[rjm1cc]

The first question is how do you intend to use it? That is do you want the sun shining on it in the morning (face east) or afternoon and evening (face west). As mention South might be good for sun most of the day. North you will probably get the sun from the side, east in the morning and the evening from the west. If you are going to consider solar electric you probably want your big roof area pointing south.

[jojo]

We purposely chose a west facing lanai and love it, especially with the pool. The sunsets are spectacular.
We eat lunch and dinner out there except for the very hot days in June, July and August. However, I don't think I would use the lanai from 4:30 to 6:30 with any orientation in the summer.

[TomPerry]

Our lanai faces north/northeast and backs up to a villa wall which is fully landscaped on our property. Our easterly facing window and door get sunlight until about 10 AM, so we have a roll down solar screen on that window. Our lanai is also glassed in and we have a mini split ac/heat. We love our lanai and spend a lot of time in it and eat practically all our meals our there watching the birds at the feeders and anoles. We go in the house when we have something to do there like prepare meals, the wife playing music in the 3rd bedroom/music room and watch a different tv program.

[Diane F]

Our glass enclosed lanai and pool face southeast and we love it. The enclosed lanai was here before we put the pool in, and I wouldn't change it for the world. When it gets too hot, you can still be inside and feel like you are still enjoying the pool and waterfall. We were fortunate to have a large enough lot to be able to put a large decking area around the pool too.

[Oneiric]

We face West, BUT, the lanai was extended out 4 feet and this makes a big difference. The setting sun is pleasant to watch and is only really annoying for about 30 minutes.

[MandoMan]

With a south or west-facing lanai that is within the footprint of the house, you can install a retractable awning. A ten foot awning like that will keep the sun off the lanai, and often you will need only a few feet of it. With a south-facing lanai, you will get lots of sun on it in the winter, which can be nice. A north-facing lanai gets no sun at all in the winter. An East-facing lanai gets morning sun, which can be very pleasant, and then with an awning can be in the shade from 9 am on. But you might prefer more sun in January.

As for pools, afternoon sun can certainly be punishing. With a north-facing pool, in winter you may or may not get sun on it to warm it up. A pool expert can tell you. With a south-facing pool, you will probably have sun on it from morning to night. That’s nice in the winter if you think you will be using it then. An East-facing pool warms up from the sun all morning and mid-afternoon, but eventually, when the sun sinks below the roof peak, the concrete will cool a bit. A West-facing pool is the worst, in many ways. If you have a bird cage built, you can use a screening that cuts out a lot of the sun. If it’s white, it will reflect a lot of the heat. You will have less light and heat, but you still can see out.

I have a West-facing house with pool and birdcage, but there are trees about forty feet high behind the birdcage, and at this time of year, a quarter of the patio is in shade by 2 pm and nearly all of it by 4 pm.

For a similar house with shade trees behind and a west-facing pool, check out 222 Carrera Dr on the Tierra del Sol golf course. It’s in great condition and beautiful. It went up for sale this week.

[Villages Kahuna]

Agree with Northeast or East. Avoid West or South.

[Bay Kid]

Snowbirds love a southern lanai, frogs love a north lanai.

[Carl123]

We have had both east and west facing homes. Our current home is a pool home with the rear facing west and an oversized lanai. The mornings are nice and cool for coffee and newspaper and sunsets are absolutely beautiful and we don’t regret it at all. We did however install roll down shades between the pool and lanai that are usually lowered in the late afternoon for a couple hours, especially during the summer months. This allows use to stay outside most of the day...and if you get hot, jump in the pool. Problem solved!

[Chi-Town]

Back faces ESE. Sun on the lanai in the early morning when it's cooler and sun all day on the pool.

[ozark2000@icloud.com]

Face the east in the morning

[Juliebythesea]

South
In the winter when the sun is low in the sky you are shielded from the north wind and have more sun
In the summer you are shielded from the intense sun when the sun is higher in the sky
Oh, and get a solar heater it is magical ☀️and cost free once it’s installed 😎

[Villager2465]

Hi! We live looking over water & have a pool , but on partial back Lanai as well as side with pool Lanai. We do have afternoon & evening sun , but love the beautiful sunsets !! 🌅

[meridian5850]

Our lanai faces southwest. The only issue is during the winter months, the afternoon sun comes all the way into the house and is blinding to the point of having to adjust the shades on the sliding doors. We just solved that problem by having sunshades installed on the outside of the lanai. We're not using them much right now, have had them down partially when we're out there in the afternoon for a bit. Bonus is the lanai stays dry when it rains and the shades are down.

[zuidemab]

Originally Posted by rccooper22

We are looking to buy/build a home with a pool and trying to consider all the options. What is considered a preferred lani facing home with pool? What is the least preferred facing lanai?

It depends on habits and use. But likely an East facing Lanai is best for much of the Year. It will have morning sun and then slip into the shade for those afternoon and evening activities and parties on the “cool” side.