by dulando-admin | Jul 9, 2020 | Outdoor Patio, Patio Enclosures, Screen Enclosures
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.
by dulando-admin | Jul 10, 2019 | Garage Door Screen, Screen Enclosures
Many people see a garage as a place to park a car. While you can certainly use it for that purpose, there are plenty of other possibilities for this space. What if it could serve as a home gym or a hobby room? Would you prefer a game room or a playroom for the kids? Installing a garage door screen transforms this practical space. Garage door screen enclosures turn garages into screened rooms. Installing a screen door in your garage expands your options and makes your garage an attractive choice for a wide array of uses. Let’s explore why so many Floridians are raving about garage screens.
Comfort
With Florida’s sunny skies and warm temperatures, it is no wonder that people enjoy outdoor living spaces. However, annoyances like bug bites, pollen, yard debris, sunburns and raindrops can sometimes make spending time outside less than ideal. That’s why screen rooms are such an attractive choice. They allow you to enjoy the natural beauty that surrounds your home while protecting you from common nuisances. Installing a 4-track sliding garage door is an easy, affordable way to turn your garage into a screen room. Raising the standard garage door lets in more ventilation and natural light. Closing the sliding garage door panels keeps out pests and offers some privacy. The result is a more desirable, more comfortable space, so you’re likely to find plenty of reasons to hang out in your garage.
Flexibility
Adding a 4-track sliding garage door won’t stop you from parking your vehicle in the garage. Its presence also will not interfere with the operation of your garage door. The sill beneath the screen door is built to be driven over, and the panels slide easily along their track. A sliding garage door is designed to move to the side when not in use. What the addition of a garage screen will do is give you more flexibility in how you use this space.
Durability
At Dulando Screen & Awning, we’re delighted to offer PGT Eze-Breeze side slider garage doors. These top-notch sliding garage door screen panels are customized to your space. Fabricated and installed by our own trusted team, they deliver the perfect blend of durability and style. Every 4-track sliding garage door features a durable aluminum frame, a sturdy 10-mil vinyl screen that shrugs off impacts and kick plates that add strength. The garage screen panels glide smoothly on neoprene wheels, so you never have to wrestle the door into place. They also latch, providing welcome security.
Aesthetics
How do PGT Eze-Breeze garage door screens look? That’s up to you. The frames for these attractive units come in three different colors: White, Beige and Bronze/White (which is bronze exterior and white interior). You also have several options for screening, so you can choose the hue and opacity that best suits your needs and your home.
At Dulando, we know screen enclosures. After all, we’ve been providing our fellow Floridians with quality screen rooms for more than half a century. Are you ready to enhance your home with a garage door screen? Discover the many possibilities that this simple solution can offer. Contact us today at 407-862-6060 to request a free in-home design consultation.
by dulando-admin | Jun 19, 2019 | Patio Enclosures, Screen Enclosures
You’ve explored the long list of advantages that come with adding a custom screen room to your home. Now, you’re eager to get started on the project. What should you think about when you’re ready to improve your home with a screened porch or screened patio enclosure?
1. How Will You Use the Space?
Picture yourself using your new space. What are you doing? Screen rooms are incredibly versatile. You can use them as a breakfast nook, an entertainment area, a personal retreat, an exercise spot or a playroom for pets or children. When deciding on a design, think about how you hope to use the room. How much space will you need? Are there particular features like electrical outlets, lighting, ceiling fans or skylights that would make time spent there more pleasant?
2. How Will It Connect?
If you’re enclosing an existing porch or patio, you may already have a doorway between the space and your home. If not, where should this entrance be located? What suits your floor plan? How will a new entrance mesh with your outdoor living spaces? Think about how the addition of a screened in porch or patio enclosure might impact traffic flow.
3. Is Privacy a Priority?
Would you like to enjoy your new screen room without worrying about prying eyes or nosy neighbors? Landscaping and other natural features can provide a barrier. Alternately, you can also opt for privacy screening that limits the view of someone on the outside looking in without interfering with your view as you look out. If privacy is a priority, keep that in mind when selecting materials.
4. Is Durability a Concern?
If you want a screened room that will provide years of faithful service, durability is something to consider. This is especially true if you are building a patio enclosure or screened porch that will be frequented by children or pets. Here in the Sunshine State, wind can also be a concern. An experienced screen enclosure contractor can point you toward long-lasting materials that withstand wear and tear without worry and deliver good value.
5. What About Maintenance?
Some materials require more time and effort to maintain than others. Would you rather spend your free time enjoying your new addition or dealing with chores? If you’d prefer a low-maintenance structure, choose materials like aluminum that offers an attractive look and lasting service with minimal maintenance requirements.
