My wife and I are are looking at homes and the lanai questions are our concern

[ComingfromCT]

We are looking at preowned homes and we aren't sure if we would be OK with just a screened in lanai or if it needs to be enclosed. If it should be enclosed what should we be looking for? Some homes have nicely enclosed lanais but they are more expensive. Some say you need acrylic windows and some glass and .......... on and on.

Is there some good basic wisdom from you all?? I know everyone is different but is there any general consensus? I would think that due to the heat that we would need an enclosed lanai to be able to spend time out there most or all of the year. I know I sound like such a rookie but we really are perplexed. Thank you in advance!!

[bandsdavis]

Just our 2 cents, of course, but we hardly ever use our basic screened in lanai. Once in a while in the evening in the late fall/winter/early spring months, but that's it. We bought a preowned home and the owners had made the former lanai into a fully interior Florida Room. Windows and a slider on 3 walls so we can get as much airflow as we want when the temperature is right, and it's fully under air on the same system as the rest of the house. We spend all of our time in this room, other than cooking and sleeping of course. I don't know how much it cost, but it is the reason we bought this house. By the way, our house is an At Ease model (although not the same layout as the At Ease models they are building now). Hope that helps and good luck.

[VApeople]

We have a large lanai and we enjoy sitting out there every day. We have never considered enclosing it.

Our lanai faces west, so it is great in the morning but not on summer evenings. We also have a small sitting area in front of our house that gets a lot of evening shade, so we sit there instead.

[oldtimes]

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[dewilson58]

Lanai vs. Florida room is apples & oranges.

Only enclose if you need the square footage.

I would never have a West facing lanai..........hot late afternoon sun.

[thelegges]

We sit on our lanai 300 plus days a year. If I needed another air conditioned room, I would just buy a bigger house. We have actually turned down buying a home because the lanai was enclosed.

[Toymeister]

We have had both. For the home without much of a view we enclosed it with floor to ceiling sliding glass panes (not true sliding doors). It was pleasant to read the paper there with coffee.

For the second the lanai is intricate to the pool bird cage and it has a view.

For the begonia that we are selling, screened lanai.

[retiredguy123]

In my opinion, when viewing houses, double pane glass with an HVAC system is the best, and is worth paying extra for. Single pane glass, acrylic, or regular screening add little or no extra value to the house.

[Kelevision]

I was born and raised in FL and have always been confused about why people in the villages enclose their screened lanai?

[valuemkt]

Like many things.. it depends. If you;re looking at pre-owned homes, many lanai's are only 8 feet wide. that wasn't acceptable for me. First home was pre-owned, faced east, was 15x15 and had double pane low E glass with sliding windows. Was way too warm for my liking most months. Added a mini-split and sun blocking manual shades. Gives you a room where you can add a TV and get some sound separation. Current house is also east facing (morning sun) and is 30x16, two sides of sliding glass doors, mini-split and remote controlled shades. 75" TV on solid wall, plenty of room for furniture etc. Of course you would expect to pay more for a home that has a climate controlled extra room, vs a screened porch that gets soaked during downpours.

[DAVES]

We are looking at preowned homes and we aren't sure if we would be OK with just a screened in lanai or if it needs to be enclosed. If it should be enclosed what should we be looking for? Some homes have nicely enclosed lanais but they are more expensive. Some say you need acrylic windows and some glass and .......... on and on.

Is there some good basic wisdom from you all?? I know everyone is different but is there any general consensus? I would think that due to the heat that we would need an enclosed lanai to be able to spend time out there most or all of the year. I know I sound like such a rookie but we really are perplexed. Thank you in advance!!

Like most things no shortage of differing OPINIONS. So confession, we have screens.
Inventory is tight. Enclosed lanais more expensive? Only if there is a buyer who thinks it is worth more. As to plexiglass vs glass. Plexiglass is plastic. It is easily scratched.
Glass is well glass. There is thicker glass and there is safety glass both less likely to break. Property on a golf course? If, someone hits your glass it seems they are not liable according to previous threads. Proper air conditioning adds to the square footage of the home and increases TAX. It is unlikely that a home with an ac lanai has proper permits due to that reason.

[Garywt]

We have enclosed ours. Two double slides and one triple slide which lets plenty of air in. With is closed it keeps our furniture nice and dry when it rains. We feel we have the best of both worlds.

[Papa_lecki]

Our lanai is screened - it just makes sense for Florida. It’s east facing.
Definitely think about the sun rising/setting when buying

We rented with glassed climate controlled lanais - it was nice for afternoon naps, but we didnt watch too much TV in them.

[Becca9800]

We have a screened lanai, and horrors of horrors, our lanai faces west. The only time it's uncomfortable is for about the last hour before sunset and only in the Fall & Winter (no leaves on the trees). In Spring and Summer, the trees block the setting sun. Wind-blown rain will come inside the lanai, in my case, about a foot inside. Indoor/outdoor rugs and furniture is the fix. When it does get wet, it's dry in 10 minutes. Rain hasn't been an issue for us. When we were house shopping, a screened space was a must-have. I have a screened patio up north, and I love that space too.

[tuccillo]

In reality, having AC for an enclosed lanai does not increase the property tax. Enclosing your lanai doesn't increase your property tax either unless you remove the sliding glass doors to the interior. If you use a reputable AC contractor, they will pull any required permits.

Like most things no shortage of differing OPINIONS. So confession, we have screens.
Inventory is tight. Enclosed lanais more expensive? Only if there is a buyer who thinks it is worth more. As to plexiglass vs glass. Plexiglass is plastic. It is easily scratched.
Glass is well glass. There is thicker glass and there is safety glass both less likely to break. Property on a golf course? If, someone hits your glass it seems they are not liable according to previous threads. Proper air conditioning adds to the square footage of the home and increases TAX. It is unlikely that a home with an ac lanai has proper permits due to that reason.

[V&VofWV]

Agree with Toccilo In enclosing our lanai we had the floor raised to the same level as the house, had an electrical circuit added (outlets in floor) and used double pane low e glass along with a mini split a/c unit. We left the sliding glass door to the lanai in place. We are located in Sumter County and taxes did NOT raise. The contractor(s) we used each obtained the required county permits. Can't speak for Lake or Marion County. I would suggest that you contact the appropriate county for information on taxes. Just as an aside, be cognizant that some areas of The Villages are located in Wildwood, Lady Lake and Fruitland Park corporate limits. In those areas, in addition to the county taxes, you are also assessed for city taxes. Also be aware that taxes on preowned houses may be higher than shown on county records as taxes for a new owner are based on an assessment at the time of purchase.

County officials can provide you with information concerning building requirements, permits and tax information. Would suggest you call them. Sumter County (352) 689-4400.

[JohnN]

Do what works best for you.

We have a screened lanai and love it. We like the outdoors and the bugs/lizards/dirt are really not so much to deal with for us. We didn't need nor want any more "indoor" space since one of our bedrooms serves as a cozy den. We did paint the lanai floor and got an outdoor rug for it and seems pretty nice to me.

