[cherylncliff]

We have a lot in Buttonwood and will begin building a (probably) Lily long about this September. We have enough room to either expand the east facing and offset lanai 4-8 eight feet (depending on how much gardening space I feel I MUST have or add a birdcage of the same amount. Our question is which would you recommend? I think I like the additional light and airy feeling of the birdcage but the roof of an expanded lanai would also be nice on those rainy days in Florida. Never having lived in Florida, how big a consideration should this be? Any ideas on the cost differential? I feel expanding the lanai would probably be cheaper if we do it when we build, right? We will be making a trip down next month to finalize as much as possible befoer the build. Any feed back is, as always, much appreciated!

[NJblue]

First, are you sure that you have the option to expand the lanai as part of the original build? Unless things have changed dramatically in the flexibility of the devloper, the amount that you can expand a lanai is usually quite limited. If you can't expand more than a few feet during initial construction, I imagine that adding more roof area will be quite costly in the aftermarket.

The benefit of an expanded roof area is much more than just to keep the rain off you. In the summer the sun can be very hot and you will welcome shade. In fact, except for sun bathing or swimming (if you also add a pool) I doubt that you will use a birdcage during the summer days - unless you want to huddle under an umbrella. I'm sure that summer evenings will be very nice in a birdcage, however.

My advice would be to expand the lanai as much as the builder will let you. If later you still want more room, then add a birdcage.

[k2at]

I,too, would opt to expand the lanai. You can always put on a birdcage later on if u desire. The Lanai, however, has much more functionality.