However, you don’t have to base your decision on these points alone. Enclosing your pool provides your family with other benefits to enjoy.

Enhances your sense of privacy

When asked why they enclosed their pool or patio area, increasing their privacy level was the number one reason homeowners gave. Even though the screens don’t provide total privacy, they create the essence of being in total seclusion. In fact, some homeowners have stated if they had realized what a difference it made, they would have enclosed their outdoor living space sooner!

Their ability to completely relax marginally increased as the sights and sounds of their busy neighborhoods faded into the background.

Furthermore, if you work with a company that uses digital imagery to customize the screens for you, you and your family can create a private getaway spot in your backyard. The dyes used are treated with added UV protection and are guaranteed to remain vibrant for years.

The end result is sure to be nothing short of amazing.

A barrier against unwanted guests

Florida is the perfect environment for certain species of wildlife to thrive. Snakes or even the occasional—we certainly hope it’s only occasionally—alligator could make their way into your yard on any given day. Nothing compares to the experience of walking out the backdoor to discover either right next to the house. It’s even worse when you’ve already let the dog—or the kids—go tearing out the door ahead of you.

Enclosing the space puts a stop to that. Unwanted guests may still wander into your yard but they won’t be able to get into your safe zone. Moreover, pool enclosures prevent homeowners from the unpleasant discovery that some poor creature found its way into the water but couldn’t get out before exhaustion set in.

A degree of UV protection

Screen enclosures don’t completely shade you so don’t worry about your tan. However, those dangerous UV rays filter through the screens making them less intense. That means you and the kids won’t be reapplying sunscreen as often.

It also means that your outdoor furnishings and other belongings won’t suffer sun fade as quickly.

Safety features too

Lots of homeowners with young children and pets have alarm systems set up near the pool area to guard against accidents. Pool enclosures provide an added level of comfort because when you don’t want them near the water, all you have to do is flip the lock on the door.

Peace of mind for you and a firm barrier set in place for the kids.

Do enclosures make life more enjoyable then?

Ultimately, you’re the one who decides the answer to that question. Your family may want to chime in on the final decision too though. Enclosures provide Florida families with benefits to be enjoyed throughout the year. They create a bug-free zone that no mosquito, fly, or even the annoying noseeums can penetrate. Migrating wildlife isn’t going to have a chance to catch you by surprise when you open your backdoor either.

Homeowners report that the level of privacy that screen enclosures provide was above their greatest expectation. Thereby, enhancing your ability to rest and relax without feeling as if everyone in the neighborhood knows what’s going on in your backyard. This can be especially true if you’re enclosing the pool. Some days it’s just better to swim without onlookers—who may not even be looking but we catch your drift. Enclosures eliminate the threat of even the possibility.

Ultraviolet rays aren’t going to affect your family as much because the screens filter them which lessens their intensity. Moreover, your furnishings and other decor won’t lose color as quickly as when left fully exposed to the sun.

Screen enclosures provide safety features too. You can lock the doors to the pool enclosure and not have to fret about getting distracted and someone falling into the water. Or if you have your lanai or patio closed in, young children can play safely without following the urge to wander toward whatever might catch their eye. It will give you a bit of time to sit and relax without worrying they will get out of sight should you get distracted.

Life moves fast

Whether or not you one day believe that having an enclosed outdoor living space is one of the best decisions you ever make, it will certainly enhance your family’s life. Creating a space where your family enjoys spending time is the main focus. The time you spend together strengthens your family bond. That’s what is truly important.

The where of it all isn’t that big a deal, really. But having a true backyard retreat can do wonders to push back the cares of the world. Would the beach be your choice? Maybe a lush tropical garden further enhanced by the trickling sound of a tabletop fountain is more to your liking. Working with a company that customizes your screens with whatever scene you like will be a game changer in creating the aesthetics of your surroundings.

The odds are that your friends and extended family will love to come over and get away with you whenever they’re invited! Good times spent with the people you love are a plus any day of the week.

Enjoy them!

The post Do Pool Enclosures Make Life More Enjoyable? appeared first on Patio Scenes Outdoor Privacy Screen.

