Bring enclosure up to par

Question: I have changed out a few rusted screws in my screen enclosure that was built in the early 1990s. Is there anything else I should do or hire a professional to do to make the structure more wind-resistant?

Answer: Since your screen enclosure was built, building codes have changed — many consider for the better. If you have an enclosure that is 2 years old or older, some of the screws anchoring the screen to the concrete deck might be loose, tension wires might need to be tightened, and brackets at main connections might need to be added.

Depending on which requirements were in effect at the time of construction, you may or may not have screen guide wire tie-downs. These stainless-steel cables strengthen the corners of your enclosure from both sides by being stretched from the roof corners diagonally toward the center of the structure to the concrete base where they are attached; then they are tightened.

If you don’t have these tie-downs, you might consider adding them to your structure.

Also, to improve stability, use longer ceramic-coated screws to attach the screen structure to the concrete deck. If your pool enclosure sits on pavers, the connection from the aluminum framing through the pavers into the concrete footer beneath must be a solid one. Many screen-enclosure failures during the 2004 hurricanes and high winds were blamed in part on the lack of proper attachments. Deck bolts were not long enough to go through the screen, the paver and the deck.

You or a professional can pre-drill the base of the screen enclosure and deck using a size 3/16 -inch drill bit for standard anchors which extend 2 1/2 inches into the concrete. A 5/16 -inch drill bit is used for the larger anchors that go through thick pavers and secure the enclosure with up to 7 inches of support into the deck. This attachment should be repeated every 24 inches on center along the base of the enclosure.

Another code upgrade that adds rigidity to a screen enclosure is the addition of “K-bracing.” Complementary beams of aluminum are attached in the corners of the base and corners of the roof area. When complete, the base area has a “K” design of aluminum to strengthen the corners.

The spot where the aluminum meets is reinforced with a metal bracket set with a minimum of 10 screws. K-bracing is required mainly for coastal areas, but this feature can be added to any screen enclosure. When installed, K-bracing will hamper some of the view between the screen panels, but for many enclosure owners, structural concerns and possible replacement costs outweigh the diminished view.

Also, check with your insurance company to make sure your policy includes your screen enclosure. Some insurance companies will no longer renew coverage of the enclosure in the homeowners insurance package.

“Any reputable licensed and insured screen company will assist you in creating a service program for your enclosure, which should be done on a yearly basis,” says Mike De LaHoz, owner of Florida Pool Enclosures in Altamonte Springs.

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