Researching pools, question about enclosures

[keschete]

Hi,

I have picked out the size and most of the options I am looking for in a pool. My big question is about a pool cage/screen enclosure. I am wondering what the average cost per square foot (based on the footprint of the enclosure) should range. I live in Louisiana, along the coast, so my enclosure needs to have a 130 to 140 mph wind rating. I was just curious if anyone could help me with the average or range.

Thanks in advance, Kaya

[PoolDoc]

I'm sure there folks that have some idea about the cost. However, you need to be aware that such enclosures, while common in Florida, are not very common elsewhere. The cost info you get is likely to be (a) based on pools in Florida and (b) LOWER than YOUR cost will be. The most reliable cost information is going to come from contractors local to you, OR if you go the do it yourself route, your own cost estimates.

Regarding wind ratings, the ONLY reliable info will come from manufacturers, if they have it and will give it to you. I'm skeptical, but would be very interested to see what you find.

After thinking about it a bit myself, the only way I can imagine that you could create a wind rated screen enclosure would be to engineer one with 'break-away' screen panels. I don't think there's any way, with standard screening, that you could keep the screens and the structure in high winds.

[CarlD]

Um, Louisiana, not Florida.

aylad's in Louisiana. She may be able to advise you.

We have very strict pool enclosure standards here in suburban New Jersey. The fence must be 4' high, not climbable, and with no more than 4" openings (the baby's head standard). The gate must be even tighter, and must have a latch that's either inside the enclosure and can only be reached over the top (not through the fence or gate), or must be 60" off the ground (the MagnaLatch is a clever solution). Plus the gate must be self-closing. I was denied my original design because my sliding door would lead into the enclosure and THAT was deemed not child-safe.

My understanding is that this is the de facto national building code standard and communities adopt it and adapt it as per their needs. Here, they are very strict. Could it stand up to the winds? I don't know.

Carl

http://home.earthlink.net/~dashmanc/pool/gate1.jpg

[waterbear]

Just to be sure, you are asking about a screen enclosure that is attached to the house and also has a screen roof over the pool, correct? That is how they are done here in Florida on many pool builds. I can tell you that even though they are constructed to withstand hurricane force winds most of the damage comes not from the winds from flying debris and I have seen many pools with the screen rooms destroyed after a hurricane! Where I grew up in Miami many of these had storm shutters that had to be attached to the screen room sides and roof to protect them in hurricanes and this adds to the price also. Don't know about where you live but here it's very difficult to impossible to get them insured against storm damage.

[keschete]

Yes, an enclosed screen room. mine will not be attached. All of my outside additions, including my fence and carport are covered by my insurance, but I do have a $10 k hurricane deductible. So yes, it is covered, but not really because of the high deductible.

I sent emails to several local companies, but there are a few online who can do the job I want for under 10k. The pool I am looking at it s a Trilogy Solstice pool with the attached spa. This means my enclosure can be rather small. 500 to 600 sq feet. I want a very small 10 x 20 kidney shaped pool with a spa in the concavity of the kidney.

If I can't get an enclosure, I won't get a pool. I will get a smaller swim spa and enclose that. I am not interested in having something I can't use due to bugs and wildlife. A pool here in 100 degree South Louisiana isn't much fun when you have to share it with every insect known to man. I just spent a week caring for a neighbor's pool and there was at least 30 minutes cleaning the pool before you could even swim in it, daily.

Thanks for the answers. Kaya