If you want it enclosed, then you've lots of options and I'm sure others will give good advice from their perspective. My humble point is just to do what works for you.

[UpNorth]

Dust and pollen are the main reason we enclosed our lanai with windows. The yellow pollen you see on your car will easily cover everything in your lanai if it only has screens. Wind blown rain and humidity may also restrict you from having nice furniture in your lanai if it only has screening. Some of this may or may not bother you.

[Woodbear]

Agree with Toccilo In enclosing our lanai we had the floor raised to the same level as the house, had an electrical circuit added (outlets in floor) and used double pane low e glass along with a mini split a/c unit. We left the sliding glass door to the lanai in place. We are located in Sumter County and taxes did NOT raise. The contractor(s) we used each obtained the required county permits. Can't speak for Lake or Marion County. I would suggest that you contact the appropriate county for information on taxes. Just as an aside, be cognizant that some areas of The Villages are located in Wildwood, Lady Lake and Fruitland Park corporate limits. In those areas, in addition to the county taxes, you are also assessed for city taxes. Also be aware that taxes on preowned houses may be higher than shown on county records as taxes for a new owner are based on an assessment at the time of purchase.
County officials can provide you with information concerning building requirements, permits and tax information. Would suggest you call them. Sumter County (352) 689-4400.

We are building new (design in 2 weeks) and have been told if we ever think of enclosing in the lanai, raise the lanai floor NOW in design. Would anyone see a negative in raising the floor and in turn maybe someday leaving it a screened space? Our plan was to enclose the lanai but use sliders to maintain ability to have screen. FYI, we are facing NW in the lanai.

[Papa_lecki]

We are building new (design in 2 weeks) and have been told if we ever think of enclosing in the lanai, raise the lanai floor NOW in design. Would anyone see a negative in raising the floor and in turn maybe someday leaving it a screened space? Our plan was to enclose the lanai but use sliders to maintain ability to have screen. FYI, we are facing NW in the lanai.

The reason you would NOT raise the floor if the lanai is screened is rain - rain could fill up and come under sliders.
The lower floor allows rain to drain

[patfla06]

Previously posted.

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[patfla06]

We lived here 3 years and enclosed our lanai. Tired of the dirt and pollen and rain.
We face east so no need for shades.
Also put in a/c / heat & insulated over lanai.
Use it year round and it kept me sane during Covid.

[JeanC]

We live being out in the fresh air. Hot or cold. We love our screen lanai. Use it EVERY day. Seems to me if I wanted an enclosed lanai I would’ve just gotten a bigger house instead. I have all the air conditioned square feet I need. No desire to enclose lanai for more.

[drgoofy]

We bought a house with enclosed & ACd lanai and added a birdcage. We are extremely happy with our choices.

[DiandJay]

We have a screen only lanai. It faces south, but we’re on a corner lot and also get the pretty sunset views to the west. It is a lovely breezy space.
It can get hot in the evening during the very warmest days. However, my only 2 issues are; that it gets rather dirty (pollen, dirt and bugs small enough to get through the screens), and I have to tarp my furniture when it rains.
I would love to enclose it with sliding doors to reduce the dirt and keep things dry in the frequent summer rain.

[Girlcopper]

I was born and raised in FL and have always been confused about why people in the villages enclose their screened lanai?
You just answered your own question. Born and raised vs retired from up north. You know theres a huge difference. You grew up with the heat, others didnt. You cant compare them to you and I personally prefer an enclosed lanai. I can still slide all the windows up and open the door anytime I want

[DotComMom]

We are building new (design in 2 weeks) and have been told if we ever think of enclosing in the lanai, raise the lanai floor NOW in design. Would anyone see a negative in raising the floor and in turn maybe someday leaving it a screened space? Our plan was to enclose the lanai but use sliders to maintain ability to have screen. FYI, we are facing NW in the lanai.

We finished design in June and raised the lanai floor. Which is actually 3/4” lower than house floor but they slope the concrete on the lanai away from the house, so that water that may get in drains away from the house.

[bowlingal]

try to make sure that the lanai does not face west. North or east is much better....no sun in the afternoon

[Pillowtalk]

Our lanai was fully in screened with a small birdcage. We enclosed our lanai with glass doors on all three sides with AC. We put a outdoor kitchen in the birdcage, had a cover put on the bird cage. Seeing that we wanted to be able to sit outside also we put an attached totally screened in pergola (not a fan of birdcages) with motorized screens and a fan. We could of put a “Santa Fe” roof (looks like a carport roof) but decided against it because wanted open air space. So now we can open all those sliders (650 sq ft) and everything out there is opened up for that outdoor feeling.

[Ghat724@gmail.com]

We he enclosed our lanai years ago and mixed in A/C and ceiling fan. We also built an addition and expanded the carport. We enjoy the largeness of nearly 1600 square feet. We now enjoy a great room effect. We have 6 ceiling fans and 2 large skylights. We have plenty of room for family gatherings. We also leave FL during the very hot, humid summers. We also received offers to purchase that significantly exceed those of our neighbors
It is your choice!

[Villages Kahuna]

Whichever you choose, make sure the lanai faces east. Facing west or southwest and you’ll bake every afternoon.

[jimkerr]

Now that I have an enclosed lanai with a mini split, I’d never go back to a screened lanai. If I want the enjoyment of the outside air, all I have to do is open my sliding windows. Also, enclosing your lanai and adding a/c does NOT increase your taxes. People that are saying that in this thread obviously don’t have theirs enclosed and don’t know what they’re talking about.

You are welcome to come by to see ours if you like.

[dolphin]

We have a linai and recently enclose with single pain glass bu custom windows. Did not need double pain (twice as much). CW even said 80% at present single pane. The reason for enclosure was we face southwest. During summer excessive. Got an AC unit as well. Best decision we made. Use it every day!!! We also have a birdcage if we want fresh air. As well as two sliders on linai. BIGGER a issue in my opinion I’d WIDTH of linai. 8 ft width is way to confining!!!!

[Raton270]

We’ve had both…glass over acrylic but we love our open lanai we just had a cover installed on the top so you can sit out when it’s raining. Open and cover on lanai roof. The best.

[GRACEALLEMAN]

We are looking at preowned homes and we aren't sure if we would be OK with just a screened in lanai or if it needs to be enclosed. If it should be enclosed what should we be looking for? Some homes have nicely enclosed lanais but they are more expensive. Some say you need acrylic windows and some glass and .......... on and on.

Is there some good basic wisdom from you all?? I know everyone is different but is there any general consensus? I would think that due to the heat that we would need an enclosed lanai to be able to spend time out there most or all of the year. I know I sound like such a rookie but we really are perplexed. Thank you in advance!!

