Living in Florida means soaking up the sun, enjoying tropical breezes, and spending evenings out on the lanai. But it also means planning for hurricanes. And when it comes to protecting your home, one of the most overlooked vulnerabilities is right in your backyard: the patio.

When a storm approaches, most people rush to bring in furniture, stack chairs in the living room, and secure loose items. But even then, things get wet, furniture gets damaged, and bugs make their way inside during cleanup. It’s a routine that homeowners know too well—and it’s more than just an inconvenience. It’s a symptom of a larger problem: the lack of a real barrier between the outdoors and your home when storms roll through.

Without a hurricane-rated screen system, your lanai becomes a liability. Wind pressure builds up against standard screen enclosures, which often weren’t designed to withstand high-velocity gusts or flying debris. That’s especially dangerous in Florida’s HVHZ (High Velocity Hurricane Zones), where homes are expected to meet much stricter building standards. If you’re in one of those zones—or even just nearby—your outdoor space needs the same level of protection as your roof or windows.

Water Intrusion During A Hurricane

Water intrusion is another hidden issue. Most people think about flooding coming from the ground up, but during a hurricane, it’s the sideways, wind-driven rain that causes damage. Water sneaks in under door tracks or around improperly sealed areas, especially when there’s nothing stopping it from hitting your patio full-force. Over time, this moisture can warp wood, ruin interior flooring, and even lead to mold.

Then there’s the wildlife problem. After a storm, when screens are torn or removed, pests find their way in fast. Mosquitoes, flies, even small critters—they all make themselves at home in the aftermath. If you’ve ever spent a week post-storm battling bugs inside your house, you know what we’re talking about.

And here’s something else that often gets missed: privacy. With more people working from home or spending time outdoors, having a private space matters. A storm-damaged or incomplete screen system compromises that. It exposes your outdoor area not just to the elements, but to neighbors, passersby, and anyone else with a view into your backyard retreat.

Some homeowners even go a step further and set up outdoor projectors or entertainment areas. But those setups become impossible to protect—or enjoy—without a durable screen that holds up to Florida’s changing weather. One storm, and the whole system can be wiped out.

What Is the Solution For Hurricane Patio and Lania Preperation

So what’s the solution? For many homeowners, it’s been MagnaTrack Motorized Screens—the only screen system engineered to resist hurricane-force winds while still enhancing the everyday experience of outdoor living. These screens solve all six of the biggest problems homeowners face: they block bugs, create privacy, double as a projector screen, stand up to hurricanes, protect from water intrusion, and eliminate the frantic routine of dragging furniture inside before every storm.

Installed professionally by the team at Florida Living Outdoor, MagnaTrack is more than a screen. It’s a lifestyle upgrade and a safety net rolled into one. With the 2025 hurricane season expected to be busier than average, now’s the time to think differently about how you protect your home—starting with the places that usually get overlooked.

Storms are unpredictable. Your protection shouldn’t be.