How Useful are Birdcages?

[tom_sjc]

We would like to have an above ground spa. Was wondering about putting it in a birdcage.

If you have a birdcage, what do you use it for? If you had to do it again, would you have built one?

Thanks,

Tom

[graciegirl]

We would like to have an above ground spa. Was wondering about putting it in a birdcage.

If you have a birdcage, what do you use it for? If you had to do it again, would you have built one?

Thanks,

Tom

omigosh yes. It protects the pool from any chance of wandering critters including small humans who might be visiting the area. It allows the cats an outdoor space and I feel bad for Northerners who can't have one because of the weight of the snow. We love ours. No bugs.

[Goldwingnut]

We put in our 2nd pool/spa this past summer with a birdcage surrounding both, worth every penny! GG forgot to mention one thing the birdcage helps with, BUGS! Even though we all live in a bubble here in TV, and my realtor said bugs weren't allowed in TV just like at Disney, Florida is a subtropical climate and bugs abound in HUGE quantities. The birdcage will keep out 99% of the bugs and makes being outside a much more pleasant experience.

Don't think of putting up a birdcage for the spa, think of it as adding an additional room to your home that you can use most of the year due to the mild weather we have. The mistake I made with my first pool was not building the birdcage big enough, we spent a lot more time outside but it was always a little cramped, expanding it again was an option but good fortune lead us to The Villages and I vowed not to make the same mistake twice. We added about 600+ sqft of living area to the pool deck area and now have 3 seating areas in addition to the pool area.

Take a drive around and look at some of the homes that have visible rear views. With or without a pool, those that have birdcages generally have enlarged living areas to enjoy the Florida weather and lifestyle. Also, go to some of the open houses that happen everyday, walk outside in the ones with the enlarged lanai/pool deck/birdcage and you will see and feel how nice the enclosed outside areas can be. In the grand scheme of things adding a birdcage and outside living area is very inexpensive but the returns are hugely enjoyable.

By all means do a birdcage! You'll not regret it. Go large as it's cheaper the first time around and you'll probably find you will use the outside area more than the spa itself.

[villagetinker]

We did a birdcage also, no pool as there is one 2 blocks away. We kept the hot tub on the lanai, as it was out of the way, and we can use it when it is raining if we want to, not during lightning storms.
As for the birdcage, we had electrical receptacles installed with the concrete pad, this avoids cords across walk ways, for fountains, lights, etc. We also opted for 50% sun reduction screening in the roof area of the birdcage, this makes a big difference during the summer. If you have a pet, we have a cat, we also opted for pet screen in the lowest sections of the birdcage, and then had the same screening installed in the lanai. Pay attention to drainage in the birdcage, we had additional drains installed with the original concrete pad, but had to have more installed in the aluminum frame. We also took lawn paint, painted the outline of the new birdcage on the lawn, and confirmed the location of doors etc.
I agree with the comments above, this is another room, and very useful.

[Twodogs]

We don't have a pool or spa, but we built a cage last summer. Never thought we would use it as much as we do, its awesome.... Propane fire pit and plenty of comfortable seating.

[billethkid]

If you do not put in a bird cage you will be missing one of the more significant attributes of the FL lifestyle.

Total (almost) bug/creature free environment to enjoy the spring and fall (and some winter) outdoor living.
Allows opening windows and doors during those times with or without screens.
There are some nice potted plants to make the area more personalized that one would not put in the house.

Once we had our lanai expanded we put as much bird cage as the easements and codes would allow....complete width of the house and irregular geometry across the back to follow the lot line.

With our pool and hot tub we use the lanai/bird cage area more than 75% of the time.

Do your homework to be sure you do not miss a major lifestyle opportunity.

Good luck.

[Chi-Town]

Just like the rule for buying a wide screen tv, go bigger than you thought. You won't regret it.

Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

[tom_sjc]

Thanks for the great comments.

Would you put a spa in the birdcage area or the lanai?

In the lanai we can use it in the rain. But was wondering about humidity of the spa being bad for the outside ceiling.

Thanks again!

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

I'm surprised to hear many people say that their birdcage keeps small creatures out because I find lizards in mine all the time.
That's not to say that I wouldn't want one because they do keep out bugs and birds (hence the name birdcage).
It also enables us to eat outside without having to be in the direct sunlight or rain.
As far as I'm concerned, birdcage is part of Florida living.

[villagetinker]

Thanks for the great comments.

Would you put a spa in the birdcage area or the lanai?

In the lanai we can use it in the rain. But was wondering about humidity of the spa being bad for the outside ceiling.

Thanks again!

We kept ours in the lanai, just moved it so it was out of the way when we added the birdcage, see my previous reply.

[villagetinker]

I'm surprised to hear many people say that their birdcage keeps small creatures out because I find lizards in mine all the time.
That's not to say that I wouldn't want one because they do keep out bugs and birds (hence the name birdcage).
It also enables us to eat outside without having to be in the direct sunlight or rain.
As far as I'm concerned, birdcage is part of Florida living.

We found the anoles (lizards) can get in through the drains, so we also found if you install screening in these it stops them.

[jnieman]

I'd put the hot tub in the bird cage and save the open lanai for covered seating.

[autumnspring]

We would like to have an above ground spa. Was wondering about putting it in a birdcage.

If you have a birdcage, what do you use it for? If you had to do it again, would you have built one?