Most of us have probably had a “been there, done that” experience like that at least once. And if only once, boy, are you lucky! Sharing is great, but sometimes it just doesn’t work out in the way everyone hopes. We could continue our list of scenarios, but you get the point.

Family time is special, no doubt about it. Life moves so fast that it can easily get pushed further, then, further down the list. Before you know it, weeks… months, perhaps… have flown by and you’ve barely seen everyone in one place at one time.

Make a change

If you enclose your outdoor living space, whether it’s the lanai, the pool, or both, it adds a level of privacy that enables you to separate yourself from the hustle and bustle going on around you. As a matter of fact, when homeowners are asked why they chose to enclose their space, added privacy is the number one reason given. Moreover, many have added that if they had realized the positive effect it would have on their families, they would have done it sooner!

Mesh screen enclosures are a popular choice here in Florida. They create the illusion of total privacy which has the same effect. Seriously! Moreover, if you take advantage of customizing your screens, the effect is enhanced even further.

Some screen enclosure companies will add images to your screens thanks to the technological advancements in digital imagery. Specially treated dyes are used for printing. They are infused with ultraviolet (UV) protection so your screen images remain vibrant for years. Some even allow customers to submit digital images from their personal libraries rather than choosing something from a company catalog.

Either way, you’re sure to find something that appeals to you. Imagine walking out your back door and into your backyard getaway. Your family will likely make it a favorite place to hang out from day one!

In addition to privacy, mesh screen enclosures include several other benefits for you and your family to enjoy throughout the year.

Bugs be gone

We’ve all been driven indoors at some point due to being invaded by flies or mosquitoes. It’s pretty amazing how they manage to swarm en masse whenever you plan family time outdoors. Mesh screen enclosures end that onslaught—permanently!

The mesh screens are finely woven preventing them from getting into your space. Even those annoying noseeums aren’t going to find their way through. Imagine planning to have dinner outdoors without swishing away the flies between every bite. If you enclose your pool, night swims will become far more popular! Family and guests won’t ever have to dive under the water trying to escape the dive bombing blood suckers again.

UV protection

While your screen enclosure doesn’t completely shade you by any means, it does help combat those damaging UV rays. That’s because as they filter through the screen, they become less intense which means you won’t be reapplying sunscreen as often. That will be welcome news to a pool full of kids, won’t it?

Your pool or patio furniture and other decor won’t suffer sun fade as quickly either.

Safety features too

It’s nice to sit down and relax for a minute or two, but young children tend to keep moving which, of course, means that you do too. If you enclose your outdoor space, it creates a boundary of safety. They have a spot to be outdoors in the fresh air and sunshine without the chance of them wandering out of sight should you get distracted. That means you can actually sit down and read a chapter of that novel and enjoy a cool drink while they play nearby.

Moreover, if you should want them to stay out of the area, say if you’ve enclosed the pool, a quick flip of the lock on the door is all that is required.

Increases value

Having an enclosed outdoor area enhances your property value too. Of course, how much depends on several factors such as building materials used and the size of the structure. However, if you ever decide to sell your home, the fact that you have an outdoor enclosure might just be the selling point that gets your home off the market nearly as soon as you put it on!

A new outlook

Especially if you decide to customize your new screen enclosure, once it’s up your family will love they new space! Neighbors probably will too because the scenes are visible from both sides so completely transform the area inside and out. It’s truly remarkable.

Moreover, bugs won’t ever be a nuisance again. You’re going to have a safe space for young children—or pets—to get some fresh air. And you’ll have a bit of respite from the harsh Florida sunshine.

Lastly, you can be certain that family time is going to be more enjoyable. Friends are going to love coming over to hang out too. Oh, the memories to be made! You won’t regret your decision… not once.

The post Guarding Your Privacy Enhances Outdoor Family Time appeared first on Patio Scenes Outdoor Privacy Screen.

If you’re an accomplished handyman, this is a job that can easily be tackled over the weekend. And, depending on the size of your enclosure, of course, you may get the job done in just one day.

