No pool enclosure is 100% hurricane proof. What matters is how it is engineered. Screen enclosures built to Florida’s current wind-load building codes, using tested framing and marine-grade stainless steel fasteners, can withstand strong tropical winds with screens intact. Older cages with rusted hardware or unapproved beams are the ones that typically fail.
That is the honest answer Florida homeowners need, and it is one Commercial Residential Aluminum (CRA) has been building around for decades. CRA is the only aluminum enclosure company in the state whose beam system, the patented ChannelLock SMB, carries the Florida Product Approval seal (FL#19700) from the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). Independent third-party testing has confirmed it is 40% stronger than the industry-standard lap beam most competitors rely on. Nine U.S. patents back the design.
This guide covers what makes a modern screen enclosure storm-ready, the steps every Florida homeowner should take before a storm approaches, and how to identify a contractor who actually builds to code.
How Should You Prepare Your Pool Screen Enclosure for a Hurricane?
Preparing your pool screen enclosure is about giving wind less to catch and giving your structure less to lose. Hurricane-related enclosure damage in Florida usually traces back to two things: flying debris and weak hardware. Address both, and your cage has a much better chance of coming through a storm.
Start weeks before a named storm forms, not the day it approaches.
Inspect the Frame, Fasteners, and Anchors
Walk the entire enclosure. Look for rusted or missing screws, loose base plates, and hurricane cables that have gone slack. Replace worn hardware with marine-grade stainless steel fasteners, which resist Florida’s humidity far better than standard screws. Check that the spline holding your screen mesh in the channels is still tight. Small tears in a panel widen quickly under storm pressure, so patch or re-screen anything already compromised.
If your cage shows visible rust or has not been professionally inspected recently, book an inspection with a licensed aluminum contractor well before hurricane season starts.
Trim Trees And Clear the Perimeter
Flying debris is the leading cause of screen enclosure damage during a hurricane. Trim tree canopies so wind passes through instead of catching sail. Remove coconuts, dead palm fronds, and heavy seed pods, which turn into projectiles in high winds. Clear the ground around the cage of anything the storm could pick up.
Schedule tree work early. Once a hurricane watch is issued, yard waste collection usually stops, and piled debris on the curb becomes its own hazard.
Store Loose Items Indoors
Bring in patio furniture, umbrellas, grills, pool toys, planters, and cushions. Anything not stored inside should be strapped down or anchored. Do not stash furniture inside the pool itself, since that damages the pool surface and contaminates the water.
Keep the Pool Full and Uncovered
Do not drain your pool. When the ground saturates from heavy rain, groundwater levels rise, and hydrostatic pressure from below can push an empty pool out of the ground. Pool covers are also a bad idea in a hurricane. High winds rip them off, debris punctures them, and a cover weighed down by wet debris becomes a difficult removal job afterward.
Shock the pool with extra chlorine and algaecide before the storm arrives, then run the pump for a few hours to circulate the chemicals. This keeps the water usable while power is out.
Power Down Pool Equipment
Turn off all pool equipment at the main breaker: pumps, chlorinators, heaters, and lighting. Wrap pumps and heaters in heavy-duty plastic and tie the covering in place. Water and live circuits are a fire and electrocution hazard when floodwater rises around the equipment pad.
Decide About Screen Removal
For enclosures built to current Florida Building Code standards, screens are engineered to remain in place through strong winds. On older cages, removing screen panels on opposite sides of the enclosure can let wind vent through rather than push against the structure. This was standard advice before code updates strengthened newer builds. If you are unsure which category your cage falls into, ask a licensed aluminum contractor before making changes.
For a deeper walkthrough on securing your cage the day a storm is forecast, see the CRA guide to preparing your pool and screen enclosure for a hurricane.
Quick Prep Checklist
| Task | When to do it | Why it matters |
| Inspect fasteners and cables | Start of hurricane season | Corroded hardware fails first under wind load |
| Trim trees, remove coconuts | Early in the year, before June | Flying debris causes most screen damage |
| Store or strap outdoor items | Once a storm is forecast | Loose objects turn into projectiles |
| Keep the pool full, no cover | Before the storm arrives | Prevents hydrostatic pressure from lifting an empty pool |
| Shock the pool | Before the storm arrives | Keeps water clean if power is out for days |
| Cut power at the breaker | Before the storm arrives | Prevents electrical damage during flooding |
| Photograph the enclosure | Before the storm arrives | Documents pre-storm condition for an insurance claim |
Photographs are worth the two minutes it takes. If your enclosure sustains damage, your insurer will want to see what it looked like before.
