Many Florida homeowners decide to enclose their pool or lanai and with good reason. Screen enclosures provide homeowners with many benefits, such as an added level of privacy, keeping the area free of debris, UV protection, and a bug-free zone for your family to enjoy. When calling to discuss their home improvement plan, homeowners have asked about the type of roof design they should incorporate.
Decisions, decisions
The roof design plays a big part in the aesthetics of the overall visual effect your home presents. Screen enclosures aren’t limited to a specific type of roof by any means. The key is to determine which works best for you.
Let’s find out.
Gable roofs
These roofs are also known as an A-frame roof. Gable roofs have two deeply sloped sides that create a triangle. This is a popular style in Florida because lots of houses are designed with gable roofs. These type of roofs can stand alone or attractively attach to your existing gable roof.
Mansard roofs
Another popular roof design found in the Sunshine State is the mansard roof. It features a roof that slants upward on all four sides with a flat, level midsection. These roofs create a sense of wide open spaces which is perfect for an outdoor space.
Dome roofs
Dome roofs also create a sense of open space. The attractive architectural design with its gentle slope enhances curb appeal. Dome roofs are also known for resisting strong winds—something we, Floridians, think about when designing our homes.
Hip roofs
Similar in design to the mansard roof, hip roofs have one key difference. They don’t have a mid-section. Instead, the sloping sides come together at the top. The steep sloped effect provide optimal wind resistance during heavy storms.
Shed roofs
This roof design is also known as a sloped roof. It attaches to the existing roof with enough slope to allow rain to run off.
Screen versus glass
We are specifically mentioning screen enclosures because—well—that’s what we do. However, there are a few reasons why we believe a screen enclosure is better than glass. We’re sharing them with you.
Less expensive
Screen enclosures are easier on your budget. We’ll just put that out there right up front because these days, every penny saved is important during this time of inflation.
Provide UV protection
You can upgrade your enclosure by requesting glass with added UV protection, but be prepared for the added expense! Screen enclosures naturally provide a level of protection against the sun’s damaging ultraviolet (UV) rays though. The sun’s rays filter through the screen making them less intense by the time they get to you and yours.
That means you won’t have to pull the kids out of the water as often to reapply sunscreen. Or if you’ve enclosed the lanai and happen to doze off while relaxing, you aren’t apt to wake up sunburned. Your furniture and decor will resist sun fade longer too.
Guard against mold and mildew
The high humidity in Florida creates a perfect environment for mold and mildew to thrive if its spores get into a dark, damp crevice or nook to root. Once started, it spreads.
Exposure to mold causes health problems for humans and their pets. Symptoms continue to worsen as time goes on.
Screen enclosures allow a continuous flow of fresh air to fill your space. It penetrates every nook and cranny drying it out completely. Mold and mildew don’t have a chance to begin growing which eliminates the health risks.
Not to mention, glass enclosures get stuffy, especially when not properly ventilated—which points back to added cost. Moreover, the “stuffy” feeling can cause other issues. If someone suffers from claustrophobia, they may only be able to tolerate being in the enclosure for a short time.
Screen enclosures literally provide you with a breath of fresh air. And, in case you’re wondering, the answer is yes, we’re grinning at that line.
The illusion of privacy
Screen enclosures don’t provide homeowners with total privacy, however, many have reported that had they realized what a difference the “illusion of privacy” created, they would have installed one much sooner. That’s a very telling statement!
The added level of privacy enhances your time to rest and relax. Especially if enclosing your pool because, let’s face it, we all have days when we’d rather not hang out in our swimwear feeling as if the entire neighborhood is looking on. Moreover, whether you’re relaxing poolside or on the lanai, the added privacy does wonders toward feeling as if the outside world has melted away.
You can take that a step further by customizing your screens! Some companies—like ours, for instance—print digital images directly onto the screens. The dyes are treated with added UV protection ensuring that your images remain vibrant for years. The results are nothing short of amazing! Your family and friends will feel likethey are stepping into a private getaway spot… and they may hate to leave!
Bringing it home
A screen enclosure provides your family with a private gathering spot to enjoy. It’s a bug-free zone too. Even those pesky noseeums won’t get through the screen! It provides some UV protection, the space stays cleaner, and you catch every breeze sent your way.
Moreover, customizing your screens allows you to easily create a unique backyard retreat. Once you’ve added your decor, it’s sure to become your family’s new favorite spot to hang out. And that means lots of memory-making will be had there.
When you think about it, that may be the best part!