[Lil Dancer]

Just curious if anyone has glassed in their lanai with hurricane resistant windows (they are a special type of window that is resistant to breakage, and is supposedly more soundproof than regular windows). we've considered the acrylic windows, but we understand they aren't very soundproof. Our neighbors out back are pretty noisy, so we're looking for some noise solutions. If you have had your lanai enclosed, how well did the windows cut down on the noise, and who was your contractor? Thanks in advance!!

[Happy Villager]

I hope someone else can discuss having the lanai enclosed with glass because I can only repeat what I have been told and don't really know if this is true. I was told that if you enclose the lanai with glass it will then be considered another room and your home assessed higher. Anyone know if this is true?

[LG]

Originally Posted by Happy Villager

I hope someone else can discuss having the lanai enclosed with glass because I can only repeat what I have been told and don't really know if this is true. I was told that if you enclose the lanai with glass it will then be considered another room and your home assessed higher. Anyone know if this is true?

That is what I understand....

I think the reason they do not do much with acrylic, is the fact that you do not have to have a building permit to install it, where glass you do.

[nanci2539]

So are you saying that any time of enclosure, even acrylic panels will be considered a room that can result in a higher assessment? Wow, if that's the case, how do you enjoy the lanai in the extreme heat or when it rains?

[F16 1UB]

Originally Posted by Happy Villager

I hope someone else can discuss having the lanai enclosed with glass because I can only repeat what I have been told and don't really know if this is true. I was told that if you enclose the lanai with glass it will then be considered another room and your home assessed higher. Anyone know if this is true?

When we were there a year ago our realtor told us the same thing.

Steve

[Travel Master]

Originally Posted by LG

That is what I understand.... Actually, I think it has do with permitting. You do not have to have a permit to ad Acrylic.. not permant, but you do with glass and that triggers an reassessment. 8)

[llaran]

We glassed in our lanai, enlarged it also. Yes it is considered a "room", the asseror came out and measured the outside. We have not received the amount of increase yet but don't expect it to be more than 200/300 dollars. If you heat and cool it it is even more. We just went from lanai 9x20 to an L shape 10x12 and 15x18.

The acrylic are rated to 75mph and should be taken out if winds are expected above that.

Our builder had a room on a house which went thru the tornado, the house have a fair amount of damage but the room had a tear in a screen and a scratch on the glass.

we put in a portable room air conditioner and some solar shades.

We are in "the room" all the time.

[jtdraig]

We were lucky enough to have been able to get a golf course lot with a deep panoramic view. We considered enclosing it but decided that we like the "outdoors" feel of our lanai. With that said, we have been in a number of homes where people did enclose their lanais and made beautiful living spaces out of them. I guess it how you want to live. If you do use glass, you will have a higher assessment but I don't think by a significant amount.

[marygalexa]

We enclosed our lanai with acrylic and were required to get both ARC approval and a Building Permit. We were hit by the tornado and the entire lanai was wiped out. We had added it to the Homeowner's Insurance as well so were totally covered. If you do the enclosure, don't forget to add it to your Homeowner's.

The short period of time we enjoyed it --August through February and now we are back in our home this June - we loved it! Cozy during the cold months and totally usable and clean during wet and windy days and nights.

Don't know what the additional tax assessment will be until we get November's bill.

[pvb526]

we just glassed ours in this spring and are very happy with it. We used a company called Whites Aluminum and they did a very nice job. It is very hot in there right now so I think next year we will get a portable air conditioner to cool it down. For now we just leave the back door open and the fan on as I use it as a studio for painting in. Thanks for the info about putting it on the homeowners insurance-- forgot about doing that so I'll call in the morning. We did have to get approval and permits but Whites handeled it all.

[bogeygolfer]

I don't know about your area, but in Santo Domingo you cannot use a portable/window air-conditioner. Maybe I could install one and hide it behind some bushes. Made the mistake, when we built, not to insulate the lanai. We have since enclosed it with vinyl windows with the exception of the new wall we installed for the "summer-bummer kitchen".

[zcaveman]

I don't think portable air conditioners are part of your deed restrictions. I know of several people that had their air conditioning ducts extended to cool the lanai.

[RayB]

We put in an enclosed lanai with acrylic. Our house is in Sumter County. We had to get building permit and approval from CDD. If we had installed glass we were told from multiple sources we would then have an additional room on our property tax assessment.

[BogeyBoy]

Just happened across this old post about property taxes, room enclosures, and glass vs acrylic.

We enclosed our lanai at the same time we added a large bird cage. Shortly after the work was done we got a visit from the Sumter County property appraiser's office. The individual was very specific, there were two permits issued, one for the "Screen Cage" and one for the "Type III Sunroom". He stated that our property taxes would go up because of the addition of a Screen Cage, but not for enclosing our lanai and making it a Type III Sunroom.

Our enclosure is with double pane insulated glass. The key, as explained by Chris Fox of Cook Aluminum, is doing a "Type III Sunroom". (I'm sure Chris could explain it better than me, his number is 352-693-6079.)

I think glass is the way to go. Looks good, doesn't scratch like acrylic, no stickers advising removal in high winds, and much better at maintaining temperatures.