Prepare your screen enclosure for a hurricane. 

Florida is no stranger to hurricanes, tropical storms, and other weather systems that can wreak havoc. Unlike tornadoes and severe thunderstorms, tropical systems provide enough notice so people can prepare in advance. Hurricane Season runs from June 1 through November 30 annually; however, the peak of hurricane season starts around the beginning of September, making it a good time for you to prepare your homes and screen enclosures for storms if you have not already.

At Miller's Screen, we have seen a lot of hurricane damage to screen enclosures over the years, and we have compiled a list of tips to help you protect your property from costly damages.  

• Secure large items. 

First, you should secure large items in your yard, like planters, grills, and even patio furniture, to avoid damage to your home. Storing these items in a safe place when forecasters start calling for a severe storm prevents them from becoming dangerous projectiles and damaging your porch screening. Even lightweight items can become destructive when the wind grabs them. 

• Maintain your landscaping. 

Cut back any damaged limbs or ones that are hanging over your patio, screen room, screen enclosure, outdoor kitchen, or sunroom. Maintain the landscaping of trees in your yard throughout the year to decrease the chances that yard debris will tear through your screen enclosure. All main branches of a tree should be cut back away from your home to reduce the danger. If you notice a limb or branch that might have decayed, you need to trim it back.

• Remove your Screen Door

Creating a path of least resistance for hurricane-force winds to travel through can limit the damage to your screen panels. Remove your screen door or some of the screen panels from your enclosure if the design allows and place them inside your home or garage to save them from being ripped off their hinges and to help create additional wind flow.

• Brace your enclosure

When installing or repairing your screen enclosure, secure it with hurricane braces. Hurricane braces reinforce the structural integrity of the pool enclosure. Verifying that your patio has hurricane braces before a storm can minimize damage. You should also check the hardware around your screen room, as rusted fasteners can affect its structural integrity. 

Other hurricane preparedness tips include turning off the electricity to the pool area, covering electrical outlets, and removing outdoor decorations. These simple steps could help homeowners save money on preventable damages to their homes and screen enclosures.

Here at Miller’s Screen, we take pride in our work, with over 40 years of experience in the aluminum construction business. Give us a call for steps in helping you prepare your screen enclosure for a hurricane today!

Source: How to Prepare Your Screen Enclosure for Hurricane Season (us-aluminum.com); How to Prep Your Screened-in Porch for a Hurricane - Screen Tight;Top 7 Pool Screen Enclosure Hurricane Protection Tips (dulandoscreen.com)