18 Questions Answered · Brevard County, FL
Small lanai (200 sqft): 2-3 days. Standard pool cage (600-1,000 sqft): 4-7 days. Large custom: 1-2 weeks. Plain-English answers from a contractor working in Brevard County every week.
$3,000-30,000 depending on size and design. Small lanai screen: $3-7K. Standard mansard or hip-roof pool cage: $10-20K. Large custom with super-screen and bronze frame: $20-30K+. Three styles common in Brevard: mansard (slanted-then-vertical, traditional pool cage look), hip (low-slope hip roof, modern aesthetic), and dome (curved for hurricane wind load).
Brevard pool cages must meet Florida Building Code wind-load requirements - typically 130-150 mph design wind speed depending on exposure. Frames must be aluminum (hurricane-rated tier) with stainless fasteners. Mesh attachment uses approved spline systems. Most opt for just the engineered hurricane-rated frame and replace screens if damaged.
#18x14 is standard - blocks most insects. #20x20 (super-screen) for fine bugs and reduced UV. #40 (no-see-um) for sand fleas/midges - mostly coastal homes within a mile of beach. Pick the mesh by the pest you actually see on the lanai, not by default. A finer weave also reduces some airflow and view, so on a breezy pool deck it is worth weighing comfort against bug protection before committing.
Standard fiberglass screen: 5-8 years before sun degradation. Polyester screen (super-screen): 10-15 years. Stainless or aluminum mesh: 20+ years. Brevard sun and salt air accelerate degradation. When pricing an enclosure, compare the cost per year of service rather than the upfront material price alone, because a longer-lasting mesh can mean fewer full rescreens. Homes close to the ocean or river should lean toward the more durable mesh options.
White, bronze (most popular in Brevard), and bronze with sandstone trim. Some manufacturers offer colors like black or custom matching. Bronze handles UV best - stays uniform color longest. Large custom with super-screen and bronze frame: $20-30K+. Choose the frame color with your roof, trim and window frames in view, since the cage becomes a large part of the back of the house. Ask to see a physical sample outdoors, because bronze and white read very differently in bright sun.
Small lanai (200 sqft): 2-3 days. Standard pool cage (600-1,000 sqft): 4-7 days. Large custom: 1-2 weeks. Weather can extend in rainy season. Those durations cover build days on site, so ask how long permitting and material ordering will take before the crew arrives. Hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30 per the NOAA National Hurricane Center, so allow extra schedule room for storm delays in those months.
Yes for any new screen enclosure or pool cage. Brevard County requires building permit, sometimes engineering for larger structures. We handle permits. The permit review is where the frame design and anchoring are checked against Florida Building Code wind-load requirements. In cities such as Melbourne or Palm Bay the permit goes through the city, while unincorporated areas like Merritt Island and Viera go through Brevard County government.
Depends on extent. Single panel damage: repair $200-600 per panel. 20%+ structural damage: usually full replacement makes more sense. We evaluate and quote both options. Most opt for just the engineered hurricane-rated frame and replace screens if damaged. Before deciding, have the frame checked for bent beams, loose anchors and cracked connections, since torn screen is cosmetic but frame damage affects wind-load performance. Photograph the damage before cleanup and check whether your insurance policy covers the enclosure.
Yes. Adding a screen room to an existing patio slab: $5-15K depending on size and roof style. Popular for back-porch living space without bugs. Brevard pool cages must meet Florida Building Code wind-load requirements - typically 130-150 mph design wind speed depending on exposure.
Three styles common in Brevard: mansard (slanted-then-vertical, traditional pool cage look), hip (low-slope hip roof, modern aesthetic), and dome (curved for hurricane wind load). Plus solid-roof options if you want a real lanai roof instead of screen. The pool cage and any attached covered patio (under the screen roof) integrate.
Available - "kick plate" panels at the base, sometimes solid roof sections combined with screen. Adds $20-60/sqft over standard screen but allows usable shaded space and protects from direct rain. Standard mansard or hip-roof pool cage: $10-20K. Standard pool cage (600-1,000 sqft): 4-7 days.
Some homeowners add removable storm panels that bolt over screen sections during named storms. $400-1,200 per panel. Most opt for just the engineered hurricane-rated frame and replace screens if damaged. Available - "kick plate" panels at the base, sometimes solid roof sections combined with screen.
Yes - very common project. Adding screen walls to an existing covered patio: $4-12K depending on size. Adds outdoor living space without bugs. Adding a screen room to an existing patio slab: $5-15K depending on size and roof style. The pool cage and any attached covered patio (under the screen roof) integrate.
Yes. The pool cage and any attached covered patio (under the screen roof) integrate. Some clients do all-screen, some do hybrid with a solid-roof section over the pool deck dining area. Adding screen walls to an existing covered patio: $4-12K depending on size.
Standard fiberglass tears easily under cat claws or dog scratches. Pet-resistant screen (stronger weave, vinyl-coated polyester): 5-7x stronger, $0.50-1.50 more per sqft material. Worth it if you have pets. Pet screen matters most on the lower panels and door areas where animals actually touch the mesh, so ask whether it can go on those sections only to control cost. It is a heavier weave, which slightly reduces visibility compared with standard screen.
Pressure wash 1-2x per year. Inspect for tears annually. Re-spline (replace rubber that holds the screen) every 10-15 years. Frame rinse with fresh water if you're within a mile of the coast (salt buildup). Use a low-pressure setting so the spray does not stretch the mesh or pull the spline out of its channel. During the yearly inspection, also look at fasteners and frame connections for corrosion, since small tears and loose splines are far cheaper to fix early than after a storm.
Yes. Most pool cages attach to the existing house wall or eave. Proper flashing and waterproofing at the attachment point is critical to prevent leaks. Yes for any new screen enclosure or pool cage. Standard pool cage (600-1,000 sqft): 4-7 days.
Frame: 10-25 years (manufacturer). Screen: 10-15 years on premium polyester. ELSO workmanship: 2 years on installation including all fasteners, splines, and attachment to existing structures. Ask for every warranty in writing and confirm who handles each type of claim, since frame and screen coverage come from the manufacturer while installation coverage comes from the installer. Keep your permit records, invoice and product paperwork together in case you need to file a claim.
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