Who are the Best Pool Enclosure Contractors in Florida?
The strongest pool enclosure is one built to withstand what Florida throws at it. That comes down to three things: engineered framing, code-compliant permitting, and installation done right the first time. Commercial Residential Aluminum has spent decades building around those three factors.
What Sets CRA Enclosures Apart
CRA holds a special Aluminum Structure license and designs, prefabricates, and installs every enclosure through in-house engineering and permitting. Its patented ChannelLock SMB beam (Florida Product Approval FL#19700) is the only beam currently approved with the Florida Product Approval seal from the DBPR, which is what makes them hurricane ready under Florida code. In independent third-party testing, ChannelLock SMB demonstrated 42% higher strength than the industry-standard lap beam.
Every CRA enclosure is custom-engineered to your home’s architecture and Florida’s wind-load requirements. Prefabrication happens in a controlled shop environment, and most installations finish in as little as one day.
Product Options
- Patio and pool enclosures: Custom pool cages, screened lanais, and patio enclosures built to Florida code.
- ScenicView screen enclosures: Wide-span panoramic screens with unobstructed views, available only through CRA.
- Entry and lanai enclosures: Front entryway screening and full lanai builds.
- Pool cage repair and screen replacement: For homeowners who need to fix storm damage on an existing cage.
Where CRA Works
CRA serves 13 Florida counties across the Gulf Coast and Central Florida: Orange, Lake, Seminole, Pinellas, Osceola, Pasco, Polk, Hillsborough, Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte, Collier, and Lee. Offices are located in Tampa, Fort Myers, and Venice, with the corporate office in North Venice. See the full Florida service area list for city-by-city coverage.
Credentials that Matter
- Florida State Licensed Contractor (Lic. SCC056736, CGC058897, and CBC1270440)
- Nine U.S. patents on the ChannelLock SMB beam system
- BBB Accredited with an A+ rating
- The only beam system approved with the Florida Product Approval seal
- Member of the Florida Aluminum Association and National Association of Homebuilders
You can read more about the CRA mission and history behind the company.
The Bottom Line
No screen enclosure is fully hurricane proof, but a properly engineered, code-compliant pool cage is the closest a Florida homeowner can get. Regular inspections, marine-grade fasteners, and early prep before storms form protect what you already have. When it is time to replace an aging cage or build new, choosing a contractor whose beam system is DBPR-approved and independently tested makes the difference between a structure that holds and one that does not.
Commercial Residential Aluminum has been building enclosures to that standard across the Gulf Coast and Central Florida for decades. Request a quote from CRA to talk with the team about a new pool enclosure or a repair to your existing one.
Frequently Asked Questions
1- Does homeowners insurance cover pool cage damage from a hurricane?
It depends on your policy. Many Florida insurers classify pool enclosures as “other structures,” similar to a shed. Wind or hurricane damage often requires additional coverage, and some policies exclude screens entirely. Check with your provider well before storm season starts.
2- What kind of fasteners should a hurricane-ready pool cage use?
Marine-grade stainless steel fasteners are the standard. Standard screws corrode quickly in Florida’s coastal humidity, and rusted fasteners are one of the first components to fail under wind load. If your cage still has original mixed-metal hardware, replacing it is one of the cheapest strength upgrades available.
3- How much wind can a Florida pool enclosure withstand?
Wind-load requirements vary by county, coastal exposure, and the year your cage was permitted. There is no single number that applies statewide. A qualified aluminum contractor can confirm what your existing structure was engineered for and whether it meets current Florida Building Code.
4- Can a damaged pool cage be repaired, or does it need full replacement?
It depends on the damage. Bent framing, cracked beams, and compromised anchors typically require replacement of those sections or the full structure. Torn screens, loose spline, and worn fasteners are usually straightforward repairs. Do not attempt to repair bent aluminum framing yourself, since misaligned framing often fails again in the next storm.
5- How soon after a hurricane should I inspect my enclosure?
Wait until winds and rain have fully passed and standing water has receded. Photograph any damage before you touch anything so you have documentation for an insurance claim. Do not restore power to pool equipment until it has been inspected for water intrusion.
6- Do I need a permit to replace a damaged pool cage in Florida?
Yes. Pool enclosures must meet Florida wind-load building codes, which requires engineering, permits, and inspections. CRA manages the full permitting process, including engineering approvals and final inspections, on every project.
