The crew broke ground on the pool today. Are they just installing the pool and deck or are they handling the landscaping and walkways as well? Lots of homeowners decide to take care of landscaping themselves. There are lots of attractive options that don’t require a lot of experience. However, they do require some hard work. What about a pool enclosure? Have you considered installing one? If not, we’ll take a minute to share that a mesh screen enclosure enhances your pool experience in a number of ways.
They are:
- Bugs are blocked—The mesh screen is woven tightly enough to block all manner of bugs, mosquitoes, and even the noseeums aren’t getting through!
- Provides UV protection—Not a lot because screens allow the sunlight to get through. Still, any UV protection is worthy of mentioning living in the sunshine state. You won’t have to apply sunscreen as often either. The kids are going to love to hear that!
- An element of privacy—Added privacy is actually the number one reason homeowners give for installing an enclosure. And, those who didn’t are quick to tell you the difference it makes is pretty unbelievable!
- Safety—If you need to keep kids and pets away from the pool area, lock the door and it’s done.
- Your pool stays cleaner.
If you hadn’t already decided to enclose the space, but are ready to consider it now, we’ve got some tips to ensure it’s built to last for years to come.
A strong frame
It’s technically possible to build a frame for screens out of any material. The screen won’t way much of anything after all. And the money you could save might tempt you to consider using the cheapest option available.
We would suggest you not give in to the temptation.
Some materials just aren’t fit for the long term. For example, wood frames are going to rot over time. Moreover, if you don’t maintain them to guard against salt corrosion, that’s going to happen sooner than later. Metals fall prey to the salt in our air as well and once metal begins to rust, it can be hard to stay ahead of protecting it.
Aluminum or durable plastic piping are the best options. No matter what you go with, Florida building codes require it to be capable of withstanding hurricane-force winds.
Screens of high quality
You should avoid purchasing wire screens. They’re susceptible to salt corrosion, moreover, the wire is very thin and it doesn’t take much force to break through it. Once that happens, the wires can puncture a child or pet who decides to investigate the broken screen. Mesh screens are the far better choice.
In fact, many enclosure companies only work with Phifer screen products. They last a good ten years or more and with a lifespan like that, it’s no wonder Phifer has earned the number one slot in the industry—worldwide. Finely woven mesh blocks all manner of insects and they’re treated with added ultraviolet (UV) protection. Phifer screens are mildew resistant. They don’t fade or tear easily either.
Ask your contractor if they use Phifer and if not, ask for it!
Architectural decisions
Screen enclosures can be free-standing structures or built by attaching them directly to your home. Again, ask your contractor some questions. They can help you decide which works best for you. Being three-sided, an attached enclosure could be the least expensive option. However, you may decide that a free-standing design would be more attractive and, therefore, worth any added expense.
Should you decide to go with the attached pool enclosure, make sure that your contractor has experience. Connecting the two roofs can be tricky. You don’t want to risk a leak getting started. Wood rot and mold are likely to be the result if it does. Both spread and if left undetected for a lengthy period of time, can cause an astronomical amount of damage!
Roofing ideas
Your roof choice can add to the aesthetics of the exterior of your home. Overall, though, your roof choice impacts the structural integrity of your enclosure. It, of course, affects the final cost of your project as well.
Are you looking for a tall open design to give your enclosure a spacious feel? Perhaps your thinking of a design that best withstands high winds—we’re known to have those come up from time to time. A dome roof can be more difficult to construct, therefore, being more expensive, but they incorporate both height and wind-resistant benefits.
Lots of homes in Florida are built with gable roofs. You can carry on the theme and have a gable roof installed over the pool area as well.
Looking forward
Your mesh screen pool enclosure is going to last for years. Your family will enjoy protection from the sun and rain—unless the wind is whipping, but odds are lightning would have you heading indoors if that’s the case. Swatting at bugs and mosquitoes will become a distant memory too!
It looks like the construction crew is making pretty good progress on the hole.
The kids will be home soon. You sort of wish you had caved to their request to let them stay home from school so they could witness this landmark event. It wouldn’t have looked quite so silly if the whole family, unable to contain their excitement, started jumping up and down shouting with glee. The guys laughingly assured you it was a pretty common occurrence, but still—
Ah, well, what’s done is done. And, anyway, you can’t wait to see what they’ll do after the kids grab the pom poms and whistles off the table as they rush through the house when they get off the bus.