Why Snap-N-Lock Insulated Aluminum Roof Panels are the Best Choice

Why Snap-N-Lock Insulated Aluminum Roof Panels are the Best Choice

At Dulando Screen & Awning, we take pride in building custom screen enclosures, pool enclosures and sunrooms that are made to delight today and for years to come. Getting that result demands expert design, exacting craftsmanship, and quality materials. That’s why we use Snap-N-Lock insulated aluminum roof panels from Structall as a roofing option for our structures. They’re the best choice for many reasons.

Why We Love Snap-N-Lock Insulated Aluminum Roof Panels

Aluminum insulated panels may not be as familiar as other materials like wood and shingles, but they deliver exceptional results. When you discover their outstanding qualities, you’ll understand why we recommend Structall Snap-N-Lock panels.

Multitasking

Snap-N-Lock panels contain structure, insulation, and a single, multitasking piece moisture barrier. That’s an incredible value. You save on the purchase of additional materials and the time and labor it would take to fabricate and install them.

Lightweight

Snap-N-Lock insulated aluminum roof panels are solid while being relatively lightweight. They’re roughly half the weight of a comparable wood/shingle roof. As a result, less structural support is necessary to hold the roof in place. That offers greater design freedom and can help keep material costs lower. Plus, installation is quicker and easier since there’s no need for heavy equipment to maneuver these insulated roof panels.

Strong

Florida is famous for its storms. Structall’s insulated panels deliver incredible strength. They do an excellent job of standing up to the windy weather, intense storms, and hurricanes that can make life in the Sunshine State interesting at times.

Pest-resistant

Aluminum roof panels have a natural pest resistance. The materials made from aren’t a potential food source, so pests don’t find them appealing. In contrast, keeping termites, carpenter ants, and other pests away from wooden structures is a constant battle.

Moisture-resistant

As their name suggests, Structall Snap-N-Lock insulated aluminum roof panels snap and lock together. A sealant applied during installation creates a weather-tight connection. Using wood products might raise worries about mold, mildew, or rot. However, there’s no reason for concern with these insulated patio roof panels.

Fire-resistant

If you’re looking for fuel for a cheery campfire, wood is a perfect pick. It burns easily. That thought isn’t as comforting when you’re contemplating construction materials. Snap-N-Lock panels have high fire resistance. Therefore, these aluminum roofing panels are safer for your family and property.

Ecofriendly

All the components of Structall’s insulated roof panels can be easily recycled into equally valuable products. That means there’s very little waste from these products after their lifecycle is complete. With certain plywood, you must worry that the chemical gasses used in the manufacturing process will be discharged into the surrounding area. That means the plywood used in your project could be emitting formaldehyde into the air. Thankfully, that’s not a concern with Structall’s aluminum insulated panels.

Choose Snap-N-Lock Aluminum Insulated Roof Panels

Are you ready to enhance your outdoor living space with a covered patio or Florida room? Dulando Screen & Awning has you covered. Our team of experts can help you create the optimal design for a new screen room or sunroom for your space and budget. Contact us today at 407-862-6060 to request an appointment for a free in-home design consultation.

Most Popular Types of Patio Enclosures and Which is Best for Your Home

Most Popular Types of Patio Enclosures and Which is Best for Your Home

With so many types of patio enclosures, how do you choose? It’s a process that starts by knowing your options and what would best fit your home and needs, as well as your budget. Here are the top 5 types of patio enclosures to consider.

Lanai Enclosure or Frame in
A lanai enclosure is any outside area with a floor that’s tucked under your home’s roofline and set up as a living space. Since only aluminum frames and screens are needed to enclose the space, a lanai enclosure is generally the easiest and most affordable type of screen room enclosure. If you’re happy with the size and layout of your lanai covering and simply want to create a new outdoor space, this is a great choice.

New Patio Enclosure or Screen Room
What if you don’t have a lanai, porch or patio in your backyard? Create one. This option is more involved and pricier than a frame-in. The price will depend on whether or not you need to pour a new slab, the size and type of roof selected and the amount of screened walls. However, with this option, you’ll have the flexibility to pick the location, size and style that best suits your property, your preferences and your budget.

