Hurricane Season Screen Prep: How to Protect Your Pool Cage Before the Storm

Florida Hurricane Season and Your Screen Enclosure

Every year from June 1 to November 30, Florida homeowners face the reality of hurricane season. For pool cage and screen enclosure owners, this means preparing for the possibility of high winds, flying debris, and heavy rain that can destroy screens and damage aluminum framing.

The good news: proper preparation can significantly reduce storm damage. The bad news: most homeowners wait until a storm is named before taking action, by which point materials are sold out and contractors are booked solid.

This guide helps you prepare early and smart.

Understanding Wind Damage to Screen Enclosures

Screen enclosures are designed to handle normal Florida weather — afternoon thunderstorms, moderate winds, and heavy rain. They are NOT designed to withstand hurricane-force winds. Here is what happens at different wind speeds:

• 40-60 mph (Tropical Storm): Loose or degraded screen panels may tear. Sagging screens catch wind and can pull out of spline channels.
• 60-80 mph (Category 1): Multiple screen panels will likely fail. Aluminum framing may bend at weak points. Debris impacts cause punctures.
• 80-110 mph (Category 2-3): Significant structural damage likely. Screen panels will be destroyed. Frame members may collapse.
• 110+ mph (Category 4-5): Total loss of screen enclosure is probable regardless of preparation.

Your goal with hurricane prep is not to make your enclosure hurricane-proof — that is not possible with screen. Your goal is to minimize damage so repairs are faster and cheaper after the storm.

Pre-Season Preparation (Do This in May)

1. Inspect and Replace Weak Screens

Walk your entire enclosure and identify panels that are faded, sagging, or have existing damage. These are the panels that will fail first in a storm and can cause cascading damage to adjacent panels.

Replace any compromised panels now while materials are available and you have time. A $15 screen panel replaced in May prevents a $500 frame repair in September.

2. Check All Spline

Old, brittle spline loses its grip in high winds. Press on the spline around each panel — if it feels hard or is pulling away from the channel, replace it. Fresh spline costs pennies per foot and dramatically improves wind resistance.

3. Tighten Frame Connections

Check all screws, bolts, and rivets on your enclosure frame. Tighten anything loose. Replace missing fasteners. Pay special attention to the connections where the enclosure attaches to your house — these are critical structural points.

4. Trim Surrounding Trees

The number one cause of screen enclosure damage during storms is not wind — it is flying debris. Tree branches, palm fronds, and loose objects become projectiles. Trim any branches within 15 feet of your enclosure. Remove dead palm fronds. Secure or store loose outdoor items.

5. Stock Emergency Materials

After a hurricane, screen materials sell out within hours. Stock up now:

• 2-3 extra rolls of screen material in your most common width
• Extra spline (100 feet minimum)
• Screen repair patches for quick fixes
• Zip ties and bungee cords for emergency temporary repairs
• Tarps for covering damaged sections

When a Storm Is Approaching (48-72 Hours Out)

Remove Loose Items

Take down any hanging plants, decorations, or loose items inside and around the enclosure. These become projectiles in high winds. Store patio furniture inside or lay it flat on the ground.

Consider Removing Screen Panels

For Category 2+ storms, some homeowners choose to remove screen panels from the windward side of their enclosure. This sounds counterintuitive, but it reduces wind load on the frame and prevents the screen from acting as a sail that can collapse the entire structure.

If you remove panels, carefully pull out the spline and roll up the screen for reuse after the storm. Label each panel so you know where it goes back.

Reinforce Weak Points

Use hurricane straps or additional screws to reinforce the connection between your enclosure and the house. Add cross-bracing with aluminum bars if your enclosure design allows it.

Document Everything

Take photos and video of your entire enclosure before the storm. This documentation is essential for insurance claims if damage occurs. Include close-ups of the frame condition, screen condition, and any pre-existing issues.

After the Storm

Assess Damage Safely

Wait until winds are below 40 mph before inspecting your enclosure. Watch for downed power lines, standing water, and structural instability. Do not enter a partially collapsed enclosure.

Temporary Repairs

Cover any openings with tarps or plastic sheeting to keep insects and rain out while you plan permanent repairs. Use zip ties to secure loose screen panels that are still partially attached.

File Insurance Claims Promptly

Contact your homeowner's insurance within 24-48 hours. Provide your pre-storm documentation and photos of the damage. Most Florida policies cover screen enclosure damage from named storms.

Source Materials Early

After a major storm, screen materials sell out region-wide within days. If you stocked emergency materials pre-season, you are ahead of the curve. If not, contact ARK Orlando immediately — we prioritize storm recovery orders and restock as quickly as our suppliers allow.

Insurance Tips for Screen Enclosures

• Most Florida homeowner policies cover screen enclosure damage from named storms under the dwelling coverage
• Your deductible for hurricane damage is typically 2-5% of your dwelling coverage (not a flat dollar amount)
• Document the age and condition of your enclosure annually
• Keep receipts for any materials or repairs — they support your claim value
• Consider a separate rider if your enclosure is high-value (custom, large, or recently built)

Get Storm-Ready Materials at ARK

Do not wait until a storm is named. Stock up on screen materials, spline, and repair supplies now at ARK Orlando. Visit our showroom at 4455 Dardanelle Drive, Suite D, Orlando FL 32808 or shop online at arkorlando.com.

Contractor accounts get priority fulfillment during storm recovery periods. Call 321-462-3779 to set up your account.