In the following article you will find all you need to know about landscaping your pool cage or lanai in Florida, including the average costs of most popular landscaping techniques.
What is pool cage landscaping in Florida?
Pool cage landscaping in Florida is an ornamental technique that includes both, decorating an indoor space (inside the pool cage enclosure) and adapting an outdoor space (the surroundings of the pool cage)
The pool cage indoor space can be customized with carpets, chairs, sofas, puffs, tables, lighting and sound systems, furniture, electronic devices, remote-controlled appliances, decorative objects, and more.
On the other hand, the patio around the pool cage can be adapted to offer a more comfortable and aesthetic space to spend your leisure time. This is usually made with plants, trees, shrubs, sod, rocks, flowers, decks, outdoor lights, and so on.
Things to take into account while landscaping your pool cage in Florida
If you have a lanai or pool cage and want to landscape your patio around it, you must take into account at least the following factors:
Safety: If you want to plant trees or shrubs remember they will grow. Make sure to plant them far enough to avoid future damage to the pool cage or lanai structure when their roots and branches grow.
Corrosion: Plants and shrubs require irrigation and, sometimes, fertilizers. Locate them away from the pool cage or lanai to avoid corrosion damage to the structure. Avoid installing water sprinklers in the areas close to the lanai or pool enclosure.
Pests and leaves: Outdoor lights, trees, shrubs and flowers will attract bugs and insects to your patio. Trees and shrubs also generate leaves and organic debris. Thus, you will need to pay more attention to the lanai or pool cage cleaning and maintenance.
How much does pool cage landscaping cost?
On average, external pool cage or lanai landscaping costs range from $50 up to $150 per hour, from $4 up to $20 per square foot, or between $2,000 and $20,000 for a complete landscaping project, depending on the size of the patio, job complexity and other factors.
According to Home Guide, the average costs of some of the most popular landscaping techniques are:
Table 1. Average landscaping costs. (Source: Home Guide)
Landscaping technique | Average cost |
Lawn seeding | $0.04 – $0.18 per square foot |
Sod installation | $1 – $2 per square foot |
Artificial turf | $6 – $20 per square foot |
Landscaping maintenance | $100 – $200 per month |
Lawn care | $30 – $80 per hour |
Lawn mowing | $30 – $85 per visit |
Tree trimming | $200 – $900 per tree |
Tree removal | $300 – $2,000 per tree |
Gardener | $75 – $250 |
Leaf removal | $150 – $350 |
On the other hand, the costs of the rocks for a landscaping project vary according with the type of stone:
Table 2. Average rock costs. (Source: Home Guide)
Type of stone | Average cost |
River rocks |
|
Lava rock |
|
Crushed stone & gravel |
|
White stones & pebbles |
|
Mexican beach pebbles |
|
Crushed or decomposed granite |
|
What are the benefits of pool screen enclosure landscaping?
The main benefits of pool screen enclosure landscaping can be summarized as follows:
Increase the value of your property: Landscape your patio or pool cage surroundings will augment the market value of your house and, if you follow the new trend eco-friendly techniques of landscaping in Florida, your property will be more attractive for potential buyers.
Increase the curb appeal of your house: To landscape your property outdoor spaces will boast its aesthetic value. You can create a special, unique style for your house.
Adds a comfortable outdoor space: Just customize your patio or pool cage surroundings to make them the best place to spend your leisure time with your relatives and loved ones.
Adds privacy to your house: You can increase the value and beauty of your house and, at the same time, add privacy with the appropriate landscaping techniques.
On the other hand, if you put into practice the eco-friendly landscaping techniques recommended by the University of Florida, you will also enjoy the following benefits:
Right plants in the right place: Select the most appropriate plant and shrub species for your patio. This will improve the aesthetic and, at the same time, will protect the original local fauna and flora.
Reduce maintenance costs: By planting the correct tree, shrub and plant species, you will reduce the watering, fertilizing, mowing, pruning, raking and other maintenance costs.
House protection: The right landscaping techniques will enhance your house protection against harsh environmental factors such as saltwater, rains, wind gusts, etc.
Natural pest control: Appropriate landscaping techniques will help to control the bugs and insects around your patio, lanai or pool cage in an eco-friendly and sustainable manner.
Conservation: Adequate landscaping techniques will help to protect the soil, water and other valuable natural resources, keep the necessary pH balance, reduce pollution due to fertilizers and other chemical substances, etc.
How do you landscape privacy around a pool?
There are many ways to landscape privacy around a pool. Here we present some of the most popular options:
Pool cage with privacy screen enclosure
Installing privacy screens in your lanai or pool cage will provide an opaque, blurry envelope which will enhance the privacy of your activities.
Privacy screens are usually made from vinyl laminated fiberglass and are designed to withstand different weather conditions and UV radiation intensity. Privacy screens can be complemented with internal curtains to customize the lanai or pool cage indoor space and enhance privacy.
On the other hand, pet screens are heavy-duty, high-resistance screens, designed to withstand wear and scratches caused by big pets such as dogs and cats.