Gather the goods

Most homeowners don’t keep rolls of pool screen stored somewhere around the house as a “just in case” measure. So, your first step is to figure out how much screen you need to complete the job. Once you’ve done the math, you’re ready to head down to the home improvement store to get what you need.

If you’ve replaced screens before, dig out your screen spline roller. If you don’t have one, grab it while you’re out getting your new screen. Grab a piece of the old spline to take along with you. It makes choosing the new spline an easier task.

You will also need a pair of scissors, a flat-head screwdriver, and a utility knife. If working alone, you should also have some form of gripping device handy to help anchor the screen tautly as you work.

When choosing your new screen material, stay away from Artisan wire screen products. The wire is very thin and the salt air and high humidity levels here in Florida make short work of it. Aluminum screens hold up better than the Artisan wire, but mesh screens constructed of fiberglass are our best choice. The finer the weave the better if you want to make sure insects aren’t able to get through it.

There are also screens designed to withstand the weight of pets pressing against or pawing at the screens in attempts to get through them. And, while likely the most expensive choice, solar screen filters ultraviolet (UV) rays lessening their effect. That’s good for you and your stuff.

The installation process

There are four basic steps involved in replacing your pool screens. Due to their large size, it’s best to completely take down the frame and lay it on a firm, flat surface, such as a concrete driveway, perhaps.

Remove old screen

Once your screen is on a flat surface, use your flat-head screwdriver to carefully pry the old spline out of the groove. Once you’ve got it started, you may be able to remove the spline in one solid piece. Now, you can easily remove the old screen and discard it.

Roll out new screen

It’s best to work with a buddy because the large size can make it awkward to work alone. You can save time and alleviate frustration by enlisting a helper.

Unroll your new screen material onto the frame, anchoring one side down to hold it in place if necessary. You want to make sure you have the correct measurements before you cut your new screen piece. Leave a few inches of extra screen on the sides of your frame, then, take your scissors and cut the new piece from your roll.

Install new spline

First and foremost, the new screen needs to be taut to give you the best performance and lifespan. Your helper can keep the screen pulled tightly across the frame as you work. If working alone, use pliers or some type of clamps and stretch the screen tautly across the frame. Anchor in place.

To get started, position the end of the new spline on top of your screen directly above the groove. Use the flat-head screwdriver to push the end firmly into the corner of the groove.

With one hand gently stretch the spline while using your other hand to apply downward pressure on the spline tool. Use a back-and-forth movement to ensure the spline is firmly inserted into the groove. Keep pushing forward until you reach the corner of the screen’s edge.

Use the flat-head screwdriver to firmly insert the spline in the bend of the corner before continuing with the spline roller and back-and-forth motions. Continue this process until you have returned to your starting point.

Remove excess screen

To remove the unused edges of the screen, place the blade of your utility knife between the spline and frame and carefully trim away the leftover portion. Repeat this process on the other sides of the screen and done!

Bring on the next.

A word of caution

If your pool enclosure is large enough to accommodate a diving board, it’s going to be more of a challenge to install new screens. Working from ladders adds an element of danger to the mix that may not be worth the risk.

You may want to consider hiring a company to take care of the installation for you. We’ll mention, too, that lots of companies customize the screens using digital imagery. You could create an entirely new atmosphere in the pool area just by replacing your screens.

We’ll leave the decision of whether or not to tackle large pool enclosures as a weekend handyman project or not up to you. After all, you know your level of expertise and we’re going to trust your judgment.

The post Weekend Handyman: Replacing Your Pool Screens appeared first on Patio Scenes Outdoor Privacy Screen.

And it seems as if once the word’s out, the invasion begins in earnest.

You remember those days—if you’re not still living them out because you haven’t enclosed your outdoor space yet. We’ll assume you have for the moment though. Eating outdoors was far less enjoyable than it should have been. It was infuriating to see scads of flies feasting on your family’s dinner before they even sat down at the table. Or what about feeling like you made a bad investment when you installed the color-changing LED lights around the pool area because the mosquitoes showed up in droves after dark and everyone would rather stay inside instead of engaging in a continuous slap fest?

