Need opinion on sliders vs picture windows for Lanai enclosure
 

Hello all, We are enclosing the Lanai with glass and are having trouble deciding between picture windows that do not open or sliding doors that do open. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Slider doors will be a lot less expensive if you don't need to do any wall construction.

We chose to do stackable sliders to maximize the opening area and enjoy the "outdoors".

We chose double pane sliders with sliding screens. This gives us plenty of fresh air if we want it, ease of cleaning the exterior of the glass, and allows for multiple exit/entrances from the lanai. We have had this for 3 or 4 years and are very happy with it.

Definitely stackable sliders. With Florida weather you will want to open
them often.

We have BOTH, 2 sections of stackable sliders, and the remainer of the one wall in windows that can be opened with screens.

Send me a PM if you would like to see, the installation was by FullView, and we got exactly what we wanted.

We have been in our home here since 2006. We expanded our Lanai in 2007 from 9' by 29' to 14' by 29' (around 400 square feet). Being from the north, we thought that an open Lanai would be a benefit. Note we do have a knee wall.

What we found was that summers were too hot to enjoy for any long period. Autumn not too bad. Winters hit or miss but found that tree pollens start in Jan and progress through spring. Pollens of all kind in spring meant allergies and lots of cleaning. Used to hose off floor and water turned yellow.

Finally decided to enclose in 2001. Enclosure method was influenced by our personal experience and wants. Note, we live on a Cul-de -sac and have a park like view from our Lanai. We decided that we wanted to make it our primary living area due to openness, view and size. Thus, big screen TV, area rug and oriental rug, Bar, recliners, credenzas etc. Also, a Minisplit for cooling / heating.

We selected picture windows on the long length and sliders and doors on the short lengths. No regrets and the sliders are seldom open. (Heat, Cold, Pollen)

This works out to be the best used part of our house.

Point is that opinions, situations, size, location, wants , all make a decision very personnel.

Thank you for the input. My wife and I both suffer from allergies. The Lanai backs up to a preserve and there are many trees and lots of vegetation. In all actuality not sure how much we would have it open to the fresh air. Up north we seldom had the windows open due to the pollen. Certainly a lot to consider before pulling the trigger.

Agree with Vintageoguage. We put in Kolbe patio doors from Romac Lumber in Leesburg. Excellent product and cost was considerably less than the vinyl or aluminum options from several of the other lanai enclosure companies that advertise in the Villages.

We removed the concrete and raised the floor in our X-lanai.

As such, our X-lanai is truly the same as the rest......no step-down, no mini-split AC, indoor ceiling fans, outlets around the room, etc.

Since we wanted to match window height, we had a choice of two feet of drywall or two foot windows under the six foot sliders.

So we have two foot fixed windows under our sliders.............more light.

I cannot even imagine a glass enclosed room where the windows do not have the ability to open on a perfect day. Would be like being in a fishbowl. Go for the sliders.

If you have a view, sliders give you more of it. I love seeing the lake from my sunroom's huge picture window, but my neighbour's double sliders gives him an even better view.

I love my sliders (8 across the back of my lanai. All open and slide for a floor to ceiling clear view. Neat clean lines when sliders are closed. I do need to replace a couple of clips but Custom Windows who installed is expensive to come out and replace. Any suggestions?

Did Romac install them or did you use someone local? If so- who did you use?

Reconsider and keep it as is. Nothing says redneck more than a room with an obvious wall that was once an exterior wall. Next, to satisfy that same urge go buy a toy hauler RV and some ATVs.