The purpose of birdcages.....
 

If there are not many mosquitos and other flying bugs in this area of FL, then why the popularity of birdcages? What is their function?

good question. i dont have one because it would block my golf course view!

We just built a huge birdcage. Some people like them if they have a pool because you do not have to cover the pool all the time with a birdcage (no debris gets in) We are putting in an above ground swimspa 19 ft by 8 ft and wanted it under cover. As well, it does help when you are sitting outside and the sun is overhead, it keeps it off you directly. Also we will enjoy it for parties and having a large dining room (well outside wicker long table) out there for company and also lounge chairs etc. We have a big view and can see it clearly through the bird cage, totally unobstructed.
I am interested in other peoples reasons too!!!

Thanks, Jane. The idea of it protecting you from direct sun is a good one. I hadn't thought of that, but that's an important one for me. When your spa install is done, please come back and post pics!

The swimspa is above ground, it is a Michael Phelps momentum, you can google it. It is coming in a few weeks so I will be coming down around March 16th for a week to see it crane lifted over our CYV and also enjoy our new home for a few days. I am hoping to hang some sheers and do some other things while I am there. And relax under the birdcage....with some very cold wine!

birdcage use
 

Isn't there a law in Florida that inground pools have to be fenced?? If so, the birdcage would accomplish this. I always thought that besides the bugs, this is what they used in place of a fence like we have up north.

It's like having a screened in porch, and comes in handy during "love bug" season. Also keeps out beetles, wasps and other flying insects.

As an added bonus, I believe a birdcage is an excellent way for your your pets to enjoy the outdoors, if you don't live in a villa.

As an added benefit, I would imagine they are very good at keeping birds out also.

An added benefit noticed these last few days is that the screening blocks some of the wind, so you can enjoy the outdoors even when it's windy.

Also, I can grow things in pots without worrying about birds and bugs getting to them.

I don’t have one and looking at them from the outside, I never really got the “allure” of them. Until I saw one from the inside. They’re just....really, really cool. Actually, I can’t come up with the right words to describe my impression of them once I was inside one. I guess, “tropical” would be a good word. I wish I had a big enough lot to add one.

Does the rain come in like you are outside? How does it keep the sun out if it's just screen? (boy, you can tell the newbies can't you?) How do you deal with the furniture cushions getting soaked in the rain if your lanai isn't large enough for all of your cushioned pieces to be in that area? I thought I wanted a large birdcage to offset a smaller lanai but will it keep out rain and sun for me?

No, it won't keep the rain out, nor will it keep the rain off your furniture, nor will it keep the sun out. Your furniture needs to be under the roofed portion of the lanai. It will expand your view and give you a feeling of spaciousness and it will keep the bugs out. It did all of that for us and we love it!

We just cemented our whole back yard and put a bird cage over it ........It feels like we increased our house by a third and we just love it.................We went 32' deep and don't know how wide but you pass a Golden Corral on the way..........We may have gone a little to high as we have our own clouds........

fumar...............:plane:

I think that the function of a birdcage is similar to a deck. They provide additional living space for leisure and entertaining. We have a smallish home, probably 1500 SF. We added a large birdcage to our lanai, and when we slide open the 3 panel glass door in our living room, it suddenly feels as if we have a huge living room!