[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by DangeloInspections

Gracie, I have seen composite roofs over lanai/screenrooms in The Villages. A beautiful one has recently been done in the Mission Hills area off of a newer courtyard villa. I inspected it and was very impressed.....it gave me the inspiration to do mine. Gracie, you know I'm too nice of a guy to ever post something that someone could not do...

The company that did it was Bryan Terry Vinyl. They did a great job, complete with electrical, flat screen outdoor TV, etc. They did the roof just like mine, a composite roof with glued on asphalt shingles.

As to DEWRDW's question, I do not know of any vinyl roof made. If you are referring to a composite roof, they are made of aluminum on the outside with foam in the middle. They come in thicknesses from 3' to over 5". Many aluminum birdcage contractors do them. I'm told Bryan Terry Vinyl is one of the best. T&D, Lake Square Aluminum, etc are a few others.

Enjoy! Frank

I had not seen a roofed birdcage. I had seen screen porches integrated into homes. I am sorry for my error Frank.

[vj1213]

Sunshine Awnings does the covers for bird cages. Cody Sellars 352-787-4436
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[Villages Kahuna]

Originally Posted by jerseyvillager

Does anyone have any experience with bird cages and/or Pergolas that are constructed with some sort of solid roof? I would like to sit out and listen to the rain.

The best way to answer your question is to go down to the Sumter County Building Department, right across from the County Annex building on CR 466.

Here's what I think you'll find:

• Screened birdcages are highly engineered structures requiring specific sized members, cable tie-downs, etc.

• A licensed and bonded professional engineer is required to sign off on any birdcage design in order to get a building permit issued by the county.

• Any subsequent modifications to a birdcage should be permitted to assure that the strength and integrity of the original design has not been impaired.

• A building permit to either place a roof (even canvas) or enclosure around an existing birdcage absolutely requires a building permit. If a contractor suggests otherwise he is putting the validity of his own bond (if he has one) and your homeowner's insurance policy at risk.

Having said this, I checked into the cloth roof option myself. What I found was that without substantial re-engineering of the birdcage structure itself, the existing structure was not even close to being capable of withstanding the additional forces created by the "sail effect" of a cloth roof on top of a standard screened birdcage.

Do you see such projects around The Villages? Sure. Have they all been built with an amended building permit? Highly doubtful. Has the homeowner exposed himself to fairly substantial structural and financial risk by permitting such a structure to be built without re-engineering and a proper building permit? Probably.

I'd suggest a visit to the building department. They definitely have your interest at heart. The contractor trying to get you to sign a contract doesn't.

[DangeloInspections]

Originally Posted by Villages Kahuna

The best way to answer your question is to go down to the Sumter County Building Department, right across from the County Annex building on CR 466.

Here's what I think you'll find:

• Screened birdcages are highly engineered structures requiring specific sized members, cable tie-downs, etc.

• A licensed and bonded professional engineer is required to sign off on any birdcage design in order to get a building permit issued by the county.

• Any subsequent modifications to a birdcage should be permitted to assure that the strength and integrity of the original design has not been impaired.

• A building permit to either place a roof (even canvas) or enclosure around an existing birdcage absolutely requires a building permit. If a contractor suggests otherwise he is putting the validity of his own bond (if he has one) and your homeowner's insurance policy at risk.

Having said this, I checked into the cloth roof option myself. What I found was that without substantial re-engineering of the birdcage structure itself, the existing structure was not even close to being capable of withstanding the additional forces created by the "sail effect" of a cloth roof on top of a standard screened birdcage.

Do you see such projects around The Villages? Sure. Have they all been built with an amended building permit? Highly doubtful. Has the homeowner exposed himself to fairly substantial structural and financial risk by permitting such a structure to be built without re-engineering and a proper building permit? Probably.

I'd suggest a visit to the building department. They definitely have your interest at heart. The contractor trying to get you to sign a contract doesn't.

Good post. I assumed that would always be done without question. My addition was, and had to be designed and approved by an architect with the plans stamped and approved and permitted by Lake county. I would think that any GOOD contractor would have it no other way, as they would be fined and possibly lose their license. Of course, I would also think that the ARC would also require building department permits and approval.

It is always wise to get ARC and building department approval and permits for anything you do. Any contractor who does not do these things should never be hired, as you are asking for trouble if you do. Sub-standard work is dangerous and most always ends up costing more in money, stress, safety and sometimes worse.

[judynlee]

We're thinking of the same thing, who did yours?
Lee

[TNLAKEPANDA]

Those roof panels are called SIP's. They are very strong and have been around for a long time. Really the best way to go if you want a solid roof.

[dbevins]

Who did the install?

[Vernster]

Could you give a rough estimate on the cost of this roof done by a professional on about the same size birdcage as yours ?
Thank you.

[dbevins]

Originally Posted by TNLAKEPANDA

Those roof panels are called SIP's. They are very strong and have been around for a long time. Really the best way to go if you want a solid roof.

Do you know who installs them in The Villages?

[herbaru]

Originally Posted by dbevins

Who did the install?

Yes, I would like to know too.
OP please share a contact?

[TraceyMooreRN]

I was so confused when my mother told me she bought a house with a Lanai--when I arrived to buy my own home in TV, I said "Mom- essentially you have a screen porch on a concrete slab"

I haven't seen any birdcages with roofs--only Lanai (screen porch on slab ).

I am having a ton of trouble with dirt water in my screen porch. Guessing I have to enclose the bottom section? Not sure--looking for some ideas and photos on that idea.