Thanks,

Tom

I suggest you check with the villages.

I'm not an atty but I would expect that it is your legal responsibility to prevent people, kids, pets etc from access to your pool hot tub, spa etc.

RE: Lizards
We actually have several different types.I believe most of them are aeriols. They are truly amazing. They like camelions can change colors. They have soft bones so can go through far smaller holes then you would imagine.
Their feet are magical in that they can walk on screens, glass etc. I've seen them jump several feet. Enjoy them-they are your first line of defense against insects.

OH, try as you might you cannot teach them to swear.

[Topspinmo]

I would make sure your not encroaching in the easement. Poor guy about year ago had to tear his out cause it was inches in the easement when neighbor ratted him out that was there for 12 plus years.

[champion6]

<snip> I believe most of them are aeriols. <snip> As previously posted, they are anoles or anolis. Your description of them is spot on.

[cpcrofton]

I like the fact that me birdcage sets some boundaries, especially for my two little dogs. It also keeps critters big or small out! Some screen is denser and also affords a bit less UV rays.

[IndianaJones]

I'm surprised to hear many people say that their birdcage keeps small creatures out because I find lizards in mine all the time.
That's not to say that I wouldn't want one because they do keep out bugs and birds (hence the name birdcage).
It also enables us to eat outside without having to be in the direct sunlight or rain.
As far as I'm concerned, birdcage is part of Florida living.

The lizards eat the spiders & such, so I'm okay with them. I think they're referring more to mosquitos - no-see-ums can get through any screen, and lizards squeeze through small spaces. However, as GracieGirl said - Well, see what she said. I completely agree, wouldn't do without my birdcage!

[Henryk]

I'm surprised to hear many people say that their birdcage keeps small creatures out because I find lizards in mine all the time.
That's not to say that I wouldn't want one because they do keep out bugs and birds (hence the name birdcage).
It also enables us to eat outside without having to be in the direct sunlight or rain.
As far as I'm concerned, birdcage is part of Florida living.

Those are likely not lizards, but rather, anoles.

Just be sure to spell it correctly. :police:

We love ours. Think big!

[kbrowntc]

We put a screened in pergola addition on our Lanai rather then a straight birdcage like we did in our prior home and like it much better. 60% shade on ours

[EPutnam1863]

We had a bird cage when we had a house with a spa and again when we had a house with a pool. The bird cage is one of the three things we miss about living in Florida.

[ragdolls]

We had a canvas roof put over our birdcage and was a wonderful investment. By Sunshine Awnings... Beautiful job and keeps direct sun out and all the rain. Can withstand wind up to 135 MPH and was perfect during IRMA. Never have to remove your cushions due to rain and have a big screen tv mounted on the wall and had 3 ceiling fans installed to the actual birdcage frame. Just love it. Also had river rock installed on the floor. My favorite room of the whole home. ENJOY!!!!

[Carl in Tampa]

Only in The Villages have I ever heard a screened enclosure called a "bird cage."

In fact, growing up in Florida I never heard of a screened enclosure being erected at a private home except to enclose a swimming pool. But apparently it is done in TV.

I agree that the "birdcage" makes sitting outdoors more comfortable by discouraging flying pests. I especially enjoyed sitting on my enclosed pool deck at twilight, watching the birds making their last visits to the bird feeders and bird bath, and the emergence of the first bats of the evening........along with the occasional owl.

However, be warned that if you leave any food inside the enclosure which might be attractive to rodents, the rodents will gnaw through (and ruin) your screen.

Also, as discussed in other threads, you cannot depend upon the screen to protect your small pets from coyotes.

I consider the screened enclosure a major asset to Florida living.

[tom_sjc]

Another question:

We are considering building on a new lot. Assuming the lot could support a birdcage, would you have the builder build the birdcage or build it after moving in with someone else?

[Goldwingnut]

Get it done when the house is being built. You’ll rip up your yard putting it in and have to resod and reroute the sprinkler system if you wait until after, this is just unnecessary cost and work. Why not enjoy it from day 1 instead of waiting 3 to 4 months to get it installed.

[Kazmi]

Agree with Goldwingnut. If you can afford it stretch your lanai as much as you can to expand your under roof area and add a birdcage if there is remaining room. We didn't expand our lanai (expanded garage and house every which way though) and wish that we had. We had a partially walled birdcage put in a year later and are very happy with it. But it does rip up your yard and fortunately we were not there to live through the construction which I would imagine would not be fun.

[tom_sjc]

Goldwingnut, Kasmi,

Makes sense. Thanks!

[graciegirl]

Enjoy coffee in ours on sunny mornings.

[Goldwingnut]

Enjoy coffee in ours on sunny mornings.

Oh Gracie, please tell me you don't limit yourself to just the sunny mornings.
These cool Winter and Spring mornings with the fog are so peaceful to enjoy, and watching as the morning breeze comes up to clear away the last vestiges of fog away and reveal the day to the neighborhood can be breathtaking to see.
Even the rainy mornings sitting on the lanai are not to be missed with the freshening of the air that it brings with it.

Most every day is enjoyable thanks to the normally pleasant Florida weather.

Time for my second cup and the newspaper...

[rustyp]

our birdcage is especially useful when the grands visit

[Kazmi]

our birdcage is especially useful when the grands visit

Perfect! :1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl: