How Pet Screen is Necessary for a Screen Enclosure if You Have Pets or Kids

How Pet Screen is Necessary for a Screen Enclosure if You Have Pets or Kids

Enclosing your pool or patio with a screen may seem like an obvious decision. However, it’s important to pick the right type of screen for your situation. If you have pets or children, pet screen offers superb durability and other features that are unmatched by standard screens.

Is Pet Screen Worth It?

Long-lasting Strength
The claws and teeth of your cute but ferocious cat are not to be underestimated; standard screens can’t keep up with these sharp implements, especially over time. Regular screens can put up with some damage, but pets are notoriously stubborn. Eventually, they can shred through inferior screens and claw their way to ill-conceived freedom. Pet-proof screen is 7x stronger than the standard screen.

The durability of the framing used in pet resistant screens is important as well. A pet or child with enough strength can push a traditional screen out of its frame, allowing an easy escape. Screens designed with pets in mind are constructed with durable screening material and strengthened frames, allowing them to withstand years of abuse from the most determined pets.

Good Visibility and Airflow
Some homeowners may balk at the idea of putting up thicker screens, believing that these screens will negatively impact their visibility when compared to regular screens. Although the individual strands within a pet resistant screen are thicker, the gaps between the strands are wide enough to see through easily. You’ll still be able to enjoy plenty of beautiful sunlight shining into your enclosed space. The airflow in your enclosed areas also will not be affected; cool breezes will continue to help you feel refreshed.

Keep Pests at Bay
Although the main purpose of pet screens is to keep pets and children inside, they can also keep annoying pests outside and away from your skin. The mesh in pet screens are small, preventing mosquitos and other biting or stinging pests from feasting on you and your family. Not only can pet proof screen keep your dog or cat from clawing its way free, but it is also strong enough to resist gnawing from larger pests, such as squirrels or rats from getting in.

Safety for All
Pet safe screen enclosures improve the safety of your family and your neighbors. Even if your dog is well trained, he can still behave unpredictably when spooked. A strong pet screen will keep your dog enclosed even when he charges at the screen. This same strength is an added benefit if you have young children. With weaker screens, an unattended child could break through your screens quicker than you might expect, especially if there is already a tear in the screen. The strength of your pet screening will prevent a child from getting through the material and wandering off.

Durable Material
The best pet proof screen is Phifer pet screen. To create a tear proof screen, Phifer screens are built from a vinyl-coated polyester that will hold up to regular abuse. The fabric of the screen uses an antimicrobial coating from Microban to prevent the growth of unsightly bacteria and mold. Excessive mold growth can prematurely weaken screens, so this is just one more way that pet screens are designed to last.

Phifer is the Best Pet Screen

If you have pets or young children and want to give them access to your screened patio, durable Phifer pet screens are a necessity. For more information, contact Dulando Screen & Awning today at 407-862-6060 and speak to one of our design consultants for  a free quote.

Checklist to Ensure You Are Hiring the Best Pool Enclosure Company

Checklist to Ensure You Are Hiring the Best Pool Enclosure Company

When you’re enhancing your outdoor living space with a screened pool enclosure, you want a quality structure that will provide years of enjoyment. That means that you want to work with a pool enclosure company that only delivers quality pool enclosures. Using this checklist can help you select the best professional for the job. These items are non-negotiable if you want to find the best pool enclosure company to build your pool screen enclosure.

A Pool Enclosure Company Must Provide:

Current Florida Licensing
Why does it matter if a pool enclosure contractor is licensed? State licensing offers proof of legitimacy. It’s evidence that the contractor has the knowledge and skills necessary to do the job properly. It also offers a layer of protection for homeowners by providing them with more opportunities for recourse if a problem should arise. To verify that a pool enclosure contractor is licensed, ask to see their business license or visit http://sunbiz.org/. Dulando Screen & Awning was created in 1969, is licensed, and we’ll be happy to furnish proof upon request.