We like sitting in our screened lanai in the morning... Sun not as hot and we own one third of an acre that backs to a forest.... In the afternoons we like to sit in the front of our house where in the front of our house where the sun is not as bad. Ah as bad. Also did you know that if you add permanent enclosure it is considered another structure to your home You will have to pay for that added space on your taxes. It is considered a room addition to the square footage of your home so you will have to pay for that if you enclose it with glass or make it permanent

[La lamy]

I prefer enclosed. It's easy enough to go outside if you want to be outside, but an enclosed lanai or Florida room is usually the best place to be on a warm/hot afternoon for me.

[mike1946]

When we bought our house we had just a screened lanai - every time it rained I was cleaning liquid mud from the floor - so we decided to enclose it with hard screen acrylic windows that slide open ...I then also connected it to the main house A/C with a shutoff screen installed. Now we have the best of all worlds ...an A/C extra room if we need it. a non A/C extra room with the acrylics closed and an open lanai with all the acrylics open !!!

[maggie1]

We are looking at preowned homes and we aren't sure if we would be OK with just a screened in lanai or if it needs to be enclosed. If it should be enclosed what should we be looking for? Some homes have nicely enclosed lanais but they are more expensive. Some say you need acrylic windows and some glass and .......... on and on.

Is there some good basic wisdom from you all?? I know everyone is different but is there any general consensus? I would think that due to the heat that we would need an enclosed lanai to be able to spend time out there most or all of the year. I know I sound like such a rookie but we really are perplexed. Thank you in advance!!

Let me tell you from my perspective. When my wife and I purchased a FSBO Colony patio villa the lanai was screened in. It also had carpeting on the lanai floor which had become discolored from the sunlight. After about a week, we had our first hard rain which promptly soaked the carpet. It was at that point we decided to not only install glass, but tile the floor as well. When they removed the carpet, the floor was covered with mold that had to be removed.. I don't remember the cost, but whatever it was, was well worth what we paid. At some point, you may want to sell your home, and an enclosed lanai will be an attractive feature in moving it.

[donfey]

We are looking at preowned homes and we aren't sure if we would be OK with just a screened in lanai or if it needs to be enclosed. If it should be enclosed what should we be looking for? Some homes have nicely enclosed lanais but they are more expensive. Some say you need acrylic windows and some glass and .......... on and on.

Is there some good basic wisdom from you all?? I know everyone is different but is there any general consensus? I would think that due to the heat that we would need an enclosed lanai to be able to spend time out there most or all of the year. I know I sound like such a rookie but we really are perplexed. Thank you in advance!!

We bought a home with a West facing lanai and an East facing front "porch." We added a full screen to the porch so that we can sit "where the sun is" when it's cooler in the mornings or when it's cooler outside, and in the shaded side when it's warmer. We love having that flexibility, which allows us to be "outside" more of the time. Both the porch and the lanai have ceiling fans.

[banjobob]

Enclosed with opening sliding windows allows use in cooler days with widows closed open on warm breezy days , best of both worlds glass is better than vinyl sliding windows.

[golfing eagles]

We are looking at preowned homes and we aren't sure if we would be OK with just a screened in lanai or if it needs to be enclosed. If it should be enclosed what should we be looking for? Some homes have nicely enclosed lanais but they are more expensive. Some say you need acrylic windows and some glass and .......... on and on.

Is there some good basic wisdom from you all?? I know everyone is different but is there any general consensus? I would think that due to the heat that we would need an enclosed lanai to be able to spend time out there most or all of the year. I know I sound like such a rookie but we really are perplexed. Thank you in advance!!

Well, welcome to TOTV. You have now received the entire spectrum of responses to your question, as usual. At least the topic is neutral so the responses were civil.

It seems to me a lot of the responses depended on what type of lanai the owner originally had. What size, orientation, size of house already, does it have a roof or is it a birdcage, etc. So, I guess you'll have to take those factors into account and make the best decision you can. Good luck and welcome!

[irishwonone]

We are looking at preowned homes and we aren't sure if we would be OK with just a screened in lanai or if it needs to be enclosed. If it should be enclosed what should we be looking for? Some homes have nicely enclosed lanais but they are more expensive. Some say you need acrylic windows and some glass and .......... on and on.

Is there some good basic wisdom from you all?? I know everyone is different but is there any general consensus? I would think that due to the heat that we would need an enclosed lanai to be able to spend time out there most or all of the year. I know I sound like such a rookie but we really are perplexed. Thank you in advance!!
Great question. It really comes down to personal preference. We rented a home on the golf course that had a great view and so the open lanai was great. We purchased a designer home NOT on golf course but no houses directly behind our lanai. Our neighbors never use their outdoor lanai until Fall. After living in Florida for 50 plus years I can’t imagine sitting in the heat in June, July, August. It’s not dry heat! If you have a swimming pool that changes everything. Jump in cool down relax. During the late Fall and winter months the outdoor lanai can be very comfortable. Being in Florida gives you lots of great options. Just think of all the pools, golf courses, and, amenities here in TV. Our home has enclosed lanai with sliding windows and we love it. I’m sure you’ll pick what’s best for your family. Welcome to the Villages!

[Annie66]

Five years ago, we purchased a Wisteria model with a north-facing 9'x17' screened lanai. The lanai was just a bit too narrow for us which factored heavily into our decision to ultimately bump out the lanai an additional 8'. This made it a very usable 17'x20' room. We enclosed our new Florida room with five double-paned, low-E sliders that added 25' of wrap-around windows. We had our contractor (DnJ Construction) raise the floor to match the house, took out the slider doors and added a 12000 BTU Mitsubishi split AC unit****. Later on, we installed double cell shades (white on the outside to reflect the heat) which gives the room absolute privacy at night and keeps the room much cooler during the day.

For us, the extension added an additional 340 SQFT to the house which upped our taxes $180/year. We spent $32K to add the room, and almost immediately our estimated resale value jumped ~$41K.

We spend much of out time in the Florida room, and we could not be happier with our decision. Of course, for you, the decision is personal on your likes and dislikes. For us, it was a no brainer ...... have a screened lanai that we used infrequently or a beautiful room that gets extensive use.

*** BTW, the new mini split unit was a god-send when our main AC unit died for 9 days last summer. Besides, the unit was able to keep much of the house cooler and with considerably lower humidity.

[bilcon]

I was born and raised in FL and have always been confused about why people in the villages enclose their screened lanai?

I understand that if you live in areas of Florida with more potential for hurricanes you won't enclose your lanai. I came from up north and there is nothing I enjoy more than sitting out on my lanai.What I hate most is getting eaten alive by bugs., That's why you put screens in, to keep out the creatures. I love the outdoors and would never think of enclosing my lanai with windows and walls. I want to be outdoors.That's why I moved to Florida . It is just my preference.

[Miss B GA]

After a couple of years with a screened in lanai, I enclosed mine with glass sliders. Game changer! No more heat, water, dirt, pollen, lizards, etc. to deal with. Now, regardless of the weather, I sit in there in my comfortable chair and read, drink my coffee or cocktail and enjoy. Plus, it cuts down on the noise from nearby neighbors.

