Questions to Ask Before Trying DIY Screen Enclosure

Questions to Ask Before Trying DIY Screen Enclosure

It’s undeniable. There is a certain satisfaction that comes with doing it yourself, and it’s hard to put a price tag on that feeling. However, you’ll only experience it as the result of a job well done. When things go wrong, it can be frustrating, expensive and flat-out dangerous.  Savvy do-it-yourselfers understand that success requires picking suitable projects. Is building a DIY screen enclosure a task that you can tackle yourself or one best left to the professionals? To find out, ask yourself these questions.

1. Do I have the tools to do the job?
When determining the cost of a patio enclosure, it’s important to factor in the cost of the tools.  Especially, if you don’t already have the tools necessary for the job.  Quality tools are an expensive investment. When building a DIY screen enclosure, do you have the tools needed to build a screened-in patio or pool enclosure?  Some of the tools necessary to complete the job are basic hammer and screwdriver, but then there are specialty tools to apply the screen.  Be certain to consider the cost to purchase or rent them when debating whether to do it yourself or call a professional.

2. Can I get the materials necessary?
Home improvement stores offer an array of materials to build a DIY screen enclosure, and the Internet provides access to an even greater variety of products. However, professionals often get discounted rates that are unavailable to the public. Perhaps most importantly, they have a thorough understanding of the products used in their profession. They understand the pros and cons of various materials and what makes them a good choice or a bad idea for a given situation in a way no amateur can hope to match.

3. Do I have the knowledge to complete the job safely?
Before embarking on any do-it-yourself projects, especially potentially risky ones like the installation of a swimming pool enclosure, ask yourself if you truly know how to complete the job safely. Have you thought about permits and issues like underground cables and scaffolding? Can you ensure that the structure is engineered correctly? Are you confident in your skills with the necessary tools?  Have you ever seen a screen that was too loose?  It’s not attractive.

4. Am I ready to cope with the unexpected?
When it comes to DIY screen rooms, it’s pretty much inevitable that something unexpected will crop up. Are you prepared to deal with it? What will you do if you discover that you’ve bitten off more than you can chew?

5. Can I construct a quality product?
A screen enclosure that’s built properly will last for 10 to 15 years. Will you be happy with the quality of one that you build yourself? It would be a shame to spend hours sweating through the construction of a screened in patio and then be unable to enjoy it because you’re distracted by things that you wish you’d done differently. It’s also worth remembering that professionals can create and manufacture custom designs that are a perfect fit for your space.

6. Will I save money by building a DIY screen enclosure?
The prospect of cutting costs is often a major motivation for doing it yourself, but will you actually save money? There’s more to this calculation than the price of tools and materials. Remember that your time has value. There’s also the matter of a warranty. Professionals can often provide one, but you may find that you’re out of luck if you do the work yourself.

A family-owned and -operated business, Dulando Screen and Awning has been turning backyard dreams into realities since 1968. For high-quality pool, screened in porch and patio screen enclosures and unmatched customer service, contact us today. It will be our pleasure to provide a free estimate.

 

Health Benefits of a Patio or Pool Screen Enclosure

Health Benefits of a Patio or Pool Screen Enclosure

If you’re considering investing in patio or pool screen enclosure, then you have probably already learned that it can add value to your property and make enjoying your outdoor spaces more comfortable. But did you know that a screen enclosure can also offer real health benefits?

Instant Insect Protection
Mosquitoes, ticks and other creepy crawlies are more than an annoyance; they’re a health threat. The news is full of scary stories about insect-borne ailments like the West Nile virus and the Zika virus that have the potential to make people very ill. The stings of bees and wasps and the bites of mosquitoes and ants are generally far less terrifying, but they can still make you feel thoroughly miserable, especially if you have an allergic reaction.

A screen in patio and pool enclosure forms a protective wall that keeps troublesome insects out. This leaves you and your entire family free to enjoy your corner of the great outdoors without being forced to choose between smelly insect repellents or itchy bug bites. Plus, by reducing your chances of being bitten, these enclosures shrink your risk of catching a nasty bug-borne disease.

Allergen Barrier
While pollen has an important part to play in the growth of the flowers, plants and trees that make outdoor living spaces so beautiful, it’s also a seasonal allergy sufferer’s worst nightmare. After all, it’s hard to enjoy your pool or patio if you start to sniffle and sneeze every time that you step outside your door.

