Best Screen Types for Florida Pool Enclosures

Choosing the right screen type for your Florida pool enclosure affects durability, visibility, insect protection, and cost. Here’s a breakdown of every option available for Orlando-area pool cages.

Standard fiberglass (18x14)

The most common pool screen in Florida. Woven fiberglass mesh with an 18x14 thread count.

Pros: Affordable, good visibility, widely available, easy to work with Cons: Shortest lifespan (8-12 years), weakest wind resistance, fades and becomes brittle Cost: $ (baseline) Best for: Budget-conscious homeowners, properties you don’t plan to own long-term

No-see-um mesh (20x20)

Tighter weave with a 20x20 thread count that blocks smaller insects.

Pros: Blocks no-see-ums, sand flies, and tiny gnats that pass through standard mesh Cons: Slightly reduced airflow and visibility, same lifespan as standard fiberglass Cost: $$ (15-25% more than standard) Best for: Homes near lakes, wetlands, or areas with heavy small insect populations

Phifer Super Screen

Premium woven vinyl-coated polyester. The best-selling screen upgrade in Florida.

Pros: 3x stronger than standard fiberglass, better UV resistance, better visibility (darker color means you see through it more easily), 12-18 year lifespan Cons: Higher cost, slightly less airflow than standard Cost: $$$ (40-60% more than standard) Best for: Homeowners who want long-term value, hurricane-prone areas, anyone tired of rescreening every 10 years

Pet-resistant screen

Heavy-duty vinyl-coated polyester designed to resist pet claws and scratching.

Pros: Virtually tear-proof from pet damage, similar durability to Super Screen Cons: Reduced visibility compared to other options, stiffer material Cost: $$$ (similar to Super Screen) Best for: Lower panels in homes with dogs or cats

Florida glass

Clear acrylic or polycarbonate panels that replace screen mesh entirely.

Pros: Wind protection, rain exclusion, noise reduction, clear visibility, 20+ year lifespan Cons: Most expensive option, reduces airflow (need to leave some panels as screen), requires more cleaning Cost: $$$$ (3-5x the cost of standard screen per panel) Best for: Lanais, entertaining areas, wind-facing walls, homeowners who want rain protection

Motorized retractable screens

Electric screens that roll up or down with a remote control.

Pros: Flexibility to open or close as needed, smart home integration, clean aesthetics when retracted Cons: Highest cost, mechanical complexity, requires electrical connection Cost: $$$$$ ($5,000-$15,000+ for a full system) Best for: Outdoor kitchens, entertainment areas, lanais

Our recommendation for most Orlando homeowners

Super Screen is the sweet spot for the typical Orlando pool cage. The 40-60% cost premium over standard fiberglass is offset by nearly double the lifespan and significantly better wind resistance during hurricane season. If you’re rescreening anyway, the material cost difference is modest compared to the labor savings of not rescreening again for 15+ years.

For specific panels — like lower sections with pets or wind-facing walls — consider targeted upgrades to pet screen or Florida glass while keeping Super Screen elsewhere.