Hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30, and if you live on the Emerald Coast, you know it's not a matter of if a storm will affect your area — it's when. For homeowners with screen enclosures, hurricane season raises some important questions: Will your enclosure survive? What should you do to prepare? And what happens if it takes damage?
After building and repairing screen enclosures across Okaloosa, Walton, and Santa Rosa counties for over 20 years, Anthony's Screens has seen the full range of storm outcomes — from enclosures that came through Category 1 hurricanes without a scratch to structures that were destroyed by tropical storms because they were built wrong.
Here's what you need to know.
Can a Screen Enclosure Survive a Hurricane?
The honest answer: it depends on the storm and the enclosure.
A quality screen enclosure that's properly engineered for Florida's wind loads can withstand significant wind events — including tropical storms and Category 1 hurricanes in many cases. The key factors are:
How it was built. Enclosures designed and permitted to meet current Florida Building Code standards are engineered for specific wind speeds based on your location. On the Emerald Coast, that means your enclosure should be rated for sustained winds of 130+ mph in many zones.
The age and condition of the structure. Building codes have become significantly stricter over the years, especially after major hurricanes exposed weaknesses in older construction standards.
Maintenance history. Loose screws, corroded fasteners, weakened connections, and damaged screen panels all reduce your enclosure's ability to handle wind loads.
The specific storm. No residential screen enclosure is designed to survive a direct hit from a major Category 4 or 5 hurricane. But for the more common tropical storms and lower-category hurricanes that affect the Emerald Coast, a well-built enclosure has a strong chance of coming through intact.
Preparing Your Screen Enclosure for Hurricane Season
Preparation is the best thing you can do to protect your investment. Here's what we recommend every year before the season begins:
Inspect the Entire Structure
Walk around your enclosure and look for anything that needs attention. Check frame joints and connections for looseness or corrosion. Look at the base of posts where they anchor to the concrete — this is where corrosion tends to start. Examine the roof-to-wall connections and any points where the enclosure attaches to your home.
Tighten All Hardware
Go around the entire enclosure and tighten every screw, bolt, and fastener you can find. Over time, thermal expansion and contraction, vibrations from wind, and general settling can loosen connections.
Repair or Replace Damaged Screens
A torn screen panel is a weak point. Wind can catch a torn screen, rip it further, and create a larger opening that lets wind pressure into the enclosure. That pressure change is what causes structural damage.
Clear the Area Around the Enclosure
Trim trees and branches that overhang or are close to the enclosure. In a storm, branches become projectiles. Remove or secure any loose items near the enclosure that wind could pick up and throw into the screens.
Check Your Door Closers
The screen door on your enclosure should close and latch securely on its own. A door that swings open in a storm creates a large opening for wind to enter the structure.
What to Do When a Storm Is Coming
When a hurricane or tropical storm is forecast for the Emerald Coast:
Secure everything inside the enclosure. Bring in furniture, plants, pool toys, and anything loose. These items become dangerous projectiles in high winds.
Consider removing screen panels if you have time. For major storms (Category 2+), some homeowners remove screen panels to reduce wind load on the frame. The screens can be replaced after the storm, but the frame survives.
Document your enclosure's condition. Take photos and video of your enclosure before the storm. If you need to file an insurance claim afterward, having before-and-after documentation is invaluable.
Don't try to make repairs during a storm warning. If your enclosure needs work, do it before the season — not when a storm is bearing down.
After the Storm: What to Look For
Once a storm has passed and it's safe to be outside:
Do a visual inspection from the ground. Look for torn screens, bent or broken frame members, loose connections, and any areas where the enclosure has shifted or separated from your home.
Check the roof connections. If your enclosure has a solid or insulated roof, inspect the connection points to your home's fascia and the enclosure frame.
Don't climb on the structure. If you suspect roof or upper frame damage, call a professional. Storm-weakened structures can be dangerous.
Document everything for insurance. Take detailed photos and video of any damage before you start cleaning up or making repairs.
When to Call a Professional
If your enclosure took damage during a storm, call a licensed screen enclosure contractor to assess the situation. Some damage looks cosmetic but is actually structural. Other damage that looks serious might be a straightforward repair.
Anthony's Screens handles storm damage repairs and full rebuilds across the Emerald Coast. If your enclosure was damaged, we'll give you an honest assessment of whether it can be repaired or needs to be replaced, and we'll help you navigate the insurance process if needed.
Build It Right From the Start
The best hurricane preparation starts when the enclosure is built. A properly engineered structure built to current Florida Building Code standards, with quality materials and corrosion-resistant hardware, gives you the strongest possible starting point for every hurricane season.
Anthony's Screens engineers every standing structure we build for local wind load requirements. We don't cut corners on materials, fasteners, or engineering — because we've seen what happens when builders do.
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Call 850-904-6144 for a free estimate, storm damage assessment, or pre-season inspection. Visit our contact page to get started.