When you have a patio or swimming pool screen enclosure, the screen forms a barrier that keeps debris out and reduces the infiltration of pollen and dust. Phifer offers a 20×20 fiberglass mesh that helps protects your patio against the pollen season. That means that you’ll have more time to enjoy the space because you’ll be doing less cleaning and less sneezing.

Hassle-Free Sunblock
The warmth of the sun feels delicious on the skin, but it is a treat to be savored cautiously. Sunburns hurt, and skin cancer can be destructive or even deadly. Unfortunately, applying and reapplying sunblock is a hassle, especially when you’re trying to enjoy an afternoon in the pool. It’s easy to get caught up in the fun and forget to touch up your sunblock.

What does building a pool enclosure or a screened patio has to do with sun protection? At Dulando Screen and Awning, we use high-quality screens from Phifer. The world’s largest producer of aluminum and fiberglass screening, Phifer offers several innovative screens designed to exceed expectations, including several screens that have been recognized by the Melanoma International Foundation for their effectiveness in protecting the skin and eyes from sun damage. In fact, these screens protect more than people from the sun. Our favorite is the Phifer Super Solar Screening which offers the ultimate in shading protection by blocking up to 90% of the sun’s heat. They also protect your patio furniture from solar wear and tear, preventing fading so that it looks newer for longer.

Additional Reading: Factors That Determine Pool Screen Enclosure Cost

Quality is something that Dulando Screen and Awning takes great pride in delivering. Every screen enclosure we design and install is meant to look fantastic both now and years from now. Our experienced team delights in helping you create the screen enclosure of your dreams. Call today 407-862-6060 to learn more about our products and request your free in-home estimate.

 

The Benefits of Choosing an Aluminum Patio Roof

The Benefits of Choosing an Aluminum Patio Roof

People travel from all over the world to have fun in the Florida sun, but those of us lucky enough to live here in the Sunshine State know that there are times when it’s too much of a good thing. Those unrelenting rays can send the temperature soaring, cause painful sunburns, fade surfaces of things like patio furniture and drive people inside to huddle in the air conditioning. For those who want to enjoy the beauty of outdoor living, an aluminum patio roof offers an awesome solution.

Available for patios of all sizes, these clever designs can be installed over a new or an existing patio that is not under your home’s roofline. They provide welcome protection from the elements, making it possible, and more enjoyable, to use your patio year-round and at all times of the day. That means that you can spend less time gazing longingly through a window at your gorgeous backyard and more time outside experiencing it.

Benefits of an Aluminum Roof for Your Patio

  • A covered patio offers shelter from the sun and rain. Thereby allowing you the pleasure of using the space even if the weather is less than perfect.
  • An aluminum patio cover gives you more flexibility when selecting a location for a patio. You do not have to choose a spot under the roofline of your home to create a sheltered space.
  • Aluminum offers an affordable alternative. It is less expensive than shingles and other common roofing materials.
  • An insulated patio cover helps keep the sun’s heat from penetrating through the cover. This keeps your patio cooler and more comfortable.
  • White aluminum patio covers present a crisp, clean look that fits any style. As a bonus, the light, bright color reflects heat. Ensuring that the sheltered space beneath it stays noticeably cooler than areas exposed to direct sunlight.
  • Our patio roofs are designed to withstand hurricane-force winds.

Why Choose Dulando Screen and Awning?
At Dulando, we know that a fantastic outdoor space requires more than just vision. That’s why we incorporate a half-century of experience, excellent customer service, expert design services, in-house fabrication services and top-quality materials into every project we build. Our highly trained personnel are fully prepared to help you make the patio cover you’ve been envisioning a reality.

We utilize Structall’s Snap-N-Lock Insulated Panels to construct an aluminum patio roof that stands the test of time. These innovative panels feature an energy-efficient polystyrene foam core that is encased in a durable aluminum skin. Aluminum patio covers are available in various sizes and thicknesses. They can be used to create patio roofs of virtually any design. Their patented locking system provides strong joints, continuous insulation, and a waterproof seal. Thereby eliminating troublesome issues like condensation and ultraviolet destruction. The result is a strong roof that still easily accommodates the installation of special features like lighting and fans.

