Motorized Bug & Solar Screens in Fort Myers, FL

Make your outdoor space usable all year

Fort Myers outdoor living is a big part of why people move here. But anyone who has tried to sit on the lanai at dusk in August knows the problem. Mosquitoes and no-see-ums come out in force, the afternoon sun turns west-facing patios into ovens, and glare off the pool or the river makes it hard to see a screen or a face.

Motorized bug and solar screens fix that without permanently closing in the space. They roll down from a slim housing above the opening and run along side tracks that keep insects out. When you don't need them, they disappear and the space is open again.

We have been installing outdoor screens and shutters in Southwest Florida for over 25 years, and the same family-run crew handles every step, from measuring to the final test.

Bug screens

Bug screens use a fine mesh that keeps out mosquitoes and the tiny no-see-ums that slip through ordinary screens. The side tracks hold the screen edge so bugs can't sneak in around it. You still get the breeze, you can still see out, and you can actually enjoy dinner outside.

They are especially popular on lanais that were never fully enclosed, on open-air outdoor kitchens and on covered patios by the pool.

Solar screens

Solar screens use a tighter weave that blocks a large share of the sun's heat and glare before it reaches the space. Lower them in the afternoon and a blazing patio becomes comfortable again. They also cut glare on TVs mounted outside and help protect outdoor furniture from fading.

Many Fort Myers homes use solar screens on the west and south sides of the house, where the late-day sun hits hardest, and bug screens elsewhere.

Why motorized?

Large outdoor screens can be heavy and awkward to raise and lower by hand. A motor makes them effortless. A switch or remote brings them down or up in seconds, so you'll actually use them every day instead of leaving them stuck in one position. Motorized operation is also much easier for anyone who doesn't want to stretch or climb to reach a crank.

Bug and solar screens vs. hurricane screens

This matters, so we want to be clear. Motorized bug and solar screens are built for comfort, shade and insect control. They are not designed as storm protection.

If you want a screen that also protects your lanai from wind-driven debris during a hurricane, look at roll down hurricane screens. They look and work much the same way, but they are built from heavier storm-rated fabric and installed as hurricane protection. Our guide on roll down shutters vs hurricane screens compares the options, and we're happy to walk your space with you and recommend the right mix.

How installation works

We visit your home, measure every opening, and talk through how you use the space: when you sit outside, where the sun hits, whether bugs or heat is the bigger problem. You choose the screen type and color, and we give you a written quote. Then we install the housings, tracks, screens and motors, set the limits, and show you how everything works.

Keeping your screens in shape

Rinse the screens and tracks with fresh water now and then to wash off pollen, salt and dirt. Keep leaves and debris out of the tracks. If a screen starts running crooked, stops partway or the motor won't respond, call us. We repair what we install, and our hurricane shutter repair and maintenance team works on motorized systems every day.

Why Fort Myers lanais need them

Fort Myers is a river and canal city surrounded by wetlands, from the banks of the Caloosahatchee to the preserves east of I-75. That water is a big part of the beauty here, and it's also why mosquitoes and no-see-ums are such a fact of life, especially at dawn and dusk during the rainy season. Lee County runs one of the largest mosquito control programs in the state for a reason.

Then there's the sun. A lanai or patio facing west can take direct afternoon sun for hours in the summer, and it can be the hottest spot on the property right when you'd want to use it. Solar screens on that side of the house can turn it back into usable space.

Pairing comfort screens with storm protection

Many of our Fort Myers customers end up with both. Bug or solar screens on the openings they use every day, and hurricane shutters or hurricane screens where they need storm protection. Because we install all of it, we can plan the housings, tracks and controls together so the system looks clean and one remote or switch panel can run it. Ask about combining them during your estimate.

Frequently asked questions

Will bug screens keep out no-see-ums?

Bug screens use a fine mesh designed for small insects, and the side tracks seal the edges. Ask us about mesh options for your space during the estimate.

Can I see out through a solar screen?

Yes. From inside the shaded space you can still see out, while the screen cuts heat and glare.

Are motorized bug screens hurricane protection?

No. They are comfort screens. For storm protection on a lanai, choose roll down hurricane screens or shutters.

Can screens be added to a pool cage?

In many cases, yes. We'll look at the structure during the estimate and tell you what will work.

Ready to enjoy your lanai again? Call Romano's Shutters at (239) 323-1913 or request a free quote below.