Value of enclosed lanai?

[Medtrans]

As we are in the house hunting mode, what is a ball park cost to enclose a lanai? I ask because we find houses that have them and obviously those that do not. If our choice is that we go with one that doesn't, what is a ball park on this? Thanks.

[chiefrose]

Mine is being enclosed with full glass sliders this week. They are top of the line double pane, low E. My lanai is 28' X 14'. The company is also insulating the ceiling. The cost is 12K. I'm sure you can spend more or less depending on the quality and the contractor.

[Medtrans]

Thanks. That helps a lot. I bet your lanai will be beautiful. We almost purchased a home with the same windows or sliders you described and it was gorgeous.

[justjim]

The cost depends---you can up the cost if you put in heat and air. I suppose it then becomes a "true" Florida room.

[Lark7]

Mine is being enclosed with full glass sliders this week. They are top of the line double pane, low E. My lanai is 28' X 14'. The company is also insulating the ceiling. The cost is 12K. I'm sure you can spend more or less depending on the quality and the contractor.

Let us know how it turns out and please share the name of the company who is enclosing the lanai. Thanks!

[Jim 9922]

Probable cost ranges from $8000 to $15000, and maybe up to $20000 if you are going to make it as nice as an inside room, depending on the quality of the product installed and whatever else is needed such as electrical, lights, fans, additional outlets, type of flooring, etc. Add more if you are going to add heat and air. Usually there is more to it than just "adding windows". Be sure to talk to several contractors to get their ideas in addition to a quote.

[Happydaz]

Probable cost ranges from $8000 to $15000, and maybe up to $20000 if you are going to make it as nice as an inside room, depending on the quality of the product installed and whatever else is needed such as electrical, lights, fans, additional outlets, type of flooring, etc. Add more if you are going to add heat and air. Usually there is more to it than just "adding windows". Be sure to talk to several contractors to get their ideas in addition to a quote.

This is also my opinion. If you want high end vinyl doors with low E glass, a cement floor raised and tiled, electrical outlets installed on the exterior walls, and stucco banding around the doors on the exterior then you are looking at over $20,0000. You can do it for less, but your floor will still be on a slant and the installer will have to build up cement wedges under the doors to level them and this is not a very permanent method and can cause water leakage over time.

[chiefrose]

Our job is being done by Custom Vinyl Systems (CVS). We saw a demo of their product and then went to check out several of their installs. In our opinion it was superior to some other companies we saw. Since we had the lanai floor raised when the house was built nothing extra had to be done to the floor.

[Bonanza]

If enclosing a lanai is important to you, try to find a house where it has previously been done.

That is probably one cost you will never recoup in terms of adding more value compared to what it cost you.