[jimkerr]

I have stackable sliders. They are really nice when you want to let fresh air in, however, I usually only open them once or twice a year.


If I had to do it over, I’d get the same ones.

[Buckeye Bill]

Originally Posted by dori2002

Hello all, We are enclosing the Lanai with glass and are having trouble deciding between picture windows that do not open or sliding doors that do open. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

We have sliders and love them. Having the ability to open them if we want is a plus.

[nick demis]

Originally Posted by dori2002

Hello all, We are enclosing the Lanai with glass and are having trouble deciding between picture windows that do not open or sliding doors that do open. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Simple, if cost isn't a factor, do you want the option of fresh air for several months of the year or not?

[dori2002]

My wife and I both suffer from allergies. While having the option to get fresh air is intriguing, up in New England we seldom have the sliders open due to the heavy pollen. Of course, would like to do it right the first time. Since this is first time living in FL, we are not sure how bad allergies really are. Thank everyone for the input.

[midiwiz]

Originally Posted by dori2002

Hello all, We are enclosing the Lanai with glass and are having trouble deciding between picture windows that do not open or sliding doors that do open. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

sliders offer more options. we did all sliders. but also consider that in a couple you could keep the full screen rather than a sliding screen

[nancyre]

Whatever you pick - look at the wind rating. I wish the prior owners had upscaled just a bit for double panes for both heat/cold and wind rating. The big questions i do you want the breeze? I personally love the sliders for that. I have considered pulling the single panes and redoing it with sliding glass that is hurricane rated. I also have a minisplit for heat and cooling when the weather does not allow for the breeze. But I LOVE opening the house and the lanai to the fresh air in the Winter Spring & fall

[nancyre]

Originally Posted by Iowatransplant

Agree with Vintageoguage. We put in Kolbe patio doors from Romac Lumber in Leesburg. Excellent product and cost was considerably less than the vinyl or aluminum options from several of the other lanai enclosure companies that advertise in the Villages.

What was the price difference ?

[rsmurano]

IMO, when we enclosed our lanai, we used double pane fixed windows on the 35’ wall with the 18” windows underneath. Sure it cost more but you get what you pay for. On both ends, we have windows that open because the trade winds are usually in this direction and we get all the beeeze that is necessary and we keep the heat out.

We also raised our floor, put electrical outlets in the floor and in a couple of pillars, then it’s tiled using the same tile that was used inside. We have the sliders that open all the way up that separate the house from the lanai and tried using this room without any mini split heating system. Too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter, so we installed the mini split system in the ceiling (it costs more but you don’t see it) and use it with the smart thermostat system and not the remote that comes with it so I can program it just like the ecobee thermostat. My heating and cooling bill has decreased because I’m not stressing the 1 heat pump trying to heat and cool another 350 sq ft. We use the room as a living space and when we sell the house, we will get our money out of it many times over, all while being more comfortable using it every day

[kkingston57]

Originally Posted by dori2002

Hello all, We are enclosing the Lanai with glass and are having trouble deciding between picture windows that do not open or sliding doors that do open. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Noted that you are intending to use glass. Tons better than acrylic windows. Bet you can do a mix of fixed and sliding. This will allow you to have an open air lanai and a better view if you intend to look out from your lanai,

[Dusty_Star]

I think if you do sliders with screens, the added functionality will be appealing to future buyers.

[Hank’s mom]

I love my stackable!!

[Stu from NYC]

Sliders for us nice way to get fresh air and listen to nature

[vintageogauge]

Originally Posted by dori2002

My wife and I both suffer from allergies. While having the option to get fresh air is intriguing, up in New England we seldom have the sliders open due to the heavy pollen. Of course, would like to do it right the first time. Since this is first time living in FL, we are not sure how bad allergies really are. Thank everyone for the input.

You will find that the allergies are bad here 10 months out of the year.

[CarlR33]

Originally Posted by dewilson58

We removed the concrete and raised the floor in our X-lanai.

As such, our X-lanai is truly the same as the rest......no step-down, no mini-split AC, indoor ceiling fans, outlets around the room, etc.

Since we wanted to match window height, we had a choice of two feet of drywall or two foot windows under the six foot sliders.

So we have two foot fixed windows under our sliders.............more light.

Picture/s? or for that matter pictures of any of the replies may further help as I’m having trouble envisioning some of these.

[virtue51]

I had the lanai enclosed -- fixed windows on the bottom about 12 to 15 inches and then windows above the fixed windows that are screened and slide open. I have brushes and trees outside the lanai so it provides a full view of the garden and the fixed windows on the bottom keep the lanai clean. Custom Windows enclosed the lanai -- they have a showroom in Leesburg allowing you to view the various options.