6. Why Should You Ask About Insulation?
If a room’s walls are made largely of the screen, why would you ask about insulation? If your new patio enclosure is not under the roof, then maybe consider adding aluminum roof panels to your new screen enclosure. The Florida sun is relentless, but an insulated roof can help to keep the heat out of your screen enclosure. This means that space is more comfortable on hot, humid days. The insulation can also help to soften the sound of precipitation hitting the roof. It’s a great location to install a ceiling fan, too!
Let Dulando Screen & Awning put its award-winning design and installation experience to work for you. Our team includes professional designers, fabricators and installers who will work to build your screen room. We’ll combine our talents to create the custom screen room that is perfect for your needs. Contact us today at 407-862-6060 to request your free in-home design consultation.
by dulando-admin | Dec 27, 2018 | Screen Enclosures, Sunroom
Do you long for a space that embraces the natural beauty found in your backyard without losing touch with all the comforts of home? You have several options. Here in Florida, two popular possibilities are a patio sunroom and a screen enclosure. How do you choose between them? Here are a few areas to consider:
Differences between a Patio Sunroom and a Screen Enclosure
There are many similarities between a patio sunroom and a screen enclosure. After all, both structures offer extra living space to your home. Additionally, they both allow access to the world outside while also providing some protection from the elements and other annoyances lurking in the great outdoors like insects, pollen and windblown debris.
Here are a few questions to ask yourself:
- Are you interested in transforming an existing aluminum porch or patio into a more comfortable living space?
- Is the existing patio under your roofline or would you need to start from the ground up?
You can use either approach for both sunrooms and screen enclosures.
What sets a sunroom apart from a screen enclosure?
The most significant difference is the walls. Sunrooms generally use windows to enclose the space. When left closed, they provide additional insulation and protection. However, they can also be opened to let fresh air in when desired. With screen enclosures, screens form the walls. On the flip side, the walls of a patio enclosure are made of screen. Living in central Florida, the weather allows us to enjoy the outdoors year-round. However, there are those few months in the summer that are unbearable as well as those few possible days when it gets downright chilly. Ultimately, the decision is up to you.
The Benefits of Building a Patio Sunroom
Sometimes called Florida rooms, sunrooms are an easy and affordable way to add usable living space to your home. They can also increase its value and its curb appeal. Thanks to the liberal use of windows, you’ll enjoy lots of light and a clear view of the attractive green spaces outside your home.
With a sunroom, you’ll also have considerable control over your environment. Your enjoyment of a screened porch is often at the mercy of the weather. Sunrooms have walls and windows, so they become an extension of your home. If it’s a beautiful, temperate day, then you can open the windows to let in the breeze. What if rain or allergens are making it miserable to be outside? Keeping your sunroom closed up will prevent these unpleasantries from creeping inside. When temperatures outside are outside of your comfort zone, you can opt to heat or cool the space. These factors make it possible for you to get more use, and more enjoyment, out of your sunroom.
The Advantages of Adding a Screen Enclosure
Why do some people decide to add a screen enclosure? While these structures don’t offer the same level of protection and control as a sunroom, they still provide a space where you can enjoy the beauty of the outdoors without worrying about sunburn, biting insects or other common annoyances.
Screen enclosures are also generally less expensive to build than sunrooms.
We hope you’ve picked up a few tips on deciding between a patio sunroom and a screen enclosure. When it’s all said and done, the decision is up to you.
If you’re looking for a patio contractor, turn to the professionals at Dulando Screen & Awning. Serving our fellow Floridians since 1968, we bring 50 years of experience to the table, and we’re happy to guide you through the process of adding a patio sunroom or screen enclosure to your home. Contact us today at 407-862-6060 to request a free in-home design consultation.
by dulando-admin | Nov 9, 2018 | Screen Enclosures
When it comes to getting useful answers, there’s no better route than asking questions. If you’re ready to enhance your outdoor living space with a new screen room enclosure, the design consultation is an excellent time to seek answers. What happens during a design consultation? What questions should you raise? Here’s our list of questions to ask when building a screen room enclosure.
What can you expect during the design consultation? We allow the amount of time necessary for every homeowner to get through your questions as well as determine what you vision for your new outdoor living space. Throughout our appointment, we’ll take measurements and share pictures and samples. We’ll also explore the possibilities by discussing your preferences and ideas. Our goal is to design and build a screen enclosure that suits your style and your needs. Therefore, it’s helpful if everyone who will be using the space is present to share their thoughts and questions.
Questions to Ask
When hiring a patio contractor, you asked questions to assess their professional capabilities. During the consultation, the focus shifts to your project and its practicalities. It’s the ideal time to ask questions like the following:
- Can I build a screen enclosure here? You can imagine a screen room enclosure anywhere you like in your yard. However, matters like easements, setbacks and zoning ordinances impose limits in the real world. An experienced contractor can help you explore the possibilities and determine the best place for your new screen enclosure.
- What about permits? Permitting is often treated as a hassle, but it serves a purpose. It ensures that your new screen enclosure is built to code and ready to handle the local environment. Before any construction starts, you should know what permits are needed and who is responsible for getting them. If necessary, Dulando will always take care of the permitting for your new screen room enclosure.
