Frequently Asked Questions About Aluminum Construction

Adding a new screen enclosure will definitely add value to your home, in more ways than one. Not only will you find that it will provide you with a much more enjoyable outdoor experience as the homeowner, it will also make your home more appealing to new potential buyers if you decide to sell your home. We've found that adding a new screen enclosure seems to be one of the first projects that people usually want to have done once they move into their new home.

There are many different types and brands of screen available, so you will definitely want to make sure your screen contractor is using the best quality screen on your new screen enclosure. We use Phifer Brand screen on our projects to ensure that we are providing our customers with what we feel is the best screen on the market, vs some of the cheaper "import" screens that only last 2 - 3 years.

Choosing the right size screen mesh is also important. The standard "18/14" mesh will provide protection from most insects yet still allow for good airflow and less wind resistance on your enclosure during a storm. If you live in a coastal area and have a problem with no-see-ums, "20/20" mesh would be a good option. The 20/20 mesh screen will cut down on your airflow and does add more wind resistance to your enclosure, so it is not recommended unless you do have a problem with no-see-ums. We also offer Phifer Brand TuffScreen and Pet Screen if you're looking for a more durable pet resistant option.

A permit is required in most municiplalities for a concrete patio, especially if you intend to build a screen enclosure on it. We see a lot of homeowners being misinformed by individual concrete contractors telling them that a permit is not required if the patio is under a certain square footage, even though they know the intent of the patio is to install a screen enclosure or screen room on it. This is not the case and could end up costing you more down the road when your screen contractor attempts to pull the permit for your new screen enclosure.

Some municipalities do not require a permit to screen in your existing covered lanai (screen walls under existing house roof, attached to existing foudation), some do. If you are not sure, you can always call your local building department to find out. Other than screening in an existing house roof covered lanai, all other types of screen enclosures are going to require having a permit pulled. If your screen contractor asks you to pull the permit yourself as the homeowner, they are probably not licensed, run!

Yes, a license is required to build a screen enclosure in the State of Florida. There is no local "Business Tax Receipt" or "Handyman" license to build a screen enclosure, so your contractor will need to either be State Certified or County Registered. This is true even if you are only screening in your existing house roof covered lanai, even though a permit may not be required. If you're in doubt you can check for license information on the states DBPR website.