View with sunset but without sun
 

We had a visit in May and LOVED the Villages. Looking to build an Iris with a golf, water or oak tree view and maybe a sunset view but we don't want sun on the lanai (or as little as possible). Will extending the lanai solve the sun problem? Which direction should we be looking to face the lanai? suziq

Have no fear.....
 

Congrats on looking for your perfect home. In case you can't find the perfect lot with the sun facing the perfect direction, you can always get some sun shades which will make your lanai usable any time of day. They work well. Best of luck with your house hunt!

You visited in May and it was probably really hot then. Some winters weeks are quite cool, and you may enjoy some sun on the lanai. Extending the lanai will offer you protection from the sun, provided you extend the roof. If you extend the lanai by building a birdcage, there are covers and awnings that will offer sun relief.

If it faces north no sun, south most sun all day, east sun in morning shade afternoon, west sun in afternoon when it's the strongest.

But north in the winter will be very cool in lanai?????

Shop with a compass!

Solar orientation is overlooked all the time.

If you just want a general guide a south east direction is pretty good.

Compass heading about 130.

U also can see north on any site map for reference.

You got it 100% Jimbo. The last 2 homes we bought were in the "sun belt" and we surely didn't want the afternoon sun blasting us. So we used the car compass/GPS to acclimate ourselves. Works. And your description of what to expect is on the money.
Don & Kaz

My wife and I just started building and we intentionally found a lot with the lanai facing east. Morning sun I like and I wanted to be able to enjoy the lanai without getting direct sun. Probably a personal preference but it's worked for us in the past.

:coolsmiley:

When we bought our home we wanted the morning sun on our lanai, if you have a smart phone you can get a compass app and take it in with you. If you don't have a smart phone ask your realtor if they have one on their phone, ours did. If the exposure wasn't right for us we left.

We also are building with our lanai facing east so that we can get the sun in the morning just like in our current home. Learned our lesson in our first home - it was hard to enjoy the deck in the afternoon sun. Good luck !

sun
 

We also are building with our lanai facing east so that we can get the sun in the morning just like in our current home. Learned our lesson in our first home - it was hard to enjoy the deck in the afternoon sun. Good luck !

front facing west
 

we built our home up north facing WEST,, that way the sun would melt all the snow off in the afternoon,,, you might want to keep that in mind... when we get snow you want a clean driveway as your monthly fees dont include snow removal

Anywhere from Southwest to Northwest will get you sunset views. Expanding the lanai won't help without extending the roof line, which could be costly. A retracting sunbrella awning might solve the problem.

We will be living North of 466 and have a nice oak tree in the front we will be able to sit under to watch sunsets having a "mint julip and bourbon with branch water". If we have too many, we can just crawl in the front door! :1rotfl:

A number of lots don't face straight north, south, east or west. Take that into consideration. Our lanai faces northeast. We like it!

Great information Jimbo...

Glad you like it, but tell us how it feels mid winter in the afternoon?

I assume your in the shade and cool.

There are many lots that can be found that will have the orientation you desire.

The point of my post was to allow people to be aware of the solar advantages or disadvantages.

I waited for a new unit to open to have first dibs on lots that had a very specific orientation We wanted morning lite to wash the MB & kitchen, the afternoon sun would be on the extra bedrooms/bath blocked by the neighboring homes shadow.

For the lanai we wanted the west side blocked somehow to avoid the excess heat & glare. :coolsmiley:

Several models have that, we like the Allamanda (with left side drive) as of now but have not set the design date yet.

Also our garage will be facing north in the entire days shadow staying cool and more user friendly.

Solar has been sort of a side interest and hobby of mine for many years so I read a lot on the subject :read: and have a good friend that is a solar engineer.


.