stretchable vinyl lanai enclosure
 

So - never thought we would want to enclose our lanai, but the time has come. I don't want to have to depend on the weather to use it for cards/entertaining.

Got 1st estimate from White Aluminum - single pane glass (we don't care if it leaks) and acrylic were nearly the same - per sales rep, since acrylic is petroleum based product, prices have skyrocketed lately.

When I asked if any other alternative, he showed me a stretchable vinyl product, said he had it in his former home for 12 years and still looked good when he sold the home. Doesn't scratch like acrylic, less than 1/2 the price of either and looked good to me. Can be clear or tinted. Doors can be easily removed if desired and kept in garage during nice weather months (although I doubt if we'd do that).

Has anyone tried this product? I was quite impressed. You can put your fist into it and it has a memory and comes back to original flat shape.

We have it and it is working fine for us. We never intended to close it in either, we like the lanai, and this was done primarily to stop rain from getting on my tables out there. We left the bottom open, so our kitties can still see out and not damage the vinyl. We can close that in at any time. We used the existing frame work and just put the sliding windows in that. It looks nice, works great, and since we got the tinted vinyl, it affords us a bit of privacy in there also. We are extremely pleased with the product for our usage, and were quite surprised with the considerably lower cost. We got ours from Cook Aluminum (Thumper).. 352-342-7809. Very nice men. Neighbors have since used them and are very pleased also. I'd at least call them for an estimate, too, if you're interested. Also, you can PM me for my address if you wanna come over and see them installed.

Hmm - we were told need to reframe
 

Our estimate says "rescreen" but I thought when I talked to him that he said "reframe." I need to check back, will also add Cook to the estimate list. We don't need the privacy as we have a CYV and want to allow as much light as possible for my plants, sales rep recommended we not tint in our case. Thanks for the feedback.

Also, anyone know if a permit is required for this - est. doesn't mention, and I forgot to ask.

We had White install the tinted vinyl in the lanais in all 3 homes and are very happy with the privacy, weather protection, and price.. The installer did a great job fit wise and caulked the whole installation.

We are in the same boat... don't really want to fully enclose but want to keep some of the rain & dust out at times. Definitely do not want it to make our house dark inside. We are leaning more towards the roll down shades in tracks. Where can we get info and photos of this vinyl product? All I can picture is the plastic in Grand Ma's sofa.

If anyone can send some photos that would be fantastic.