Two of the most popular screen enclosure projects on the Emerald Coast are screen porches and pool enclosures. Both create protected outdoor living space, but they serve different purposes, have different costs, and involve different construction requirements.
If you're trying to decide between the two — or wondering if you need both — here's an honest comparison based on what we've built for Emerald Coast homeowners over the past 20+ years.
What's the Difference?
Screen Porches
A screen porch is a covered, screened-in outdoor living area typically attached to your home. It has a solid roof (often an insulated aluminum roof or an extension of your home's existing roof) and screened walls. Think of it as an outdoor room — a place to sit, eat, relax, and enjoy the breeze without dealing with bugs or direct sun.
Screen porches can be built as standalone additions or created by screening in an existing covered patio. If you already have a covered patio or lanai, screening it in is one of the most cost-effective upgrades you can make.
Pool Enclosures
A pool enclosure is a large screen structure that covers your pool and the surrounding deck area. Pool enclosures typically have an aluminum roof frame with screen panels on both the walls and roof. The roof is screened, not solid — so you still get sunlight and an open-air feel while keeping out insects and debris.
Pool enclosures are generally larger than screen porches and require more engineering to span the open area over the pool without intermediate support columns.
Cost Comparison
Screen porches on the Emerald Coast typically range from $5,000 to $20,000+ depending on size, roof type, and complexity. Screening in an existing covered patio (a screen under) is on the lower end. Building a new screen porch with an insulated roof from scratch is on the higher end.
Pool enclosures typically range from $15,000 to $45,000+ depending on pool size, enclosure height, roof design, and engineering requirements. The larger the pool and deck area, the more material and engineering is needed.
The cost difference comes down to size and complexity. Pool enclosures cover more square footage and require more structural engineering to handle the wider spans and taller heights.
Permits: When You Need One and When You Don't
This is an important distinction that many homeowners don't realize.
Screen unders — no permit typically required. If you're screening in an area beneath an existing roof, covered patio, or overhang, you generally don't need a building permit in Okaloosa County. The roof structure already exists and has been permitted. You're simply adding screening to an existing covered space. Many of the projects on our website are screen unders.
Standing structures with a roof — permit required. If you're building a new screen porch with its own roof or a pool enclosure with a roof frame, you need a building permit. These are new structures that must meet Florida Building Code requirements for wind loads, structural integrity, and setbacks.
Anthony's Screens handles the entire permitting process for projects that require it. We prepare the engineering drawings, submit the application, and manage inspections so you don't have to deal with the bureaucracy.
Lifestyle Considerations
Choose a Screen Porch If...
You want a true outdoor living room. Screen porches with solid roofs provide shade and rain protection, making them usable in virtually any weather. You can furnish them with comfortable seating, dining tables, TVs, and ceiling fans for a space that feels like an extension of your home.
You want maximum comfort. The solid roof keeps the space cooler and provides complete rain protection. On hot summer days, a screen porch is noticeably more comfortable than an open pool enclosure.
You don't have a pool or your pool is already enclosed. If your primary goal is creating a comfortable outdoor living area for relaxing and entertaining, a screen porch is the move.
Choose a Pool Enclosure If...
You have a pool and want to reduce maintenance. Keeping debris, insects, and critters out of your pool is the number one reason homeowners invest in pool enclosures. You'll spend less on chemicals, less time skimming, and less money on equipment maintenance.
You want pool safety. A screen enclosure around your pool provides an additional barrier for children and pets. When designed with self-closing, self-latching doors, it helps meet Florida's pool barrier requirements.
You want to enjoy your pool without bugs. On the Emerald Coast, mosquitoes and no-see-ums can make an unenclosed pool nearly unusable during peak bug seasons. A pool enclosure solves that problem completely.
Choose Both If...
Many of our customers end up with both — a screen porch attached to their home for everyday lounging and entertaining, plus a pool enclosure over the pool for swimming comfort and pool maintenance benefits.
The two structures can be connected or separate, depending on your property layout and preferences. We design custom solutions based on how you actually use your outdoor space.
What About a Lanai Enclosure?
In Florida, "lanai" is a catch-all term that can mean anything from a covered patio to a fully screened outdoor living space. If someone says they want a lanai enclosure, they're usually talking about screening in their existing covered patio — which is a screen under.
This is typically the most affordable screen enclosure project because the roof already exists. You're adding screen walls, a door, and the hardware to hold it all together. No new roof, no permit needed, and the project can often be completed in a day or two.
Making the Decision
The right choice depends on your property, your lifestyle, and your budget. Here's a simple way to think about it:
If your main goal is a comfortable outdoor living area for relaxing and entertaining, start with a screen porch.
If your main goal is pool protection and a bug-free swimming experience, start with a pool enclosure.
If you want both, we can design a comprehensive solution that covers your full outdoor living space.
Anthony's Screens builds custom screen porches, pool enclosures, lanai enclosures, and handles professional rescreening across the Emerald Coast. We serve Niceville, Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Crestview, Santa Rosa Beach, Freeport, 30A, Miramar Beach, and South Walton.
Call 850-904-6144 for a free estimate or visit our contact page. 4.9 stars from 150 Google reviews. Trusted since 2004.