Lanai Screen Enclosures in New Orleans, LA

We create custom lanai screen enclosures in New Orleans, LA that extend your living space outdoors. Each lanai is tailored to your home layout and features strong framing, quality screens, and options like doors and pet resistant mesh. Enjoy a bug free outdoor retreat with a lanai enclosure by New Orleans Screens.

New Orleans Screens provides professional lanai screen enclosure throughout New Orleans, LA, Louisiana and the surrounding area. Our licensed, insured crew delivers safe, clean, on-time work with a free estimate before anything begins. Call (504) 499-0717 or request your free quote.

Lanai screen enclosures built for New Orleans homes

A lanai screen enclosure gives you a usable outdoor room without the bugs, debris, or constant cleaning that come with an open patio. At New Orleans Screens, we design and build lanai screen enclosures that handle New Orleans heat, humidity, and storm seasons, not just look good on day one.

We start every lanai project with a site visit. We measure the existing patio or slab, check how your roofline is framed, note gutter locations, and look for drainage issues. Many New Orleans patios collect standing water during heavy rain, so we plan the enclosure layout, doors, kick plates, and thresholds around that, so you are not trapping water against your house. We also look for termite damage or rotten fascia, which must be corrected before we attach any aluminum framing.

During this visit, we talk through how you actually use the space. Some customers want a quiet coffee area facing the yard, others want room for a TV, ceiling fans, or an outdoor kitchen. That changes the screen height, door placement, and whether we integrate privacy screen panels on certain sides. You get a clear written proposal with layout drawings and specific materials listed, so you know exactly what you are paying for.

Materials that hold up in Louisiana humidity and storms

Lanai screen enclosures in New Orleans need more than basic porch mesh. At New Orleans Screens, we match materials to how exposed your lanai is and how hard your family uses the space.

Framing is typically built from powder coated aluminum, which will not rust in our humid Gulf air. For most homes we use 2x2 or 2x3 extrusions for walls and roof beams, and heavier beams where there are wide openings or where we expect wind uplift. In flood prone areas, we avoid using untreated wood posts under the screen walls, or we isolate them so they do not wick moisture.

For the screen fabric itself, there are several options. Standard fiberglass screening is fine for shaded, protected lanais where cost control is important, but it can stretch and tear more easily if kids or pets push on it. Many New Orleans homeowners choose polyester or PVC coated polyester options like pet resistant screen for lower wall sections and standard screen up top. For backyards near the lake or bayou, we often specify a tighter weave to cut down on no-see-ums and mosquitoes that are common near standing water.

We also look at visibility and heat. Darker screens usually give better outward visibility and hide dust from oak pollen and street grime. Where west facing patios get punishing afternoon sun, we can mix in solar screen panels on one or two sides to cut glare and reduce heat buildup without enclosing the lanai in solid walls.

How the lanai screen enclosure installation process works

Once you approve the design, New Orleans Screens handles the full build from permitting to final walkthrough. For most single story lanai screen enclosures, the actual on-site work takes 1 to 3 days, depending on size and whether we are also modifying gutters or concrete.

First, we mark and install the base track or sill along the slab or deck, making sure it is properly anchored into concrete or framing and that there is a slight pitch to shed water. If your slab has cracks or low spots that would let water blow under the wall, we discuss options such as grinding high spots or adding a small curb.

Next we fasten the wall posts to the slab and to your existing structure. In New Orleans, that often means tying into stucco, brick veneer, or older wood fascia. We use appropriate anchors and sealant at every penetration to reduce the chance of water intrusion. If we find soft fascia board when we expose it, we will show you and replace it before we continue.

Roof sections or structural gutters are then installed. For covered lanais under an existing roof, we usually attach a header to the beam line and bring the screen walls up to it. For open patios, we can install an insulated aluminum roof panel system before screening, which turns a bare slab into a shaded outdoor room. Once the frame is solid and squared, we roll in the screen fabric, install spline, trim excess screen, then hang doors and hardware. Before we leave, we hose down the enclosure to check that water flows away as planned and that all doors close and latch correctly.

