Bird cage screen enclosure FAQs for Nocatee
Answers for new homes, existing homes, HOA approval, permits, and everyday ownership. If your question isn’t here, call us.
Basics
What is a bird cage screen enclosure, and is it the same as a pool cage?
Yes. “Bird cage,” “birdcage,” “pool cage,” and “pool screen enclosure” all describe the same thing: an aluminum frame covered in screen that surrounds your pool, deck, and often your lanai. Florida homeowners say “bird cage” because the structure looks like a large cage. It keeps out insects, leaves, and debris while you keep the open-air feel of your pool.
Why do Nocatee homeowners add a bird cage around the pool?
Nocatee is built around ponds, preserves, and tree canopy, which means mosquitoes, no-see-ums, and falling debris. A pool cage gives you a bug-free space, cuts down on skimming and cleaning, adds shade and UV protection, and gives pets and children a safer outdoor area. Many Nocatee neighborhoods have lots that back to water or preserve, so the screen also protects your pool from what the landscape drops into it.
Do you also build screen rooms, sun rooms, and roofed lanais?
Yes. Beyond bird cage and pool cage enclosures, Hampton Exteriors builds screen rooms, sun rooms, and custom lanai covers, including composite roof sections so you can sit outside while it rains. We also install pavers and travertine, custom motorized screens, and outdoor kitchens, so one crew can handle the whole outdoor living space.
New homes
I’m building a new home in Nocatee. When should I plan the bird cage?
Plan it before the pool deck is poured. The enclosure’s footings and anchor points are easier and cleaner to set when they are designed into the deck from the start. Ask us for a quote while your pool builder is still drawing the plans, and we will coordinate the layout so the cage, deck, and any outdoor kitchen or lanai roof work together.
Can I buy the pool cage from my builder, or hire Hampton Exteriors directly?
Both are common. Some homeowners add the enclosure through their builder or general contractor, and others hire a specialist directly. We work with homeowners, general contractors, and pool builders. If your builder’s contract includes an enclosure, ask what is covered. If it doesn’t, we can price the cage separately and handle drawings, permits, and installation.
Do new-construction neighborhoods like Seabrook Village or Del Webb Nocatee have extra rules?
They can. In addition to Nocatee’s community standards, many neighborhoods and sub-associations have their own design guidelines, and builders may have warranty terms that affect exterior changes. Check your closing documents and neighborhood guidelines, then tell us your neighborhood and lot. We will prepare plans in the form your association expects.
Can the enclosure be designed to match the home’s roofline?
Yes. Enclosures are custom built, so we can shape the roof style, height, and frame layout to suit your home and pool. A cage that follows the lines of your house is easier to get approved and looks better from the street and from the water.
Existing homes
Can you build a bird cage around my existing pool?
Yes. Most of our work in established Nocatee neighborhoods is retrofit work: a new pool cage over a pool and deck that are already built. We measure the deck, check where the structure can anchor, review setbacks and easements, and design the frame to fit the space you already have.
Can you enclose my existing patio or lanai?
Yes. We build screen rooms off the back of the home and can add fans, lights, and custom ceilings. If you want a covered, screened space that is separate from the pool, a screen room is often the more affordable route.
My existing pool cage is damaged or old. Can you repair or replace it?
Yes. We replace loose, ripped, and stretched screens, replace panels, and repair storm damage. If the frame is corroded, bent, or undersized for current code, we will tell you honestly whether repair makes sense or whether a rebuild is the better investment.
Can I extend or add a roof section to my current enclosure?
Often, yes. Extensions and solid roof sections, including composite roofs over a lounge or kitchen area, require engineering and a permit, and the existing structure has to be evaluated first. We will tell you during the estimate what is possible.
My pool deck is pavers. Can the cage still be installed?
Usually, yes. Anchoring depends on the deck’s construction and the engineer’s design. We also install pavers and travertine, so if a deck needs to be extended or reworked as part of the project, we can do both at once.
HOA, Nocatee & permits
Do I need HOA or Nocatee approval before I build a bird cage?
In almost every case, yes. Nocatee neighborhoods are governed by recorded covenants and design standards, and exterior changes such as a pool cage normally require written approval before construction. Many neighborhoods also have their own association on top of the master community. Do not start work until you have approval in writing. Check your governing documents or contact your association to confirm the current process, because requirements are updated over time.
Will Hampton Exteriors prepare the paperwork for HOA submission?
