Services
Patio Covers and Carports
Whatever your reason for adding a cover to your home or business, choosing the right construction system is the first step. Wood frame methods can be extremely costly and require high maintenance. Construction can be drawn out and inconvenient. McRae and Co. offers both insulated and non-insulated aluminum covers designed to suit your budget. The underside view of all systems is flat, attractive and is available in stucco or cedar embossed finishes. The metal is coated with a virtually maintenance-free baked enamel finish. Systems are engineered to last. And best of all, most units can be installed in just one day.Room Additions
McRae and Co. offers a room addition that is more affordable, easy to install, and more energy efficient than conventional stud frame methods, utilizing the patented Snap-N-Lock™ Insulated Roof & Wall System. The metal skins are machine rolled to form a unique weather-tight joint design that adds strength to the roof and wall units and simply snaps together. Sandwiched between the metal skins is a continuous insulated foam interface. This makes the design of the panel extremely energy efficient. Panels are available 2" to 8" thick, depending on the "R" rating and span one desire. The continuous insulation provided by the panels, in the hot summer months, keeps the heat outside where it belongs. You stay cool and comfortable. Winter heat generated within the home is contained by the insulated panels, thermally broken support components and insulated glass.Because a continuous wall and roof are formed by the Snap-N-Lock™ Insulated Panel, it can use all its capacity to support vertical loads, has greater racking resistance and can resist local loads, buckling and bending better than even conventional construction methods. These are important characteristics for resisting earthquake and hurricane forces. The internal locking system eliminates the need for additional fastening methods at the joint, giving your room a smooth, clean look.
The panels combine the structural system, wall and roof sheathing and insulation in a single step. This makes construction quick and easy. Most room additions can be constructed in as little as a day, enabling you to get back to your normal routine quickly.
FAQ's
1. How much does a pool enclosure cost?
Unfortunately there is no simple answer. There are too many variables, but most pool cages fall into the $5000 to $15000 range.
2. What are some of the variables?
Location, the closer you are to the coast and high wind zones, the stronger the structure needs to be.
Height of the structure. Multiple story screened enclosures are considerably more expensive.
Upgrades such as solid roof areas, extra doors, unique designs, or kick plate around the perimeter.
Specialty screens to guard against no-see-em's or to shade areas.
3. How long will my pool enclosure last?
A structurally sound screened enclosure, using quality materials, should last approximately 30 years, with regular maintenance and care, and re-screening.
4. How long will the fiberglass pool screen last?
Screen used to last much longer than it does today. I've built pool enclosures where the screen lasted 20 years. This is not some sinister marketing ploy to force you to re-screen more frequently, but rather a result of EPA regulations eliminating the lead content in the plastic coating of the woven fiberglass strands.
5. What is the frame made of?
An aluminum alloy. Aluminum by itself is not strong enough, so other non-ferrous metal is added for strength. The composition is determined and tested by engineers, and regulated by the building codes and the industry.
6. How is the pool enclosure held together?
A variety of steel fasteners and steel screws or permanent snap extrusions.
7. Does aluminum rust?
No.
8. Do the fasteners rust?
Occasionally, cheap painted fasteners more so than others. Also, if you regularly over chlorinate your pool rusting will be accelerated. Chlorine is highly corrosive and rust never sleeps.
9. Can I replace the rusted screws?
Yes. But you need to replace them with the next larger size. When two dissimilar metals are in contact with each other electrolysis occurs, effectively enlarging the opening and loosening the connections. There are also stainless steel tap cons you can use to replace the standard everybody uses that won't rust. I would recommend that you contact your contractor to reach the hard to reach screws over the water. If you do decide to do it yourself, be sure to use a portable battery operated drill to avoid injury.
10. Why not us stainless steel screws?
Technically you can, but by code you usually can't. Stainless steel is not nearly as strong as the rusting variety, and could sheer when stressed.
11. What keeps a pool enclosure from blowing away?
A variety of bracing hidden in the design of the structure itself also stainless steel cables fastened to the concrete deck.
12. I only seem to see two different colors, bronze (brown) and white. Are there any other colors?
Yes, although they are not that common. There is usually a modest additional charge for the other colors.
13. Why do they call the dark brown color bronze?
Bronze is a medium brown color that resembles the actual alloy bronze.
14. What are the other frame colors?
They are Adobe, Bronze, Sandstone, White, and Ivory.
15. Can my pool cage go anywhere on my property?
No. There are restrictions that vary from each local government, and there are also restrictions set by home owner associations. Your contractor will know the legal setbacks and you will have to ask your HOA.
16. Is a building permit required to build a pool enclosure?
Yes.
17. Is the permit process easy?
No, it is very complicated, very technical, and littered with paperwork.
18. How do I know that my pool cage is structurally sound?
A structural engineer is involved, in one form or another, in the design and plan stage. The building department will review the plans to see if they comply with the building code, and will inspect the finished project. If the inspection is failed the contractor is required to make the necessary changes, and call for another final inspection.
19. Does the building department inspect the quality of the craftsmanship?
No. They are only concerned with the structural integrity and setbacks.
20. Does the county enforce HOA mandates?
No.
21. Who determines what wind zone I am in?
The state.
22. What's the difference between a state and county certified contractor?
A state contractor can work anywhere in the state. A county contractor can only work in the county of origin, but can request that their license be transferred to each county on an individual basis. A state license is harder to get and requires a financial screening, among other requirements. There is also a state registered designation for county license, but this answer is already too complicated.
23. How do I check to see if a contractor is licensed and insured?
Most counties have interactive websites where you can search a contractor by the license holder's name, company name, or by license number. If the contractor's license is active, they are most likely insured. The insurance companies immediately notify the respective agencies if there is a lapse in insurance, and the license goes inactive. If the website is to complicated for you, call and ask a representative for help.
24. What do you think about review websites and the BBB?
Not Much. Although good reviews are a very general indicator of a company's performance, most of the reviews are not verified and can be manipulated to the company's advantage, and if your a member of the BBB it's near impossible to get a complaint filed against you due to the mitigation procedure. The same goes for memberships to building associations. They can be of some use but take them with a grain of salt.
25. My neighbor's yard looks like the dump. Is there anything I can do to block the view?
Yes. Any picture can be printed on to special screen and then rolled into the frame like regular screen. You can have a water front view; complete with still shots of breaking surf, fluffy white sand, and lush palm trees. It's not cheap. I would recommend having a talk with your neighbors.
26. Is there a screen that lasts the lifetime of the enclosure and is impervious to small branches, big dogs, and overactive children?
Yes. It's called Super Screen and is guaranteed for 10 yrs., which means it will likely last twice that length of time, and it's not that much more. Ask us about it.
27. Are there any more questions that you can think of?
Drop me an e-mail at mcraeandco@centurylink.net and I will post your question with my expert answer as soon as possible.
I hope you found frequently asked pool enclosures questions and answers helpful, and if you're ready for a free, no obligation consultation and estimate fill out the simple form and one of our information specialists will contact you soon. You can always call us at 1-888-429-1599. If we are unable to answer please leave a message, and again, thanks for considering McRae and Co. for your aluminum needs.
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