Fort Myers, the City of Palms
Fort Myers began as an Army post on the Caloosahatchee River, built in 1850 during the Seminole Wars. The town incorporated in 1885 with 349 residents, the same year Thomas Edison bought land along the river for his winter home, Seminole Lodge. In 1907, Edison began planting royal palms along what is now McGregor Boulevard, which gave Fort Myers its nickname, the City of Palms, and Henry Ford bought the estate next door in 1916.
Fort Myers is the seat of Lee County, and its homes face everything Southwest Florida’s climate brings. On September 28, 2022, Hurricane Ian made landfall in Southwest Florida as a Category 4 storm, and its wind and surge reached across Lee County. A properly engineered enclosure keeps the pool clean and the insects out the rest of the year, and holds up better when storms come through.
- Keeps mosquitoes off the pool deck through the long wet season.
- Blocks palm fronds, leaves, and storm debris from the water.
- Serves as a code-compliant pool safety barrier.
- Reduces cleaning time and chemical costs.
- Filters direct sun on the patio.
- Built to Florida Building Code wind loads for the property’s location.
CRA’s Fort Myers Branch
CRA serves Lee County from its branch at 3440 Canal St. in Fort Myers, one of three CRA locations along with the corporate office in North Venice and the Tampa-area office in Valrico. Fort Myers homeowners work with a local team for consultation and installation, supported by CRA’s in-house design, engineering, and permitting staff.
- Fort Myers branch: 3440 Canal St., Fort Myers, FL 33916.
- Serving Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Bonita Springs, Sanibel, and Fort Myers Beach.
- Toll free: 855-272-2243.
Credentials That Matter After a Major Storm
After a storm like Ian, the beam inside an enclosure is the first thing worth understanding. Most enclosures use an industry-standard lap beam, and third-party testing exposed a critical failure point in that design. CRA’s ChannelLock Self-Mating Beam was engineered to address it and is tested and approved as 40% stronger. It holds nine U.S. patents and Florida Product Approval FL#19700, and CRA’s products carry either a Florida Building Approval certification or a Miami-Dade NOA.
- ChannelLock SMB tested and approved 40% stronger than standard lap beams.
- Nine U.S. patents and Florida Product Approval FL#19700.
- Florida State Licensed Contractor, Lic. SCC056736, CGC058897, and CBC1270440.
Awards and Memberships
CRA won a Building of America Gold Medal in 2010 for customer service and production quality on walkway covers for the Jordan School Restoration Project. It is an Accredited Better Business Bureau member with an A+ rating and belongs to the Florida Aluminum Association, the National Association of Home Builders, the Community Associations Institute, and the Young Builders Network. Since 1992, CRA has grown to more than 200 team members, and over the past five years it has fabricated and installed more than 30,000 screen enclosures in Florida.
- Building of America Gold Medal Winner, 2010.
- BBB Accredited with an A+ rating.
- Member of the Florida Aluminum Association, NAHB, Community Associations Institute, and Young Builders Network.
- More than 30,000 screen enclosures in five years.
CRA’s Products and Services in Fort Myers
| Service | Fort Myers Details |
| New enclosures | Pool and patio cages, ScenicView wide-view enclosures, lanai and entry screen rooms |
| Hurricane screens | MagnaTrack retractable systems: Defender hurricane, vinyl, solar, and insect |
| Storm recovery | Cage repair, full rescreens, panel replacement, Hurricane Ian damage restoration |
| Building exterior | Gutters, soffit and fascia, aluminum carports, foundation work |
| Safety and access | Railings, cable railing for elevated decks, handrails, fencing |
| Lighting | Landscape and enclosure lighting design through American Lightscapes |
Commercial Work in Lee County
Businesses, condominium associations, and public agencies in Lee County can draw on the same team. CRA’s commercial managers have worked on more than 500 private and government properties, totaling over two million square feet of aluminum construction. Commercial products include commercial screen enclosures, walkway covers, bus stop shelters, Bahama shutter awnings, sunshades, carports, and aluminum fencing.
Conclusion
Fort Myers has rebuilt and grown since Hurricane Ian, and the enclosures going up now should be stronger than the ones that came down. CRA’s Canal Street branch brings patented, DBPR-approved framing and a full line of aluminum products to Fort Myers homes and businesses. Request a free quote, or call 855-272-2243.
FAQs
1: Where is CRA’s Fort Myers office?
CRA’s Fort Myers branch is at 3440 Canal St., Fort Myers, FL 33916. It serves Lee County, including Cape Coral, Bonita Springs, Sanibel, and Fort Myers Beach, and is supported by CRA’s corporate office in North Venice.
2: My pool cage was destroyed in Hurricane Ian. Will a new CRA enclosure be stronger?
A new CRA enclosure is built on the ChannelLock SMB beam, which is tested and approved as 40% stronger than the industry-standard lap beam used in most older enclosures. Each project is engineered to Florida Building Code wind loads for its location.
3: Can CRA repair an enclosure instead of replacing it?
Yes, when the frame is structurally sound. CRA inspects the frame, fasteners, and screens, and recommends rescreening or targeted repair when that is enough. When the frame has failed, CRA quotes a full replacement.
4: Does CRA install hurricane screens in Fort Myers?
Yes. Fort Myers is on CRA’s MagnaTrack installation list. The Defender System is rated for Category 5 protection, and the same housings can hold solar, insect, or clear vinyl screens for everyday use.
5: Will hurricane screens affect my homeowners insurance?
Some Florida insurers offer premium credits for wind mitigation features, which may include code-compliant hurricane screens. Eligibility varies by insurer, so Fort Myers homeowners should confirm details with their insurance agent.
6: Does CRA offer financing for Fort Myers projects?
Yes. CRA offers flexible financing through Synchrony, and homeowners can pre-qualify or apply before starting a project. Terms depend on Synchrony’s approval.
