[784caroline]

Are you raising the floor of the lanai to meet the family room.....this is always a good idea especially if you are taking the sliders out. (we took sliders out and arched the opening) . If you dont raise the lanai floor its easy to fall off that 4 inch lip....and we are all getting older. Our house is pretty much all tile except for the bedrooms so we just added similar tile in the lanai addition and the extra hobby room we added off the lanai that also connects to the master bedroom (knocked out master bedroom window to make entry way). What we did with the other master bedroom window was cover it up on the bedroom side but on the lanai side made it into a glass lighted shelf area...this turned out to be a great idea.

People I know who just added wood flooring on top of tile were not always pleased with the look or outcome primarily because of the clearance problems earlier posters mentioned. Study this one carefully.

AC/heat is you current system adequate to accomodate the enclosed lanai...if not are you getting a new larger one or a mini split to handle the extra space. You most likely will need a heat/AC survey conducted to satisfy the county inspector to answer this question. Dont forget to insulate above the lanai !

Windows...all varieties exist but again this is an area not to go cheap on. We went to the ROMAC in Ocala and they have a showroom and window/glass expert to help in your selection. We chose a company from Atlanta "YKK" and used their sliders and transom windows both with LOW E glass and the transom windows were tempered glass. We also had the large sliders "factory welded" to the top of the lower transom window for better structural integrity. WE like the fact on a day like today we can open the from door and the back slider windows and have a nice breeze come through the house

Good luck

[Epic Home Pros]

Originally Posted by photo1902

There is no reason engineered hardwood cannot be installed over tile or wood, as long as what will now become the substrate is in good condition. Keep in mind if you choose this method, your new flooring will be slightly higher.

We would never lay over an existing tile floor. It's just asking for trouble later on down the road. Tile floors come up pretty fast and inexpensive, just food for thought. Does your existing lanai floor match the floor elevation inside you home?

[rjm1cc]

Make sure you will not have drainage problems.

[RichLou]

Have you researched the chemicals that off gas into your home from engineered wood?

[jeanoh]

We did tile floor, as it's easy to clean. And, altho we hooked into the house AC, I might look into using the Mitsubishi AC that hangs on the wall and only works when you want..at least worth exploring! We did largest windows in Tempered, low E, double pane glass, then added 3M film..since we have a lovely view we wanted to enjoy! These windows don't open, but we have french doors to outside on each end that do, to allow for outside air or to enjoy those 3 weeks each spring and fall when it's nice enough to open windows! Finally, can not have enough electric outlets...so think where you'll want TV plus all it's accessories (thus need 4 plugs at least, not just two) , and where lights near sofa or chairs will be. Then, just sit back and enjoy!

[boynurse484]

Suggest the windows be acrylic and tinted sliders which we did 4 years ago and love the privacy and less glare. Also, if you do glass windows, your taxes go up as the lanai would then count as an extra room, but not so with acrylic. Go figure?! We used CVS and they did an outstanding job. We then had Munns install the ductless Mitsubishi A/C and heating unit which has been fantastic. Never really use the heat but the A/C cools and quickly gets rid of humidity.

[biker1]

Your taxes would go up if you remove the sliders between the house and the lanai. The choice of window material does not enter into the equation. This was straight from the fellow who did the final inspection for our enclosed lanai, which has double pane, low-e glass, and we did not have an increase in our taxes this past fall. Regardless, the increase would be relatively small. Just to be clear, this was with an existing lanai -there was no expansion of the lanai. The expansion of a lanai would presumably carry some tax consequences regardless of whether it was enclosed.

Originally Posted by boynurse484

Suggest the windows be acrylic and tinted sliders which we did 4 years ago and love the privacy and less glare. Also, if you do glass windows, your taxes go up as the lanai would then count as an extra room, but not so with acrylic. Go figure?! We used CVS and they did an outstanding job. We then had Munns install the ductless Mitsubishi A/C and heating unit which has been fantastic. Never really use the heat but the A/C cools and quickly gets rid of humidity.

[WindowsofCFL]

Hi my name is Karina and we would be happy to talk with you in person and help you find what you are looking for. Attached is just one of the many lanais we have done. Please feel free to call us at Windows of Central Florida for a FREE, no obligation, estimate to talk about your options. Call 352-217-8151 and let us brighten your view! Check us out on our website at: Windows of Central Florida