What is a Lanai Screen?

A lanai screen is a type of screen or enclosure that is designed to cover a lanai. Lanai screens serve different purposes depending on the type of material used. The screens can be used for insect protection, sun protection, and privacy and can also be made with vinyl material. Installing screens on your lanai will extend your living space as your lanai area can now be used as an extension of your home.

Lanai Privacy Screen Materials

Lanai privacy screens are made from various materials depending on what purpose they will serve. The screen units are made from high-quality aluminum that is powder-coated to ensure the longevity of the product, while the mesh can be made from polyester and fiberglass.

1. Aluminum Screens

Lanai privacy screens are made from extruded aluminum that is powder-coated to be wear and tear-resistant. The aluminum extrusions are cut to exact measurements and the screens are custom built to fit your lanai perfectly.

2. Vinyl Screens

Lanai screens can be made with vinyl material that can be custom-designed depending on what your needs are. The vinyl material will not allow airflow into your space but will block the weather and sun from entering your space. Some homeowners install dual cassettes that house one with vinyl material and one with mesh material that they can interchange depending on what they want to use that day.

3. Fiberglass Mesh

Lanai privacy screens can be made with fiberglass mesh material that is offered to serve different purposes. For insect protection, fiberglass insect mesh would be the best option for your lanai screens. For solar protection, fiberglass solar mesh would be your best option. Fiberglass mesh comes in a variety of different grades that will keep insects out and block sunlight.

Benefits of Privacy Lanai Screens

Privacy lanai screens offer many benefits that will enhance the overall experience of your lanai for you and your house guests. The main benefits of lanai screens are added privacy, bug and insect protection, some protection from weather elements, and increasing the curb appeal and value of your home.

1. Additional Privacy

Lanai screens will offer privacy for your outdoor living space as privacy mesh will allow for you and your house guests to look out but people won’t be able to look in through the mesh. Privacy mesh on your lanai screens will create an extended living space in your home that you will enjoy for years to come.

2. Prevents from Bugs and Insects

Lanai screens can be made with insect mesh that will protect your outdoor living area from pesky bugs and insects. The two options for roll-down lanai screens are tuffscreen, which is a vinyl-coated polyester mesh, and no-see-um mesh, which is a polyester mesh that has a tight grid to keep out the smallest pests.

3. Protects from Harsh Weather

Lanai screens will offer some protection from harsh weather, but that is not what they’re designed for. Heavier mesh in lanai screens will keep out some rain and block wind but it is recommended to retract the screens back into their housing when extreme weather occurs to avoid any damage to the mechanism.

4. Raises Property Value

Installing lanai screens on your home will improve the overall curb appeal and increase the property value. In today’s world, many people looking for new homes want innovative features such as automated screens, and they are willing to pay for them.

Why Choose Mirage Screen Systems For Privacy Lanai Screen?

Mirage Screen Systems is a leading manufacturer and innovator in the retractable screen industry that has provided North American homeowners with high-quality screen products for over 25 years. Mirage retractable screens undergo rigorous testing to ensure quality and the smoothest operating screens on the market. Our products are not only top-notch, but we pride ourselves on our customer service through our professional dealer network that sells and installs to North American homeowners. Our dealer network is trained to find the perfect retractable screen solution for your lanai or other screening needs.

1. All Retractable Screen Sizes Available For Lanai

Retractable screens for your lanai come in different sizes depending on which product you decide to have installed. Our 3500 large opening retractable screen can be made up to 10 feet high and 14 feet wide. Our 4800 motorized screen can be made up to 16 feet high and 22 feet wide. Keep in mind that the 3500 would be mounted vertically on a pillar or post of your lanai and would retract in and out of the housing horizontally, while the 4800 would be mounted on or under the header of the lanai and would retract in and out of the housing vertically.

2. Color Options

Mirage retractable screens for your lanai come in a variety of colors depending on which product you decide to have installed. If you opt for the 3500 large opening retractable screen you have 4 colors to choose from, but the screen units can also be custom colored. If you opt for the 4800 motorized retractable screens, you have 7 colors to choose from, but you can also have the screen units custom colored to match your home perfectly.

3. Mesh Options

When deciding which mesh to have installed in your retractable lanai screens you need to consider a few things. If you are looking to keep the bugs out of your lanai area, then we recommend opting for insect mesh, which is either tuffscreen or no-see-um mesh. Insect mesh offers insect protection while still allowing lots of visibility through the mesh screen. If you want to block the sun then we recommend opting for a solar mesh that can be a Suntex 80, 90, or 95 grade. Solar mesh will block the sun and powerful UV rays but will limit visibility through the mesh screen.

If you want to add privacy to your lanai area then we recommend opting for a privacy-grade mesh which is the Suntex 97 grade. Privacy mesh will limit visibility through the screen, but will still allow you to look out but will block people from looking in through the screens.

4. Warranty

Mirage retractable screens for lanais are backed by our limited lifetime warranty which covers all parts of the screen unit from factory defects except for the mesh screen itself. When you have a problem with a Mirage retractable screen you should contact the Mirage dealer that installed them to have them assess the problem and offer the best solution to fix it. If the Mirage dealer deems that the problem is covered under warranty then we will provide the replacement part to the dealer and they will fix your screens back to working order.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The best material for your lanai screens depends on what purpose you want them to serve. If you want to keep the bugs and insects out of your lanai area then an insect mesh would be your best option. If you want to block the sun’s powerful UV rays and glare then a solar mesh would be your best option. Discuss with your local Mirage dealer to determine what the best mesh option is for your needs.

Lanai screens can last for many years if they are maintained properly. Follow the product care and maintenance instructions to ensure that your screens operate smoothly and to avoid any issues. Our lanai screens are backed by our limited lifetime warranty which covers all parts of the screens from factory defects, except for the mesh itself.

Yes, lanai screens block the sun to some extent. If your intention for the lanai screens is to block the sun then we recommend that you choose to have solar mesh or privacy mesh installed in the screen units as these will give you the best protection from sun glare and UV rays.

Retractable lanai screens with a heavy mesh such as solar mesh or privacy mesh will keep the rain out of your lanai area to some extent. Keep in mind that retractable screens are not designed or intended to block or deter rain or extreme weather from entering your outdoor living space.

To get an accurate cost on having retractable screens installed on your lanai you will need to contact your local Mirage dealer. They will be able to assess your situation and provide you with the best pricing possible for lanai screens. You can find your local Mirage dealer by visiting our dealer locator.