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 6 Considerations When Adding a Screen Room

Top 6 Considerations When Adding a Screen Room

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.