[golfing eagles]

Well, welcome to TOTV. You have now received the entire spectrum of responses to your question, as usual. At least the topic is neutral so the responses were civil.

It seems to me a lot of the responses depended on what type of lanai the owner originally had. What size, orientation, size of house already, does it have a roof or is it a birdcage, etc. So, I guess you'll have to take those factors into account and make the best decision you can. Good luck and welcome!

As a follow up, My lanai is just the original screened type. I have a great golf course view and it faces east with a full roof and is 17' x 50', so I wouldn't enclose it. It sits 2 feet above ground level, so mud is not a problem. It is level with the house floor, but pitched away, and I had drains installed in the bottom aluminum rail so it can be power washed. Unless there is and wind driven rain, it only gets wet less than 2 feet from the edge.
Now, if I had a 6x8 birdcage facing west at ground level, I would have done something to improve that.

[Dawn H]

It certainly is individual preference. We would never enclose our lanai.
We enjoy our east facing lanai in the evening when shady and our west facing front porch in the morning shade.
With that being said, rain does blow into the lanai on occasion getting our outdoor furniture wet. We chose the furniture accordingly and it’s not a problem for us.
Most months we enjoy sitting outside in either location… Exception being when very humid which is mainly summer. Other months we find it pleasant.
Good luck with your search.

[giorgio1948]

We are looking at preowned homes and we aren't sure if we would be OK with just a screened in lanai or if it needs to be enclosed. If it should be enclosed what should we be looking for? Some homes have nicely enclosed lanais but they are more expensive. Some say you need acrylic windows and some glass and .......... on and on.

Is there some good basic wisdom from you all?? I know everyone is different but is there any general consensus? I would think that due to the heat that we would need an enclosed lanai to be able to spend time out there most or all of the year. I know I sound like such a rookie but we really are perplexed. Thank you in advance!!

We enclosed our Lanai. Now we have an "additional room" that can be used all year round. Put in a small ac and you're all set. :)

[Dendrn]

We own Sarasota model overlooking water with eastern exposure. Lanai 1,000sf and we love it screened and would not enclose. We have large screen TV and built in fireplace. I enjoy sitting out there with the fans on. I have indoor outdoor rugs and sunbrella furniture which dries quickly if it even gets wet which only happens in the birdcaged whirlpool area. We do have one retractable screen between lanai and birdcage which blocks any wind and rain. We can sit at table in pouring rain. I love the screen and recommend. I really never wanted another room as we have plenty of room in our home. Outdoor space priceless.

[Hiltongrizz11]

We are looking at preowned homes and we aren't sure if we would be OK with just a screened in lanai or if it needs to be enclosed. If it should be enclosed what should we be looking for? Some homes have nicely enclosed lanais but they are more expensive. Some say you need acrylic windows and some glass and .......... on and on.

Is there some good basic wisdom from you all?? I know everyone is different but is there any general consensus? I would think that due to the heat that we would need an enclosed lanai to be able to spend time out there most or all of the year. I know I sound like such a rookie but we really are perplexed. Thank you in advance!!

I think it largely depends on where you're moving from. We moved from near Buffalo New York so we completely enjoy our screened linai I almost everyday of the year If only to sit out in the morning on those cold days. Even the cold days are much warmer than anything we're used to in the off-season!

We wouldn't think of enclosing our Lanai.

[Hiltongrizz11]

I understand that if you live in areas of Florida with more potential for hurricanes you won't enclose your lanai. I came from up north and there is nothing I enjoy more than sitting out on my lanai.What I hate most is getting eaten alive by bugs., That's why you put screens in, to keep out the creatures. I love the outdoors and would never think of enclosing my lanai with windows and walls. I want to be outdoors.That's why I moved to Florida . It is just my preference.


We too move from up north, between Rochester and Buffalo. We have our screened and the floor tiled. We spend by far and large the most time on our Lanai every single day. Rain or shine cold or hot that's where we'll be. And we absolutely love it.

[golfing eagles]

We too move from up north, between Rochester and Buffalo. We have our screened and the floor tiled. We spend by far and large the most time on our Lanai every single day. Rain or shine cold or hot that's where we'll be. And we absolutely love it.

I know the feeling, having moved from between Rochester and Syracuse

[Mlogan22@tampabay.rr.com]

Curious about drains in your railing. I would love this. Never saw them before. Where can I see them? Thank you.

[graciegirl]

We are looking at preowned homes and we aren't sure if we would be OK with just a screened in lanai or if it needs to be enclosed. If it should be enclosed what should we be looking for? Some homes have nicely enclosed lanais but they are more expensive. Some say you need acrylic windows and some glass and .......... on and on.

Is there some good basic wisdom from you all?? I know everyone is different but is there any general consensus? I would think that due to the heat that we would need an enclosed lanai to be able to spend time out there most or all of the year. I know I sound like such a rookie but we really are perplexed. Thank you in advance!!

Glassed in Lanai's can be added. We glassed ours in seven years after we built. I don't think you need make that decision now. Find a house that you like, where you like it, at a price you are comfortable with and buy it. But don't wait very long. They are selling quickly.

[graciegirl]

I would never consider enclosing our lanai. If I had wanted to be stuck inside I would have stayed up north. We thoroughly enjoy our outside space.

I think it fair to mention that all screened rooms here get very dirty, very quickly. VERY dirty.

[NotGolfer]

It's personal preference. We bought a brand-new Sun Kist model and used the screened lanai that first fall/winter/spring. BUT then summer came (it faces the east) it was too hot....never used it. Then it got really dirty with the weather. about the 5th year we enclosed it...made it into an actual room. The floor is raised to meet the rest of the house. We had the slider moved to one end so there are glass sliding windows (with screens) that have a knee-height wall. Our house was small enough that more heat and air wasn't needed. I don't know that it has increased the taxes on our house but then again it's a small house. We've used it as a "sun-room". Had a couch out there and a chair or two. We would do this again.

****edit. Before the remodel it was essentially a small screen porch. It's set higher as the lot slopes so no mud ever splashed in. It was just dirty from dust etc.

[golfing eagles]

Curious about drains in your railing. I would love this. Never saw them before. Where can I see them? Thank you.

There's a guy who installs them. They are about 1 1/2" high, 5-6" wide, and have a "swinging" door with perforations for water drainage that can open for larger debris. He cuts a hole in the base railing of the aluminum and these slide right in. I think they cost about $40 each, but you'll need multiple drains depending on the size of you lanai. I'm out of town now but will PM you if I can find out who it was and with some pix. If you don't hear in a week, send me a reminder

[Darield]

We are looking at preowned homes and we aren't sure if we would be OK with just a screened in lanai or if it needs to be enclosed. If it should be enclosed what should we be looking for? Some homes have nicely enclosed lanais but they are more expensive. Some say you need acrylic windows and some glass and .......... on and on.

