[Jim007]

I'm in the process of getting estimates on enclosing our lanai. One contractor who shall remain nameless, said that if we didn't raise our floor, to remove the slope that is built into the original lanai floor, we would most certainly have leakage problems. Has anyone heard of this issue and is it a legitimate concern. Raising the the floor would add about $1200 to the cost. The contractor, (a very well known and respected contractor in TV) said they would really not want to do the job unless they could do it right. I would appreciate any information on this subject. Thanks

[champion6]

I'm not sure if yours slopes more than ours. I can't imagine why it would. Anyway, we enclosed our lanai without raising the floor and we are perfectly happy. It has been done for a year and there haven't been any leaks.

[nyclicker]

We were never told about ant slope when we enclosed ours and we have no problem with water getting in. If you want the name of the contractor who did ours at an unbeatable price send me a PM.

[blyarbrough]

Originally Posted by nyclicker

We were never told about ant slope when we enclosed ours and we have no problem with water getting in. If you want the name of the contractor who did ours at an unbeatable price send me a PM.

I'd like to know the contractor.....we got a bid for over 25,000.....unbelievable..

Thanks

Bryant

[bkcunningham1]

We've used Clarence "Thumper" Cook on several houses. He and his stepson Andy are the best in the area and have unbeatable prices.

Here's a previous TOTV thread where he is given high marks. If you would, tell him BK Cunningham recommended him. who is thumper and how do I contact him?


352-342-7809 Cell

[buzzy]

The premise here is that the frames have to be perfectly square, so there would be gaps to fill on the slightly sloped sides. A friend had it done this way, and the contractor used a combination of tapered cover panels and gobs of caulking. I thought it looked very crude, but did not let on to him. Well, he was happy with the job and the price. Last I heard, he had some leaks, that the contractor could not seal effectively. My friend is away for the season. I guess he will know for sure when he spends more time here.

RANDA Services is installing windows on our lanai. We had the floor raised for the interior look. One good thing is that now the surface is about six inches above the ground.

[shankerman]

By all means let the contractor raise & level the floor. If not, you will definitely have leakage problems in the outer corners. It will be the best $1200 you spent.

[784caroline]

Initially we were not going to raise the lanai floor but after talking to our contractor, he had another reason for raising the lanai floor. He said we live in a retirement community and people are just older. Although we don't view ourselves in that category, we will someday but moreso a lot of people who may visit your home are in that category. Well after that session, the very next week we were at our neighbors house who remodeled their lanai and did not raise the floor. They had the doors open and sure enough a neighbor who was older was walking and he tripped into the lanai almost falling while spilling his soda that he was carrying. We have also seen on other occasion similar situations of that step not being seen. It reminded us of some homes back in Va that had sunken living (or family) rooms and during a cocktail party there were more people falling than you can imagine.

SO we raised the floor and are very happy we did. Yes it cost about $1200 additional but we believe it was money well spent and who knows we may have prevented a potential future liability claim for we do entertain a fair amount. BTW in laying new concrete our contractor used a laser level to make certain everything was square and level. WE have no problems.

Our contractor was great in offering suggestions like that and well as ways to bock sun from coming in a new room that faced NNW, and how to use a window we planned to block. A good contractor will have ideas he has seen work..... Let me know if you have any questions.

[buzzy]

784caroline,

I know you really liked Brian's work, and so did I when I saw your place. However, he really pressed us to put in a knee-wall and wanted so much extra for transom windows that we kept shopping. Randy agreed with everything that we wanted, including the transom windows, at a competitive price. He just installed them today, and we are delighted. So we also gave him a birdcage project.

[Mallory]

Raise the floor. Best money you'll ever spend. No leaks. We don't have a huge lanai just the standard Lantana. Cost was about $800. Kevin Blackburn of Blackburn Bros. Construction was the contractor.

[Jim007]

Originally Posted by 784caroline

Initially we were not going to raise the lanai floor but after talking to our contractor, he had another reason for raising the lanai floor. He said we live in a retirement community and people are just older. Although we don't view ourselves in that category, we will someday but moreso a lot of people who may visit your home are in that category. Well after that session, the very next week we were at our neighbors house who remodeled their lanai and did not raise the floor. They had the doors open and sure enough a neighbor who was older was walking and he tripped into the lanai almost falling while spilling his soda that he was carrying. We have also seen on other occasion similar situations of that step not being seen. It reminded us of some homes back in Va that had sunken living (or family) rooms and during a cocktail party there were more people falling than you can imagine.

SO we raised the floor and are very happy we did. Yes it cost about $1200 additional but we believe it was money well spent and who knows we may have prevented a potential future liability claim for we do entertain a fair amount. BTW in laying new concrete our contractor used a laser level to make certain everything was square and level. WE have no problems.

Our contractor was great in offering suggestions like that and well as ways to bock sun from coming in a new room that faced NNW, and how to use a window we planned to block. A good contractor will have ideas he has seen work..... Let me know if you have any questions.

Thanks for the info. Who was your contractor?

[raynan]

Last May (before all the rains) we used Custom Windows in Leesburg. They run a half page ad in almost every day's Villages Sun newspaper. We put in full length stackable sliding doors all around our lanai and sun cool screen, did not level the floor and have no leaks.
A year ago it was a building code requirement in Sumter County to level the floor in the lanai by raising but it was not required in Lake or Marion counties. This year the building code was changed which greatly reduced the price of enclosing lanais.

[maryh]

We enclosed our lanai and didn't have to raise the floor. We worked with Elite Lifestyles and they did a great job and no problems with the floor. They worked with us and we got just want we wanted and they didn't push us for anything more.

[Kahuna32162]

We are working with KB Construction to re work the Linai before we move down in January. Replacing the existing vinyl with double pane glass, new full glass door to the pool deck, remove the slider to the master bedroom and dry wall both sides, remove all siding and replace with dry wall and remove the slider into the house and replace with custom French Doors. All of this for 2/3 of the price you were quoted!

[bkcunningham1]

Regardless of what company you select to do the work, please, make sure you get everything in writing-especially the final costs. Do not pay until the work is completed to your satisfaction.