Calculator
Screen Enclosure Cost Calculator
Estimate what a new pool cage or screened patio costs in Florida, or what it costs to rescreen the enclosure you already have.
Project Costs
How Much Does a Screen Enclosure Cost in Florida? (2026 Prices)
What a new pool cage or screened lanai costs in Florida per square foot, what rescreening costs, and the engineering and pool barrier rules that affect price.
The short answer
- A new aluminum pool or patio enclosure typically costs about $12–$25 per square foot of floor area enclosed, or roughly $12,000–$30,000 for many pool cages.
- Tall, custom and coastal high-wind enclosures cost more, about $20–$38 per square foot, and large custom cages can exceed $50,000.
- Rescreening an existing frame usually costs about $1.50–$3 per square foot of screen, often $1,500–$4,500 for a typical pool cage.
- New enclosures need a permit and engineering for your site's wind speed, and pool enclosures must meet Florida's pool barrier rules.
On this page
A screened pool cage or lanai turns a Florida back yard into usable space for most of the year, keeping out insects, leaves and the worst of the debris. Prices vary a lot with size, height and wind requirements, so this guide breaks them down and explains what you're paying for.
New screen enclosure cost per square foot
Installers often quote new enclosures by the floor area they cover. The ranges include the aluminum frame, screen, doors, engineering and the permit.
| Item | Estimated range | What affects it |
|---|---|---|
| Standard pool or patio enclosure | $12–$25per sq. ft. | Mansard or gable roof at a typical height. Many pool cages total $12,000–$30,000. |
| Tall, custom or coastal high-wind enclosure | $20–$38per sq. ft. | Dome or picture-window designs, heavier framing for wind zones. Large custom cages can exceed $50,000. |
The frame has to be engineered for your site's design wind speed. Coastal locations, taller walls, picture-window panels and dome or custom roof shapes all need heavier members and more connections, which is why they cost more per square foot. For Melbourne and Brevard County budgets, see screened patio and pool cage costs in Melbourne.
Rescreening cost
When the frame is sound, replacing the screen is far cheaper than a new enclosure.
| Item | Estimated range | What affects it |
|---|---|---|
| Standard fiberglass screen | $1.50–$3per sq. ft. of screen | A full rescreen of a typical pool cage often costs $1,500–$4,500. |
| Pet-resistant or heavy-duty screen | $2.25–$4per sq. ft. of screen | Heavier mesh costs more, usually on the lower panels only. |
| Partial rescreen (a few torn panels) | $200–$900per visit | Most of the cost is the service call and setup. |
Screen is measured on the roof and walls, not the floor, so a 40 × 24 ft cage with 10 ft walls has well over 1,800 sq. ft. of screen.
Example budgets
These examples use our screen enclosure calculator.
| Project | What's included | Estimated range |
|---|---|---|
| Screened patio | New 20 × 30 ft enclosure (600 sq. ft. of floor) | $7,200–$15,000 |
| Typical pool cage | New 40 × 24 ft enclosure (960 sq. ft. of floor) | $11,500–$24,000 |
| Larger pool cage | New enclosure covering 1,500 sq. ft. of floor | $18,000–$37,500 |
| Large custom or coastal cage | 1,500 sq. ft., taller walls and heavier framing | $30,000–$57,000 |
| Rescreen a pool cage | 40 × 24 ft cage, 10 ft walls, attached to the house, standard screen | $2,800–$5,500 |
Need a contractor for this project?Request a screen enclosure estimate
Try your own numbers
Screen enclosure cost calculator
For pool cages and screened patios. Measure the outside of the enclosure in feet.
Estimated range
$11,500 – $24,000
Typical Florida pricing, installed.
- Standard pool or patio enclosure (960 sq. ft. floor)
- $11,500–$24,000
This is a preliminary estimate for budgeting, not a contractor quotation.
Not included: pool deck work, removing an old enclosure, gutters or electrical. Enclosures around pools must also meet Florida's pool barrier rules, including self-closing, self-latching doors.
Ready to get started?
