[bricknj]

Looking to purchase a pre-owned home in TV next month when the wife and I rent for the month. Which is the best direction I would want my lanai to face, North, South, East or West? Thank you. Jerry

[Ohiogirl]

I just posted my response under the thread "About the Lanai" but really, there are arguments to be made for all exposures, just depends on the user.

For me, southern, eastern, or northern would be ok, don't like western because of the heat and the direct sun. Others like the western sunset, especially if they have a view.

[cherylncliff]

if you are planning to spend just the winter months there, you may want a west or south facing lanai, if year round, then east or north. We are just now building ours and have it facing east for the morning sun and cooler evenings as we plan to be there full time by spring or summer of 2011 (frog-dom here we come! ) If you are planning to snowbird it for a while, then it will be a bit warmer in the winter with west or south facing. But we didn't pick the house based solely on the lanai (actually, we picked the lot and are having the house built). Remember, the right answer is the one that is right for you!

[Vinny]

I waited for a CYV with a Northeast exposure. My dogs like the warming morning sun and I love the afternoon shade when I BBQ.

[Pturner]

Hi bricknj

We wanted to avoid west, but thought any other orientation would be fine. Another consideration is how private is it. Is it back yard or facing street? Is it directly facing a neighbor's lanai? We didn't want a street facing or "kissing lanai". Your preferences might differ, but these are points to consider.

All best wishes finding your dream home and moving to TV!

[Niels]

My wife and I decided to avoid a West facing lanai.

There is another thread under the New Members section titled About the Lanai where Ohiogirl and Pturner and I made some more extensive comments. I suggest you check that out.

[JohnN]

we avoided west, it gets brutal. Ours is sorta northeast and the house is such that it's shady about all day long, I love it

[ijusluvit]

Not only can a west facing lanai be brutally hot in the afternoon sun, but that goes for the house as well. Notice that many houses with major living space facing west install awnings to control the heat and glare from the sun. Some awnings look ok, some don't. They are a significant expense. And from inside, awnings block the view and can make rooms unattractively dark during morning and early afternoon.

IMO house and lanai orientation is a very important part of the home selection process.

[bricknj]

Thank you all for your Lanai direction info, probably in the begining we'll do 6 + mons. in TV and the rest back in New Jersey where we still own a home. With the real estate mkt the way it is selling NJ home isn't an option right now. Hope to meet some of you folks when we're down for the month of October. Jerry

[SALYBOW]

We chose a lot based on our agents advise. It faces East and we love it. We sit in the morning sun and eat breakfast but the hottest part of the day does not affect us as much. The downside is that the garage, which faces west, it hotter than Hades. We may need to install a fan and or insulation.

[chuckinca]

Ours is sort of North North West, gets morning sun on the East side (the Lanai is on the North East end of the house) and later sun goes over it without direct sunlight into it. At least when we are there in the winter and early spring.

.

[l2ridehd]

There are pro's and con's to every direction. Mine is West and I selected the home for the view and pool. West is great if you have a pool. Solar heat for the pool works well. Yes I did install an awning. One with a remote control that extends out 10 feet and you can adjust based on the sun location. I find it very acceptable for coffee in the AM and wine in the PM. Even in August the evenings were comfortable with the awning extended. But I really chose the view and the pool and would have selected that regardless of the lanai facing direction. You can make any direction work with the right landscaping, awnings, screens, etc. And did I mention the view? The setting sun over lake Miona from the lanai is just perfect.