Why Do Homes In Florida Have Screened In Patios? (Find Out Now!)
Screened-in patios in Florida are one of the most popular add-ons to homes. These screened-in patios, often called lanais, can be as small as a back porch or expansive enough to cover an entire swimming pool.
Screened-in porches, or lanais, are standard features of many Florida homes. These screened living spaces offer several advantages. The lanais offer expanded living space to the home that takes advantage of Florida’s climate. The screens allow air movement while keeping the abundant bugs at bay. Many lanais feature outside cooking space as well.
There are many more reasons that Floridians routinely add a lanai to their home. If you consider adding a screened-in patio to your home, these reasons may be of interest.
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What are the Reasons for Adding a Screened Patio to Our Home?
Many Floridians have already discovered the enjoyment of a screened patio addition to their homes. Many homeowners in Florida list these reasons for adding a lanai to their homes.
Protection from the Florida Sun
Florida isn’t known as the Sunshine State for no reason. Florida boasts some of the most consistent sunshine days of any state in the nation. As many Floridians will testify, the Florida sun can be punishing during certain times of the year.
Adding a screened patio or even a screen enclosure over your pool can help protect you and your family from the most scorching Florida days. Not only does a screen enclosure protect you, but it also protects your patio furniture and other accessories from the debilitating effects of the sun’s UV rays.
Keeping Things Clean – Reduced Maintenance
A screened patio enclosure can reduce your maintenance time and effort. A roofed enclosure keeps birds and other wildlife from depositing their gifts on your pool deck, patio, and furniture. The screen enclosure keeps debris and garbage from blowing into the enclosure and accumulating in unsightly piles.
If your pool is enclosed, your pool maintenance costs, and time are also greatly reduced. The enclosure keeps your pool cleaner by reducing debris that otherwise must be vacuumed from the pool.
Reducing Uninvited Guest
Florida is a haven for wildlife. From insects to alligators, Florida is a garden of Eden for most animals. A patio or pool screened enclosure can make sure that none of these denizens of nature find their way uninvited into your space.
No one wants to go out to their patio and find a host of frogs enjoying the shade of their patio. Finding a snake or alligator basking in your pool is not high on the list of favored things for most homeowners. Sitting out on the patio for an evening can be quite a task if the mosquitos and other flying insects have free access to your patio or pool.
In some locations where local building codes require a fence or other structure to prevent someone from wandering into your pool, a screened enclosure meets the requirements without fences to disrupt your view.
Creating New Space for Your Lifestyle
Part of the Florida lifestyle is entertaining. What better way to make your home more inviting for friends and family than to add space. A screened patio or pool opens your home to the outdoors and creates new opportunities for relaxation and entertaining.
As an extension to your home, you get additional living space, greater enjoyment of the outdoor space around your home, and more opportunities to enjoy the Florida lifestyle that draws many residents.
Protecting Your Pool and your Enjoyment
If you select a lanai that covers your pool, there are many additional benefits the screen enclosure provides. Among these are:
- Reduced chemical costs and needs – The shade provided to your pool by a screen enclosure can help reduce your pool operating costs. By reducing the exposure of the water to direct sunlight, the amount of chemicals required to keep your pool in top condition is also reduced. Fewer chemical treatments mean less chemical cost.
- Keeping algae under control – Algae is always a concern in an outdoor swimming pool, especially where the pool receives a lot of direct sunlight. Covering your pool with a screen enclosure can lower sunlight, making algae growth less of a problem.
- Less Water Loss – Direct sunlight and heat are big factors in water loss in your pool. A screen covering can significantly reduce the water loss due to evaporation from your pool. Reducing water loss through evaporation means less operating expense.
- Better Water Temperatures – Many Florida pool owners find that constant exposure to Florida’s sun can raise the temperature of their pool water. In some cases, the water temperature becomes warm enough to be unenjoyable. A screen enclosure can help reduce the water temperature to keep your pool more enjoyable and comfortable.
Even if you don’t have a pool, many of the same advantages apply to a screened patio. Consider how much better your potted plants will do when protected from the overwhelming Florida sun inside a screened patio.
What is the Difference between a Lanai, a Screen Room, and a Pool Enclosure?
Terminology is a funny thing. Go one place, and a word has one meaning. Across the country, it may have an entirely different meeting. When discussing screen patios, screened-in patios, lanais, and pool enclosures, the same problem exists. For Floridians, these definitions are usually the most common for these terms.
- Screen Enclosure – Screen enclosures typically are all screen structures. The enclosure has a rigid frame with screen walls and a roof. The enclosure may be attached to a home, over a patio or pool, or free standing.
- Screen Room – Unlike a screen enclosure, a screen room has a pre-fabricated roof made of panels that fit together to create a rigid structure. The walls have a framework that holds screen material. Screen rooms provide a degree more protection from the elements and additional shade from direct sun.
- Lanai – Lanai is a Hawaiian word that has come to the mainland. A lanai is a part of the hoe structure. The home roof extends over a porch or patio area and is considered part of the home. The lanai walls are screen and may have shutters or panels to protect the interior from rain and wind.
- Pool enclosure – A popular addition to many pools in Florida is a screened enclosure. I some cases, these pool enclosures are free-standing structures. In other cases, the pool enclosure attaches to the house and may also cover a patio. The enclosure may have a screen roof or a panel room, much like a screen room.
Whatever you want to call it, a screen structure as part of your home can make a huge difference in livability and enjoyment. The advantages of adding a screened patio, lanai, or pool enclosure are many.
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Living Behind Screens
Having a screened-in space has a lot of advantages, especially in a climate like Florida. Getting the most enjoyment and use from your home and patio is a priority. Adding a screened-in patio to your living space adds more opportunity for you to enjoy the outdoor advantages of Florida. If you consider adding a screened-in patio to your home, it is almost assured that you will be pleased with your choice.
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Dennis is a retired firefighter with an extensive background in construction, home improvement, and remodeling. He worked in the trades part-time while serving as an active firefighter. On his retirement, he started a remodeling and home repair business, which he ran for several years.
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