- Is approval from my homeowner’s association necessary? The government isn’t the only body that creates guidelines for construction. In many communities, the HOA also has a say. To avoid headaches, we’ve created this handy project checklist should include checking with your HOA. You’ll need to discover what is allowed and what it takes to get the HOA’s approval. If your HOA has a specific form you need to be completed, let us know. We can help.
- Why do materials matter? Reviewing the pros and cons of various construction materials allows you to choose the ones that best meet your needs and your budget. Some screen room enclosure materials offer improved durability, greater efficiency or reduced maintenance. Others are more aesthetically appealing or allow you to add incorporate special features more readily. Being aware of these factors helps you make the most of your budget.
Making the Most of Your Consultation
At Dulando Screen & Awnings, we use a blend of exemplary customer service, high-quality materials and top-notch expertise to deliver amazing custom screen enclosures. Whether you’re interested in a screened patio, a screened-in porch or a swimming pool enclosure; we want to create your ideal outdoor living space. As part of that process, that’s why we offer free in-home design consultations.
For more than 50 years, Dulando has been crafting fantastic screen enclosures for people and businesses in the tri-county Orlando area. We’re ready to put our expertise to work for you. Would you like to learn more about how we create custom screen enclosures? Do you want to discuss your ideas for a project? Contact us today at 407-862-6060 to schedule a free no-obligation in-home consultation. Remember to print out these questions.
by dulando-admin | Apr 24, 2018 | patio contractor, Screen Enclosures
You’ve daydreamed long enough. It’s time to put your plan of having a screen enclosure into action. Whether you’re handy or not, you still have one question. Do you do buy a screen porch system or hire a screen porch contractor? Keep these 10 points in mind before you make a final decision regarding the type of screen enclosure to add to your home.
What to Consider in a Screen Porch
1. Standard Sizes Don’t Always Fit
Patios, lanais and porches come in all shapes and sizes. Typically, screen porch systems and patio kits are available in standard dimensions. Their fixed measurements can complicate a DIY job and leave you scrambling to fill in gaps. Even if the measurements are close to what you want or need.
2. Kits Don’t Provide Spare Parts
When installing a screen porch system, if you crack it, bend it or break it, you’ll have to improvise. Most kits come with everything you need to build your own screen enclosure, but they don’t include spare parts. Even we carry extra parts. Things happen.
3. Quality Materials Make a Big Difference
An aluminum screen porch framing system has to hold up to heavy rains and high winds. If you are entertaining buying a screen patio kit from the home improvement center, make sure to understand the quality of materials. The cost of a patio enclosure kit might seem lower, but the quality of materials might be lower also. Read more about choosing quality materials for a screen enclosure installation.
4. Existing Problems Make the Job Harder
Screen porch systems are best suited for a “perfect scenario.” What if your existing patio is not exactly level? It’s not easy to work with a patio that needs leveling or a patio roof that needs repairs. A screen porch contractor handles all types of structural challenges.
5. Anchoring Takes Construction Know-How
Before you bring home a screen porch system, ask yourself this question: Do you know how to anchor aluminum framing to brick, stucco or vinyl siding? YouTube can only take you so far. If you have any doubts, it’s best to hire a professional.
6. Running Electricity Requires a License.
Most homeowners want to enjoy their new screen patio enclosure at all hours of the day and night. This probably means new electrical outlets and additional lighting will be necessary. Running electrical wiring isn’t recommended as a DIY project. A screen contractor always networks with local tradesmen and brings in trusted, licensed electricians.
7. Building Codes Require Navigation
Local and state building codes apply to screened in patio projects, so be ready to obtain proper permits and follow the rules. This kind of compliance is routine for professionals who specialize in screen porch installations. When you choose Dulando to build your new patio enclosure, we’ll take care of all the permits and paperwork. We will even help you get approval from your HOA.
8. Contractors Offer Design Services
If your plans include a screened-in porch customized to complement your home’s exterior, talk to a patio contractor. The best in the business offers design consulting services and enjoy working with your ideas. Not all homeowners want a cookie-cutter patio enclosure. We’ve had the pleasure of building some amazing screened-in patios with beautiful and customized features.
9. Your Time Is Valuable
A screened-in patio or porch project takes time, tools and muscle. A patio contractor gets the job done quickly and efficiently with teams who handle every detail from fabrication to finishing.
10. Professional Work Comes With Guarantees
When you hire a reputable screen porch contractor, craftsmanship and materials come with guarantees and warranties. You enjoy the security that comes from dealing with industry professionals who stand behind their work.
If you decide to put your daydreams in expert hands, Dulando Screen & Awning is at your service with almost 50 years of experience. We’re proud of our reputation as the region’s leading screen porch contractor, and our quotes are always free. Just give us a call at 407-862-6060.
