What does "Screened-in Lanai" actually mean ???
 

When you have a "screened in Lanai" does that mean that there are removable sections of screens that can be replaced with glass/acrylic panels?

I'm wondering because what type of furniture can you put in a lanai if it's always open?

What happens when it rains? Or in hurricane-like weather?

Are you limited to outdoor or waterproof furniture? I also see in the many real estate listings that there are usually fans installed - what happens to these? Are there "outdoor rated" fans you have to use?

Thanks,

Kevin

Sorta, the top pic is more the norm. The screens are fixed with a screen door. This is the way they are pretty much sold new. Some add glass sliders with screens or a wall with windows halfway up.

Bilyclub is of course correct. You will get rain in so outdoor furniture is strongly recommended. Some folks install Screen room drains to allow the water to exit more easily.

Some folks elect to enclose this area. Personal preference. I love the fact I have an outdoor screened in area to enjoy. My home is large enough that I do not feel the need to enclose this space...but many do. If you put in sliding windows you have the best of both worlds.

Some feel the need to mitigate the UV rays and sun coming in with Coolaroo shades.

The fans have plastic blades and are considered acceptable for in a roofed over Lanai. If you use an indoor fan, the blades will warp due to the outside humidity.

Know that typically the Lanai ceiling is regular drywall. Do NOT pressure wash it. It is no different than the ceilings in your house.

Also know that while the Lanai is screened in to keep some of the bugs out, you will get some bugs and lizards in the Lanai regularly. They were here first.

Hope this helps!

Frank D.

What's the ballpark estimate for sliding windows in a lanai? Is single/double pane important if they slide open vs. being permanently in place?

You will get lots of opinions on this, everyone has different wants. We chose to have double pane argon filled sliders with sliding screens. This give us the ability to have about 60% of the fresh air capability we had without glass. Having the sliding screen doors also allows for easy cleaning of the outside of the glass and gives several entry/exit points. The double pane of course is the only glass that has an insulating value. As far as bugs go, I spray around our home with Home Defense and it works very well, we do not get bugs in our lanai or inside our home and we live on a pond. If you don't control your bugs you will have lots of other creatures eating them and then snakes eating the creatures. One last point, if you don't enclose your lanai with glass be prepared to do a lot of cleaning of your furniture and floor especially in high pollen season and if a storm is coming and you don't want to get the furniture wet you either have to have covers or bring it all into your home. Double pane with sliders, 450 Sq. Ft., $16/22,000.00 depending on the company you choose to do it, those were actual quotes we received 2 years ago.

A lot goes into pricing such as size, tints, single pain etc. we had 2 doubles and a triple sliding door and a new entry door put in for about $5000. The remove everything that now exists and put in all new stuff.

Screen in porch. Lanai sounds more cosmopolitan.
:icon_wink:

Even plastic blades will droop over time.

Do you need to get TV architectural review approval for putting in sliding windows/doors in the lanai?

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You use Outdoor furniture because if it's opened it's outdoors. ... there a many places who sell many types of outdoor furniture that is made for use .... outdoors. Prices go from Walmart cheap to million dollar home expensive.

If it rains and is windy, it gets wet then it dries or you dry it off with a towel. Sometimes dirt blows in, same thing goes, wipe it off or pay someone to clean for you.


Hurricanes: if one is "predicted" I turn the furniture on the side or upside down if I can and hope my insurance covers what ends up on my neighbors :screen in lanai" :D You can tell from that ours isn't "million dollar home" outdoor furniture.


Fans: When we moved in to our home 3+ years ago it had a fan in the "screened in lanai" and it worked perfectly fine with no blade "drooping." I did change it because it was filthy dirty from 11 previous years of previous owners not cleaning it.

You need a permit and a final inspection.

Yes, get ARC approval, this is a change to the outside of the house....

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We need to replace 2 lanai storm doors. Recommendations are greatly appreciated.