Florida Pool Cage and Screen Enclosure Cost Calculator
Screen enclosures, usually called pool cages or lanai cages in Florida, keep bugs, leaves and lizards out of the pool and patio. They are also among the first things damaged in a hurricane. This calculator estimates either a full rescreen of an existing cage or a new aluminum enclosure, based on its footprint and height.
Typical costs
| Job | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Single panel repair | often under $100–$200 per panel, with a minimum service charge |
| Full rescreen | about $1 – $3 per sq ft of screen |
| New screen enclosure | about $10 – $25 per sq ft of floor area |
| Engineering and permit (new) | often a few hundred dollars or more |
How enclosures are measured
Rescreening is priced by how much screen is used: the roof panels plus all the wall panels. A cage over a 40 by 25 foot pool deck with 10-foot walls has about 1,000 square feet of roof and 1,300 square feet of walls. Mansard and dome roof styles have more surface than a flat or gable roof, so the real number can be higher. New enclosures are usually priced by footprint, height and roof style, since the frame is the main cost.
Screen types
- Standard 18 x 14 fiberglass: the most common and affordable mesh for pool cages.
- No-see-um (20 x 20): a tighter weave that blocks tiny biting insects common near Florida marshes and coasts; it slightly reduces airflow and visibility.
- Heavy-duty or pet screen: thicker vinyl-coated polyester for kick panels and doors where pets and kids push on the screen.
- Solar/privacy screen: reduces heat and glare and adds privacy, but cuts the view.
- Super screen / high-strength: stronger fabric that lasts longer and resists tears, at a higher price.
Many owners use regular screen up high and heavier screen on the lower "kick" panels.
How long screens last
Florida sun breaks down screen fabric over time. Many cages need a full rescreen roughly every 8 to 15 years, sooner near the coast or in full sun. Signs it is time include tears, sagging panels, brittle screen that cracks when pressed, and loose spline. Replacing a few panels at a time is fine for spot damage, but new panels will look brighter than the old ones.
Hurricanes and screen enclosures
Screen catches wind. Strong storms can tear screens out, bend aluminum members or bring the whole cage down. Some contractors cut "wind relief" slits or remove roof panels in strong storms, but most manufacturers and Florida code do not rely on that. Enclosures are designed to code-specified wind speeds that vary by region; newer enclosures in high-wind areas have heavier framing. Do not climb on a cage or remove panels as a storm approaches, and never stand inside one in high winds.
After a storm, inspect for bent or loose frame members and missing screws before anyone uses the area. A damaged enclosure can collapse later. Photograph damage for your insurer. Coverage for screen enclosures is often limited under Florida homeowners policies, and some policies cap or exclude it for hurricane losses, so check your policy before the season starts.
Permits and code
New screen enclosures in Florida generally need a building permit and engineering based on your area's design wind speed and the enclosure's size. Aluminum structures must meet the Florida Building Code. Rescreening alone usually does not require a permit, but frame replacement or structural repair often does. Your HOA may also have color and style rules; bronze and white frames are the most common.
Maintenance tips
- Rinse screens and frame a few times a year to remove dirt, pollen and salt.
- Check and replace missing or corroded screws, especially near the coast.
- Repaint or recoat the aluminum frame when the finish chalks or fades.
- Trim trees and palms that can drop fronds and branches on the roof.
- Keep the screen door closer and lock working, since pool barrier rules may apply.
Pool safety rules
Florida's Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act requires new residential pools to have at least one approved safety feature, such as a barrier, approved pool cover, door and window alarms, or self-closing, self-latching doors. A screen enclosure can serve as a barrier if it meets the requirements, including self-closing, self-latching doors. When you replace doors or rescreen, keep those features working.
Getting quotes
Ask for the screen type, whether spline is included, how many panels are counted, whether doors and kick panels use heavier screen, what happens to old screen, and how long the labor warranty lasts. For new enclosures, ask for the engineering, design wind speed and permit to be listed, and verify the contractor's license with the Florida DBPR. Aluminum structure contractors in Florida are a licensed specialty.
Repair, rescreen or replace?
If the aluminum frame is straight, the beams are not cracked and the fasteners are sound, rescreening is usually far cheaper than replacement and gives the cage a new look. Replacement starts to make sense when the frame is bent or corroded, when the enclosure was built to an older, weaker standard and you live in a high-wind area, when you want a different roof style or size, or when storm damage is extensive. Many contractors will give you both prices; ask them to explain which members are damaged and why. If insurance is involved, ask the adjuster to review whether the enclosure can be repaired to current code or must be replaced.
Ways to save
- Schedule rescreening in the off-season, roughly late fall through winter, when crews are less booked.
- Bundle the job with neighbors; some contractors offer a discount for multiple homes on the same street.
- Rescreen only the sun-exposed sides and roof if the shaded walls are still in good shape.
- Get at least three quotes with the same screen type and scope so you are comparing like with like.
- Do routine rinsing and screw replacement yourself to extend screen and frame life.
Frequently asked questions
Can I rescreen a pool cage myself?
Walls and low panels are a manageable DIY job with a spline roller and screen, but roof panels mean working on top of a structure that is not designed to hold people. Most homeowners hire out the roof.
How long does a full rescreen take?
A typical residential cage can often be rescreened in one to two days by an experienced crew, longer for large or complex enclosures.
Should I rescreen before or after resurfacing my pool?
If you are doing both, many people resurface first, since resurfacing crews and equipment can damage screens. See the pool resurfacing calculator.
Preparing the rest of your home for storm season? Try the shutter calculator or the generator sizing calculator, and RV owners can use the RV hurricane damage checklist.