If you want to know which is the best option to add privacy to your pool cage, just ask your pool cage rescreening and restoration company for advice and a free estimate.
Walls or fences
You can build walls or erect fences in the perimeter around your patio to add privacy to your property.
Walls are usually made from heavy, thick materials, such as bricks, stone, stucco and cement, while fences are often made from lighter materials such as wood, metal alloy meshes (steel, aluminum, etc.), polymer panels, etc.
Walls and fences can be designed, painted or customized to match the architectural style of your house, enhance its security and increase its curb appeal and market value.
According to Home Guide, the average fencing prices range from $5 up to $25 per foot, depending on the type of material:
Table 3. Average fencing materials costs. (Source: Home Guide)
Type of fence material | Average cost per linear foot |
Wood fence | $7 - $15 |
Vinyl fence | $25 - $40 |
Glass fence | $61 - $87 |
Aluminum fence | $15 - $60 |
Wrought iron fence | $20 - $30 |
Plants and rocks envelope
You can create an envelope of trees, shrubs, plants and rocks in your backyard to add privacy to your property. However, it is very important to select the appropriate plants and rocks, and their adequate location, to prevent future damage to the house and lanai or pool cage structure.
As trees grow, their roots expand below the ground and can affect the lanai or pool cage structure, as well as underground water, electricity and other utility installations. As trees grow, their branches can expand and affect the roof, screens and panels of the house and lanai or pool cage.
If you plant a tree you must take into account its maximum expected height and locate it far enough from the lanai, pool cage or house structure. For instance, if the tree is expected to grow up to 30 feet, then, the lanai, pool cage, house structure, as well as electricity and other utilities lines must be separated at least 30 feet from the tree placement.
On the other hand, you must select plants and shrubs which have low irrigation and fertilization requirements and place them away from the lanai or pool cage. By the same token, avoid installing water sprinklers close to the lanai or pool cage. Frequent water contact and chemical substances (such as fertilizers, pesticides, saltwater, chlorine, etc.) will accelerate the corrosion of the lanai or pool cage structure.
Florida pool cage landscaping ideas - Which is the best for your house?
Most Florida landscaping projects around your lanai or pool cage belong to one of the following types:
Hardscaping: According to Home Guide, hardscaping projects refer to any construction with wood, brick, concrete, or stone. This includes backyard paths, gazebos, patios and decks, pergolas, walls, fences, etc.
Hardscaping projects have costs that range from $2,000 up to $45,000, depending on the project size.
Softscaping: This includes all types of plants like trees, shrubs, vegetable gardens, and flowerbeds. Usually, softscaping has costs that range from $9 up to $12 per square foot, depending on the type of plants and project complexity.
Xeriscaping: It is a specialized type of softscaping project for arid climates that uses rocks, stones, tiles and plants that occur naturally in that climate type with minimal water needs, for instance, cacti. Their costs may vary from $6 to $18 per square foot or more with extensive design plans.
Which type of landscaping is the best for my house?
The best landscaping project for your house will depend on several factors, such as:
Your personal needs and preferences
Property size and location
Local regulations
Budget
However, no matter the project you choose, you must take into account that some trees and shrubs have fragile roots and branches, which can be broken or uprooted with heavy rain storms or strong winds, causing severe damage to your lanai, pool cage or house.
According to Florida Peninsula Insurance Company, you should avoid planting the following species on your property:
Australian pine
Black olive
Bradford pear
Chinese elm
Eucalyptus
Jacaranda
Laurel oak
Melaleuca
Norfolk Island pine
Queen palm
Pecan
Royal poinciana
Sand palm
Washington pine
Instead, they recommend planting some of the following species in your backyard, to increase the aesthetic of your landscaping project while enhancing your property's resilience to environmental factors:
American holly
Bald cypress
Canary Island date palm
Gumbo-limbo
Live oak
Manila palm
Sand live oak
Sea grape
Southern magnolia
Spruce pine
Swamp chestnut oak
Sycamore
Thatch palm
Wax myrtle
Make sure to choose the appropriate plants for your landscaping project. Some plants and shrubs require a lot of water, fertilizers and maintenance, or can attract a lot of insects and other bugs.
You must select the right plants and shrubs to reduce water and fertilizer usage, lower maintenance costs, resist the local environmental conditions and prevent pests proliferation in your property.
Some plant species that withstand saltwater and coastal environmental conditions are:
Bougainvillea
Beach evening primrose
Beach sunflower
St. Augustine grass
Saw palmetto
If you want to know more about native plants, just visit the Florida Native Plant Society (FNPS) website.
Final thoughts
If you want to carry on a complex or sophisticated landscaping project on your property, you should hire a specialized landscaping designer, landscaping architect, or even a landscaping company.
On the other hand, you always must be aware and take into account local permits, regulations and homeowners association rules.
If you already have a lanai or pool cage in your patio, ask your pool cage maintenance company for advice before doing a landscaping project on your property, to avoid present and future damages to the lanai or pool cage.
If you want to know more about pool cage maintenance and pool cage restoration, just visit our blog or contact us.
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