Additional Reading:  Aluminum Patio Covers

Dulando Screen and Awning has been providing top-notch aluminum patio roof products for affordable prices since 1968. Our service areas include the Orlando area as well as the New Smyrna Beach and Volusia County and Brevard County. Quality and service aren’t just words to us; they’re guiding principles. Contact us today at 407-862-6060 to request your free in-home estimate.

Top 7 Advantages of Screen Enclosures

Top 7 Advantages of Screen Enclosures

Why are patio screen enclosures such a popular feature? It’s simple. These clever structures offer very real benefits. Here are the top seven advantages of a screen enclosure.

1. Screen Enclosures offer the best of both worlds.
Patio screen enclosures straddle the line between indoors and outdoors, creating a space that allows you to enjoy the best of both environments. With a screened-in porch, it’s easy to soak in the natural beauty of your backyard without having to worry about the hassles that sometimes accompany ventures into the great outdoors.

2. Keep insects at bay without any hassle.
Gnats, mosquitoes, flies, ticks and other bugs can quickly make spending even a warm, sunny day outside a miserable experience. Having these pests buzzing or crawling in your vicinity is annoying. Worse, their bites are uncomfortable and can cause an assortment of illnesses. You can use insect repellents to keep them away, but these are often smelly, and they require a frequent application to be even mildly effective. In contrast, a screened-in porch enclosures serve as a shield, defending you and your family from these unwelcome visitors without requiring any extra effort on your part. Check out the Types of Phifer Screens we use.

3. Offer protection from the elements.
Soaking rains and blustery winds can make even a dedicated outdoorsman long to be inside, and while the sun feels good on your skin, it poses its own hazards. After all, sunburn and skin cancer are undeniably unpleasant. A patio screened enclosure creates a sheltered space that significantly reduces weather woes, making it easy to enjoy the outdoors regardless of what Mother Nature has planned for the day.

4. Reduce maintenance requirements.
A patio is a lovely feature, but keeping it that way takes work. Patio enclosures reduce this burden because the screens prevent leaves, branches and other debris from intruding. Furthermore, they protect your patio furniture and other surfaces from the relentless sun, reducing fading and wear.

5. Provide extra space to entertain.
Whether you like to plan gatherings for a few close friends or thrive on hosting parties packed with people, a patio screened enclosure is a real bonus. These screen room patios are a fun place to entertain and allow the party to go on regardless of the weather.

6. Increase your property’s value.
Screen enclosures are an affordable way to add to the square footage of your home. Installing one gives you more elbow room and a potential boost in the value of your property.

7. Add visual charm.
Screen enclosures aren’t one-size-fits-all; they can be as simple or ornate as you desire, and they come in an amazing array of sizes. A custom structure can easily be designed to complement the style of your home, creating an attractive addition with aesthetic appeal.

If you are interested in enclosing your patio, porch or pool, contact Dulando Screen and Awning. With five decades of experience, in-house fabrication services and a firm commitment to quality, we are proud to be a trusted source of enclosures for Orlando, Daytona Beach and the New Smyrna Beach areas. Call today 407-862-6060 to discuss your project with a member of our expert team and request your free in-home estimate.

Types of Phifer Screens for Your Pool or Patio Enclosure

Types of Phifer Screens for Your Pool or Patio Enclosure

Window screens perform their job with just occasional patching, so why not install the same material around your patio or pool? A reputable screen enclosure contractor will be the first to point out that plain screens don’t have the durability for year-round outdoor duty. Phifer screens offer superior, maintenance-free strength, and they give you real versatility in style and function.  Here are the 3 main types of Phifer screens for your patio or pool enclosure.

Phifer Pet Screen – Keep Pets In and Wildlife Out

Phifer PetScreenIf the family pet used a doorbell to let you know when he wanted in and out, that back porch screen would last a lot longer. If Florida critters didn’t love your barbecue leftovers, you wouldn’t have to worry about midnight raids.

Phifer Pet Screen is seven times stronger than a traditional screen and stands up to it all. Fresh air and your favorite view are yours to enjoy without the headache of torn screens.  Homeowners especially love Phifer Pet Screen for sliding doors.

Imagine a backyard kitchen with a see-through ceiling and walls that keep out critters and bugs. Pet screens are even tough enough to handle stray golf balls and rowdy kids.

