Privacy screen for pool cage in Florida [Benefits + Costs]

In the following article you will find what is a privacy screen in Florida, which are its benefits and costs and why you should install it in your pool screen enclosure.

How do I add privacy to my pool cage?

There are some things you can do to add privacy to your pool cage. Among them:

Plant trees: Planting trees and placing some decorative objects around the pool enclosure can enhance the privacy of your pool area. Just make sure to put the plants far enough from the pool cage structure to reduce the risk of corrosion.

Additionally, you must plant trees whose roots will not affect the pool cage structure when they grow. Consult your pool cage installer or maintenance provider before planting the trees around the pool cage area.

Build a wooden fence: To erect a wooden privacy fence around your backyard will add privacy to your pool cage area, enhance the curb appeal of your house and increase the market value of your property.

Just make sure to prime and treat the wood properly to withstand with all weather conditions, degradation due to chemical substances (such as saltwater and chlorine) and biological agents (i.e. algae, insects, bugs and other pests)

How do you add privacy to a lanai?

As well as in the case of pool cages, you can add privacy to your lanai by planting trees around it or erecting a wooden fence alongside your backyard perimeter. Other options are:

Create outdoor shades: Use objects made of weatherproof materials which provide shades around the lanai. Controlling the sunlight incidence on your lanai will add more privacy and also reduce the heating inside it, keeping the indoor space cool and comfortable.
Install curtains: Adding weatherproof curtains will enhance the privacy of your lanai area. You can push the curtains to the side when you want sunlight, and can close them when you want more privacy.

Before installing the curtains, you must ask your lanai maintenance provider how to do it in order to avoid damages to the enclosure structure.

What is a pool privacy screen?

A pool privacy screen, also known as Florida Glass, is a vinyl laminated screen that is darker (more opaque) than regular pool cage screens, produces blurry vision and stops water, dirt and air from going through.

Privacy screens can be used in pool cages and lanais, instead of planting trees, installing curtains, creating shades or building wooden fences, to increase their privacy.

If you want to install privacy screens in your pool cage or lanai, just ask your pool screen enclosure maintenance provider for a free estimate and advice.

What is the difference between a fence and a privacy screen?

While fences and privacy screens have the same function, their main difference is their size: A fence often spans alongside the whole perimeter of your patio or backyard. On the other hand, a privacy screen usually encloses a smaller area, just like a pool cage or a lanai.

Other common differences are:

Materials: Fences are usually made with wood, brick, mortar, steel bars or aluminum meshes, while privacy screens are made with lighter materials, such as fiberglass or polyester.
Durability: Fences are built with high resistance, long standing materials. Privacy screens are made of softer materials. Typical privacy screens must be changed each 5 to 10 years.
Permits: To build a fence around your patio or house likely will require more permits from local authorities and/or homeowner’s associations. To install a privacy screen will require less bureaucracy and bargaining.
Privacy: Despite their names, privacy screens are made from materials which are not able to provide 100% of privacy, while fences are usually made from materials that effectively block the sunlight.
Cost and prices: Due to larger size, heavier materials, labor costs and permits, fences tend to be more expensive than privacy screens.

Usually, the cost of installing a privacy screen around the pool cage or lanai bottom ranges from $650 up to $1,200, with average costs of around $950 for pool cages and lanais with a 1,000 ft. perimeter.

When considering installing a privacy screen you must take into account that those panels don´t allow the air and water to pass through. This will increase the temperature near the pool surface, which increases the moisture due to the heat and evaporation.While a privacy screen can be installed in most parts of the pool cage or lanai, you shouldn’t install them on flat roofs, because they tend to accumulate water pockets, which break the screens due to their weight.

What is the best privacy screen to use on a pool cage?

Privacy screens made from high-quality fiberglass are the best ones. However, there are several options of commercial privacy screens available.

Most privacy screen types differ only in the density of their meshes, which are designed to withstand different weather conditions and UV radiation intensity.

Additionally, there are the pet screens, which are heavy-duty, high-resistance screens, designed to withstand wear and scratches caused by big pets such as dogs and cats.

If you don’t know which is the best option for your pool cage, just ask your pool cage maintenance provider for advice.

How much does a decorative privacy screen for a pool enclosure cost?

According to the Home Guide statistics, a regular pool screen enclosure can cost from $12 up to $15 per square foot installed, or from $18,000 up to $22,500, for an average pool cage, depending on its size, height, materials and other features.

Usually, privacy screens are installed only in some parts of the pool enclosure, thus, you have to ask your pool cage installer for a free estimate, in order to know how much privacy screen panels will cost.

Is a privacy screen for a pool enclosure worth it?

Sure. It is worth it.

As well as regular pool screen enclosures, privacy screens provide a protection against dust and debris, increase the curb appeal and sale market value of your property and add a space for leisure time activities, no matter the season or weather.

On the other hand, privacy screens have the following benefits and advantages:

Enhanced protection: Privacy screens offer enhanced protection against harmful UV radiation, mosquitoes and other pests (very common in the Central Florida area) and changing weather conditions.
Pool maintenance cost reduction: By blocking more dirt, bugs and debris than regular pool cage screens, privacy screens help to reduce the pool maintenance costs, and keep the pool cage or lanai area cleaner.
Privacy: As its name indicates, provides more privacy than regular pool screen enclosure panels by creating a blurry sight through the screen.

Final thoughts

If you want to install privacy screens in your pool cage or lanai, but still don’t know which is the best option, you should ask a reliable pool cage company. They will assess your particular needs and requirements and give you valuable advice.

If you decide to install privacy screens in your property located in Florida, just call us or ask us for a free estimate. Pool Paint Screen LLC is a reliable pool cage company that operates in Florida, from Orlando to Sarasota, covering the following areas: