Lanai windows -- Glass versus Acrylic

[Barefoot]

We be newbies and it is time to enclose our lanai. :clap2: I've read over all the old posts on glass versus acrylic. :read: Some posts say building permits are required for glass and result in a higher assessment/additional taxes. Some posts say acrylic also requires a building permit. Of course we don't want to start paying higher taxes!!

I'm wondering if anyone can tell me:

- Where can I call to see if a building permit is needed for acrylic?
- Can anyone recommend a glass installer who is dependable and has good prices?
- Can anyone recommend an acrylic installer?

We had our first estimate yesterday for acrylic - $3600 for a small lanai. (From a flyer delivered weekly from "Custom Windows"). Beautiful floor to ceiling windows which slide horizontally and stack. Has anyone had any experience with this company? :dontknow:

Hoping to get some great advise from my fellow TOTVers! ;D I welcome any and all comments.

Thanks, and have a blessed holiday season.

Barefoot

[aln]

I had WHITE ALUMINUM do my lanai. VINYL windows; verticle stack.
They handled all the permits.
Very accommadating; did more than necessary.
I've had it a year - very happy

[Muncle]

- Where can I call to see if a building permit is needed for acrylic?

Barefoot


Call 352-751-6719
It's the architectural review office. They can tell you what requires a permit.

[samhass]

I went with glass. Acrylic tends to bow and scratches easily. We have 2 walls of sliding glass doors so we can open the whole room up to the outside. Jerome's Masonery did the job and we love it. He is a wonderful, honest contractor.

[Ooper]

I work for a contractor in Ocala and 95% of our new home and commercial construction has windows supplied by Custom Windows. They have a website... http://cws.cc
They may not be the cheapest but you get what you pay for.

[samhass]

That's where my glass doors came from. They are excellent!

[Sharie]

Custom windows did my lanai with acrylic and very happy.

[Barefoot]

Call 352-751-6719 It's the architectural review office. They can tell you what requires a permit.

Thanks Muncle. I called the number you provided and the Architectural Review Office says we do need their "permission" for both vinyl and glass. They gave me the telephone number of 753-0848 for the Building Department as apparently both vinyl and glass also require a Building Permit. I asked the Building Department whether obtaining a Permit would trigger a reassessment and an increase in taxes. They didn't know, so the Building Department gave me the number of the Property Appraiser's office 753-3877 to ask whether our taxes would increase.

In the meantime we've had two estimates, one for glass which came in around $14,000; and one for vinyl which came in around $3600.

And so the search continues.

My thanks to everyone who commented.

[JohnN]

hey barefoot,
please post what you find out about property tax implications and what type of enclosure you choose, I'd be interested. Thanks much, JohnN

[chuckinca]

Barefoot:

About how many Square Feets? How many windows and doors?

Chuck

[golfnut]

Wow, that's a huge difference between glass and vinyl, anyone have any idea why?

[Barefoot]

Our $3600 acrylic quote was for a small lanai, 9 x 14. Our floor is already tiled. One full-view door, acrylic windows from floor to ceiling (stackable) with no kickplate, just acrylic.

The Architectural Review Office says we do need their "permission" for both vinyl and glass. They gave me the telephone number of 753-0848 for the Building Department as apparently both vinyl and glass also require a Building Permit. I asked the Building Department whether obtaining a Permit would trigger a reassessment and an increase in taxes. They didn't know, so the Building Department gave me the number of the Property Appraiser's office 753-3877 to ask whether our taxes would increase.

I spoke with the Property Appraiser who advised that there would be NO additional charge with vinyl or acrylic, and there would be an additional charge with glass as it is a "different category".

Can anyone else share a lanai quote?

After Christmas, the search continues.........