We prepare the technical drawings and details an association usually asks for: site layout, dimensions, height, frame color, screen color, and roof type. You, as the homeowner, typically sign and submit the application, since the association deals with the property owner. We will work with you to answer any questions the review committee raises.
What do HOA reviewers usually care about with a pool cage?
Typical concerns are location on the lot, height, setbacks from property lines and easements, how the enclosure looks from the street and from neighbors, and frame and screen colors. The goal is a cage that looks like part of the house. We design with that goal in mind, which tends to make approval smoother.
Do I need a building permit for a screen enclosure?
Yes. Pool enclosures are permitted structures in Florida. Most of Nocatee is in St. Johns County. Some established neighborhoods, including Brookwood, Cypress Trails, The Palms, The Villas, and Timberland Ridge, are in Duval County, so permitting goes through a different office. We confirm the correct jurisdiction for your address and handle the permit process as part of the project.
Is a permit the same thing as HOA approval?
No. They are separate and you need both. The association approves how the structure looks and where it sits under your community’s rules. The county or city approves that it is engineered and built to the Florida Building Code. An HOA approval does not replace a permit, and a permit does not replace HOA approval.
My lot backs up to a preserve, pond, or conservation area. Does that matter?
It can. Lots next to water, wetland buffers, or preserve land may have easements, buffers, or setback limits that restrict where a structure can go. We review your survey early so the design stays inside the lines and we don’t create a problem during review.
What frame and screen colors does Nocatee allow?
It depends on your neighborhood’s guidelines and sometimes on your home’s exterior colors. Many associations prefer frame colors that coordinate with the trim and a dark screen that blends into the landscape. Ask your association for its approved palette, then tell us and we will quote and draw to that standard.
Cost, timing & performance
How much does a bird cage screen enclosure cost in Nocatee?
Cost depends on size, roof style and height, number of doors, screen type, access to the site, and whether you add a roof section, pavers, or electrical. Because every enclosure is custom, we don’t quote a flat number on a webpage. We provide a free estimate with a detailed cost breakdown, either through a virtual estimate by text or an in-home consultation.
How long does the process take?
Timing is driven mostly by design, HOA review, and permitting, not construction. Once you have approvals and materials, installation is much faster. Timelines vary with season and workload, so we give you a realistic schedule during your estimate.
Can a pool cage handle a hurricane?
No enclosure is hurricane-proof. Our enclosures are built with storm-grade aluminum and materials that meet state requirements, and structures are engineered to Florida wind-load standards. In strong storms, however, screens can tear and panels can be damaged. We repair storm damage, and your insurance policy may cover part of the cost, so check your coverage.
Will the cage keep out mosquitoes and no-see-ums?
Standard screen keeps out mosquitoes and most flying insects. No-see-ums are small enough to pass through standard mesh, so if they are a problem on your lot, ask us about finer-mesh options. A finer screen can reduce airflow and visibility slightly, so we help you pick the right balance.
Is a bird cage safe for pets and small children?
It adds a layer of protection. We install doggie doors for pets and lockable doors for children. A properly built enclosure with a self-closing, self-latching door can also serve as a pool barrier under Florida’s pool safety rules, but it still does not replace supervision. Confirm the exact requirements with your permit office.
How long does pool cage screen last, and how do I maintain it?
Screen life depends on sun, weather, trees, and storms. Rinse the screen with fresh water, keep landscaping trimmed back from the frame, and have loose or torn panels fixed promptly so small problems don’t become large ones. We offer repair and rescreening for existing enclosures.
Does a screen enclosure add value to my Nocatee home?
A well-built, well-designed cage is a feature many Florida buyers look for, and it increases how much of your property you can use year-round. A glass sun room can sometimes count as additional square footage. How a particular improvement affects value or appraisal depends on your home and market, so ask your appraiser or agent.
Do you serve my Nocatee neighborhood?
Yes. We build in every Nocatee neighborhood and village listed on this page, plus nearby communities such as Ponte Vedra, World Golf Village, Julington Creek, RiverTown, and St. Augustine. If you don’t see your neighborhood listed, call us. Nocatee is large and we serve it all.
This page is general information, not legal or insurance advice. Association rules, permit requirements, and timelines change and vary by neighborhood and address. Confirm current requirements with your association and permit office.
Ready for a bird cage that fits your Nocatee home?
Tell us your neighborhood and what you’re planning. We’ll schedule a free estimate and walk you through design, HOA approval, and permits.