Current Florida Insurance
Insurance is another must for any pool enclosure company. Accidents happen. What if someone gets hurt while working on your pool cage? If your pool enclosure company lacks workers’ compensation insurance, you could be liable. What if your property is damaged during the project? If your contractor doesn’t have liability insurance, you may be out of luck. It’s in your best interest to confirm that your pool enclosure company has workers’ compensation and liability insurance. At Dulando, we understand the importance of being adequately insured and carry the right coverage. Our coverage policies are included in every proposal to our customers.

Timeless Treasures for the Right Pool Enclosure Company

Experience
A solid, successful business will stand behind its products, so it’s a good idea to choose an established, reputable company. Make it a point to find out how long the company has been in business. Discover how many projects like yours they’ve installed. Spend some time perusing reviews, and talk with previous customers. Visit the company’s website and view its portfolio of finished projects. Family-owned and operated since 1968, Dulando takes pride in providing excellent swimming pool enclosures at fair prices. Some pool enclosure companies might cost less, but you might pay more for their lack of experience.

Quality
Even the best chef cannot concoct a fabulous meal if they’re working with inferior ingredients. Building top-notch swimming pool enclosures require the use of top-quality materials. Some pool enclosure companies will cut corners on materials to keep their pool enclosure prices lower and their profits higher. Dulando does things differently. We’re committed to excellence that lasts. We only use premium aluminum as well as quality screening from Phifer Screen.

Performance
Smooth, professional performance and trustworthy customer support can eliminate hassles and headaches. It’s wise to opt for an experienced pool enclosure contractor who knows how to get the job done right. At Dulando, our highly trained team is ready to guide you through every phase of your project from design to installation. We’ll design a custom pool enclosure that matches your needs and budget.  Dulando always takes care of any necessary permitting. Then, our skilled installers will construct a quality enclosure that you’ll be able to enjoy for years.

Additional Reading: Hiring A Pool Enclosure Company

Over the last 50 years, Dulando has built a reputation for excellence, but we aren’t content to rest on our laurels. We are continually striving to add to our list of satisfied customers.  If you’re looking to hire a pool enclosure company, give us a call at 407-862-6060 and talk with one of our design consultants.

5 Signs You Might Need a Pool Enclosure Replacement

5 Signs You Might Need a Pool Enclosure Replacement

Humid weather, blustery days and blazing sunshine are all part of our Florida lifestyle.  But they are also all enemies of your pool screen enclosure, potentially causing enough damage that a screen repair or replacement is needed. As a homeowner, you might wonder how to determine best if you need a full pool enclosure replacement or a simple repair job. A few critical factors, including any potential moving plans, may make a total replacement the better financial decision than a repair.

Pool Enclosure Replacement Considerations:

Age of the Pool Enclosure Screens

Although screens are built to last, they aren’t expected to endure forever. The passage of time and constant exposure to the elements will damage and weaken your screens eventually. Repairs can help prolong the life of the screens, but replacement may be a better option if the screens are already past their expected lifetime. The lifespan of a pool screen enclosure depends on the quality screen initially installed.  The average lifespan is from 10-12 years.  If your screened pool enclosure uses a heavy duty screen, then you can expect almost 20 years.  Depending on the age of your current pool enclosure, a full replacement will help you avoid costly pool screen repairs that only delay the inevitably necessary replacement.

Long-term Plans for Your Home
Thinking about how long you want to continue living in your home is a determining factor in deciding whether to repair individual screens or go with a full pool enclosure replacement.  If you’re planning to sell your home within the next few years, a simple pool screen repair will probably be sufficient to keep your screens in an acceptable condition for your home’s sale. If you have no plans to sell, however, paying for a replacement now may be a better investment for your money. Plus, you’ll be able to enjoy the investment.

The Unsightly Appearance of Algae
In the humid weather of Florida, algae is not an unusual sight. Once algae take hold on your pool enclosure screen, however, it’s difficult to remove. This green substance will continue to grow, leaving you with an eyesore. Trying to replace only the affected screens may not solve the problem; algae spores are pervasive and challenging to remove. In most cases, it’s better to start over with a full replacement and strive to keep the new enclosure free of algae through regular cleaning.

