Question on Glassed In Lanais

[TVTVTV]

We need to wash and hose off our lanai screens at least every few months due mainly to dust, dirt, and pollen. The color of the screening hides it all well. I am thinking if we glassed in the lanai, we would always see dirty windows from the elements, plus rain and water spots. For those that glassed in, do you have to clean the windows frequently? Is it dirtier if your glassed in lanai faces east or west? I can't stand looking out of dirty windows, and visitors noticing. Would I have to be out there every week to keep them clear? I don't need any extra chores!

[biggamefish1]

The simple answer is if your screens are getting too dirty than you like so will the windows except they will show more dust and dirt. If you are in a new area where home construction is still going on, it will be dusty every day until they are finished and move to a new area. Welcome to the new Villages

[Normal]

The simple answer is if your screens are getting too dirty than you like so will the windows except they will show more dust and dirt. If you are in a new area where home construction is still going on, it will be dusty every day until they are finished and move to a new area. Welcome to the new Villages

The dirt doesn’t just go away magically if you have glass. It’s still the same level of dirt except maybe screens filter that dirt a little better. Anything is better than nothing at all though. That is unless you like creepy crawly things in your living space. Florida has a long list of those along with no see um and harpoon yielding mosquitoes.

[laceylady]

I live in the Village of Newell. My lanai faces north. I have the lanai windows cleaned twice a year. I may move that back to once a year because I am not seeing any dirt on the windows.

[CarlR33]

Yes, you will have dirty windows. I clean my house windows and at times they look awful mainly in the morning with the humidity you cannot see out of them until it warms outside and they dry, etc. Even my inner patio doors to the lanai get (not as) dirty as the outside windows. I have even noticed my inside car windows do not stay clean as long as they did in the north. It’s Florida!

[asianthree]

Those who have fixed screens for enclosed lanai’s will tell you not to make that mistake. It’s costly to have windows cleaned, or learn to live with the dirty windows

[beckylou152]

I have a pretty large glasses in lanai. My windows need to be cleaned twice a year. I do have landscaping in front of the windows, and I live in an area without new construction, so not much dirt is around. They are easy to clean.

[vintageogauge]

They will get just as dirty as your windows in your house, no more, no less. Cleaning twice a year is usually sufficient. Don't fall for the fixed screens as you will have to have someone lift out your sliding glass to clean it and put it back in place. If you have sliding screens and doors they are easy to clean. Give All Seasons Rooms a try, Chip offers a window with a lifetime transferrable warranty that the others don't offer.

[La lamy]

My lanai's windows stay pretty clean. I use Rain X Bug remover to clean them and it does a great job. I clean them once or twice a year. I think screens 'hang on' to dirt more personally.

[Normal]

My lanai's windows stay pretty clean. I use Rain X Bug remover to clean them and it does a great job. I clean them once or twice a year. I think screens 'hang on' to dirt more personally.

The RainX is a great idea! Anything to have the roof runoff moving along. Gutters sure don’t do the job.

[justjim]

With the humidity and pollen here in Florida it’s best to forget about perfect clean windows. There are too many other enjoyable things to do IMHO…

[asiebel]

We enclosed our lani. The screen is on the outside! No problems with dirt y windows! Our windows lift out on the inside and we have them washed once a year along with the rest of the house!

[mtdjed]

We lived with screened in lanai for fourteen years' Seldom used the lanai. Too hot, too wet, too cold, too much pollen. Closed in the lanai four years ago and it is now our room of choice. Best thing we could have done.

As for cleaning windows, it is a personal choice. Some people may be able to live with once or twice a year. Others can't. The fact that the OP is worried about window cleaning and spots would suggest to me that the OP would not be happy with twice a year especially if it is essentially your most used room. I've got a Lanai 12 feet by 30. About 40 feet of windows. Qty 8 separate widows 6 feet High, 5 feet length. I clean inside approx 4 times per year and outside probably 6 to 8 times. Each of the windows takes no more than 5 minutes per side.

Clean on cloudy day or on shaded side only. I bought an expandable pole with a removable 15 Inch Squeegee and 15 Inch cloth washer. Use tap water with a tablespoon of Murphy Oil Soap. First I hose down the bugs and lose webs etc . Then I use the pole and the 15 inch washer. That take no more than a minute. Then I take the squeegee, start in upper left corner toward right corner but as I approach, turn the squeegee down to the bottom and essentially make a sideways L. Back to left side and to same move until window dry. Takes about 4 swipes. Take dry cloth and wipe edges of glass top, sides and bottom. Takes no more than 5 minutes per window side. Helps to have no obstructing shrubs.

I am 80 years old and can do the whole outside in just about an hour if I take my time. Can even leave the cleaning equipment on outside pad and do incremental cleaning over several days. But the again I enjoy washing my own car, trimming bushes etc. There will be a time where that activity may no longer be enjoyable or even doable.