If you already love to be out in the backyard relaxing in the evenings and over the weekend, just wait until you get your outdoor enclosure up! Are you still trying to decide whether you’re going with screened-in or glass, though? We’d vote for going with screened-in. If you want to know why we believe Floridians love a mesh screen outdoor enclosure more than a glass enclosure, read on!
A new outlook
Now, some might think that would be a pretty big stretch of the imagination. An entirely new home can certainly provide you and your family with a new outlook on life as a whole! But, an enclosed outdoor living space? Some may be asking the “Seriously?” question right about now. For those who are, you can un-arch that eyebrow.
We’ll explain.
Some screen enclosure companies, like ours, for instance, offer their customers a customization option. You can choose any digital image—either yours or one from a catalog of options—and the company will reproduce them right onto your screens. The images are printed using the latest dyes which are treated with ultra-violet (UV) protection so they remain vibrant for years to come. The screen is reinforced with UV protection as well.
The results are nothing short of amazing! Imagine feeling as if you’re stepping out the door straight into your favorite place in the world! It can happen if you decide to work with a company that customizes the screens.
Nobody presses the panic button
One of the main complaints that people have with being inside a glass enclosure is that they begin to feel closed in—claustrophobic. Eeeesh.
It may seem like a strange thing to happen… outdoors… surrounded by glass. As odd as it sounds, though, it happens. Glass enclosures prevent natural airflow and when air isn’t moving, people who suffer from claustrophobia can begin to feel anxious. Unless they’re able to “talk themselves down,” their anxiety only intensifies and eventually, they need out.
Mesh screens allow air to flow freely throughout the entire space. A purely natural environment for you and yours to enjoy. Nobody starts to feel stressed out for seemingly no reason. Moreover, it allows you to catch every breeze that drifts by. Living in Florida, that’s a pretty big deal!
Glass enclosures are prone to mold growth
Because air doesn’t cycle in glass enclosures—unless they are properly ventilated, which is expensive and often bypassed—there’s a high probability that some areas will never completely dry out. Those nooks, crannies, and crevices around the pool… and as far as the water will splash… are the perfect places for mold and mildew to get started. Our hot, humid environment can cause it to take off like nobody’s business too. Worse, it can go undetected for who knows how long.
Mold spores are easily released into the air and when we breathe them in, it’s not good. The body can have an allergic reaction that only grows worse with prolonged exposure. Mold adversely affects our pets too.
When air is moving freely throughout your enclosure, it’s going to dry out those little unseen areas that are the most likely places for mold to take hold. Squirt a solution of water and white vinegar (a 50-50 ratio should do it) around the base of the pool and other areas where small bits of water may accumulate and you should be set. You can also use a bleach water solution.
Don’t forget the privacy factor
Even though screened enclosures don’t provide 100% privacy, the level of privacy they do provide makes a huge difference in your outdoor experience! In fact, added privacy is the number one reason that homeowners give as to why they decided to install an outdoor screen enclosure. And, many have reported that they hadn’t realized the difference the added element of privacy would make in their lives. If they had, they’d have installed it sooner!
A glass enclosure can have the same effect for some people merely because it’s an enclosure. However, for many who have onlooking neighbors, that’s not the case. It’s no fun feeling as if you’re on display all the time. Timing your swims at times they aren’t home can get a bit ridiculous and chances are, your pool doesn’t get used nearly as often as it would if you’d have had some added privacy.
But wait, there’s a bit more
While you can install glass that has added UV protection, it’s going to be more expensive. We mentioned above that your screens come treated with UV protection to increase their lifespan. They provide a degree of protection for you and your family as well. Any amount of shade is welcome around here!
And, we mentioned that treated glass is going to add to your expense. We’ll note too that, overall, a glass enclosure is more expensive than a mesh screen enclosure.
There are common factors too
We won’t totally bash glass enclosures, though, because they do provide homeowners with some of the same features that a mesh screen enclosure provides.
- Keep bugs away
- Block debris and keeps small animals at bay
- Keep kids and pets safer
We want you to keep enjoying your outdoor living area, whether it’s spent by the pool or swinging in a hammock set up on the lanai. When it’s all said and done, we believe your family would benefit more from a screened-in enclosure rather than glass.
What do you think? We’d be glad to find out. And, to hear what digital imagery you’d use to create a totally unique environment that you and your family will enjoy for years to come.