Lanai expansion suggestions needed

[Celebrator]

We are planning to expand our enclosed lanai about 10 feet and already have two estimates. Often times after completing a renovation one thinks of things they would change if they had to do it again. We would appreciate any suggestions you may have for our expansion such as types of windows, air conditioning, flooring, lighting, outlets, etc.
Thanks.

[villagetinker]

Assuming you have done your homework with ARC for approval, you might consider:
If this is actually a lanai expansion and being enclosed, it is my understanding that there are specific requirements for additional electrical receptacles, also, when I looked into this in the past (a previous thread), there were DIFFERENT requirements for floor height based on the original house construction. I called the building department, and spoke with them for almost 1/2 hour and was more confused then when I started, but I had at least an understading of the questions to ask going forward. Removal of the sliders gets into this also, and all of this requires permits, you should NEVER pull the permits, your contractor(s) need to do this.

Since we have no idea what your contractors are proposing, or if they have covered all the above concerns.
I would have additional receptacles at every new post. Think about where you are going to put your TV, and arrange for cable and power to this location. We had ours installed about 6 feet off the floor so the wires are behind the TV when it is hung on the wall. Make sure you have sufficient drains installed if you plan on occasionally having the windows open, so you have a way to get rid of the water from an occasional passing storm. If you plan on having the area tiled, you may need to have the OLD finish removed so that the new tile will have a suitable surface to be bonded to. The tile should have a crack suppressant barrier installed, the new concrete will crack, and it will move with respect to the original house foundation, if you do not do this you will probably get cracks in your new tile. Get the highest grade windows you can afford, and make sure they have suitable coatings to reduce solar gain. You will need adequate insulation in the original lanai and the new addition.
If I think of anything else, I will add comments later.
Hope this helps, and good luck with your addition.

[Celebrator]

Thanks for the information. We are aware of the ARC regulations and plan to have our contractor take care of the permits. Because we plan to have engineered hardwood floors throughout the house except for bathrooms, one company recommended laying the new hardwood over existing tile and old hardwood as they are not damaged. Another company advises against it. Any thoughts?

[photo1902]

Thanks for the information. We are aware of the ARC regulations and plan to have our contractor take care of the permits. Because we plan to have engineered hardwood floors throughout the house except for bathrooms, one company recommended laying the new hardwood over existing tile and old hardwood as they are not damaged. Another company advises against it. Any thoughts?

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.

[Celebrator]

Thanks for your reply. It certainly will be less expensive but most of all eliminates the huge mess of tearing up the tile.

[villagetinker]

See my comment on the other thread, you will lose clearance to get the dishwasher out when it fails, and you will need to remove the hardwood flooring.

[villagetinker]

Thanks for the information. We are aware of the ARC regulations and plan to have our contractor take care of the permits. Because we plan to have engineered hardwood floors throughout the house except for bathrooms, one company recommended laying the new hardwood over existing tile and old hardwood as they are not damaged. Another company advises against it. Any thoughts?

IMHO, I would not lay the new floor over the old one as you are going to have clearance problems. Also, with this type of installation the installer usually just installs quarter round along the walls, we do not like the look.

Also, if the new flooring is not installed under the refrigerator you will have lots of problems getting it out over the hump of the new flooring.
This approach is cheaper and quicker installation, but will have future problems that you (the home owner) will need to contend with.
Hope this helps.

[Carla B]

If it was my decision, I'd go ahead with tearing up the old tile, no matter how unpleasant it seems. The contractor can put up visqueen to contain most of the mess, and you'll be happier in the long run with a job done correctly.

[Celebrator]

Again, thanks for the advise. I am still gathering information regarding the floors and lanai extension. The comments and suggestions you all have provided are very helpful. Any other suggestions would be appreciated.

[alemorkam]

Be sure to check with Seniors Against Crime in Lady Lake before hiring a contractor. There are many with lots of complaints against them, one even has 25 is still expanding lanais.

[Celebrator]

Thanks for the reminder. I will do that.

[Carla B]

You might also want electrical and plumbing connections to one area of the lanai, in case you want to put a water feature there.

[theorem painter]

If you haven't gotten an estimate from Demetri Homes you should give Jim Arvanitis a call. They put an addition on our home and I can't sing their praises enough! They have been in business for over 20 years and they suggested things that I never would have thought of.

[Bosoxfan]

Have you thought of tile that looks like a wood floor. We had laminate in our first home here and although beautiful leaving a window open while we slept at night was something we couldn't do in fear of getting the floor wet!! In the home we have now our enclosed lanai has a beachy looking tile floor that looks like a bleached out wood plank floor and we love it!! I love not having to worry about leaving a window open or the lanai open without anything getting wet...Just a thought!

[rdhdleo]

We did that last year a high end laminate over a bad time job! Yes it was slightly higher no one noticed . It turned out great and less expensive and cleaner!

[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]

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.

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.