Additional Reading:  How to Clean Screen Enclosures

Extensive Damage Requires Rescreening Pool Enclosure

Minor damage to the screens of your pool enclosure can often be repaired, primarily when the damage is limited to a single screen. Severe damage, such as that caused by windstorms, may require thorough repair work. If the damage is spread across multiple screens and the frame, a full rescreening or replacement may be more economical.

Changing Needs for Your Family
When you bought the home, your screened pool enclosure may have served your needs just fine, but your household has changed, such as having children or adopting a dog, may require you to rethink your enclosure. Pets can cause damage to a basic style screen, forcing you to spend money on constant repairs. Opting for a pet screen strong enough to withstand the destructive nature of pets and small children can help you save money. If bugs are interrupting your pool parties, you can upgrade your enclosure with a screen specially built to keep pesky bugs at bay.  Depending on the age of your current pool enclosure, screen technology has changed.

Additional Reading:  Pool Enclosure Replacement

Keeping your pool enclosure in good shape helps protect your pool and enhance your enjoyment of your backyard. If you need a full pool enclosure replacement for your Orlando, Daytona Beach or New Smyrna Beach homes, contact DuLando Screen & Awning at 407-862-6060 for more information about our services.

Top 5 Pool Enclosure Options When Building a Swimming Pool Enclosure

Top 5 Pool Enclosure Options When Building a Swimming Pool Enclosure

If your backyard is home to a swimming pool but doesn’t yet have a screen enclosure, this should give you a good start when researching pool enclosure options. A screened pool enclosure not only improves the aesthetics, functionality and safety of any pool, but each enclosure can be as unique as your home. Consider some of the most common pool enclosure options before hiring a contractor to install a cookie-cutter enclosure around your pool.

Most Important Pool Enclosure Options

1. Framing for Durability
Technically, you could have the frame for your screened in pool enclosure built out of almost any material, but aluminum is better than all the pool enclosure options, especially in Florida. Aluminum is stronger and lighter than wood, and since it will never rot, an aluminum frame will stand the test of time. This metal is also more resistant to corrosion than steel, even if the steel has been treated with corrosion-resistant coatings. In the humid environment around your pool, aluminum’s natural resistance to corrosion is key for a long-lasting pool screen enclosure that won’t unexpectedly fail.

2. High-Quality Screens
An aluminum pool enclosure may have a sturdy frame, but any screened enclosure is only as good as the screens that are installed.  Dulando Screen & Awning only uses Phifer screens.  Phifer screens provide the best quality for your screen pool enclosure, and the Phifer offers a wide range of screens depending on your needs. Solar Insect Screens, for example, feature a tightly woven mesh that keeps small bugs out of your pool, reducing the impact of annoying bugs on your pool experience.  Phifer Pet Screen is ideal for households with pets or small kids.  The screen is 4x tougher and can withstand pet paws and small children running into the screen.

Additional Reading:  Types of Phifer Screen for your Patio or Pool Enclosure

3. Roofing Options
You can choose between several different designs for your pool enclosure roof. Although the choice of a roof is partially aesthetic, your roofing choices can impact both the structural integrity and the final pool enclosure cost. Mansard roofs, for example, offer a tall and open design, giving your screened in pool enclosure a spacious feeling. Hip roofs enhance the height of your enclosure and withstand high winds better than most types of roofs. Dome roofs are more difficult to construct and combine many of the best features of mansard and hip roofs. Gable roofs are one of the cheaper types of roofs to construct and blend nicely with the gable roofs already gracing many Florida homes.

Additional Reading:  Types of Screen Enclosures For Your Swimming Pool

4. Architectural Choices
Any screen pool enclosure can be built attached to your home or as a free-standing enclosure. When consulting with your contractor, you’ll need to decide which pool enclosure options are best for you. Attached pool enclosures are often less expensive to construct. However, an attached enclosure may clash with the design of your home, and you may need to opt for a free-standing enclosure if your pool isn’t close to your home.

5. Quality Contractors Provide Warranty Coverage
The most important choice you’ll need to make about your pool screen enclosure is choosing the contractor to build it. Experienced and reputable contractors may sometimes be more expensive than start-up operations, but you can rest easy knowing that your enclosure will be built correctly the first time. Additionally, established pool enclosure contractors will not cut corners with subpar materials, allowing them to warranty their work to protect you in the unlikely event that something does fail.