Is there some good basic wisdom from you all?? I know everyone is different but is there any general consensus? I would think that due to the heat that we would need an enclosed lanai to be able to spend time out there most or all of the year. I know I sound like such a rookie but we really are perplexed. Thank you in advance!!

As you can see, opinions vary greatly. We have a closed in Lanai with sliders on 3 sides and it is perfect for us. There is plenty of air flow when it is cool enough or we can air condition it so it is usable year around. My sisters screened in birdcage requires a lot more cleaning and furniture wears out quickly just as it would if it was outside patio furniture.

[Stu from NYC]

We were in a rush to move here (our house in Va sold much faster than expected) and the lanai had a western exposure. Way to hot to stay there during the afternoon summer days.

We converted the lanai to a Florida room with double pain low e glass and so much better and gives us a lot more room.

Still debating putting in a split A/C.

[Old Bob]

We are looking at preowned homes and we aren't sure if we would be OK with just a screened in lanai or if it needs to be enclosed. If it should be enclosed what should we be looking for? Some homes have nicely enclosed lanais but they are more expensive. Some say you need acrylic windows and some glass and .......... on and on.

Is there some good basic wisdom from you all?? I know everyone is different but is there any general consensus? I would think that due to the heat that we would need an enclosed lanai to be able to spend time out there most or all of the year. I know I sound like such a rookie but we really are perplexed. Thank you in advance!!

I love my screened in lanai. I love the fresh air. If you close it in, it is not a lanai anymore. It is just another room.

[grfmus03]

Love our screened in lanai! So true that it gives us a great place to be without worrying about bugs. Most important is the direction the lanai faces. Most of the ones that face the west need shading or get enclosed because it can get so hot in the late afternoon. Ours faces SE in the morning so we can sit out and have breakfast in the sun and after sunset we enjoy using an app to spy into the night sky for constellations, etc. Again - the direction the lanai faces is so important!

[Jdasta]

We enclosed our lanai because we got tired of mildewed floors and furniture. And, we wanted more privacy. We can watch TV on lanai without disturbing our neighbors or hearing noise of neighbors on their screened lanais. Double-insulated, low e glass with sliding windows and screens and the mini HVAC. Can slide open the windows whenever we want. We keep our sliding doors open from house to lanai, and it makes the house seem so much more spacious. To us, an enclosed lanai is a must have.

[Jdasta]

We are building new (design in 2 weeks) and have been told if we ever think of enclosing in the lanai, raise the lanai floor NOW in design. Would anyone see a negative in raising the floor and in turn maybe someday leaving it a screened space? Our plan was to enclose the lanai but use sliders to maintain ability to have screen. FYI, we are facing NW in the lanai.

If floor is raised and you then decide to enclose it, then you will have to pay more in taxes. You can call the property tax office, and they will tell you about the 3 classifications of rooms.

[Malsua]

Whichever you choose, make sure the lanai faces east. Facing west or southwest and you’ll bake every afternoon.

This. We own two villas. In one the Lanai faces south east and the other faces Northeast. The Northeast facing villa is great, quite usable most of the time. The other one is ok and can kinda cook a bit during the midday. I cannot imagine a southern or western facing one without AC.

[cj1040]

It depends on how close you back up to other houses, what direction the house faces, and your tolerance for warm weather. Example..we are on a pond so no worries about nearby conversations, and we chose to build with the lanai facing south so we avoid the direct morning and evening sun that facing west would have... very unpleasant. We have an open lanai and pool and would never want to enclose it...that is what the living room area is for! The fans on the lanai are enough if needed. I would say to mainly focus on AVOIDING a western facing lanai, followed by eastern facing to maximize enjoyment of the room. I have heard that replacing the screens with windows and adding a mini split are insanely expensive. If you buy a pre owned you can bargain if that is what you want.

[pattik]

My lanai faces east and we're able to use our open lanai year round. We have cieling fans that we use this time of year. If you face north or east you should be able to enjoy your lanai. However, if your lanai faces south or west you most likely would want to enclose your lanai and add a room air conditioner.

[OhioBuckeye]

We are looking at preowned homes and we aren't sure if we would be OK with just a screened in lanai or if it needs to be enclosed. If it should be enclosed what should we be looking for? Some homes have nicely enclosed lanais but they are more expensive. Some say you need acrylic windows and some glass and .......... on and on.

Is there some good basic wisdom from you all?? I know everyone is different but is there any general consensus? I would think that due to the heat that we would need an enclosed lanai to be able to spend time out there most or all of the year. I know I sound like such a rookie but we really are perplexed. Thank you in advance!!
We had a Lilac Designer home & the Lanai’s are long but very narrow. When it rained water would be all the way to the Linai door going into the house. If it’s got a big Lanai personally I like the fresh air. If it’s like the one we had, put windows in. Just my opinion!

[WelchNH]

Everybody's opinion is right for them. I purchased my home in the Villages in 2017: the house was built in 2001. A previous owner had enclosed the lanai, removing the sliders for a double wide entry into the main house. It was then tiled, added double paned windows, added an additional wall cutout into the kitchen, and a separate Mitsubishi heat/AC added, and two ceiling fans added. The work was legally permited and I'm not sure how much it added to the taxes ( I don't think it was much). The finished lanai is about 9' x 29' and the room is south facing. Since the lanai is open to the house, I have never used the Mitsubishi unit, but rely solely on my home's current heating/ cooling system. On very warm days, I often run the fan over the chair I use for reading. I can open the windows or the back door (to which I added a screen door)- I rarely do so. In the front of my house, the entryway is fully screened with patio furniture I installed- I've never used it. I live alone, the total sq. ft. of my house (including the lanai) is 1650 sq. ft. I spend most of my time in the lanai area, where I have my reading section and a home office. I moved to TV from NH and wasn't used to A/C, but I find most weather in FL to need A/C in the hot months. This enclosed lanai was a primary factor in deciding to purchase this house. As I noted, the key criteria is what is (really) important to you. You're welcome to contact me if you want to see the house. Good luck and try to remember that the opinions of others are just their opinions and may not be relevant to your needs.

[Jawskid6044]

We have had both glass & acrylic. Glass is much better if you’re going to add a mini-split. This will add an extra room to your house.

[Michiganders]

We moved from Michigan almost 4 years ago and still like our east facing screened lanai. We did install blinds on it which enables us to sit out there in morning with no problem. Even in the afternoon heat or evening, when you put fan on, its comfortable. We dont need more sq.ft.in our house to add enclosed lanai as of yet. We moved to Florida to enjoy the weather. We have outdoor furniture out there, so no problem with weather. We dont use it as much when weather gets real cold or if rain is coming from east. We have a tv out there so use it quite a bit. We looked for a house that the lanai does not face west. Have seen some beautiful enclosed lanais but not what we want at this point.

[butlerism]

Some quick points or feedback.

1- Do not by a house with a pool, many here are fed up with the pool service companies..... frankly we have over 40 pools here. It is a 365 day per year money pit if you own one that you will never use.