Once you’ve lived without bugs, you know you don’t want to go back. Everything has a lifespan though. Moreover, the salt air and penetrating UV rays can accelerate decline. So exactly how long can you expect enclosure screens to last without replacing them?

What type of screen is it?

The lifespan of your screens depends heavily on whether or not it has a “rough life.” Pets and small children are known to be hard on screened surfaces. You know what we mean. Once they discover a small hole or tear, it tends to grow larger by the day. The material that the screens are made of plays a big part in how long they remain in good shape.

If your enclosure screens are made of artisan wire, it doesn’t bode well for their longevity. The expected lifespan isn’t ever more than three, or maybe four, years. It also goes by the name “wire mesh” because it’s manufactured using thin metal wire. Most are always imported from China, and the screens don’t hold up to our hot, humid weather at all. Moreover, the salt in the air erodes the metal causing it to weaken even more quickly. Artisan wire screens aren’t a good option for Florida homeowners.

Most pool enclosure companies use Phifer Screen because they are number one in the industry—worldwide. The company is based in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and has been in business since 1952. The company was formed with two goals in mind; to excel in both quality and service. Back in the day, the screens were made strictly of aluminum, however, today they also manufacture fiberglass insect screening products.

Using the latest innovations in technology, Phifer has created a variety of woven products that enhance your outdoor living experience. For instance, its exterior sun control screening actually provides homeowners with additional protection from UV rays. The cost increases a bit, but living in Florida, it may well be worth the upgrade cost! Over thirty of their solar protection products have earned the seal of approval from the Melanoma International Foundation for their effectiveness in preventing sun damage to the eyes and skin.

Phifer products maintain a warranty of up to ten years for most products if the screen fabric becomes “nonfunctional due to changes in physical properties.” If you want premium quality material for your enclosure screens, ask your contractor if they use Phifer!

Heard about customizing?

If you’re replacing your screens, you might want to consider having them customized! The results are incredible as far as changing your environment. You can use any digital image, either from your personal library or the company catalog, and create the backyard getaway of your dreams.

It’s sure to become your family’s new favorite spot to spend time together. The ambiance changes completely when you surround yourself with scenes from your favorite vacation ever! Or perhaps you’ll choose a destination that you’ve yet to see in real-time. Whatever spot you choose, you can rest assured that your screens will remain vibrant and beautiful for years to come.

Screen repair an option too

If your screens need repair, you can often tackle small jobs DIY style. There are multitudes of DIY screen repair videos to guide the process. We might suggest getting on top of that sooner rather than later though. Once there’s a hole in a screen, little fingers can’t seem to refrain from helping it grow a little bigger… and bigger… You know what we mean, yeah?

Totally replacing your screens yourself isn’t out of the question either. It’s a relatively easy task, but due to the size of the screens can get a bit awkward. Especially, stretching the new screen. It needs to be taut! It’s a good idea to have a helper to hasten the process and ease any tendency to get frustrated.

Living life out

Enclosure screens, like everything else, are going to wear out eventually. Stay away from artisan wire and you’ve jumped years ahead in that game. Fiberglass screen seems to be the most popular choice today and you can even get screens that protect you from the sun with up to 75% coverage!

Screens are low maintenance. Washing them with warm sudsy water and a scrub brush is a great task for the kids to take on. However, you might want to supervise so no soapy water wars break out. It tends to sting the eyes and the kids might forget that in the heat of the moment.

Patch any small tears or holes that appear as soon as you notice them too. That’s going to have a big impact on how things go from that point on if you have small children or pets. Lastly, keep enjoying the time spent in your outdoor living space because spending time with family and friends is what life should be all about.

The post How Long Do Enclosure Screens Last? appeared first on Patio Scenes Outdoor Privacy Screen.

Your outdoor furniture and decor may not realize the benefits of being tucked away in an enclosure, but you will! The salt in the air here is a corrosive substance. If it’s not made of plastic, it’s going to suffer the negative effects of salt accumulation. There probably isn’t one person living in the state of Florida who hasn’t suffered the ill effects of salt corrosion to some degree.