Tell us about your project, and we may be able to connect you with a contractor serving your area.
Request a screen enclosure estimateOptional. You don't need to share any details to use the calculator.
What drives the price
- Size and height. Bigger and taller enclosures need more aluminum and larger beams. Two-story cages over a pool deck cost far more than a single-story lanai.
- Roof style. Mansard and gable roofs are standard. Dome, hip and custom shapes need more engineering and fabrication.
- Wind zone. Enclosures are designed for the wind speed at your address. Coastal and High-Velocity Hurricane Zone sites need heavier framing.
- Screen type. Pet-resistant screen, privacy screen and fine "no-see-um" mesh cost more than standard fiberglass.
- Foundation and deck. The frame anchors into a footing or the pool deck. If the deck or footing is cracked or too thin, it may need repair first, and many homeowners redo pavers at the same time. See our paver and pool deck cost guide.
- Gutters and attachment to the house. Connecting to the house's fascia or a new super gutter adds cost and affects the roof.
Permits, engineering and pool barriers
A new enclosure needs a building permit with signed and sealed engineering, or the manufacturer's approved engineering, for the structure. Around a pool, the enclosure also has to meet Florida's pool barrier rules: a barrier at least 4 ft high with no gaps or footholds a young child could use, and self-closing, self-latching doors. Our screen enclosure permit guide covers the details, and fence permits in Florida covers pool fences.
In a community with an HOA, get architectural approval before you sign. Many HOAs control color, height and roof style. See HOA approval for Florida home improvements.
Getting comparable quotes
Ask each installer for the floor dimensions, wall and peak heights, roof style, beam sizes or engineering reference, screen type, number of doors, gutter work and the permit, all in writing. Check that the company holds a state license that covers aluminum structures and screen enclosures, then run through our contractor checklist.
Frequently asked questions
How long does pool cage screen last in Florida?
It depends on sun exposure, salt air, pets and storms. Many homeowners rescreen after years of UV damage or after a storm tears panels. Ask installers what warranty their screen carries, and replace torn panels early so wind can't catch them.
Should screen be cut before a hurricane?
Don't cut screen unless your enclosure's engineering or manufacturer calls for it. Some designs specify panels that can be removed or cut to relieve wind load. Ask your installer what your enclosure's design says before storm season.
Can a screen enclosure be the barrier around my pool?
It can, if it meets Florida's residential pool barrier requirements. That includes self-closing, self-latching doors and no gaps a small child could get through. Your permit plans should show it.
Does a new pool cage need a permit?
Yes. New enclosures need a building permit with engineering for the aluminum structure. Rescreening an existing frame often doesn't, but some counties set a dollar limit, so check.
Sources and further reading
- Pool Enclosure Cost (HomeGuide)
- Pool Enclosure Cost Guide (Angi)
- Cost to Rescreen a Pool Enclosure in Florida (Absolute Aluminum)
- Cost of Screen Enclosures in Florida, 2026 Market Analysis (Screen Factory Florida)
- Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act, section 515.29 (The Florida Senate)
We summarize official information in our own words and link to the source. Requirements can change, so confirm details with the source before relying on them. Our editorial standards
Related guides
Permits & Regulations
Do I need a permit for a pool cage?
When a screen enclosure, pool cage or screened lanai needs a Florida permit, the engineering involved, pool barrier rules, rescreening and county differences.
Project Costs
How much do pavers cost?
What concrete, travertine and porcelain pavers cost in Florida per square foot for patios and pool decks, plus demolition, sealing and worked examples.
Permits & Regulations
Do I need a permit for a fence?
When a fence or wall needs a permit or zoning approval in Florida, how counties differ, pool barrier requirements under state law, and HOA rules.
Renovation Guides
Getting HOA approval for a project
How HOA architectural approval works for Florida remodels, what state law says about hurricane protection, the 2026 permit change, and tips to avoid delays.
Project Costs
Screened patio cost in Melbourne
What a screened patio, pool cage or rescreen costs in Melbourne and Brevard County, with sample budgets, wind engineering and permit steps.