2- The use of your lanai can be quantified much easier by the lot you decide upon.
a- My house backs up to a preserve, the morning breakfast and coffee times are indispensible.
Gorgeous sunrises and sunsets. Then add in the wildlife.
b- Lake houses are equally nice. Mostly cause no one is right behind you. Keep in mind that for a
lake house, it is your responsibility to mow all the way to the lake. and then there are alligators.
c - I have my Lanai enclosed with acrylic windows and screens. Very good combination.
In the heat of the summer it makes for an excellent drying room for towels and swimsuits.
In the very very hot part of summer days, you can write off the Lanai. Mine was up to 102 degrees
with the windows shut.
d- golf course behind you? If you are a light sleeper, do you want golf cart noises and people chatter
behind you in early morning. I don't.

3- then there are the birdcage Lanais and the overhanging roof Lanai. I have an over hang. I simply use a box fan to push the cooler air into the Lanai for rapid air exchange.

4- In the cooler months the Lanai with windows is perfect, you will appreciate the windows to keep the cooler air and the ground smoke out (ground smoke is the creepy fog that rolls in as the day heats up around 5:00 am ish). I always say it is the spirits coming to get you.

5 - The rains. we get so much heavy rain, it will soak your Lanai. Hence the overhang with gutters.

6 - Grilling. The birdcage style will allow you to grill inside the Lanai. But I personally would not want to gunk up the screens with grilling effects.

7 - Happy hour is at 5

TTYL

PM me if you want pics. I can send via cell. Much easier.

Also small tid bit. I live on Madero in Santo Domingo. Everyone here is generation 1 residents. Hence many of the houses over here are turning over. My next door neighbors, both are in assisted living now. Broken hip and he had a massive Heart attack as his sweety for over 65 years was hospitalized. Sweet couple, makes me sad.

[Ben Franklin]

We just had a regular, screened lanai, when we moved here. When it rained the lanai would always get wet, and we could not use it, whenever it rained. So we had Custom Windows and Exterior Design, enclose our Lanai with sliding glass tinted windows, that slide all the way to one side. Now we can watch the great thunder and lighting shows from our Lanai and it doesn't get soak either, like it used to do.

Here's Custom Windows web site, so you can look at some of their glass enclosed lanais.
Custom Windows R Us – Custom Windows and Exterior Design (https://customwindowsrus.com/)

[butlerism]

We enclosed our lanai because we got tired of mildewed floors and furniture. And, we wanted more privacy. We can watch TV on lanai without disturbing our neighbors or hearing noise of neighbors on their screened lanais. Double-insulated, low e glass with sliding windows and screens and the mini HVAC. Can slide open the windows whenever we want. We keep our sliding doors open from house to lanai, and it makes the house seem so much more spacious. To us, an enclosed lanai is a must have.
Too funny. With the hearing aids nowadays, the neighbors 3 houses away can hear a pin drop. It is true.

[donassaid]

Best of both worlds. We have a fully enclosed lanai with full length plexiglass sliders with screens that provides full ventilation, an awning to shield the afternoon sun and a portable air conditioner for when it gets too warm. If we open our screened front door, tge door to tge lanai and the sliders, we get full ventilation.

[Dorebea]

We have had both. For the home without much of a view we enclosed it with floor to ceiling sliding glass panes (not true sliding doors). It was pleasant to read the paper there with coffee.

For the second the lanai is intricate to the pool bird cage and it has a view.

For the begonia that we are selling, screened lanai.

We are looking for a house. Where is your Begonia located? Can you DM me with details if still available?

[seetshaw]

We built our home 20 years ago. The “lanai” that came with the house, we extended and made into our “sunroom “ overlooking the lake and golf course. We later added a lanai for the hot tub and/ or company picnics. We use the sunroom daily and now the lanai rarely. It is too hot to s it outside most of the time and besides you’re busy doing stuff here in the Villages!

[rogerk]

Tax basis is NOT based on just whether the lanai has AC or not. Much more involved than that. Call your county tax collector’s office and they can give you the facts! In Sumter County we enclosed the lanai, put in a split ductless ac, got all the permits and it did NOT affect our tax basis!

[Barborv]

We bought our house right before the pandemic. We are not retired yet so we haven't been down here much. I am down here for a month and we have been getting estimates to glass in the lanai. The way to go is double pane glass. We have a north facing lanai so its nice. I wouldn't enclose it unless we add a birdcage. If you leave the sliding doors from the house its not considered part of the living space and call the split AC/heater a dehumidifier, so again, not taxable. We have had about 4-6 companies come and each had different ideas and different materials that they use. I definitely don't want it to look like a sunroom. One company was saying to add a wall around the bottom of the lanai. to me, that's a sunroom, Someone else said top to bottom sliders. You definitely want that cross ventilation. Also remember, if you have a grill, you cannot grill in the enclosed lanai unless you get that rated inferred grill. Why bother grilling then! Best to live in the house for a year and see what your needs will be. That's what we are going to do. We will be full timers next year, and now that I know what some of my options are, I will see what suits us best.

[pgettinger01]

Most lanais have a ceiling fan(s). This helps some. There are two ways to enclose a lanai. This has to do with taxes. If it is enclosed and there is No air condition and heat and/or there is a step down to the lanai it is taxed at a lower rate. If it is enclosed and there is air condition and heat and No step down to the lanai it is taxed at a higher rate. If you decide to install an HVAC system for the lanai you will have to insulate the ceiling above the lanai. If you get a glass enclosure it might be tempered glass because there is a door single or double pane is a big price difference. It might cost $10,000 - 20,000. Prices are high right now because all the contractors are busy and the supply chain is slow.

[Briand]

We are looking at preowned homes and we aren't sure if we would be OK with just a screened in lanai or if it needs to be enclosed. If it should be enclosed what should we be looking for? Some homes have nicely enclosed lanais but they are more expensive. Some say you need acrylic windows and some glass and .......... on and on.

Is there some good basic wisdom from you all?? I know everyone is different but is there any general consensus? I would think that due to the heat that we would need an enclosed lanai to be able to spend time out there most or all of the year. I know I sound like such a rookie but we really are perplexed. Thank you in advance!!

We decided long ago - 2 years into our 12 year residence here in The Villages to get rid of the screens and make a permanent ‘room’ out of our 10 x 24 ft lanai. Double glazing and 4 huge picture windows (looking NNW onto Lake Paradise). We now spend most of our time there using it as a dining area, reading/listening room, nature ‘hide’, art studio and workshop etc. We have never regretted investing the $11,000 it cost us. Before that it was too hot in Summer and too cold in Winter to spend much time there. I also believe we will recoup the cost (if we ever sell) with ease, as all visitors are ‘gobsmacked’ by our water view year-round. We certainly enjoy it!! Do it, you will never regret it.

