Screen Enclosures for Florida Pools: A Homeowner's Guide

Screen enclosures are common in Central Florida because they keep out most insects and larger debris, give shade, and make the pool usable more of the year. They are engineered structures that need a permit, and in Miami-Dade and Broward they must meet the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone code. We build the pool and deck, and plan them around a new or existing enclosure.

Why are screen enclosures so common in Florida?

Bugs, mostly. Mosquitoes, no-see-ums and other insects make an open yard uncomfortable at dusk, and many homeowners want a pool they can use in the evening. An enclosure also keeps out leaves, palm fronds, bugs and birds, softens the sun and gives the family a defined space that works with a barrier or alarm approach to pool safety.

In many Central Florida neighborhoods, an enclosed lanai is simply what buyers expect. That is why we plan it into the design conversation from the beginning.

What does an enclosure do to your pool chemistry?

It changes a few things in helpful ways and leaves others the same. Less direct sun means chlorine burns off more slowly, so the pool may hold its sanitizer longer. Less debris falling in means less organic load. Less wind and open air also means less evaporation.

It does not make the pool maintenance-free. Pollen and fine dust still get through the screen. Rain still gets in at an angle. Shade can also encourage algae in corners that stay damp. You still need regular testing and balancing, which is covered in what to expect from weekly pool service.

How does an enclosure affect heat and water temperature?

An enclosure blocks part of the sun, so the pool may run slightly cooler in summer than an open pool. The deck stays more comfortable underfoot, and the lanai feels more livable at midday. In cooler months the effect can go the other way, since the pool is also shaded and sheltered from the wind. If you plan to use a heater or add a spa, tell us so we can size the equipment with the enclosure in mind.

The screen also affects how light reaches the water. Dark screen mesh reduces glare and view; lighter mesh opens up the view. Ask your enclosure company to show you samples.

What maintenance does an enclosure need?

An enclosure is a structure with a lot of fasteners and thin material, and it ages in Florida sun and storms. Plan on regular care.

• Rinse the screens now and then to remove pollen and dirt that clog the mesh.
• Look for tears and loose spline, and repair them before wind makes them worse.
• Check the frame and fasteners for corrosion, especially near the coast where salt air is a factor.
• Keep gutters and the roof edge clear where an enclosure meets the house.
• Trim nearby trees, so branches do not rub or fall on the structure.
• Rescreen when the mesh gets brittle or faded. The right timing depends on the product and the sun exposure.

The enclosure company is the right source for structural advice. If you notice damage after a storm, they or an engineer should inspect it before you use the area.

What is the wind code in Miami-Dade and Broward?

Miami-Dade and Broward counties fall in the Florida Building Code's High-Velocity Hurricane Zone, known as the HVHZ. In that zone, products and structures exposed to wind, including screen enclosures and anything attached to the house, must meet stricter requirements. That usually means products with an approved Notice of Acceptance or product approval, and designs with an engineer's drawings.

Wind requirements elsewhere in Central Florida and along the rest of the coast are still taken seriously, but the HVHZ is the most demanding. Exact requirements depend on the structure, the municipality and the date of the permit, so we confirm what applies to your address during the estimate, and your enclosure company should do the same.

Do you need a permit for an enclosure?

Yes, in general. An enclosure is a structure, so the city or county building department reviews it. The company that builds it usually prepares the drawings and the application. If your enclosure and your pool are part of the same project, the two permits need to line up, since the footprint, the setbacks and the foundation all connect.

If you live in an HOA, the association often reviews the enclosure as well, including the screen color and the frame finish. Start that early. Read pool permits and the build process for how approvals fit together.

What do we do about enclosures?

We want to be clear here. Prime Pools and Spa does pool work: the pool, the spa, the deck, the equipment and the finish. We do not build screen enclosures. What we do is plan the pool and the deck around a new or existing enclosure, so the pieces fit.

• Layout. We keep the pool, steps, spa and equipment in sync with the enclosure's posts, beams and door locations.
• Deck and drainage. Footings, columns and the deck edge need to work together.
• Access. Equipment and crews need a way in, and an existing enclosure may need a removable panel or a temporary opening.
• Sequencing. The pool, the deck and the enclosure follow an order that depends on the project.

Should you build the enclosure before or after the pool?

There is no one right answer. Building the pool first gives the crew open access for equipment and avoids damage to the new structure. Building them together can save time and let one set of drawings cover both. If you already have an enclosure, the pool has to fit inside it, and access can be the biggest issue. We talk this through at the estimate visit, once we see your yard.

What about renovating a pool under an existing enclosure?

It is very common. A pool renovation, resurfacing or new deck under an enclosure takes planning for access, since a machine cannot always reach the pool. Work can be done by hand and with smaller equipment. We explain the approach at the estimate. See pool renovation for what we can do.

How do you pick the right setup?

Ask yourself a few questions. How much do bugs bother you? How much shade do you want? Do you plan to add a spa or a heater? Do you live in the HVHZ, or in an HOA with design rules? Your answers shape both the pool and the structure that covers it.

If you are planning a new pool, start with our new pool construction page, then call or text (689) 225-1200 for a free on-site visit. We work in Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, Miami and the corridor between. We reply within 1 business day.