Phifer Solar Screen – Enjoy the Rays and Reflect the Heat

Phifer SunscreenYou don’t have to give up fresh breezes and backyard scenery to beat our Florida heat.

Phifer Solar Screen blocks up to 90 percent of heat and glare.  Therefore, your screened patio enclosure or sunporch stays cool with plenty of ventilation. The heat-busting secret to this type of screen is its vinyl-coated polyester material.

Phifer SunTex absorbs heat and dissipates glare by as much as 70 percent, and it’s available in five natural colors to cover every taste in exterior design. For the ultimate protection from summer’s hottest days,

Both Phifer screens allow perfect visibility from inside while the Super Solar line adds an extra layer of privacy to your enclosure.

 

Phifer Solar Insect Screen – Beat Bugs and Deflect Dust

Whether you call them sand fleas or no-see-ums, tiny biting midges are impossible to keep at bay with ordinary screening material. The design of a Phifer insect screen puts these pests in their place with a 20 x 20 mesh count that keeps bugs outside of your comfort zone. Like all Phifer screens, the material doesn’t interfere with your view or love of an evening breeze. The tight mesh construction also filters out airborne dust, debris and pollen, so you can breathe easier.

Dulando Screen & Awning is always happy to share information that helps you decide on the best Phifer screen for your patio enclosure, and we also offer the talents of our in-house design teams. Just contact us at 407-862-6060 for more information and a free estimate. A quality screen enclosure makes all the difference in the quality of life you enjoy in the sunroom, on the patio and around the pool, so give us a call today.

Quality Construction for your Pool or Patio Screen Enclosure Installation

Quality Construction for your Pool or Patio Screen Enclosure Installation

Putting an enclosure around your pool or patio can help keep it free of dirt, leaves, pollen, bugs, debris and other annoyances. However, before you begin soliciting bids for a screen enclosure installation, it’s important to know about the materials used in the construction of your enclosure. High-quality construction materials can help your enclosure stand up to the rigors of Florida’s hurricane-force winds and corrosive sea air.

All patio and screen enclosure companies should build according to Florida building code specification of engineering in each zoned area.  So depending on where you live in Florida, the building codes might be a bit different.  Make sure your chosen enclosure contractor is well versed in your area’s screen enclosure installation building code regulations.

Here are a few of the quality materials Dulando Screen & Awning build their patio or pool screen enclosures.

Framing
Stainless steel and wood are common building materials, but neither material is a good option for an outdoor screen enclosure construction material. Both materials are vulnerable to the elements, especially in the salty sea air around Daytona Beach and New Smyrna Beach areas. Dulando only uses aluminum framing for all pool and patio screen enclosure installation projects. Aluminum has many qualities that make it an ideal material for patio and pool screen enclosures; it’s cost-effective, strong, light, environmentally friendly and resistant to corrosion.

Aluminum Panels
If you’re adding an enclosure around your porch or patio, you might need to extend the roofline of your home. Insulated aluminum panels are an ideal choice for the roofing material, and at DuLANDO we use high-quality Structall insulated panels to build the roofs for our pool and patio screen enclosures. The built-in insulation helps keep your patio cool in the summer and warm in the winter, and it helps to muffle the sounds of Florida’s summer rains. In addition, the panels come in a variety of styles and finishes to fit the style of any home. We can even install shingles on these panels to help them blend in with your current roof.

Fasteners
The quality of the fasteners is an important consideration when constructing an outdoor enclosure. Zinc fasteners are common and inexpensive, but they are quite vulnerable to corrosion. Stainless steel is another popular material; it’s less vulnerable to corrosion, but stainless steel will still rust with enough exposure to Florida’s salty air. There’s also a more expensive premium-grade stainless steel fastener, but even these fasteners aren’t immune to corrosion. In addition, premium stainless steel is a soft alloy, and the heads of the fasteners are often damaged while they’re being screwed down.

Additional Reading:  Factors That Determine Pool Screen Enclosure Cost

Of course, there’s more to a high-quality pool enclosure installation than the materials used. At Dulando, we provide the experience and expertise to bring out the best in every enclosure that we build. Our goal is to create a patio or pool enclosure that will fit your backyard and complement your home.

To schedule an appointment with one of our design consultants, please call 407-862-6060 or fill out our request for quote for a free estimate.