclosure? Wood and steel are familiar materials, but they’re not the best pick for a pool cage. Strong, lightweight and capable of resisting corrosion, aluminum is an ideal solution. As a bonus, it’s also attractive, cost-effective and environmentally friendly.

What Lies Beneath

A concrete pool deck is functional, but what if you want something more appealing?  Pool deck pavers offer an affordable way to take what lies beneath your feet up a notch. With a multitude of colors and designs to choose from, pavers offer a stylish, safe surface. They’re also easy to maintain and repair.

Keep Pests Out

What are swimming pool enclosures without screens? Modern pool enclosure screen material is more than mesh and grids. Today’s screening products can offer protection from bugs, shield users against solar rays, and provide enhanced strength to withstand the antics of pets and children. When selecting the screens for your pool enclosure, choose a product tailored to your needs.  See more about our pet screen.

Permitting

Building codes and permitting processes are often treated as hassles. While fulfilling these legal requirements is an extra step, it helps to ensure that your new swimming pool screen enclosure is safe and becomes part of your existing home.  Dulando Screen & Awning handles all permitting, so you don’t have to worry about it.

Are you interested in building a pool enclosure? Serving Florida’s Orlando area and surrounding coastal cities, Dulando Screen & Awning is committed to providing superior screen pool enclosures. We blend excellent service with design expertise, top-quality materials and meticulous craftsmanship to turn your backyard dreams into enclosures you’ll enjoy for years to come. Contact us today at 407-862-6060 to learn more.

How Much Does a Swimming Pool Screen Enclosure Cost?

How Much Does a Swimming Pool Screen Enclosure Cost?

We hear this same question every day from Orlando homeowners.  “How much does a swimming pool screen enclosure cost?” (also known as a pool cage)  While that may seem like a simple question, it’s an unexpectedly tricky one. Many factors contribute to a pool enclosure cost. That makes providing an accurate quote without accounting for the details of your backyard space and desired design very tough. Instead, it’s important to look at the elements that influence a swimming pool enclosure cost.

Swimming Pool Screen Enclosure Cost is based on:

Size of Your Pool Screen Enclosure

It’s no surprise that size matters when it comes to the cost of a pool screen enclosure. After all, a larger enclosure requires more materials and resources to build.

What do you need to think about in terms of sizing? Most people prefer a screen enclosure that offers at least 8 feet of height. However, if you’re tall or enjoy playing games in the pool, you might prefer a higher ceiling. You’ll also need to consider how much space around the pool you want to shield with the new pool screen enclosure. A few other questions to ask yourself are:

  • Is a 3-foot walkway suitable?
  • Would you rather have a larger area inside the enclosure so that you have room for seating and other features?

Increasing the size can make the structure more useful and enjoyable, but it will also increase its cost.

Swimming Pool Enclosure Shape

Your pool shape is another consideration when you’re building a pool screen enclosure. Swimming pool enclosures come in all kinds of shapes.  The most common are rectangular and hexagonal shapes.  But if you want a custom pool enclosure, you have plenty of options to choose from. A few more questions to consider:

  • What works best with your space?
  • Will the pool enclosure attach to your house or be freestanding?
  • What type of roof do you have in mind? See the different roof types for your swimming pool

Normally, the cost of a pool enclosure is related to its complexity. The more complex the design, the more expensive it is to build.

Materials to Build a Swimming Pool Enclosure

With their constant exposure to the elements and the moisture from the pool, pool cages can take quite a beating. That makes choosing the right materials imperative. Although quality materials may cost a bit more upfront, their durability and minimal maintenance requirements often make them a better value in the long run. How much should you expect to pay for materials? While the answer depends on the materials that you choose, material costs for a pool screen enclosure tend to run around $8 to $15 per square foot.

Labor

To get the best results, you’ll need more than excellent materials. Quality craftsmanship is a must. For that, you’ll want to enlist a contractor who is experienced in building swimming pool enclosures. Make sure they are also licensed, bonded and insured. How do labor costs impact the cost of a screen enclosure? When you add together the materials needed and the cost of the services of such a professional, you can expect to pay around $15 to $25 per square foot.

Additional Fees for Preparation

When building a new swimming pool screen enclosure, the costs are not limited to only material and labor.  Pool enclosure costs include

  • Permitting fees
  • Charges to prepare the site before the new enclosure’s installation
  • Cleanup fees

We revisit the question, “How much does a swimming pool screen enclosure cost?” As you can see, there are many components to building a swimming pool enclosure. The average overall cost in the central Florida area is between $8,000 and $15,000 to build a standard-size pool enclosure.

To explore your options and discover how much screened pool enclosures cost, contact Dulando Screen & Awning. We deliver quality craftsmanship, excellent service and competitive pricing. From creating a design that fits your unique needs to installing a top-quality custom screen enclosure in your backyard, our team will cheerfully guide you through the entire process. Contact us today at 407-862-6060 to request a free in-home design consultation.

When Pool Enclosure Rescreening is the Only Option Instead of Repairing

When Pool Enclosure Rescreening is the Only Option Instead of Repairing

Pool enclosures are durable, but damage from storms and the passage of time can weaken the structure and potentially cause a total collapse. In some cases, a simple pool enclosure repair job may not be enough.  Instead, a full pool enclosure rescreening is necessary to restore your structure. Understanding the common problems that necessitate a total pool enclosure replacement can help you make the right choice.