Patio Extension
If your existing patio is a postage stamp concrete pad and you want more, then this one is for you. Choose a patio extension for your enclosure project. This option allows you to make use of the existing structure without being confined by it. Maybe you want to extend your outdoor area so that only part of it is under a roof. Or maybe you want your patio to still be completely weather-proof but would like your footprint to be larger. This is a great alternative. Extending the slab and/or roof and wrapping everything in top-quality screen can help you to create the screen room of your dreams.

Sunroom Enclosure
What separates a screen room from a sunroom? It’s the type of walls and windows. If you have a porch or lanai already under your roofline, you can simply add a new wall with windows and convert your patio enclosure or existing outdoor space into a sunroom enclosure. With the difference in materials, converting an outdoor space to a sunroom is typically more expensive than a creating frame in or screen room because you’re adding walls and windows instead of screen. However, this option also allows for the space to be climatized. This greatly expands your options to use the space comfortably while adding value to your home.

Sunroom Addition
What if you don’t have a lanai enclosure or even a postage-size concrete pad, but you still want a sunroom? Build it! Adding a sunroom to your home means starting fresh with a new concrete slab and building from the ground up for a sunroom addition. Since you won’t be utilizing existing structures, you’ll need to install the slab or flooring, roof, walls and windows. This raises the project’s price tag, but it also offers plenty of freedom and creative license. You can work with one of our experienced designers to create a custom sunroom that is perfect for your needs and your space.

Today’s patio and porch enclosures come in all shapes and sizes. With a little imagination, top-quality building materials and the assistance of a skilled contractor, you can have a fantastic outdoor room that your family will enjoy for decades. When you’re ready to learn more about the types of patio enclosures, turn to Dulando Screen & Awning. Our experienced team of designers and contractors will be happy to help you explore your options and discover the best type of patio enclosure for your home. Contact us today to request a free in-home design consultation.

Top 4 Considerations When Determining The Size of Your Backyard Patio

Top 4 Considerations When Determining The Size of Your Backyard Patio

A spacious covered patio for your backyard offers a great way to enjoy the outdoors while protecting yourself from the unpredictable Florida weather. Building a patio is exciting and fun, but what if it ends up being too big or too small to fit your needs?  Deciding on the right size when building your backyard patio requires careful consideration of a number of factors, including the main purposes of the patio.

What is the Purpose of Your Backyard Patio?

A good place to start when building a backyard patio is by thinking about your intended use for the patio. If you love to host large gatherings, you’ll need a considerable amount of space to hold a table large enough for your group. Large patio designs also give you enough space for a full outdoor kitchen and extra seating. If you plan to use it as an outdoor retreat for your family or a small group of friends, a small patio will help you create an intimate atmosphere without devoting unnecessary space to an underused patio. A small patio also works well if you only intend to use your patio as a place to read or do other hobbies. When building a patio with brick pavers, the shapes available to you are endless.

Existing Features in Your Yard

When you think about the desired size of your patio, you’ll need to take into account the existing features in your yard. For example, if you have a pool, a buffer space between the patio edge and the pool will keep your guests safe from slipping. Some features in your yard, such as landscaping, can be transferred elsewhere to give you more space near your back door. Placing your patio to take advantage of the view of your backyard and the surrounding area can help you determine a good size for your patio.  Even trees can be a focal point of a patio design.  Of course, if you want to include a firepit, you might want to place it away from the tree.

Style Options for Patio Designs

The design and shape of your desired patio can guide you to the ideal size. If you want your patio to feature curves or decorative borders, you’ll need to take that into account when drawing up the size of the design. Unusual shapes can take advantage of unique patio paver ideas, and you can set up multiple seating areas according to your taste.  Opting for an enclosed  or screened in patio requires some consideration as well; you’ll need to ensure that the exit points from the enclosure have enough space for accessibility.

