[Pat2015]

[QUOTE=golfgal44;1952913]I’m thinking about a new build. Just wondering if anyone has an opinion with benefits and drawbacks of getting either a closed in lanai for extra space, or just a cage. Costs of getting it through t.v. Does either one raise taxes? What about keeping the floor level with the inside floor, which I like.benefits vs. drawbacks.

There is no charge for raising up the lanai floor to make it level with the inside floor when you are building but if you don’t ask for it you don’t get it! I don’t understand why this isn’t standard as stepping down vs walking straight out is much preferred! You can have them enclose the lanai in the build contract but they will only do windows not sliders which some people prefer. Just finished this process and am happy with our build. Good luck to you 😊

[Quickdraw]

Originally Posted by golfgal44

I’m thinking about a new build. Just wondering if anyone has an opinion with benefits and drawbacks of getting either a closed in lanai for extra space, or just a cage. Costs of getting it through t.v. Does either one raise taxes? What about keeping the floor level with the inside floor, which I like.benefits vs. drawbacks.
Thank you.:

Check your site plan before considering closing in a lanai. Many of the Villages homes have a bedroom which has the fire code egress windows opening onto the lanai, and, because such are the only fire compliant egress windows in the bedroom (why anyone would design a home with the only egress window(s) being those which open onto a lanai is beyond my imagination) and many site plans specifically state that the lanai may not be closed in because to do so will eliminate the bedroom egress requirement.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by Quickdraw

Check your site plan before considering closing in a lanai. Many of the Villages homes have a bedroom which has the fire code egress windows opening onto the lanai, and, because such are the only fire compliant egress windows in the bedroom (why anyone would design a home with the only egress window(s) being those which open onto a lanai is beyond my imagination) and many site plans specifically state that the lanai may not be closed in because to do so will eliminate the bedroom egress requirement.

I haven't ever, ever, heard of a plan like that. Can you tell us the name of the model?

[MJCtalk]

You should only leave this screened if you plan on getting a hot tub. That would need open air. Otherwise, when we put the glass on our Lanai, we noticed how much healthier it was. The mowing brings dirt and grass spores into a screened Lanai or Bird Cage. Of course, then it get into the rest of the house. My wife has asthma and we both have allergies. That's the best advice I can give you.

[Curtisbwp]

I added to my lani. I put up a cage. I also re-routed my irrigation system to include a sprinkler in the cage part on my lani. I am an avid gardener and now when my wife and I go away that sprinkler waters my plants on the same schedule as my lawn.

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by Tim Leicester City

I thought I read somewhere that raising the floor means increased square footage and increased taxes?

That is what we were told when we converted our lanai to a Florida room.

Was very happy we did this and even happier no increase in real estate taxes.

[bobdeb]

Originally Posted by rjn5656

We enclosed our lanai, then built a small birdcage to the side of it. Be sure to get good insulated windows. Put electric and cable hook up in ceiling if you plan on hanging a tv out there. Raise the floor. Only thing I regretted is not raising the floor.

If enclosed appropriate to your home construction. i.e. Block stucco or vinyl. Insulated. Quality windows. Central air. Electric.Tiled floor, etc. It will add square footage and value to your home. Not to mention additional privacy and less noise. Bird cage to the side is nice.

Our lanai is high enough so we didn't raise the floor. Probably a nice touch though.

[GrumpyOldMan]

Originally Posted by richs631

I would wait until after you have lived in the home for at least 1 year before making substantial improvements. Determine how you actually use all the rooms before spending big bucks only to have a change of heart later

This is excellent advice. We didn't follow it, and now we have too many upgrades to recover the expense if we sell. We considered moving from a CYV to a Veranda and by the time we paid seller fees, putting in upgrades on the new house that we currently have, and what we can sell our CYV for, we would see a net loss of around $30K.

Considering that many people move 3 or four times here, I say the advice to wait a year is some of the best advice I have seen on this site.

[stebooo]

Closed hands down. Control weather,,temp, rain, pollen wind.

[thevillages2013]

Originally Posted by Quickdraw

Check your site plan before considering closing in a lanai. Many of the Villages homes have a bedroom which has the fire code egress windows opening onto the lanai, and, because such are the only fire compliant egress windows in the bedroom (why anyone would design a home with the only egress window(s) being those which open onto a lanai is beyond my imagination) and many site plans specifically state that the lanai may not be closed in because to do so will eliminate the bedroom egress requirement.

The lanai will have a door so what’s the issue?

[patfla06]

Great advice to wait and decide what you want to do later.

We lived in Tampa for 17 years and had a large lanai (pool, jacuzzi,
outdoor kitchen) and it was all open.

When we bought our house here we tiled the lanai floor in 2013, moved in 2014. We didn’t raise the lanai floor. Then in 2016 we closed it in with sliding doors. Immediately put in air conditioning/ heat.

I’m not a fan of the heat & have bad allergies.

I like that we have total comfort on our lanai but kept it more casual then the house.

We are lucky that our ceiling is just under 11 feet so it feels really
spacious. Still debating whether to add a t.v. but being an avid
reader probably will not.

Give it time living here to see what fits.

[golfgal44]

Originally Posted by thevillages2013

Aren’t you the one with the lot you put money down on then figured out it is near a power outpost building? If you are building new then you need to be in a conversation with the design team / builder. If the lanai is built enclosed then the floor will be level with main house and ceiling insulated

Didn’t know they had a design team thread.