Damage from Storms and Other Causes
In addition to hurricanes, Florida has some pretty intense storms.  A brutal storm can wreak havoc on your pool screen enclosure, especially if high winds are involved. The wind itself could be the culprit of the damage, and debris carried by the wind can also destroy your screens. If a powerful Florida storm knocks down the structure of your enclosure, no amount of minor pool screen repair work will fix the issue. Instead, you’ll need a full pool enclosure rescreening. Storms aren’t the only foe your enclosure will face; large pets and small children may weaken or damage screens over time.

Refreshing the Look of Your Enclosure
Some homeowners choose to replace their enclosures when the old one looks dated and no longer fits with the aesthetics of the home or neighborhood. A new exterior paint job on your house may also necessitate an upgrade to the style of your enclosure. Styles and technology continue to change for pool enclosures.  A look that fits well in the neighborhood ten years ago might look dated today. A full pool enclosure replacement will help coordinate the aesthetics of your home with your enclosure.

Choosing Upgrades for Your Enclosure
Changes in your family or lifestyle can also motivate you to replace your pool enclosure. Dulando Screen and Awning is proud to partner with Phifer Screen.  They have so many screens to enhance your outdoor experience.

  • Phifer Pet Screens. If you adopt a large dog or have a child, replacing the screens in an existing pool enclosure may be necessary. More durable material can ensure that your child or pet can’t damage the screens.
  • Need a reprieve from the sun? Upgrading to Phifer Solar Screens is a good idea.
  • Are insects and pests getting in from small holes or tears in your existing structure? Phifer insect screen has insect-proof screens that have a 20×20 mesh.  Pests can’t get in, but you can still enjoy the view of your backyard.
  • If privacy is important to you, upgrading to Phifer Glas-Shield privacy screen can keep prying eyes away from your outdoor living area.

Aged and Broken Down
Even with routine maintenance, your pool enclosure may begin to show its years through mold growth and other unsightly residue caused by Florida’s wet weather and high humidity. If you live on the coast, constant contact with a salt spray can also age an enclosure. Small instances of staining can sometimes be cleaned, but a replacement is likely necessary when the residue is widespread and beginning to weaken the structure itself.

Additional Reading:  Pool Enclosure Rescreening

If your pool enclosure is showing its age or has extensive damage, it’s time to start thinking about a full replacement. Dulando Screen & Awning, a Florida pool enclosure contractor serving the Orlando area and other coastal areas such as Daytona Beach and New Smyrna Beach in Volusia County, offers full Pool Enclosure Rescreening options for your home. Contact us today at 407-862-6060 to learn more about pool enclosures and the many upgrades that are available. We welcome you to request a design consultation with our staff and receive a free estimate.

Advantages of Screened Pool Enclosures You May Not Have Considered

Advantages of Screened Pool Enclosures You May Not Have Considered

You already know that Florida homeowners with screened pool enclosures enjoy hanging out by their pools without having to battle mosquitoes, but there are also some less obvious advantages of having a screened-in pool that you may not have considered. Read on for a few surprising advantages offered by screened pool enclosures.

Benefits of Screened Pool Enclosures

1. Use Fewer Chemicals
Did you know that screened pool enclosures slow down water evaporation?  Yes, that includes slower evaporation of chemicals in the water. You’ll also have a lower amount of algae to fight against when your pool is enclosed. The result is that you won’t need to add as many chemicals to your pool when you have a screened enclosure. You’ll save money and reduce your exposure to potentially irritating chemicals.

2. Use More, Clean Less.
Screened pool enclosures keep debris from your yard from ending up in your pool. Insects, spiders, snakes and other creepy crawlies stand less chance of getting in and spoiling your good times. With a screened enclosure, palm leaves, acorns and grass clippings won’t get into your pool, which adds up to a lot less time devoted to skimming, vacuuming and sweeping. Unless, of course, you love skimming, vacuuming and sweeping.  Instead, relax and enjoy the clean environment of your screened-in pool area.

3. Lower Insurance Premiums.
Having a pool increases your property value and raises your homeowner’s insurance. Pool screen enclosures enhance the safety of your backyard because you can quickly secure your pool to prevent children from wandering in without adult supervision. It’s also less likely that any grownups will stumble into the pool since the enclosure makes it evident that the pool is there in addition to providing a barrier. Insurance companies will give you a break on your homeowner’s insurance by having a screened pool enclosure.

4. Additional Sun Protection. 
You can enjoy your pool more even with the blazing Florida sun. Everyone loves a sunny day, but at times, it can be too much to enjoy without some cover. Advantages of a screened pool enclosure include:

  • Screened-in aluminum pool enclosures filter out some of the sun’s rays.
  • You’ll feel more comfortable outdoors regardless of the time of day
  • Your skin will receive some protection from harmful UV radiation.
  • A screen enclosure will cut down on fading if you have outdoor furniture around your pool.

5. Expand your Outdoor Living Area.
Families with screened pool enclosures often describe their pool area as outdoor living rooms. With the protection that a screened pool enclosure provides from pests and the sun, you can enjoy lounging by the pool any time of the day or night. Customized enclosures can provide space for your Jacuzzi, outdoor kitchen, dining, and lounging areas. The possibilities are endless!

We hope this list has been helpful if you’re considering a screened pool enclosure.  There are so many benefits that haven’t been mentioned here.  After all, who wouldn’t want a pool that’s bug-free, secure and easy to maintain?

Additional Reading: Screened Pool Enclosures

If you have any questions about choosing a screened enclosure for your pool, please call us at 407-862-6060.  One of our design consultants will be happy to meet with you and provide a no-obligation free estimate.