In Central Florida, an outdoor space you can actually use — without the bugs, rain or relentless sun — is one of the best upgrades you can add to a home. Screen rooms, glass sunrooms and insulated patio covers turn a bare slab or a weathered deck into comfortable, year-round living space. Here’s how the options compare and what to know before you build.
Screen room vs. sunroom vs. patio cover
- Screen enclosure (screen room): an aluminum frame with screen panels and, usually, a solid insulated roof. Keeps out insects and debris while staying open to the breeze — ideal for Florida evenings.
- Glass sunroom: a fully enclosed room with glass walls and an insulated roof. Climate-control-ready, so it can become true conditioned living space.
- Insulated patio cover: a solid, foam-core roof over your patio that blocks heat and rain — shade now, with the option to screen or glass it in later.
Why homeowners add them in Central Florida
- Use your yard year-round — shade in summer, shelter in the rainy season, no mosquitoes.
- Add livable square footage — an outdoor dining room, lounge or home gym.
- Protect your patio furniture from sun and storms.
- Boost home value and curb appeal with a finished, permitted structure.
Built for the Florida Building Code
A quality enclosure isn’t just a frame — it has to meet the Florida Building Code, including wind-load requirements for our hurricane zone, and it needs a permit and inspection. Insulated (foam-core) roof panels keep the space dramatically cooler than a bare patio and can carry a load rating. As a licensed general contractor, ALFE handles the slab or deck tie-in, engineering, permitting and the build — so the structure is safe, legal and warrantied.
Recent projects
From a sleek bronze screen enclosure on a newer home, to a floor-to-ceiling glass sunroom, to a tired wood deck rebuilt into a screened lanai — here are real ALFE outdoor-living projects across Central Florida:
Frequently asked questions
Can I convert my existing deck or patio into a screen room? Usually yes — we assess the slab or deck, reinforce or rebuild as needed, and add the frame and roof.
Screen or glass? Screen keeps you open to the breeze at a lower cost; glass gives you a fully enclosed, air-conditionable room. Many homeowners start with screen and add glass later.
Do I need a permit? Yes — screen rooms, sunrooms and patio covers require a permit and inspection in Florida. We handle it.
Want to enjoy your backyard year-round in the Orlando area? Call ALFE at (321) 732-5615 or request a free estimate. Explore our patio enclosures, insulated roof systems and outdoor living services.
