The lanai is where a lot of Florida mornings and evenings happen. When the screen sags or tears, bugs move in and the space gets used less. Rescreening is usually the fix.
Not every lanai surrounds a pool
Pinellas County has 44,515 properties with a screen enclosure, and in some areas enclosures outnumber pools. In Palm Harbor's 34685 ZIP code, for example, more properties have a screen enclosure than a pool. Many of those are screened lanais, and they wear the same way pool cages do.
Signs your lanai screen is due
Screen that sags or pulls away from its channels, tears along the edges, looks chalky or faded, or lets bugs in through small gaps is near the end of its life. Estimates put fiberglass screen at roughly 7 to 12 years, and strong sun and storms can shorten that.
Choosing screen for a lanai
- Solar shade screen for lanais that take direct afternoon sun, cutting heat and glare.
- 20×20 no-see-um screen for homes near coastal marshes, where tiny biting midges are a problem.
- Pet screen on the lower panels if dogs or cats share the space.
- Tuff screen where furniture, grills, or kids bump the walls.
- 18×14 standard screen where you want the clearest view and the best airflow.
Mixing types on different walls is a common way to get the best of each.
What the contractor checks first
Lanai screens are often set in aluminum framing between the home's roof supports, and some older homes have wood fascia or posts in the mix. Before rescreening, the contractor checks that the frame is straight, the fasteners are sound, the screen channels will hold new spline, and any wood is free of rot.
Permits and cost
Rescreening an existing lanai is exempt from permits in most cases. Published ranges for rescreening a porch or patio enclosure average $400 to $800, or $2 to $4 per square foot (June 2023). A lanai that's part of a larger pool cage falls under the pool cage ranges in our rescreening cost guide. The contractor's written proposal sets the price.
Lanai and pool cage together
If your lanai is part of a larger enclosure, rescreening everything at once keeps the mesh and color consistent from wall to wall. Your contractor can tell you whether that makes sense for your setup.
Frequently asked questions
Does lanai rescreening need a permit?
In most cases, no. Rescreening an existing lanai is typically exempt. Structural changes are a different story, and your contractor handles any permit they require.
Can different walls get different screen?
Yes. Solar shade on a sunny wall with standard screen elsewhere is a common combination.
How long does lanai rescreening take?
Typical estimates are four to eight hours for a two person crew on a typical porch rescreen. Larger lanais take longer, and your contractor confirms timing in the proposal.
Do you rescreen lanais that don't have a pool?
Yes. The contractor rescreens lanais with or without a pool.
Related pages
Sources reviewed
Cost and screen life figures on this page were reviewed in October 2026.
- HomeGuide, Cost to Rescreen a Porch or Patio Enclosure, dated June 28, 2023