[villages07]

We are finishing up a similar project right now. We went with full length, low-E, glass sliders. We already had a birdcage so didn't need to put any box screens on the sliders.

Pros: Low-E is better at retaining warmth in winter and theoretically keeping out too much heat in summer. Will certainly keep the lanai cleaner. Glass is also a better sound insulator...when all doors are closed it is very quiet and peaceful inside. It does echo inside. We did triple track stackable sliders so that we can open up in the summertime and preserve our view. But, even though the doors are lightlly tinted, our view is still nice with them closed.
Some vendors said they could not do a full length acrylic door...it would have to have a bar somewhere in the middle or void the warranty. That was one of the tipping points to going glass.

Cons: Glass is more expensive than acrylic. The area does feel a little more closed in. Time will tell if summer heat is better or worse with the glass (open or closed). We did not elect to do heat and A/C. I did use a space heater on a chilly morning.

Get several estimates.... costs we got were all over the map.

So far, I am really liking having the lanai enclosed and we resisted doing this for 5 years because we like being 'outside'.