An above ground pool enclosure is a screened or paneled structure built around your pool that keeps out insects, debris, and weather while adding a layer of safety. In Florida — where mosquitoes, no-see-ums, love bugs, afternoon storms, and intense sun can make an open pool more work than fun — a quality enclosure is the difference between a pool you clean and a pool you actually swim in.
This guide covers the enclosure styles that work for above ground pools, what they cost, what Florida's building codes require, and how to keep one in good shape on the coast.
The problems an enclosure solves are daily ones here:
BenefitHow it helpsPest controlBlocks mosquitoes and — with the right mesh — the no-see-ums standard screen missesDebris blockingKeeps leaves, dirt, pollen, and love bugs out of the waterLonger swim seasonsShade and protection make the pool usable more days of the yearAdded safetyCreates a physical barrier with a self-closing, self-latching gateReduced upkeepLess skimming, fewer chemicals, less wear on your pump and filter
There's a chemistry benefit most people don't expect: sunlight breaks down chlorine. Shading the pool means your chlorine lasts longer, you buy fewer chemicals, and your water stays balanced with less effort. Your equipment benefits too — pumps and filters processing cleaner water clog less and last longer.
And the safety layer is real. Young children face serious drowning risks around residential pools, which is why Florida law requires barriers — more on that below.
The right style depends on the problem you're solving:
Screen enclosures are the Florida standard — tight mesh over aluminum framing. Air flows through, bugs and debris don't, and the structure is engineered to be anchored against wind. If insects and debris are your main battle (on the Space Coast, they are), this is the workhorse.
Dome and vinyl covers work like a greenhouse — clear vinyl or fiberglass that traps sunlight and can warm the water noticeably. The trade-off in Florida: for much of our year you're trying to keep a pool comfortable, not hot, and lightweight domes must come down before storms. Something Lafferty does not offer unfortunately.
Inflatable domes are the budget, temporary option — a fan keeps them pressurized. Fine as a stopgap; not a match for hurricane country long-term. Something Lafferty does not offer unfortunately.
Fixed structures are anchored to concrete footings, engineered to the wind-load for your location, and permitted and inspected. They stay up through storm season by design — the framing and anchorage are what hold the structure down when wind tries to lift it. They cost more up front, add value to the home, and last 15+ years with basic care.
Movable covers (inflatable domes, lightweight vinyl) cost less and install without site work — but in high wind, a lightweight cover becomes a sail. In Brevard and Indian River County, that means watching every forecast and taking the cover down ahead of storms, or risking damage to the cover and the pool.
The honest rule of thumb: if you own your home here and plan to keep the pool, an engineered fixed enclosure is the version built for our weather. Movable covers make sense for renters or as a short-term measure.
Screen enclosures for above ground pools generally run [$4,000–$14,000+] installed, depending on the choices below. Basic vinyl domes run [$1,500–$3,000].
What moves the number:
The upfront cost pays back over time in fewer chemicals, less cleaning, longer equipment life, and a pool you actually use. A well-built enclosure also reads as an asset to buyers — protected pool, extra outdoor living space.
Two layers of rules apply here, and both exist for good reasons:
Pool safety barriers. Florida's Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act requires barriers around residential pools. In practice for enclosures: no opening large enough to pass a 4-inch sphere, and gates that are self-closing and self-latching, with the release mounted high enough that small children can't reach it. A screen enclosure with a compliant door can serve as this barrier — one of its most underrated benefits.
Wind-load engineering. Permanent enclosures in Brevard and Indian River County are permitted and built to the Florida Building Code wind-load requirements for your specific location — higher near the coast. That's engineered drawings, proper anchoring to footings, and inspection. It's also why "anchored to whatever's there" isn't an option: the foundation and anchorage are what keep the structure attached in a storm.
HOAs add a third layer in some communities — architectural standards on style and materials. A good contractor handles the permitting and can help with HOA approval.
Salt air, sun, and storms are the wear factors here. The routine:
Two Florida-specific habits: rinse the frame and screens with fresh water periodically to clear salt (especially within a few miles of the water), and fix torn panels immediately — a tear lets wind load the inside of the structure, and one loose panel in a storm becomes several. If your enclosure is already showing tears, corroded fasteners, or a sagging door, repairs cost far less than waiting: see our [screen repairs]([LINK — /screen-enclosure-repairs]) page.
A permanent aluminum enclosure is engineered and permitted to the wind-load for your location — that's the point of the footings, anchors, and inspection. Lightweight domes and covers are not storm structures; they come down before severe weather.
It reads as protected pool + additional outdoor living space, which buyers in Florida notice. It also signals the pool has been maintained.
Custom aluminum enclosures are built around your pool rather than attached to it, so they work with essentially any above ground pool — Intex, Bestway, or premium brands. Dome-style covers that rest on the pool itself need specific measurements (diameter, rail width, post count).
Standard mesh doesn't — those tiny biting midges pass right through it. A finer no-see-um mesh is the fix, and near the water it's usually worth the upgrade.
For a permanent enclosure in Brevard or Indian River County, yes — with engineered drawings and inspections. We handle the permitting as part of the project.
An above ground pool enclosure turns a Florida pool from a maintenance chore into the best part of your backyard — bug-free, cleaner, safer, and usable nearly year-round. The version that lasts here is the engineered one: aluminum framing, proper anchoring, compliant gates, and the right mesh for coastal bugs.
We design, engineer, permit, and build pool enclosures across Brevard and Indian River County. Call (321) 652-1078 or request a free estimate — we'll look at your pool and give you an honest recommendation and an itemized quote.
We're excited to learn more about your needs and provide you with a personalized quote. Please fill out the form, and our team will get back to you with a detailed estimate to kickstart your project.