Additional Reading:  Buyer Beware – Quality Pool Enclosures at the Lowest Price!

There you have the list of pool enclosure options when shopping for a new swimming pool enclosure.  With over 50 years of experience, Dulando Screen & Awning is one of the most experienced pool enclosure contractors in Florida. If your home needs a swimming pool screen enclosure, trust the advice of your friends and neighbors and give us a call today at 407-862-6060 or fill out the form online.  One of our design consultants will contact you.

Swimming Pool Enclosure: What you need to know before buying

Swimming Pool Enclosure: What you need to know before buying

If you’re having a swimming pool installed in your backyard, it’s a good idea to also think about the type of swimming pool enclosure you’d like to have. The right pool screen enclosure enhances the functionality and aesthetics of your pool, and a swimming pool enclosure secures access to your pool and prevents accidents. Before you install the first screened pool enclosure design that you see, however, it’s important to consider a number of factors.

Factors of a Swimming Pool Enclosure

Consider the Size

Screen pool enclosures are available in a full range of sizes, from low-profile enclosures that fit tightly around the outline of your pool to more expansive enclosures that offer entertaining spaces around the pool. Entertainment and social gatherings will require more space, but a pool that will be used primarily for exercise doesn’t need a large enclosure. Regardless of your preferred use, however, make sure that you make your screened pool enclosure large enough to accommodate all of the necessary equipment around your pool.

What’s the Condition of Your Pool Deck?

If you’re building a swimming pool enclosure around an existing pool, it’s a good idea to evaluate the condition of the existing pool deck.  If the decking around your pool is in poor condition, you may want to repair or replace the pool deck before having your enclosure installed. Once the enclosure is in place, it will be more difficult to access and repair the area around your pool. If your existing pool deck needs some attention, it’s a great time to consider pool deck pavers.

What Type of Screening Do You Want?

There are multiple types of screening available for your pool enclosure. Start by selecting a top-quality brand, such as Phifer screens; high-quality screens will last longer and carry an ironclad warranty in case something goes wrong. Next, consider the functionality of your screens. Pet screens can withstand abuse from pets and active children, solar screening can help block some of the rays of the sun, and insect screens are tightly woven to reduce the impact of pests on your pool.  Here’s a breakdown of Phifer screens available.

Shop for a Swimming Pool Enclosure Contractor

When it comes time to install your swimming pool enclosure, you want the best contractors working on your enclosure. Find your screen enclosure contractor before you set your heart on a particular design; your contractor will know what the practical options are for your pool and can help you make the best design decisions. By working closely with your contractor from the beginning, your installation will be as smooth as possible.

Prepare for Your Swimming Pool Enclosure Installation

Before you can have your enclosure installed, there are a number of steps you’ll need to take. You may need to obtain permission from your homeowner’s association for the enclosure’s design, and you may need to get a permit for the installation from your local government. The work site needs to be accessible for a variety of heavy equipment, and you’ll need to make arrangements to keep the worksite safe for children and pets. Your contractor can guide you in making sure that you’re prepared for the installation. We’ve prepared a handy checklist for you.  Of course, Dulando will take care of all the permitting for you.

Additional Reading: Factors That Determine Pool Screen Enclosure Cost

If you need a swimming pool enclosure in the Orlando, Daytona Beach, New Smyrna Beach areas, contact DuLando Screen & Awning. Our licensed and insured contractors are some of the best in the area, and our commitment to quality and customer service is second to none. Call us at 407-862-6060 to set up a free in-home consultation today!

Factors That Determine Pool Screen Enclosure Cost

Factors That Determine Pool Screen Enclosure Cost

It seems that everyone wants a pool screen enclosure or a pool cage.  But sometimes the price gets in the way.  We’ve compiled the top factors which determine a pool screen enclosure cost.  That way you can have more control over the cost of your pool cage.

