Hurricane Screens · Palm Bay and Melbourne FL
Hurricane Screens for Lanais in Brevard County FL: What Palm Bay and Melbourne Homeowners Need to Know
Standard pool screens are built for insects, not 130 mph winds. Here is how rated lanai hurricane screens work, which systems suit Brevard County homes, what they cost, and why the opening you have been ignoring is one of your biggest storm vulnerabilities.
Here is a conversation we have constantly with homeowners in Palm Bay, Melbourne, and Cocoa Beach. They have added accordion shutters to their windows and doors, maybe even invested in impact windows — and then we walk around to the lanai and there it is. A screened-in porch or open pool area with zero storm protection. A large, exposed opening that can turn into a catastrophic pressure failure during a hurricane.
The lanai is one of the things that makes living on the Space Coast genuinely enjoyable. It is also one of the most commonly overlooked vulnerabilities in Florida homes. A standard pool screen enclosure is not hurricane-rated — it is designed for insects and sun, not wind-borne debris at 130 mph. When it fails in a storm, the sudden pressure change can compromise your roof and interior.
Hurricane screens for lanais solve exactly this problem. They give you rated storm protection across large, non-standard openings — in a way that does not turn your outdoor living space into a bunker the rest of the year.
The gap most Brevard homeowners miss
You protected your windows and doors. Your lanai is still wide open.
When an unprotected lanai screen enclosure fails during a storm, the sudden pressure change can pull off sections of your roof from the inside. It is one of the most preventable causes of catastrophic hurricane damage in Brevard County homes.
Brevard Hurricane Protection | (321) 770-2068 | Free lanai assessment included with every estimate
How Lanai Hurricane Screens Work
Lanai hurricane screens — sometimes called Armor Screens, hurricane fabric screens, or storm-rated drop screens — are made from a high-tensile woven material tested to intercept and absorb the energy of wind-borne debris without the rigidity of metal shutters. The weave flexes rather than shatters, dissipating impact force across the panel.
They are mounted on a system of tracks and rollers that run along the perimeter of your lanai opening. When you need protection, they drop into place in minutes. When the weather is clear, they roll up out of the way — or are removed entirely — leaving your lanai fully open and functional.
The systems we install across Palm Bay, Melbourne, and Brevard County include:
Motorized roll-down screens: Drop at the touch of a button. Ideal for large or frequently-used lanais where manual operation would be cumbersome. Can be connected to smart home controls and closed remotely before evacuating.
Manual pull-down systems: Lower cost, require physical deployment. Appropriate for smaller openings or seasonal use where remote operation is not needed.
Fixed tension panel systems: Semi-permanent installation that remains in place and is removed and stored seasonally. The most cost-effective option for occasional storm prep.
Why this matters in Brevard County specifically: Space Coast homes are built for outdoor living. We have more lanais, pool enclosures, and screened porches per capita than almost anywhere in Florida. That is an asset eleven months of the year. It is a liability during hurricane season if those openings are not protected. We see this gap in nearly every home we assess in Palm Bay and Melbourne.
What You Get Beyond Storm Protection
Beyond the obvious storm protection, lanai hurricane screens offer everyday advantages that make them practical outside of hurricane season:
Sun and UV reduction: The screen mesh blocks a portion of direct sunlight, lowering temperature under the lanai and protecting furniture from UV fading.
Privacy: When deployed, hurricane screens reduce visibility from the street or neighboring properties, creating a more private outdoor space year-round.
Extended outdoor living season: Reduced wind and direct sun exposure makes the lanai comfortable on windy days and during summer afternoons that would otherwise drive you inside.
Insurance discount potential: Protecting your lanai opening contributes to your wind mitigation form’s opening protection rating, potentially boosting your discount tier when combined with window and door protection.
What Does a Lanai Hurricane Screen Installation Cost in Brevard County?
Cost depends on the size of the opening, the type of system (motorized vs. manual), and whether existing track infrastructure is present. Here are realistic ranges for homes in Palm Bay, Melbourne, and surrounding Brevard County communities:
| Opening size |
Manual system |
Motorized system |
| Up to 10 ft wide |
$900 to $1,800 |
$1,600 to $2,800 |
| 10 to 20 ft wide |
$1,800 to $3,200 |
$2,800 to $4,500 |
| 20 to 30 ft wide |
$3,000 to $4,800 |
$4,200 to $7,000 |
| Large / full enclosure |
Custom quote — call us for an on-site assessment |
All prices include supply, professional installation, and Brevard County permit. We provide a written, itemized quote at your free estimate — no surprise charges, no hidden fees.
Frequently Asked Questions: Lanai Hurricane Screens in Brevard County
Are hurricane screens strong enough for a direct hit?
Yes — when properly installed and Miami-Dade rated, hurricane screens are tested to resist the same projectile and pressure standards as accordion shutters and impact windows. The flexible mesh absorbs impact energy differently than rigid systems, but the result is a rated, code-compliant protection level. They are most commonly used for lanais and large openings where rigid systems are not practical.
Can hurricane screens be used on a screened pool enclosure?
Yes, though full pool enclosure protection depends on the enclosure’s structure. Standard aluminum screen enclosures are not rated for hurricane winds — the frame itself may need assessment before installing drop screens inside it. In some cases the right solution is screens at the lanai entry openings rather than wrapping the full enclosure. We assess this during your free estimate.
Do lanai hurricane screens require a permit in Brevard County?
Permanently mounted systems including track hardware require a Brevard County permit. We handle the permit application and county inspection as part of every installation. This is also what makes the system eligible for your wind mitigation insurance discount.
Will hurricane screens block my view of the pool or yard?
The mesh is semi-transparent — you can see through it, but visibility is reduced compared to an open lanai. Most homeowners find the trade-off more than reasonable for the added comfort and protection. When rolled up or stowed, there is no visual obstruction at all.
How long do hurricane screens for lanais last?
Quality Miami-Dade rated hurricane screen fabric is designed to last 10 to 15 years in Florida’s UV and salt air environment. The track and roller hardware typically lasts longer. We inspect fabric tension and hardware condition during any service call and let you know when replacement is approaching.
Get a Free Lanai Screen Estimate in Palm Bay, Melbourne, or Anywhere in Brevard County
We visit your home, measure your lanai opening, and give you a written quote within 24 hours. No pressure, no obligation. We have protected lanais across Melbourne, Palm Bay, Cocoa Beach, Rockledge, Titusville, and Satellite Beach — and we know what works in Brevard’s specific climate and wind zones.
We are a locally owned company. Our team lives and works on the Space Coast. When a storm hits, we are here — before, during, and after.
Call (321) 770-2068 — Free Estimate
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Business
Brevard Hurricane Protection
Locally owned hurricane shutter and impact window installation — Space Coast FL
Service Area
Melbourne · Palm Bay · Cocoa Beach · Titusville · Rockledge · Merritt Island · Satellite Beach · All of Brevard County FL