Cost factors for a lanai screen enclosure in New Orleans

Homeowners often ask why prices for lanai screen enclosures vary so much. At New Orleans Screens we spell out the cost drivers so you can decide what matters most for your project.

Size and height are the biggest factors. A simple 10 by 15 foot lanai, 8 feet tall, with a single door and standard screen will cost far less than a 15 by 30 foot enclosure with a high, vaulted roof. The taller the walls and the wider the openings between posts, the more structural aluminum and bracing we need.

Existing conditions can add or save money. A clean, level concrete patio that already has a solid roof over it is the least expensive starting point. If your patio is out of square, cracked, or sloped heavily to one corner, we may need to adjust the layout or pour a short curb to get a clean seal at the bottom of the walls. Attaching to brick, stucco, or older siding can take more labor than attaching to newer fascia or beams that are already exposed.

Material options have a clear price impact. Pet resistant screens, solar or privacy mesh, insulated roof panels, and upgraded doors all cost more up front but may prevent early repairs or replacements. For homes close to the coast or in open areas that see strong wind, we may recommend heavier framing and additional fasteners. That adds some cost, but it reduces the risk of screen blowouts or twisted frames after a strong storm.

We provide written estimates that separate labor, framing, screen types, doors, and any concrete or carpentry work, so you can see what is driving your total price and adjust the scope if needed.

Common issues with lanai enclosures in this climate and how we prevent them

New Orleans weather is hard on outdoor structures, and lanai screen enclosures are no exception. New Orleans Screens designs and installs with local problems in mind so you get fewer headaches over the years.

The most common complaints we hear on older enclosures are sagging screen panels, corroded hardware, and leaks where the enclosure meets the house. Sagging usually comes from frames that were spaced too far apart or from mesh that was not properly tensioned at installation. We use spacing and bracing that matches the size of each opening and stretch the screen evenly across each bay. For high traffic doors, we often reinforce the adjacent posts so repeated slamming does not rack the frame.

Hardware corrosion is another issue in our salty, humid air. We avoid plain steel fasteners and instead use stainless or coated screws in critical spots like door hinges, latches, and structural connections. Where dissimilar metals meet, which can cause galvanic corrosion, we use appropriate barriers or compatible metals.

Water intrusion at the house wall is a bigger problem in heavy rain. When we attach the lanai enclosure to your home, we inspect and repair flashing where needed and use quality sealants that remain flexible. For townhomes and historic properties where we cannot alter the existing structure significantly, we discuss realistic limitations and design the enclosure so water can still escape rather than get trapped against old brick or siding.

Finally, we consider flood and debris. In low lying neighborhoods, we may suggest a slightly higher kick plate or removable lower panels so that if water rises, debris is less likely to tear out large sections of screen.

What to decide before you schedule your lanai screen enclosure

Before New Orleans Screens comes out to measure, it helps to have a few decisions in mind. These choices guide the design and help us give you a clear, accurate quote on the first visit.

First, think about the main purpose of your lanai. If you are trying to create a bug free dining space, we prioritize layout for a table and chairs, weather protection on the windward side, and possibly a second door for traffic flow. If your goal is a quiet reading or workout area, we may lean more on privacy screen sections and electrical access for fans or equipment.

Second, consider pets and children. Let us know if dogs routinely push against screens or if you expect kids to run in and out all day. We can place stronger screen materials along the lower sections, use doors that self close more firmly, and set thresholds you will not trip over but that still keep leaves and pests from blowing inside.

Third, look at your yard and neighbors. Decide where you want more openness and where some privacy would be welcome. In tight New Orleans lots, it is common to mix regular screen toward the yard with heavier or darker screen facing a side neighbor. If a neighbor's tree sheds heavily over your patio, we may adapt the roof pitch, gutters, and screen layout to make cleanup easier.

When you are ready, we schedule a site visit, walk through these details with you, and put together a design that fits your home, your budget, and the realities of living in New Orleans.