Florida Room vs. Screen Enclosure: Understanding the Key Differences

July 16, 2025

Bring Your Outdoor Oasis to Life!

Florida Room vs. Screen Enclosure: Understanding the Key Differences

Defining Your Outdoor Space

When homeowners on the Treasure Coast decide to enclose a patio or create a new outdoor living area, they often encounter two common terms: "Florida Room" and "Screen Enclosure." While sometimes used interchangeably, they are fundamentally different structures with distinct costs, features, and uses. Understanding these key differences is crucial for choosing the right option for your home and lifestyle. Right Way Enclosures & Pavers specializes in building high-quality screen enclosures.


What is a Screen Enclosure?

A screen enclosure (also called a patio screen enclosure, lanai screen, or screen porch) is an outdoor space enclosed with screen mesh walls and typically a screen or solid panel roof. Its primary purpose is to provide protection from insects and debris while allowing for maximum natural airflow and a strong connection to the outdoors. It is not climate-controlled (not heated or air-conditioned) and is considered outdoor living space.


What is a Florida Room?

A Florida Room (or sunroom) is a true home addition. It is a fully enclosed room with solid walls (often with many windows), a solid roof, insulation, and is typically connected to the home's HVAC system for heating and cooling. It is considered indoor living space and is usable year-round in any weather, just like any other room in your Vero Beach or Sebastian house.


Brevard, Indian River & St. Lucie's trusted screen enclosure, paver and outdoor kitchen experts! Call now for fast, affordable new screen enclosure, paver and outdoor kitchen installation.
Call  us at ☎ 772-758-5372

A screened in porch with a swimming pool in the background

Key Differences: Cost & Construction

The most significant difference is cost and complexity. A Florida Room is a full home addition, requiring a foundation, insulation, electrical work, drywall, and HVAC extension, making it substantially more expensive and complex to build than a screen enclosure. A screen enclosure is a simpler structure made of an aluminum frame and screen, resulting in a much lower project cost and faster construction time.


Choosing Based on Your Needs

The right choice depends on your goals. If you want a true, climate-controlled indoor room with abundant light, a Florida Room is the answer. If you want to enjoy the outdoor air and breezes while being protected from bugs and debris at a more affordable price point, a screen enclosure is the ideal solution. For most homeowners in Port St. Lucie or Fort Pierce seeking to enhance their outdoor lifestyle, the screen enclosure provides the perfect balance.


Your Enclosure Specialist

Right Way Enclosures & Pavers is your expert for creating exceptional outdoor living spaces with screen enclosures. We design and build high-quality pool screen enclosures, patios, and lanais across the Treasure Coast. If an affordable, open-air, bug-free space is your goal, contact us, your trusted screen company near me, for a free estimate on your screen enclosures project.


Frequently Asked Questions

  • Which is more expensive, a Florida Room or a Screen Enclosure?

    A Florida Room is significantly more expensive. It is a full home addition requiring a foundation, insulated walls, windows, electrical, and HVAC, making its cost similar to any other interior room. A screen enclosure is a much simpler structure with a lower cost.

  • Can I add air conditioning to a screen enclosure?

    No, a standard screen enclosure is not designed to be air-conditioned. It is an outdoor space meant for natural airflow. To have climate control, you would need to build a fully insulated and sealed Florida Room.

  • Does a Florida Room add more value to a home than a screen enclosure?

    A Florida Room adds more value because it increases the home's official, climate-controlled square footage. However, it also costs much more to build. A screen enclosure offers a very high return on investment because it adds highly desirable, functional outdoor living space at a much lower initial cost.

Brevard, Indian River & St. Lucie's trusted screen enclosure, paver and outdoor kitchen experts! Call now for fast, affordable new screen enclosure, paver and outdoor kitchen installation.
Call us at ☎ 772-758-5372

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