A typical pool cage in Florida can cost between $15,000 and $90,000, depending on several factors. However, to have a pool cage or lanai on your patio is worth it!
In this article, you will learn which are the factors that affect the cost of a pool cage or lanai in Florida and which are their benefits.
What is a pool cage?
A pool cage, also called a pool enclosure, is a fixed structure that is installed in the pool area or external patio of the house. These installations have the function of protecting the outdoor spaces from extreme weather and wild animals that prowl around the houses.
Pool enclosures are built with different materials, some of them made with high technology, that can be very resistant to corrosion, humidity, UV rays, and other degrading agents.
Pool cages have light structures made of aluminum bars and screens made with the best quality and resistant synthetic products (usually fiberglass and polyester). Screens are designed to isolate the pool zone from the exterior environment but favor air circulation and natural lightning.
The pool cages are very popular in the state of Florida. This region presents a rich ecosystem that is one of the most attractive on this side of the country but, at the same time, the weather agents and wildlife affect the maintenance costs of pools and gardens.
What is the cost of a pool cage building?
Pool Paint Screen LLC, by the moment, doesn’t build nor install new pool cages, but we know very well this market and can tell you that current pool cage building costs in Florida may vary from $10 to $15 per square feet (sq ft).
A regular-size pool cage is around 1,500 sq ft, which means an average cost from $15,000 to $22,500. A medium size pool cage is between 1,600 and 3,600 square feet, which yields an average cost of $16,000 to $54,000. A large pool cage building can span up to 6,000 square feet, which results in an average cost of $90,000, or even more.
Building costs depend on different factors. Some of the most important are:
Dimension of zone to be covered
Pool cage design
Building materials
Land clearing
Labor
Dimension of the zone to be covered:
The pool area and gardens determine pool enclosure dimensions. The size of the small home pools may vary between 200 square feet (sq ft) and 400 square feet, while the big pools may vary from 600 sq ft to 800 sq ft. In the state of Florida, the average garden area ranges between 200 square feet and 300 square feet.
Pool cage should consider not only the pool area (including the outdoor patio) and sidewalks that delimit the property plot, but also must estimate the height of the structures, so the pool enclosures might be able to cover all the zone needs to be protected.
Pool enclosures are tridimensional structures, so it’s important to include on the budget the needed material to cover the whole width, length, and height of installation. Usually, the maximum pool cage height is around 21 feet (ft), while the typical pool cage height ranges from 10 feet to 16 feet.
Pool cage design
Not all pool cages are the same design. Each model has certain attributes that should be considered to get the best durability and performance installation. For instance, some designs like retractable pool cages or high roof enclosures require additional pieces that don’t need the simple fixed models.
Some customers could require a particular design to fit with the architectural style of the house or property. For that reason, it’s important to know the customer requirements and assess the feasibility of each design.
Building materials
Pool cages use different materials for each part of the structure. The screens are made from fiberglass and polyester. The bars are made with metallic pieces (aluminum alloys) with several durability levels.
The pool cage installation companies use the newest and toughest products in the market. Assessing carefully the material selection has the goal of building a structure that can be weather resistant, have long durability, and can satisfy the customer needs according to the desired design and function.
Land clearing
The success of pool cage installation depends on the land clearing. This includes recognition of area, zone measurement, space clearing of installation points from stones and surface unevenness, removing garden decoration, shutting off the alarm system of the property, etc.
Labor
Lastly, the pool cage installation budget should include the labor of people participating in the project. Professional labor is one of the most important elements of a well-designed pool cage building because professionals know better the appropriate form to successfully develop each part of the pool enclosure installation.
How much does pool cage lighting cost?
Pool cage lighting is related to the customer preferences and pool cage design. Several lamp models depend on the installation features, like height and bar distribution.
High power mini led lamps are available from $10 to $15 per unit; small resin lamps are between $35 and $55 per unit. Chrome stainless lamps are between $40 and $60 per unit and remote-controlled lamps are available from $60 per unit.
Professionals in pool enclosure installation can find the best offer to acquire the ideal lighting sets according to the estimated lighting budget and pool cage design.
How long should a pool cage last?
A pool cage has an average lifetime of 10 to 15 years. Screens have an average lifetime of 5 to 10 years. The duration of pool enclosures depends on the corrosion and progressive damage to structures and panels. Pool Paint Screen LLC has repaired 40-year-old pool cages.
Pool cage screens have an average lifetime of 5 to 10 years. The duration of pool cages depends on the corrosion and progressive damage to structures and panels. Pool Paint Screen LLC has repaired even 40-year-old pool cages. A new pool cage has an average lifetime of 10 to 15 years but, with adequate and timely maintenance, it could last decades.
After 10 years, corrosion starts on the screws of the pool cage structure. After 15 years, you will find very important corrosion damage on the heads of the screws, and this can be accelerated and worsened under high moisture conditions or chemical agents (for instance, chlorine or seawater) exposure.
Bars are permanently exposed to corrosion and fatigue caused by biological and environmental agents like algae, molds and mosses, humidity and winds, and also chemical agents such as the chlorine products used in pools or pesticides used in gardens.
Screens can suffer damages caused by the UV rays exposition or blows and collapses. A periodical assessment made by a professional helps to retard possible future permanent damage.
Does insurance cover pool cages in Florida?
Some insurance companies cover pool cages in Florida. Coverage politics on pool cages is a discussion between homeowners and insurance companies. Some insurance firms take as argument the fact that people expend a lot of money on pool cage installations and pool cage enclosures add new uses and spaces to the houses.
One of the most important elements to consider the pool cage annexes as a part of a house to be covered by insurance is the quality of materials used for pool enclosure building. That’s the reason homeowners must think of pool enclosures as an important investment that adds value to the property.
Do pool cages protect from UV rays?
Yes, they do. Pool cages protect people, pets, and vegetation from UV rays. Panels have several specially designed filters to retain solar ray penetration. So, people, pets, garden vegetation, and garden furniture will be safe from harmful solar radiation.
What are the benefits of a pool cage?
Pool cages present four main benefits:
Isolating pool area from the weather: Enclosures avoid deterioration of garden and furniture caused by solar exposition, storms and rain, and extreme weather.
Protecting spaces from intruder fauna: Decreasing the presence of undesired animals like rats, birds, reptiles, marsupials, and insects. In addition, it avoids becoming areas in auspicious places for the proliferation of predator vegetation like bad weeds or mosses.
Creating a safe and comfortable environment for families: Pool cages bring on a nice ambiance that can be used for social activities thanks to the appropriate acclimatization, which transforms the pool area into comfortable and cozy annexes.
Increasing value to the property: A pool cage built with the best quality materials, designs, and style can increase the value of the property because it adds another space to the house that can be inhabited or used by family members. A pool cage is a new and customized home space that makes the property something unique.
Which is the best pool cage painting and rescreening company near me?
If you have a property in Florida, from Orlando to Sarasota, Pool Paint Screen LLC is the best provider of pool cages and lanai painting, repairing, and rescreening services near you.
Here there is a list of places where Pool Paint Screen LLC usually operates:
Brevard
Charlotte
De Soto
Hardee
Hernando
Hillsborough
Lake
Lee
Manatee
Orange
Osceola
Pazco
Pinellas
Polk
Saint Lucie
Sarasota
Seminole
Volusia
If you need to repair your pool enclosure, don’t hesitate to ask for your free estimate, or call us:
(407) 554-9393
From Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm.
If you want to know more about pool cage restoration, visit our blog.