Screens over pool? (Orlando: homes, neighborhood, upkeep)

[SeaWorld Bound]

I am amazed at how many homes in the price range we are looking at do not have screens over the pools. I thought it was pretty much a given because of the bugs.

Would ya all explain why some homes, that I truely would expect to have them, do not?

screens are needed because... ?????

Approximate cost to cover one?

[idr591]

Advantages to screen:
Less bugs
Less debris in pool

Disadvantages to screen:
Pool will be colder
Looks ugly

Most high end homes do not have screens.

[brinkofsunshine]

I had a pool without a screen- the only trouble was that the leaves that fell into it from around the sides (kind of an annoying clean up), and critters-there was a snake or two and quite a lot of frogs that liked to swim in it.

[yohynot]

Originally Posted by SeaWorld Bound

I am amazed at how many homes in the price range we are looking at do not have screens over the pools. I thought it was pretty much a given because of the bugs.

Would ya all explain why some homes, that I truely would expect to have them, do not?

screens are needed because... ?????

Approximate cost to cover one?

Screens are a personal preferences in this area as far as I can tell. I don't know what the codes are here in Orange County as far as having an 'open' pool. Seems to me it would need some type of safety restrictive access.

We liked a screen to keep insects and debris to a minimum. If you live near a fresh water source they help keep gators out of the pool.

Screens, just the screen portion, need to be replaced periodically. The aluminum cage needs to be really well anchored or it does get pretty mangled in some of our summer storms.

Cost really depends on the size of the pool and height of the roof line.

[Orlando313]

My pool does not have a screen and it stay clean because I have a baracuda cleaner. I would think that cost of upkeep to the screen unit would be more expensive than any money saved by having the screen. I just think they're kind of ugly, although it would be nice to not have wasps diving down to get a drink.

[Brasstec]

We opted not to screen. We are on conservation and just loved the look of a lagoon looking pool with the woods stretching out beyond. Orlando (city) code requires that you have a 48" fence with magna locks on the gates. I think the mechanism for the gate is at 60". We have the pebbletec finish and use the nautilus cleaner. Only time we have problems is when there is heavy pollen falling

[SeaWorld Bound]

Um, why are pools with screens colder?

re: The aluminum cage needs to be really well anchored or it does get pretty mangled in some of our summer storms.
Q: Is there a way to tell if the screen is anchored correctly when looking at the house? I would think it would have to be to code? no?

Oh, I should clarify, we would want a fence to protect kids and pets from falling in a pool. We have a pool now and not only have a fenced in yard but gates on the entrance to pool.

We want the screen because we have been told the ants and bugs are terrible down there. Don't ya all have bug control services? We sure do, as I hate ants in the house, and the snakes I have already and hate. Gators, well, oh dear, I want a concrete wall around my property, I thinks!!!!

[idr591]

Originally Posted by SeaWorld Bound

Um, why are pools with screens colder?

For the same reason that you will not get a suntan/burn nearly as quickly under a screen. A fair amount of sunlight and ambient heat is filtered by the screen. It is a noticeable difference.

[Parrotrosie]

I was told (and I have come to believe it is likely true) that the screen filters out about 65% of the UV of the sun. I never burn sitting in my screen room - but I burn in about half an hour doing yard work outside of it. Our pool, not heated, rarely goes above 82-84 degrees when it is sweltering out.

[yohynot]

Originally Posted by SeaWorld Bound

re: The aluminum cage needs to be really well anchored or it does get pretty mangled in some of our summer storms.
Q: Is there a way to tell if the screen is anchored correctly when looking at the house? I would think it would have to be to code? no?

Oh, I should clarify, we would want a fence to protect kids and pets from falling in a pool. We have a pool now and not only have a fenced in yard but gates on the entrance to pool.

We want the screen because we have been told the ants and bugs are terrible down there. Don't ya all have bug control services? We sure do, as I hate ants in the house, and the snakes I have already and hate. Gators, well, oh dear, I want a concrete wall around my property, I thinks!!!!

There should be codes but sometimes I think they cover the bare minimum. I know in a neighborhood we lived in, a screen cage 2 doors down was lifted at the corners and bent up but ours was not. Could have been a freak wind gust during the storm. We had something like strong guy wire anchors going diagonally across the screen, they did not.

Many bug control services to choose from. The screen does not keep ants out of the lanai. The screen is mainly to protect from flying insects and debris. Gators scale (crawl up) fences.