Are Swimming Pool Cages Or Screen Enclosures Worth It?

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Summer days are always enhanced when they involve a pool. The fresh air, warm sun, and lounging around while sipping drinks is the ideal scenario.

Yet, some pool owners prefer to envelop their swimming pool with a cage or mesh enclosure, turning almost any type of outdoor pool into a makeshift indoor pool.

The question is, is it worth installing one around your own pool?

What Is A Pool Cage Or Enclosure?

A pool enclosure (also sometimes referred to as a pool cage), is a structure built around the pool, sheltering it from the outside elements.

Enclosures are installed around the decking of the pool, and are available in different shapes, sizes, and designs to suit your purpose and style.

The larger the enclosure, the more area you can cover, giving a larger “indoor area” – regardless of the size of your pool. Giving it such a wide footprint allows you to use your backyard space as it was intended, without feeling too claustrophobic.

Pool Cages Vs Pool Screen Enclosures

Pool cages and pool screen enclosures are essentially the same thing but with slight differences in their features.

The basic definition is this:

  • A pool cage looks like, well, a cage. It’s built from an aluminum frame and has glass windows, and really, it could also be called a solarium.
  • A pool screen enclosure is much the same, but instead of glass windows it has mesh screening, allowing for air to flow throughout the space. 

To add to that, some enclosures use a bit of both, meaning glass panels with screens. Then, there are glass enclosures you can customize with opaque glass to give you extra privacy.

While most of these are static, some models exist that are retractable, allowing you to collapse the enclosure into itself to one end of the pool. You can keep the enclosure closed, or open it up at will.

Finally, if money is no object, you can get a motorized, retractable enclosure. These will cost the most, but are also sure to get the neighbors talking.

The Benefits Of Cages & Enclosures

The whole idea of a backyard swimming pool is to enjoy it while surrounding yourself with nature.

So why would you want to enclose your pool and cut yourself off?

They Give You More Privacy

If today’s technological age has taught us anything, it’s that people like their privacy and will go to extreme measures to get it.

Not all backyards have an adequate amount of fencing and foliage to keep prying eyes out, so enclosing the pool provides an outdoor room that prevents others from seeing what’s going on in your backyard.

Panels can be customized with a darker tint or opaqueness so it’s harder to see in, both in the broad daylight and at night.

They Keep The Pool Cooler

Having a pool enclosure keeps the sun from beating down on the pool, and a glass enclosure with UV protection will work slightly better at blocking sunlight than a screened one. The benefit of less sunlight is that your pool water temperature will be cooler.

While many people use a heater in their pool, cool pool water is actually healthier and more comfortable to swim in. This is because there’s less chance you’ll experience muscle cramps and spasms while swimming, as you won’t get dehydrated as quickly.

Second, cooler water uses less chlorine. Even though a lot of people prefer to use a heater with their pool, the increase in temperature causes an increase in chlorine consumption, costing more money to maintain in the long term.

They Add An Element Of Safety

It goes without saying, but safety is a priority when installing a swimming pool – especially if you have children or pets.

While many people erect a fence around the pool for this exact reason, an enclosure will provide the same type of protection, and then some.

Even though a pool fence has a gate (and can be locked), fences can always be hopped. It’s not unheard of for curious kids or intoxicated adults to jump a fence when they feel like going for a dip.

With an enclosure, you eliminate this problem as there’s no way to get anywhere near the pool. If you really wanted to go for a swim, you’d have to break into the enclosure, which most people just aren’t going to do.

They Block Insects And Animals

This is the number one reason pool enclosures exist. The majority of them are used in areas of the world where insects and animals are a constant issue.

This could be anything from ducks and frogs, to water bugs, bees and worms, and even mosquito larvae as a result of eggs being laid in stagnant pool water.

Places like Florida see many pools being enclosed due to the amount of mosquitoes and other bugs the tropical climate brings. It’s also not unheard of for reptiles like snakes and alligators to end up in the pool, as the state is famous for them.

Regardless of where you live, keeping out insects is always an attractive proposition, and nothing works quite as well as an enclosure.

They Also Keep Mother Nature Out

Insects and wildlife aren’t the only things that a pool cage will protect your swimming pool from.

Leaves, dirt, sand, and grass are all common pollutants that end up in swimming pools on a regular basis. Having an enclosure keeps your pool water becoming infested with various contaminants from the outdoor environment.

Not to mention, you won’t have to deal with issues that come from rainwater entering the pool and upsetting it’s chemical balance.

The Drawbacks Of Cages & Enclosures

There’s plenty of good reasons to get yourself a pool cage or enclosure, but what’s to be said for reasons against getting one?

They Block Sunlight (And Free Heat)

One of the main draws of having your own pool is you get to relax and have fun in the sun. Unfortunately for sun worshippers, an enclosure will cut down, or totally eliminate sunlight from reaching the pool.

This is beneficial to keep the water cool, but if you’re hoping to harness the power of the sun to get a tan or keep the pool water warm, an enclosure won’t be the best option for you.

It’s also important to note that even though many glass enclosures are UV resistant, you should still wear sunscreen to protect yourself from the ultraviolet rays that are able to enter the enclosure.

They Need Ongoing Cleaning And Repairs

Pool enclosures lock in all the moisture and chemical gases from a pool, which will eventually lead to wear and tear on the structure. This will show up in the form of mold and mildew, and yearly power washing will have to be done to keep everything clean.

Keeping the glass clean can be tricky as well, depending how tall the enclosure is. With their peak hanging over the pool, scaffolding may need to be erected during maintenance.

With exposure to moisture from the pool, its chemicals, and the outdoor elements, a mesh enclosure will become brittle over time. Eventually, it will need replacing, which is something you should factor in when looking at overall cost. 

While you should get at least 10 years of use from any enclosure, it may be less if you don’t maintain it properly and keep on top of repairs.

They Can Sometimes Be An Eyesore

Let’s be honest, swimming pools that are out in the open, and integrated with the natural surroundings of a backyard will always look more attractive than any indoor swimming pool.

The truth is, a giant cage encompassing your pool doesn’t result in the most aesthetically pleasing design, which is why some people avoid enclosures entirely.

Picking Out The Best Enclosure

If you’re considering an enclosure for your pool, you’ll be happy to know there’s plenty of different designs you can choose from.

Here are some things to keep in mind:

  • Cost. Structures of this size don’t come cheap. On average, a standard size enclosure will run between $8,000 and $10,000, with larger models hitting the $15,000 mark. In some cases, full glass enclosures can be north of $30,000, and motorized retractable models can be upwards of $70,000.
  • Backyard configuration. You should take into consideration how your backyard is laid out, as well as the landscaping and design of it. Most enclosures need to be large enough to fully encapsulate the pool deck and patio, so make sure the model you choose covers the lot (pun intended).
  • Design preferences. Erect enclosures can be further customized. For example, you can install double doors to move large furniture in and out of the pool area, install lights onto the structure for illumination at night, install multiple spigots and electrical outlets for extra water and electricity, and even put in a TV for some entertainment during a soak.
  • Climate. Do you live somewhere that’s notorious for being downright freezing during the winter months? Or do you have milder winters? If your winters consist of heavy jackets, winter boots, and chains on your tires, you’ll likely want a glass enclosure to extend your swim season. A mesh enclosure will let in too much air, so only go with this option if the winters are mild.

Keep The Outside, Inside.

Swimming pool enclosures, be it glass or screen, can keep your pool area free from the outdoor issues that plague most pool owners.

Covering your pool in one will eliminate bugs and temper sunlight, while still providing everyone an enjoyable swimming experience.

Categories: Pool Care, Pool Equipment