The Different Types of Screen Rooms (And How Much They Cost)

Best Framing Materials for Your Jacksonville Screen Room

Aluminum Screen Rooms

Aluminum is widely known for its strength, lighter weight, and resistance to corrosion. It’s durable against humid and salty air conditions but not so much against the hot Florida sun. 

• Pros:
  • Lightweight yet durable
  • Resistant to rust and corrosion
  • Requires minimal maintenance
  • Insulated roof offers climate control, especially when shingled
• Cons:
  • Can feel less sturdy compared to steel
    
    

Wood-Framed Screen Rooms

Wood provides that natural feel that can be customized through painting or staining to enhance any home’s style. Although wood screen room enclosures have a certain charm, there are some downsides.

• Pros:
  • Natural appearance with versatile design potential
  • Can be painted or stained to match your home

• Cons:
  • Requires regular maintenance to prevent rot and insect damage
  • More susceptible to weather damage
  • Much more expensive due to maintenance and the potential for replacement sooner than you'd like
    
    

Vinyl Composite Framing

Vinyl composite combines the appearance of wood with the resilience of synthetic materials, offering a practical solution for long-term durability without intensive upkeep. This makes it a favorable option for those looking to install screen rooms with minimal future worries. It's the perfect material for the family that appreciates quality, style, and durability—in other words, everyone!

• Pros:
  • Low maintenance, does not require painting or staining
  • Resistant to rot, corrosion, and insect damage
  • Mimics the look of wood with improved durability to match other wood structures on your property, like wood pergolas
  • Strong enough to withstand high winds
• Cons:
  • Limited color and texture options compared to wood
  • May expand and contract with temperature changes, so proper installation is key
    
    

Steel-Framed Screen Rooms

Steel is exceptionally strong and is ideal for creating large or more robust screen rooms that need to withstand significant environmental stresses. Its robustness makes it great for free-standing screen rooms and stand-alone screen rooms that require extra durability. Steel-framed screen rooms also require aluminum in order to attach the screen.

• Pros:
  • Very strong and durable
  • Can handle larger structures and heavier loads
  • Good resistance to corrosion with proper treatment
• Cons:
  • Heaviest material on this list, requiring more substantial support structures
  • Can be prone to rust if not properly maintained
  • The most expensive option
    
    

Fiberglass-Framed Screen Rooms

Fiberglass offers a modern solution with a balance of strength and lightweight, suitable for a variety of screen room applications. This material is gaining popularity for its performance and versatility in different patio screen enclosures.

• Pros:
  • Strong and lightweight
  • Corrosion-resistant and durable
  • Good insulating properties
• Cons:
  • More expensive than some materials like aluminum
  • Fewer installation experts are available
  • Limited customization options 

Best Screen Materials for Your Jacksonville Screen Room

Different types of screen materials cater to various needs, from enhancing privacy to providing added protection against the elements. Selecting the right type is important for the functionality and longevity of your screen enclosure.

Steel Screens

Highly durable and ideal for security-focused applications, steel screens are perfect for those needing extra strength and protection against rough weather.

Nylon or Polyester Screens

Nylon screens are lightweight, cost-effective, suitable for high-impact applications, and make excellent bug screens and pet screens. Nylon and polyester are flexible and easy to install, making it a practical choice for quick screen room setup. They also come with a 10-year manufacturer's warranty.

Fiberglass Screens

Fiberglass screens are widely used due to their durability and resistance to rusting and staining, perfect for patio screening and pool screens. Unfortunately, fiberglass screens only come with a 2-year manufacturer's warranty. The coating that fiberglass screens come with will begin to wear out over time, making the exposed fiberglass susceptible to deterioration. 

Hurricane Screens

Specially designed to withstand high winds and heavy rain, hurricane screens are ideal for areas prone to severe weather which is great for Gainesville homes. These screens are often reinforced with additional materials to ensure they hold up under extreme conditions. Their sturdiness is also perfect for motorized screens and come with a 10-year manufacturer's warranty.

Solar Screens

Reduce heat and sunlight exposure, helping to keep your screen room cooler and protect furniture from UV damage. These hearty screens also come with a 10-year warranty.

Best Ways to Build Your Jacksonville Screen Room

Screen rooms can be customized to suit different homes and needs. Here’s an overview of some of the more popular types of screen room builds:

Walls Under Screen Lanai 

These enclosures are integrated within the existing roof of a home, such as under a porch or lanai, making them an economical and seamless addition. This option typically sports a lower cost because the foundation required to build out the screen room already exists. They're a practical choice if you're looking to extend your living space without a complete overhaul and make it easier to extend wiring for custom lighting in your screen room as well.

Screen Roof Enclosures 

This type of enclosure features a structural aluminum roof with screen mesh, extending the main roof to cover the enclosed area. It’s ideal for homeowners who want an open feel but need protection from insects and debris. 

Insulated Composite Roof Screen Enclosures

For those needing more than just a screened area, solid roof screen enclosures offer a substantial addition to your home. These rooms offer more protection, with an insulated roof with the option to add shingles to match your home. They're great for added protection against the elements. Steer clear, however, of pan roof enclosures. Even with a lower cost upfront, they're difficult to clean and offer no insulation.

Free-Standing Screen Rooms

Screen Enclosure Cost Guide

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