[YouNeverKnow]

We are starting our build in two weeks and are so excited! We have a pie shaped lot on a wall which has a pretty good size area in the back off our Lani. We would love to make an outdoor patio area for a grill, table, hammock etc. We love being outdoors but have not seen any outdoor areas like this in TV. Everyone seems to have a birdcage over their space. Are we missing something we should know about? Are there some reasons not to have an outdoor patio?

[travelguy]

Without some sort of shade/weather cover it might be a bit bright and hot out on an unenclosed patio. Surprisingly there are no bugs around so having it screened for bug protection is not necessary. Our lanai faces south and we have replaced the existing screening with screens that provide a sun screen and it has made a huge difference.

[Billyg]

We have an outdoor patio and we love it. The Bird Cage encloses the hot tub and the patio extends out from that. We had a retractable awning installed for the sunny, hotter days.

[cgalloway6]

If you have a grill you wouldn't want it inside the lanai or birdcage unless it was vented outside. We included an 8x12 slab outside the lanai for the grill and a chair or two during the design process.

[gomoho]

we extended our outside slab to be 10 x 15 and have a patio for the grill, a table and chairs, and some herbs. It is somewhat elevated so has a railing and gate which allows the dogs to be out enjoying the weather. Bugs are not a problem 'cause they are not allowed in The Villages.
If I had a patio at ground level I would build a short wall around it to make it a specific area, add additional seating and just make the area look nicer. I have seen several in TV and they look like wonderful outdoor spaces.

[Finallyfree]

We added a 14x10 patio with additional 6x9 down the side of the house. The 6x9 is for the grill and a bench, the rest is for our patio set. We love an evening meal "under the sky" especially with neighbors. Personally I don't know why more folks don't have a patio. Our neighbor likes ours so much he is adding one to his lanai.

[llaran]

We have around patio, you cansee it from parr drive, we used travertint, we love it, stop by.

[jimbo2012]

U also don't need to do it in concrete, you can use pavers

[TomSpasm]

Screens are to keep flying insects out. Although the bugs aren't as bad here as other places I've lived in Florida (St. Pete, Sarasota), they will find people like me who apparently are tasty to them. If it's breezy enough, usually not a problem, but if not, I need screens!

[vj1213]

We have a birdcage then also an outdoor patio with a waterfall.

[raynan]

We put a 20x26 patio on the side of our house and love it. No bugs. We used Village Palms. We are not on the golf course so not near water or sand that attract bugs. Come see. 2170 Markridge Loop.