Removing a Pool Cage or Screened Patio Enclosure in Miami? Here Is the Dumpster You Need for the Aluminum and Screen
Published November 4, 2026 · Updated November 4, 2026
Removing a single pool cage or screened patio enclosure in Miami fits a 20-yard dumpster for almost every job, the aluminum framing is bulky but light; a double or triple cage, a lanai with a tile or paver deck torn out at the same time, or a storm-damaged cage with bent framing usually needs a 30-yard or a scheduled swap-out. Tell us the cage's footprint and whether the frame is still standing or already collapsed, and we size it before the crew shows up.
What size dumpster do I need to remove a pool cage or screen enclosure?
It comes down to how many sections are coming down and whether the frame is still standing, not square footage alone. A single pool cage over a standard backyard pool, aluminum frame and screen panels, breaks down into bulky but light material that a 20 yard swallows with room to spare. A lanai that includes a tile or paver deck torn out at the same time, a double or triple cage covering a pool plus an attached patio, or a cage that collapsed in a storm and now sits as a tangle of bent aluminum, is where a 30 yard or a scheduled swap-out earns its keep.
| Job | Size | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Re-screening only (mesh replaced, frame stays up) | Junk removal | Old screen panels alone are light, low volume |
| Single pool cage, frame and screen removed | 20 yard | Bulky aluminum tubing, low density |
| Lanai with tile or paver deck torn out too | 30 yard or swap-out | Deck material adds real weight |
| Double or triple cage (pool plus patio or entry) | 30 yard | Combined framing adds up fast |
| Storm-collapsed cage, bent or twisted framing | 30 yard, sized for space | Twisted metal is awkward to stack, wastes space |
Why aluminum framing fills a dumpster faster than it weighs
A pool cage is the opposite problem from concrete: the aluminum tubing, screw-in panels, and roof purlins are light by the pound but awkward by the foot, since a collapsed or disassembled cage doesn't stack flat the way framing lumber does. A single cage can look like it needs a 30 yard just from how much space the bent and twisted sections take up, when the actual weight would fit a 20 yard twice over. Tell us whether the cage came down in one piece or is already a pile of bent sections when you book, since that changes how much room it actually needs more than the pool's size does.
Can the screen mesh and hardware go in with the aluminum?
Yes. Screen mesh, the spline that holds it in the frame's channel, self-tapping screws, and any base plates or footers unbolted from the pool deck all go into the same container as the aluminum framing; you don't need to separate them by material. If the cage frame has real scrap value and your contractor wants to haul it to a metal recycler separately, that's fine too, just tell us ahead of time so we don't size the dumpster assuming the frame is staying in it.
Do I need a permit to remove a pool cage in Miami-Dade?
Most screened pool enclosures were permitted structures when they went up, so taking one down usually needs a demolition permit from the county or your city, separate from anything related to the dumpster itself. A container sitting on your own driveway or in your own yard doesn't need a right-of-way permit; see our dumpster permit guide for when that one applies. If the cage is being removed ahead of a full pool renovation rather than just coming down on its own, check our pool demolition dumpster guide for how that changes the sizing once the pool shell itself is involved.
Timing the dumpster with your pool cage or lanai contractor
Cage replacement jobs usually move in two visits: the old frame and screen come down, then a new cage goes up days or weeks later once materials are ordered, which is a longer gap than most demolition jobs. A standard 7-day rental covers the teardown with room to spare; if the rebuild is delayed past that, we can extend the rental or pick the container up and bring it back closer to when the new frame arrives, instead of it sitting empty on the driveway in between. See our guide to scheduled swap-outs if your contractor is running multiple cage jobs back to back and wants the container timed to each one.
FAQ
What size dumpster do I need to remove a pool cage?
A 20 yard handles most single pool cages, aluminum frame and screen together, with room to spare. A double or triple cage, or a lanai with a tile deck torn out too, usually needs a 30 yard or a scheduled swap-out.
Does a storm-damaged pool cage need a bigger dumpster than a planned teardown?
Often yes. Bent and twisted aluminum sections don't stack flat the way an intact, disassembled frame does, so a collapsed cage can need more room even though the actual weight hasn't changed.
Can screen mesh and hardware go in the same dumpster as the aluminum frame?
Yes, the mesh, spline, screws, and any footers unbolted from the pool deck all go in together. If your contractor wants to scrap the aluminum frame separately for its recycling value, tell us ahead of time.
Do I need a permit to remove a pool cage in Miami-Dade?
Most screened enclosures were permitted when they went up, so removing one usually needs a demolition permit, separate from any dumpster permit. The dumpster itself doesn't need a permit if it stays on your own property.
How long can I keep the dumpster if my new cage isn't ready yet?
A standard rental runs 7 days. If the rebuild is delayed, we can extend the rental or pick the container up and bring it back closer to when the new frame arrives, instead of leaving it empty on the driveway.
Is removing a pool cage different from a full pool demolition?
Yes. A cage removal is just the aluminum frame and screen; a full pool demolition breaks up the pool shell itself, which is dense concrete or gunite and sizes very differently. See our pool demolition dumpster guide if both are happening together.
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