Signs that call for an assessment, not just new screen
- Roof sections that sag, or beams that bow
- Walls that lean, or rack when the door closes
- Gaps where the enclosure meets the house or the gutter it attaches to
- Bent, kinked or buckled members after a storm
- Loose, broken or missing cables and bracing
- Heavy corrosion, white powdery pitting or bubbling finish at post bases
- Cracked, lifted or crumbling footings or deck edges
- Screws that have rusted away or pulled out at connections
What the assessment covers
- The attachment to the house: fascia, gutter and connections
- Roof beams and purlins for bowing, kinks and connection failures
- Uprights and their bases, including corrosion where they meet the deck
- Cables and bracing
- Footings and the deck edge
- Doors, fasteners and screen condition
You get a written summary that separates what’s cosmetic, what’s repairable and what’s structural, so the options are clear before anyone talks about price.
Restore or replace?
| What the assessment finds | Often points toward |
|---|---|
| A mostly sound frame with isolated damage | Restoration: replace affected members, re-fasten connections, restore bracing, then rescreen |
| Widespread corrosion or damage across many members | Replacement |
| A failed attachment to the house | Usually replacement, or major restoration with engineering |
| A frame that’s sound but the wrong size or shape for you | Replacement with a new design |
Every enclosure is different; the assessment and, where needed, an engineer decide.
Engineering and permits
The Florida Building Code sets specific structural design requirements for screen enclosures in its aluminum chapter. Structural repairs and replacements are generally permitted work, often with engineered drawings. We coordinate the engineering the jurisdiction requires rather than guessing at structural fixes. Permit rules differ between city and county building departments and depend on the exact scope, so we confirm what applies to your address before work begins.
Storm damage and insurance
If you are filing a claim, a written scope and condition notes can help you discuss the damage with your adjuster. Coverage decisions belong to your insurer, and we can’t predict them.
What replacement involves
Assessment
A documented look at the existing enclosure and the house attachment.
Design
Keep the same footprint or change the size, roof shape, frame color and screen types.
Engineering, permit and HOA
Drawings and approvals as required.
Removal
The old enclosure is taken down and hauled away.
Footings and construction
Footing work the design calls for, then the new frame, screen and doors.
Inspections and walkthrough
Required inspections, then a walkthrough with you.