Use Your Furniture as a Guide

If you already have outdoor furniture, you can use it to physically visualize the space you need for your patio. Don’t forget to allow plenty of room for walking around your furniture when you place it; you don’t want to trip over a chair while carrying a plate of hot food. If you don’t have outdoor furniture yet, you can take down measurements from an online store and use stakes in your yard to figure out the ideal outline for your patio ideas.

Choosing the ideal size for your patio is the first step in creating a beautiful outdoor space for your friends and family to enjoy for years. Dulando Screen & Awning has helped thousands of homeowners visualize their new space.  Put our 50 years of experience to work for you.  We can help you add even more versatility to your new outdoor space with aluminum patio covers and enclosures. Contact us today at 407-862-6060 to learn more about building a patio that your family will enjoy for years to come.

Difference Between Building a Backyard Deck or Patio

Difference Between Building a Backyard Deck or Patio

Many people use the terms backyard deck and patio interchangeably, and it’s an understandable mistake. After all, decks and patios are both structures that can do a fantastic job of enhancing your outdoor living space. However, there are some notable differences. Before deciding whether you should build a backyard deck or an outdoor patio, it’s wise to take a closer look at their similarities and their differences so that you can pick the best option for your backyard.

The similarities between a deck and a patio

Both decks and patios offer a flat, stable surface and provide a pleasant place to enjoy the outdoors. Either structure can be topped by a pergola, roof or cover to shield it from the Florida sun and provide shade. Are you interested in an outdoor kitchen, craving a fire pit, intrigued by the notion of creating an outdoor room or intent on surrounding your pool with usable space? Both decks and patios can be used for these purposes.

The differences between a deck and a patio

While decks and patios can be used for many of the same purposes, they are very different structures in terms of their construction.

A backyard deck:

  • is a flat, raised platform constructed of wood or some composite material
  • can have multiple levels and can be attached to either the first floor of a house or to an upper story
  • can also be freestanding or located near another feature like an outbuilding or pool. Because they sit above the ground, they will generally have railings around them for safety and steps that allow people to descend to the yard.

In contrast, an outdoor patio is

  • a flat, open space built directly on the ground from concrete, brick pavers, natural stone or gravel.
  • can be attached to a house or freestanding, but since it’s at ground level, railings and steps are unnecessary.

Key questions to ask when deciding between a deck or patio?

Would a deck be a delightful option for your backyard or would you be better off planning the perfect patio?

  • Is budget is a concern? Then installing a patio is generally more affordable.
  • What if your backyard is uneven or sloping? A deck is built above the ground, and its legs can easily be adjusted to accommodate changes in the terrain beneath it.
  • Do you want the space to feel like part of the surrounding yard? Since it sits directly on the ground, a patio can be nestled in your landscaping.
  • Do you want to discourage guests from wandering over your grass? Thanks to its height, a deck creates more separation between the yard and the structure.
  • Would you rather minimize your maintenance chores? Keeping a patio looking fabulous generally requires much less in the way of routine maintenance than a deck.

At Dulando Screen & Awning, we thoroughly enjoy helping people transform their backyards into the outdoor living spaces of their dreams. Are you ready to build your perfect patio? We can help you design and create it. Contact us today to learn more about the benefits of using brick pavers and schedule a free consultation.

Fall Decorating Ideas for Florida

Fall Decorating IdeasAs the temperatures drop and autumn comes on with a vengeance, Florida residents may want to consider some innovative patio decorating ideas that will spruce up the exterior and make the entire residence stand out from the others in the neighborhood. With the holidays also fast approaching, individuals may even be able to try out some fall decorative ideas that will tap into the spirit of the season. Here are some surefire winners.

Pumpkins and Gourds
No autumn decorative layout can proceed without an homage to gourds. In fact, these vegetables can be placed nearly anywhere. For homeowners with patios, setting up a few baskets of gourds creates warmth. While pumpkins are usually the most popular, people should feel free to use gourds of all shapes and sizes. With a mix of orange, green, yellow and brown vegetables, your guests can be greeted in style.

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