[Djean1981]

Personally, I would buy screened. I love being outdoors without the bugs. If you are unhappy, enclose it later. We may stain the concrete or add deck tiles. We will definitely be adding gutters to help keep it dry. We may also add a roll down shade to just one side where the sun hits the lanai in the afternoons.
Like another poster, we have a good-sized front porch as well - perfect for breakfast. :) Outside is more fun. It's a personal decision - the sun only hits our lanai from one side part of the day and we have a fence, so there are no privacy concerns.

[Marge K]

Our lanai is not enclosed and we love it! Spend quite a bit of time every morning out there reading paper with coffee. Lovely in the evening! Make sure your lanai is facing east though, west facing is brutal. We’ve had both.

[UpNorth]

Florida is the allergy capital of the USA. If you are from out of state, you may discover this very quickly. A screened lanai is something you won't be using very much.

[stebooo]

If open birdcage your. Biggest issue is rain and heat. If roofed no rain and a little cooler. Enclosed expensive but must be under AC

[gail swanson]

We are looking at preowned homes and we aren't sure if we would be OK with just a screened in lanai or if it needs to be enclosed. If it should be enclosed what should we be looking for? Some homes have nicely enclosed lanais but they are more expensive. Some say you need acrylic windows and some glass and .......... on and on.

Is there some good basic wisdom from you all?? I know everyone is different but is there any general consensus? I would think that due to the heat that we would need an enclosed lanai to be able to spend time out there most or all of the year. I know I sound like such a rookie but we really are perplexed. Thank you in advance!!
We enclosed our lanai to keep it clean. Before enclosing we had to dust it down in order to use. Now we just open it up, use it whenever we want the close again and it is always ready for use. The pollen here is a killer of cleanliness. We did a glass enclosure

[nuge2u]

We have a west facing screened lanai and even with very expensive and comfortable furniture we almost never use and I have a pool. That said unless the space has been incorporated into the house and is heated and cooled I would still just go for standard screened.

[Red Rose]

We have ours enclosed with a mini split A/C and solar shades east facing and we love it. We sit out there every morning with our coffee and newspaper. With all the rain and wind we have had this year so far, the open lanais must be a nightmare.

[kkingston57]

We bought house with enclosed lanai and wished that previous owner had not installed windows and air conditioned it. It is a now a "too" bright living room that we do not use. Considering adding a hot tub/jacuzzi. Good luck with your endeavor. There are a lot of variables.

[MaryShields]

I would never consider enclosing our lanai. If I had wanted to be stuck inside I would have stayed up north. We thoroughly enjoy our outside space.
Totally agree!

[Spikearoni]

Enclosed with opening sliding windows allows use in cooler days with widows closed open on warm breezy days , best of both worlds glass is better than vinyl sliding windows.

Totally agree with everything you said. I love to play cards and MahJongg on our enclosed and temperature-controlled lanai. We don't have to be concerned about getting wet, cold, or hot so our game is not in jeopardy. We have a bar there as well so if someone is losing badly, s/he can still enjoy oneself.:icon_wink:

[easydog]

The advantages to having the lanai "glassed in" is significant.
Protects it from the often torrential rains ... helps keep out dust and pollen.

I'm an advocate for enclosing..

Thanks
Ed Wingham village of McClure

[Canewbee]

Well for me the lanai is for outdoor living. You have your house for indoor and A/C
Consider what way your lanai is facing on how much sun you will get.
My opinion east is best

[Just jimmy]

try to make sure that the lanai does not face west. North or east is much better....no sun in the afternoon
Our lanai faces west and we love to watch the sunsets. It’s screened and would never enclose it.

[charmed59]

It depends on how big of a house you want. If you want more indoor space that is clean, dry, and mostly bug free you want a glass enclosed lanai. It will give you two living rooms, and one will be much brighter than the other, so the interior room can be used for the TV.

If you want covered outdoor space you want a screened lanai. It gives you a space for the morning breezes and to watch the storms come thru, and saves on air conditioned space.

My house is more than big enough, with a TV room and living room already, so the lanai is our outdoor space.

[PJackpot]

We enclosed ours to make it more usable. Was tired of it getting drenched during rain storms. It is now the one space we use most.

[Lynnesail]

You answered the question I was just about to ask, I would like to enlarge our lanai. But I wonder what the current building cost would be given the huge increase in building supplies.

[DeeCee Dubya]

Only thing i would suggest is endeavor to get a home where the
Lanai is facing north or northeast. You won’t have to contend with the afternoon sun.

[LizzieBorden]

Our home was new to us 16 years ago. A year after we bought it, we added a bird cage and made it larger than the lanai. Then 6 years ago, we added a canvas cover for the birdcage, and 4 years ago we added an outdoor kitchen in the birdcage. The back of our house is southern facing which means the sun rises on the left and sets on the right. We absolutely love it and spend a majority of our time out there. We have really nice comfy chairs with end tables, lamps, etc and then pole lamps and over head lighting for the outdoor kitchen…we use this after more than any other area. I love having my morning breakfast out there after we come back from playing pickleball…Is it hot, yes, somedays it is, but we have an overhead fan in the lanai section and another floor fan in the birdcage. We also enclosed the bottom portion all the way around of the lanai and the birdcage with the same siding as we have on our home. This keeps a lot of the dirt out that use to flow into the lanai/birdcage area and made a huge improvement. When it rains, we pull in the chairs close to the house to keep the cushions from getting wet. When we got north for the summer, we bring all that furniture into our home and put the dining table and chairs in the corner of the covered lanai. It works…and we love it. I think it is all personal preference. We like being able to sit outside with guest at night, having our cocktails and dinner..etc.. its so peaceful in our backyard….I dont think I would ever change that. We had a party before covid out there and was able to seat in chairs all around about 25 people. It was the best….

[KRMACK55]

Just our 2 cents, of course, but we hardly ever use our basic screened in lanai. Once in a while in the evening in the late fall/winter/early spring months, but that's it. We bought a preowned home and the owners had made the former lanai into a fully interior Florida Room. Windows and a slider on 3 walls so we can get as much airflow as we want when the temperature is right, and it's fully under air on the same system as the rest of the house. We spend all of our time in this room, other than cooking and sleeping of course. I don't know how much it cost, but it is the reason we bought this house. By the way, our house is an At Ease model (although not the same layout as the At Ease models they are building now). Hope that helps and good luck.
What is an At Ease model never heard that expression before

[Alicat5977]

Mine is enclosed and I wish it was a screened lanai. PS also from CT ,
Manchester/Vernon area

[Dgodin]

We have a south facing Lanai and use it year round. We have never considered enclosing it. We also recently added a small uncovered patio out front and are starting to use that in the evening.

[damille]

We are looking at preowned homes and we aren't sure if we would be OK with just a screened in lanai or if it needs to be enclosed. If it should be enclosed what should we be looking for? Some homes have nicely enclosed lanais but they are more expensive. Some say you need acrylic windows and some glass and .......... on and on.

Is there some good basic wisdom from you all?? I know everyone is different but is there any general consensus? I would think that due to the heat that we would need an enclosed lanai to be able to spend time out there most or all of the year. I know I sound like such a rookie but we really are perplexed. Thank you in advance!!

