What the building code says
Chapter 20 of the 2023 Florida Building Code, Building (8th edition) covers aluminum, including screen enclosures. The points below come from the text of that chapter as published in a code viewer.
- Frame material (section 2002.3). Extruded aluminum members must have an actual wall thickness of at least 0.040 inch.
- Removable panels (section 2002.3). Removable vinyl, tempered glass and acrylic panels carry a decal saying the panel is to be removed when wind speeds exceed 75 mph.
- Design wind loads (section 2002.4). Members must be designed for wind in two directions at right angles, using Table 2002.4, which covers ultimate wind speeds of 110 to 170 mph. Each primary member must also carry a 300 pound load applied vertically downward along any 1 foot.
- Screen removal design (section 2002.7). A designer may size the frame on the assumption that some screen is removed, retracted or cut before a storm. That design needs signed and sealed site-specific engineering. Screen marked to be cut must be cut when winds are forecast to exceed 75 mph. The members must carry permanent labels, the owner and the enforcement department must get written notice, and removing the panels must not need a ladder or scaffolding.
Source: 2023 Florida Building Code, Building, chapter 20 (UpCodes viewer), read November 6, 2026. An older Florida rule on the same subject, rule 61G20-1.002, was repealed effective February 9, 2016, so we do not rely on it. The code is updated on a cycle, so ask which edition applies on the day your permit is issued.
What this means for a buyer
If your cage is designed with the screen-removal method, you or your caretaker are expected to act before a storm. Ask whether the plan relies on that method, who cuts or removes the screen, and who replaces it. If it does not rely on screen removal, ask for the wind speed and exposure the engineer used.
Questions to ask
- Is the cage part of the pool contract, or a separate contract with a screen contractor?
- Is there a separate permit and a separate set of engineered drawings for the enclosure?
- Was the frame designed with the screen-removal method, and what will I have to do before a storm?
- What wind speed and exposure category did the engineer use?
- Is the enclosure part of the pool barrier plan, and does the barrier still work if screen is cut? (See the barrier guide.)
- What is the warranty on the frame and the screen, and who handles repairs?
Frequently asked questions
Is a pool cage the same as a lanai?
Not exactly. People often use "lanai" for the covered or screened area next to the house and "pool cage" for the screen frame over the pool deck. Ask the builder to write down exactly what is included in the price.
What does the 75 mph label mean?
The Florida Building Code says removable vinyl, tempered glass and acrylic panels in a screen enclosure must carry a decal saying the panel is to be removed when wind speeds exceed 75 mph.
Does Florida law require a screen enclosure on a pool?
We found no such rule in the state pool safety act. It requires at least one of five safety options, and an enclosure is one way to build the barrier option. See the barrier guide.