And, while we love our sunshine, too much of a good thing does quite a number on anything not protected by shade. It doesn’t take long either. And, of course, there’s the sudden rain showers and the occasional hurricane blowing through to deal with.

If you’re outdoor family area is enclosed, your stuff lasts longer.

Keeping it clean

The wind is bound to blow and when it does, you’re going to catch a nice breath of fresh air. However, yard debris, dust, and dirt won’t settle over your space as it does when everything is wide open.

Mesh screen enclosures block all that stuff so it’s not going to clutter up your space. If it’s the pool area that you’re considering closing in, you’ll be surprised at the difference it can make when the kids are corralled a bit. You’ll be spending more time swimming—or lounging poolside—instead of skimming. And imagine how great it will be to wander out to the lanai to enjoy your morning coffee without having to clean up after the storm that blew through in the night first. Having to dust off your seat before you can sit becomes a thing of the past too.

Say bye to bugs

Having dinner out on the lanai is going to be a brand new experience for your family after your new screen enclosure goes up because not a single fly will find its way to the table during the meal. Most professional companies in the industry use Phifer screens. They are so finely woven that no manner of bugs—including mosquitoes by the way—can get through.

You can dally after dinner without having to worry about being eaten alive or permeating the atmosphere with mosquito repellant. So go ahead and stash a couple of games out in the enclosure before it’s time to eat because when you make the suggestion, you know the answer is going to be yes!

Safety

Mesh screen enclosures create a safe space for small children and pets to experience the benefits of being outdoors while being safely contained. That means you can sit and relax, maybe read a bit even, without having to worry about anyone getting away from you.

Your new enclosure is going to keep unwanted guests, which could amount to all types of creatures, finding their way too close to the house as well. Set boundaries are good for people and wildlife alike!

Protects your privacy

Have you heard that privacy is the most given answer when homeowners are asked why they decided to install a mesh screen enclosure? And, among those, some say they wished they had known what that meant exactly because they would have gotten their new enclosures sooner!

The screens won’t block 100% of the view either way but they provide a greater degree of privacy. Just a subtle difference that makes a huge impact on the atmosphere that surrounds you.

You can take that a step further if you work with a company that customizes your privacy screen. Digital imagery makes it possible to take any image and print it directly onto your screens. You see where this is going, right? You can use an image from your favorite place on earth to create a backyard retreat of your very own.

Customers report being amazed at the difference customized screens made in their surroundings. The images are printed onto the screens using dyes that are enhanced with UV protection. Your screens are going to remain vibrant for years. What type of image would you use? The beach? A beautiful tropical garden, perhaps? It’s safe to say that no matter what imagery you use, the results will be amazing.

No regrets

Enclosing your outdoor living space benefits your family in several ways. You have a secluded place to gather away from what can sometimes feel like the prying eyes of your neighbors. They protect from the rain and provide a degree of shade during the sultry summer days Florida is well-known for too.

Mesh screen enclosures allow the air to circulate freely throughout the area. At the same time, they keep dirt, debris, and bugs from entering the space. An enclosed outdoor space also provides a safe area for children and pets to play in the fresh air without succumbing to an urge to wander off on an adventure without you in tow.

All in all, the benefits easily justify the expense of installing your new screen enclosure. Especially since so many families will be spending more time at home, for the foreseeable future at least, to offset the rising costs in this inflated economy. Moreover, once your enclosure is up, it’s likely to become your family’s favorite gathering spot which bodes well for togetherness.

When you spend time together, you’re teaching your children the importance of family. Bonds strengthened by love and laughter make for a strong family unit. That’s a mighty force to reckon with in the world today by any standard. If you’re leaning towards customizing your screens, gather the fam and start looking through those photos. We bet you’ll be reliving some wonderful memories together as you plan for your backyard retreat.

The post The Benefits of Enclosing Your Outdoor Space appeared first on Patio Scenes Outdoor Privacy Screen.