If you buy a home with an East facing lanai, you might just need a fan for cooling. However we bought a West facing lanai and the afternoon sun was unbearable and we couldn't use the lanai. We ultimately had the lanai glassed in and with curtains and a Mitsubishi Mini Split air conditioner, we now use the lanai more than any other room. Good luck.

[bakon]

Lanai vs. Florida room is apples & oranges.

Only enclose if you need the square footage.

I would never have a West facing lanai..........hot late afternoon sun.

But great in morning till afternoon even in July. Squares in evening till sun goes down. To each his own...

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Our lanai isn't insulated, but it has very sturdy acrylic slider windows that go almost up to the ceiling from around 2 feet off the floor, with pet-screen material on the outside of the windows (since we have an indoor cat who is not happy to learn that some neighbors have outdoor cats). From around mid-September through April we keep the slider from the inside of the house out to the lanai open for cross-ventilation and to enjoy our morning coffee, and relax and watch the neighborhood.

When it's warm out, it's way too hot out there even with the windows open. We get the morning, mid-day, AND afternoon sun beating down on the lanai so it gets pretty brutal. If the walls and ceiling had insulation I'd definitely enjoy having the slider to the house kept open. But it's not efficient to have the AC running into that room at all the way it is now.

[Kelevision]

What is an At Ease model never heard that expression before

It’s the name of one of the house models.

[ComingfromCT]

It’s the name of one of the house models.

First off ..... Thank you sooooooooooo much for all of your answers and for your willingness to share your knowledge!!! How very kind of everyone and how very helpful, even with the many differing opinions. This is a large part of why we want to come to TV. All of you and the kind and caring people that we have run into while visiting. Nice houses and great weather is wonderful but it is the people that make TV the place we want to become a part of!

Since everyone has such great ideas I only have one last question..........................
Has anyone been able to successfully grow a money tree in their backyard yet? If we could solve that tiny problem then we would have the additional money we need to buy our home and come and join all of you!

Thank you so much again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ckelly3700]

We have a 10 x 18 fixed roof screened lanai that continues into a bird cage. We ordered the cabana series, single pane glass from Custom Enclosures for enclosing the fixed roof area and can't wait to have it installed. We get water on the bird cage side when it rains and this will stop it from running into the fixed area. Also anticipate being able to close up to keep heat inside during cold days to allow more use of room year round.

[golfing eagles]

First off ..... Thank you sooooooooooo much for all of your answers and for your willingness to share your knowledge!!! How very kind of everyone and how very helpful, even with the many differing opinions. This is a large part of why we want to come to TV. All of you and the kind and caring people that we have run into while visiting. Nice houses and great weather is wonderful but it is the people that make TV the place we want to become a part of!

Since everyone has such great ideas I only have one last question..........................
Has anyone been able to successfully grow a money tree in their backyard yet? If we could solve that tiny problem then we would have the additional money we need to buy our home and come and join all of you!

Thank you so much again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm afraid we have the wrong type of soil to grow those
I'd try growing it on federal land:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

[Barborv]

pgettinger, We were told that the step from house to lanai doesn't effect your taxes whether its a step down or level. If you remove the sliders, then it is considered part of house and is taxed. As far as the mini split, the companies put in a dehumidifier, not taxed, and change it out to the split ac/heater after .
.

[dadspet]

We love our west facing screened in Lanai and use it almost every morning for breakfast and even many evenings. Probably it has a lot to do with our beautiful pond, golf course view. If we want to eat inside we still have a beautiful view to the outside thru the wall of sliding glass doors. We didn't need to add anymore enclosed AC space to our house and really didn't want to get involved in washing/cleaning a ton of outside windows after every rain storm. We like the fresh air and use sliding curtains to stop the sun if it happens to be in an annoying position in the evening; a rough guess might be 20% of the time. With 4 large sliding curtains we only have to slide one (some amount) to stop the sun if we happen to have that meal when the sun is low and and at a setting position it shines in on us dinning. My thinking is if you want more AC inside square feet buy a larger house because you will enjoy the fresh air and view a screen lanai provides. Another consideration is we eat breakfast at home almost every day (sun is never a consideration) and eat our evening meal out a fair amount of the time.

[awolfe]

I have an enclosed lanai, thanks to the previous owners. Do not have air, but can keep the sliding door open without too much affect on my electric bill. I rented three homes with screened lanais and I was unable to use them in the summer. I enjoy my lanai all 12 months.

[tuccillo]

What ?? Munns put in a heat pump mini split for us from the get-go. Nothing was changed out.

pgettinger, We were told that the step from house to lanai doesn't effect your taxes whether its a step down or level. If you remove the sliders, then it is considered part of house and is taxed. As far as the mini split, the companies put in a dehumidifier, not taxed, and change it out to the split ac/heater after .
.

[Calisport]

I think it's sort of like a balcony enclosure in condos. Some people spend lots of money enclosing their apartment/condo balcony and it becomes a strange indoor place just for storage. Much better open to the air, sun, potted plants.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

If you enjoy sitting outside then the screened lanai is the way to go. If not then you might consider enclosing it.

Why are you asking people for their opinions? Some people like to sit outdoors and some don't.

[jpvillager]

Rule no. 1: lanai should face East or North. Ours is screened and East facing. It gets hot in late morning but is shaded by the house the rest of the day. Great sunrises and cooler in the evening. Look for a house with a Florida room and a lanai. The dog loves the morning sun on the lanai. A West or South facing lanai can be almost unusable in the afternoon and evening. If in doubt try sitting there for a half an hour.

[Wazappa]

Our home was new to us 16 years ago. A year after we bought it, we added a bird cage and made it larger than the lanai. Then 6 years ago, we added a canvas cover for the birdcage, and 4 years ago we added an outdoor kitchen in the birdcage. The back of our house is southern facing which means the sun rises on the left and sets on the right. We absolutely love it and spend a majority of our time out there. We have really nice comfy chairs with end tables, lamps, etc and then pole lamps and over head lighting for the outdoor kitchen…we use this after more than any other area. I love having my morning breakfast out there after we come back from playing pickleball…Is it hot, yes, somedays it is, but we have an overhead fan in the lanai section and another floor fan in the birdcage. We also enclosed the bottom portion all the way around of the lanai and the birdcage with the same siding as we have on our home. This keeps a lot of the dirt out that use to flow into the lanai/birdcage area and made a huge improvement. When it rains, we pull in the chairs close to the house to keep the cushions from getting wet. When we got north for the summer, we bring all that furniture into our home and put the dining table and chairs in the corner of the covered lanai. It works…and we love it. I think it is all personal preference. We like being able to sit outside with guest at night, having our cocktails and dinner..etc.. its so peaceful in our backyard….I dont think I would ever change that. We had a party before covid out there and was able to seat in chairs all around about 25 people. It was the best….

Who did you get to provide your top? Mine is 12 years old and leaking.