Does a Screen Room Add Real Value to Your Florida Home in 2026?

In 2026, home buyers aren't just looking at bedrooms and bathrooms; they're paying attention to how a home feels and what it has to offer. Screen rooms are a common sight in the Sunshine State, but the real question is whether they actually move the needle on your home’s value. Below, we’ll explore these structures, what they offer, and how they affect your buying price in 2026.

Highlights

• Screen rooms still matter to Florida buyers in 2026
• They don’t always raise appraisals, but they help homes sell
• Buyers see them as usable space, not decoration
• Florida’s climate makes screened areas more practical than patios
• Build quality plays a bigger role than size

What Is a Screen Room?

A screen room is an outdoor enclosure built with aluminum framing and mesh screens. It’s designed to keep bugs out while letting air move freely. In Florida, they’re everywhere, especially around pools, lanais, and backyard patios.

People often confuse them with screened porches, but they aren’t quite the same thing.

Screen Room vs. Screened Porch: What’s the Difference?

• Screen rooms are usually added after the home is built
• They’re often attached to a slab or pool deck
• Screened porches are typically under the home’s main roof
• Screen rooms feel more open and less indoor overall

Why Florida Buyers Care About Screened Outdoor Space in 2026

Buyer priorities have shifted over the last few years. In Florida, especially, lifestyle features are getting more attention than ever.

Outdoor Living is Part of Daily Life

Buyers expect some type of usable outdoor space. A screen room checks that box without requiring major upkeep.

Florida’s Climate Shapes Buying Decisions

Heat, humidity, bugs, and sudden rainstorms are normal. Screened spaces make being outside comfortable instead of frustrating.

What Buyers Are Actually Asking for This Year

Flexibility. Spaces that work for relaxing, hosting, or just having a quiet spot that isn’t fully inside.

Home Improvement Trends in 2026

Practical upgrades are winning out. Buyers prefer improvements they’ll use daily, not just admire once.

Does a Screen Room Add Monetary Value to Your Home?

A screen room doesn’t add value the same way a new bedroom does. That’s important to understand. But it still plays a role.

Why Screen Rooms Still Help Resale Value?

• Homes with screen rooms often attract more showings
• Buyers mentally factor them into the price they’re willing to pay
• They can shorten time on the market
• Appraisers may not count them as living space, but buyers don’t ignore them

When a Screen Room Adds the Most Value in Florida

A screen room tends to “move the needle” most when it solves a real buyer problem or completes the home’s outdoor setup:

Pool Homes: A screened pool enclosure is a huge lifestyle upgrade - less debris, fewer bugs, more usable pool time.

Homes With an Exposed Patio: If the only outdoor space is uncovered and buggy, a screen enclosure makes it actually usable.

Neighborhood Expectations: In many Florida areas, buyers see screened lanais/pool cages as normal - not luxury. So a home without one can feel like it’s missing something.

Screen Room Costs in Florida in 2026

In 2026, most homeowners spend somewhere between $6,000 and $15,000 on a professionally built screen room. Some projects land lower, others higher. It depends on what you’re starting with and what you want to end up with.

What Has the Biggest Impact on the Final Cost?

• Size of the enclosure
• Screen quality and aluminum thickness
• Roof style or tie-in requirements
• Local permits and inspections
• HOA rules, approvals, or design limits

Permits, Wind Loads, and Why “Done Right” Matters in Florida

This is where Florida is different from many states.

Permits Are Commonly Required

Many Florida jurisdictions treat screen enclosures as permitted structures, and permit packets often require plans, surveys, and documentation.

Some cities/counties also require signed and sealed plans for screen enclosures (architect/engineer), depending on the scope and local rules.

Wind-load Design is a Real Factor

Florida Building Code materials and related resources specifically address wind-load considerations for screen enclosures and structural design references.

Notice of Commencement May Apply

Some permit guidance notes a Notice of Commencement requirement when project value exceeds certain thresholds.

Resale Impact: Buyers (and inspectors) are more confident when improvements look professional and documentation is clean. Even if a screen room isn’t “living space,” it still gets scrutinized.

(Always confirm requirements with your local building department + HOA, since rules vary by city/county and project scope.)

How to Maximize Resale Value From a Screen Room

If you want your screen room to help your resale value, focus on these points:

Make It Feel Intentional: clean alignment, quality door hardware, solid framing.

Choose Screen Upgrades Where It Matters: no-see-um in buggy areas, pet-resistant where needed.

Avoid Awkward Layouts: narrow door openings, weird angles, or blocking access to the yard/pool.

Keep It Bright and Open: buyers love airy Florida spaces.

Maintain It: ripped panels, bent framing, and sagging doors kill perceived value fast.

Keep Documentation: permit paperwork, warranties, and contractor details help buyer confidence.

Why Buildings And More Is a Smart Choice for Screen Rooms

At Buildings And More, our number one goal is to build something that fits your home, meets local rules, and is made to last in Florida’s climate.

We deliver:

• Customizable buildings
• Local knowledge of permitting and building codes
• Clear communication from start to finish
• Reliable warranties you can actually count on
• Financing options that make projects easier to start

Call Buildings And More today at (386) 755-6449 and start planning your project with a building expert.

FAQs about Screen Rooms

Screen rooms may seem simple, but homeowners usually have a lot of questions before committing. We want you to be in the know when you buy, so we’ve answered a few of the ones that come up the most:

Does a Screen Room Count as Square Footage?

Answer: No. It’s considered non-living space, but buyers still see it as usable.

Will a Screen Room Increase My Home’s Value?

Answer: It can. Not always on paper, but often in buyer interest and selling speed.

Are Screen Rooms Still Popular in Florida?

Answer: Very much so. Especially in areas with pools or larger backyards.

Can a Screen Room Be Added to an Existing Patio?

Answer: Yes, as long as the slab is in good condition and meets code.

Do HOAs Usually Allow Screen Rooms?

Answer: Most do, but permission requirements are common. Design and color rules vary.

Is It Worth Adding a Screen Room if I Plan to Sell Soon?

Answer: In many cases, yes. It can make your home easier to sell and more appealing online.