Commercial Pool Enclosures in Fort Myers: What Business Owners Should Know

Learn what Fort Myers business owners should know about commercial pool enclosures, including benefits, design options, safety, and maintenance considerations.

Florida is a state where a hotel or fitness center pool isn't a luxury — it's a necessity. But commercial property owners in Fort Myers know the reality: an open pool means constant battles with leaves, insects, and water chemistry. Add hurricane season to the mix and you'll understand why conversations about pool enclosures for businesses keep getting more urgent. This article breaks down how glass or screen structures change the economics of pool maintenance and what you need to consider before commercial pool enclosure installation.

Why Commercial Pools Need Protection

A pool at a hotel on McGregor Boulevard or a fitness club in Gateway is a high-liability area. Commercial facility managers deal with problems that private homeowners never even think about. Without commercial pool enclosures Fort Myers FL, the bill for chemicals and cleaning can hit thousands of dollars monthly. Open pools accumulate organic matter that feeds algae.

The problem gets worse in summer. Air temperature pushing 95°F, humidity through the roof, and UV index regularly hitting 11. Chlorine evaporates faster than you can add it. A small motel near the Sanibel Causeway reported that after Hurricane Ian in fall 2022, its pool effectively became a debris collector. Branches, palm fronds, and even pieces of roofing from neighboring buildings accumulated in the water, requiring weeks of cleanup.

Types of Structures for Commercial Properties

Screen enclosures are the most common option in South Florida. Aluminum frame with fine mesh that stops insects and most leaves. Screen Factory Florida offers systems with reinforced profiles rated for wind loads up to 140 mph — important after what Ian showed us in September two years back. The mesh is typically 20×20 or denser, lets through about 70% of sunlight.

Glass structures are the premium segment. Tempered glass handles impacts and creates a "summer terrace" effect even in winter, when temperatures can drop to 50°F at night. The technology is called Smart Glass, manufactured by companies like Saint-Gobain. Costs several times more, but clients pay for the wow factor.

Polycarbonate panels are a compromise between price and functionality. The material is 200 times stronger than glass, blocks up to 99% of ultraviolet. Lexan or Makrolon (both from manufacturers Sabic and Covestro respectively) are the most popular brands. One problem: polycarbonate yellows under Florida sun in five to seven years, even with UV protection.

Florida Regulatory Requirements

In Florida, rules around commercial pools are strict. A lot of that comes from history. After Hurricane Andrew in 1992, the state tightened building standards across the board, especially for structures exposed to wind. 

Commercial pools fall under Section 454 of the Florida Statutes. It doesn’t just cover fences or physical barriers. Water quality, safety parameters, inspections — all of it is bundled together under the same regulations.

Any enclosure built over a commercial pool has to go through the local Building Department. In Fort Myers, permits and inspections are handled through the Monroe Street office. Engineered drawings are mandatory. Plans must be signed by a licensed engineer and show that the structure meets local wind requirements. In Lee County, that usually means designing for Wind Zone 3 or 4, rated for roughly 140 to 160 mph.

If the pool is open to the public, ADA rules apply. Entry doors have to be wide enough, thresholds have to stay low, and those details are checked during inspections. Miss them, and approvals get delayed or the enclosure has to be modified after it’s already built.

Maintenance and Longevity

Aluminum structures require minimal upkeep — once a year wash the frame with soap and check fasteners. The mesh needs replacing every 8-12 years, depending on quality. Phifer is an American brand that makes mesh with a 10-year warranty. Chinese alternatives last half as long.

Glass needs washing more often, especially if the pool is heated — condensation leaves angry stains. Professional cleaning of panoramic panels runs $300-500 per visit. 

The biggest threat is hurricanes. Even the strongest structures aren't safe from falling trees. Commercial property insurance in Florida after 2022 went up 40-60%, and many policies now have separate deductibles for hurricane damage — typically 2-5% of building value.

What to Look for When Choosing a Contractor

Florida Statutes require contractors to have either a certified building contractor or aluminum contractor specialty license. You can verify licenses at MyFloridaLicense.com — takes a minute but saves you from trouble. There are stories of "contractors" vanishing after down payments.

Look at portfolios of specifically commercial projects. Installing a screen room in a private yard is one thing, building a 2000-square-foot structure over a heated pool is completely different. Ask about the engineering stamp — if the contractor says "we'll add that later," that's a red flag.

Warranty matters too. Standard is 1 year on labor, 10-15 years on materials from the manufacturer. But read the fine print: some warranties don't cover damage from Category 4-5 hurricanes, which for Fort Myers is critical.

Alternative Solutions

Not everyone is ready to invest in a permanent structure. Retractable awnings are fabric canopies that extend over the pool. Sunesta or ShadeFX make commercial models rated for up to 60 mph winds. Cost from $15,000, but don't protect against insects and leaves.

Inflatable dome enclosures are an exotic option sometimes used for temporary events. A giant pneumatic dome held up by air pressure. Covair makes these for sports complexes. Downside: requires constant compressor operation and looks like a UFO in the middle of your hotel.

Landscaping is the cheapest way to partially solve the problem. Tall Foxtail or Areca palms around the pool create natural wind protection and shade. But this is more of a supplement than a replacement for a proper enclosure.

Fort Myers Climate Specifics

Southwest Florida subtropics mean 250+ sunny days per year, but also 54 inches of rainfall annually. June through September is rainy season, when a storm can dump two inches in half an hour. An open pool after rain like that turns into a murky bath.

Summer here isn't just hot — it's humid. Dew point regularly above 75°F, creating perfect conditions for insects. Florida mosquitoes are their own problem, especially after rainfall when they breed in every puddle. A screen enclosure cuts the issue by 90%.

In winter, December through February, temperatures can drop to 50-60°F at night. For a heated pool, that means massive heat loss. A glass or polycarbonate dome lets you maintain comfortable 82°F water while spending half as much on heating.

Fort Myers is a city where commercial pools operate year-round, but only with proper protection. Commercial pool enclosures Fort Myers FL aren't a fashion statement — they're a rational investment that pays back through maintenance savings and the ability to welcome guests even in bad weather. The key is not trying to save money on construction quality and contractor selection, because in this subtropical paradise, nature constantly stress-tests everything we build.