Screen enclosures are popular in Florida but if you have strong-willed pets—or kids, for that matter—intent on escaping, they can take a beating. They tend to keep pushing… and pushing… and the screen can pull away from the frame. And what about those tiny holes? If you don’t get them patched, they tend to get larger as time passes, don’t they?
For the most part, maintaining a screen enclosure is a breeze though. It involves repairing small holes before they become larger and keeping the screens clean. That’s it! Moreover, your kids can help make cleaning them a family event. Break out the scrub brushes and a bucket of sudsy water and let them have at it! When it comes time for rinsing, use the high-powered water guns! The garden hose works too. If you have older children—or are manning the job solo—you can break out the power washer.
And did you realize that they provide a multitude of benefits that you and your family will enjoy year-round?
Privacy feature
Added privacy is the number one reason given when homeowners are asked why they decided to install a screen enclosure. Of course, they don’t provide complete privacy, but the essence of privacy that the screens provide takes things up a notch… or two!
It’s amazing how the added seclusion tends to help the sights and sounds around you melt away. Adding a touch of relaxing decor—as in a small water feature perhaps—adds to the ambiance.
Oblivious to the bugs
That’s a pretty bold proclamation and we wouldn’t make it if it weren’t true. Florida has the perfect climate for bugs and insects to thrive. Who hasn’t felt assaulted when spending time out in the open air one sultry summer night? Odds are it’s happened more than we care to remember!
Screen enclosures create a bug-free zone that allows you to enjoy our beautiful weather without an onslaught of bugs and mosquitoes driving you indoors. Imagine how enjoyable night swims would become! Your kids may never want to get out of the water. And if they come up with the idea of sleeping on the giant pool mat, we trust that it’s instantly nipped in the bud.
Dragging out the sleeping bags and camping out on the deck or lanai could be another story though. That all boils down to trust.
Combats UV rays
The finely woven mesh screens prevent bugs from breaking through; they filter the sun making it less intense too. That means you escape full exposure to those dangerous ultraviolet (UV) rays. Sunscreen won’t need to be applied as often—we can almost hear the kids cheering from here.
Another big plus? Your possessions won’t suffer sun fade as quickly as they have in the past.
Scene stays clean
Screen enclosures keep yard and storm debris away from your space. No more will you look out after a wicked storm passes through to find your pool or patio area covered with branches and whatever else the storm blew in. They also discourage jumping in the pool after making a mad dash across the freshly mowed lawn for no apparent reason. We can’t speak for you, but less skimming can only measure up to being a good thing in our book.
Moreover, the finely woven screens do a great job of catching dirt and dust. How will it feel not needing to dust your seat every time you sit down?
The creature feature
Because you will enjoy bug-free evenings, you can easily plan outdoor movie nights! And, for some families, the scarier the better! We were thinking more in line with the “unwanted guests that can wander up unannounced here” type of creatures though. You know the like. Snakes, small wildlife, and even alligators aren’t out of the question!
Screen enclosures create a boundary they can’t cross. Never again will you be surprised by something you’d rather not see sunning on your lanai or… worse… floating in your pool after being unable to save itself.
Enclosures indeed keep things out, however, you can create a safe space to provide small children—or pets—a place to take in some fresh air without worrying they will wander off when you get distracted.
With benefits that abound…
The cost of a screen enclosure can easily be figured into the budget once you consider all the benefits that your family will enjoy—year-round—for years to come. The increased level of privacy has made some homeowners wish they’d made the decision earlier! Bugs aren’t going to invade your space… not any of them. Noseeums included! And, you don’t have to worry about ever discovering a wayward python or something showing up unannounced.
Your outdoor space remains clear of storm debris and deters kids from dragging in debris from the yard. Lastly, and most importantly, you provide a space that encourages togetherness. You will make memories there that last a lifetime. So will the strong bond you build together. That’s what spending quality time together does.