Swimming pool screen enclosures serve many purposes. They provide a barrier that prevents leaves, debris, insects and other unwanted intruders from entering your pool area. They also act as a deterrent to keep children and animals from entering the space. Screened pool enclosures reduce the intensity of sunlight, making the area cooler. They also afford a higher degree of privacy. Many homeowners find that the greatest advantage of a swimming pool enclosure is the reduction in maintenance due to significantly less debris blowing into the pool. Yet, sometimes, they shy away from building a pool cage due to the pool screen enclosure cost.  That’s why we’ve put this list together.

How Much Does a Pool Screen Enclosure Cost?

Nationwide, the average cost of a pool screen enclosure falls between approximately $9,900 and $14,000. In contrast, the average pool cage cost in the east-central coastal area of Florida ranges between $8,000 and $12,000.

The cost of a pool screen enclosure varies according to the size, quality of materials used and extra amenities incorporated into the design, such as custom doors, lighting, and type of roofing. Prices reflect the complexity of construction, which ranges from simple pole and net construction to two-story, custom-designed units that are compatible with the architectural and landscaping aesthetics of the property. A pool screen enclosure evaluation should also reflect the contractor’s credentials and certifications.

How the Size of a Pool Screen Enclosure Affects the Cost

The size of the pool area to be enclosed is a significant factor in developing pool screen enclosure cost estimates. The bigger the pool area to be enclosed, the higher the price of the screened pool enclosure. Don’t forget the pool enclosure also encompasses the pool deck and sometimes your patio area.  The size of the pool screen enclosure also includes the height and type of roof selected. Dulando Screen and Awning offers domed, mansard, A-frame and hip roofs. Custom roofing is also available. Because the roof area varies according to the design, the cost of a pool cage will vary as well.

Additional Reading:  Ideas for Types of Pool and Patio Roof Designs

Although most enclosures are single-story, two-story enclosures are also available. Two-story screen pool enclosures cost more because they are of a more sophisticated architectural design and require more materials. Roofs on two-story enclosures can be custom-made to complement the architecture of your home.

Quality of Materials

Not all screened pool enclosure materials are equal. Dulando Screen and Awning uses only high-quality materials. We only use Phifer screens, which are stronger than most window screens.  Phifer screens last at least ten to fifteen years, depending on how much sun exposure, trees and such.  99% of the Phifer screens we use are either charcoal or black. Phifer screens also have many types of screens depending on what you need.  A few kinds of Phifer screens are pet screens, solar screens, or privacy screens.

We also use high-quality Structall products for the superstructure. Structall is a leader in the aluminum and steel manufacturing industry, providing a broad range of building supplies for commercial and residential applications. Structall offers extensive warranties on all materials. We honor the warranties of both manufacturers.

Consider the Credentials of the Contractor

Selecting an experienced pool enclosure contractor is a significant step in ensuring that you get a high-quality, durable swimming pool enclosure. Dulando Screen and Awning has been in the business since 1968.  We are a second-generation company with the privilege of serving homeowners and businesses in the central Florida area for many decades. We have built pool screen enclosures that were quite basic to “over the top.”  We pride ourselves on the quality of our work and the satisfaction of our customers.

Our large fabrication workshop allows us to build more significant components of a pool enclosure under controlled conditions. We then assemble components on your property. The ability to work in our workshop significantly reduces the pool screen enclosure cost for homeowners. We strive to provide a well-crafted, aesthetically pleasing pool screen enclosure that will withstand the extremes of Florida weather. After all, that’s the bottom line.  Your new pool enclosure has to stand up to the Florida weather with minimal maintenance.

We are familiar with the building codes and permitting requirements of our work areas. We build according to local regulations and take care of all required permits. We are licensed, insured and bonded.

Understanding the Pool Screen Enclosure Cost

We hope this helped you determine the factors that contribute to the price of a pool screen enclosure.  As you can tell, there are many factors, which means there are many places to save money or splurge on certain areas.

Additional Reading: Benefits of Adding a Pool Screen Enclosure

Dulando proudly serves the Orlando, New Smyrna Beach and Daytona Beach areas.  Up to Ormond Beach.  If you’re looking for a pool screen enclosure company, we provide free in-home consultations and estimates. Call 407-862-6060 to talk to one of our design consultants about your ideas for a screened pool enclosure.