[Lchughart@gmail.com]

We have an east facing lanai, and get to watch the Cape Canaveral rocket launches frequently.

[westernrider75]

Originally Posted by Coop63

Looking at houses in TV and my wife is insistent that we only consider east and north facing lanai’s. I am hoping that an audience vote will help me confirm her concerns, or open up our search to more houses. We plan to homestead in Florida and travel north for the hot summer months.

We live in Michigan and our 3 season room is the favorite hangout during summer months. Sun shades are not very sophisticated here, given the climate. What do you all think?

We have a west facing lanai and while it is hot in the summer, the rest of the year it is perfect. We use outdoor curtains to keep the sun out in the summer months. If you are not here in the summer I think it’s a non-issue. Don’t forget we get much cooler weather in the winter months when the sun makes that lanai usable when in the shade it might not be.

[HJBeck]

We are snowbirds and our enclosed lanai faces south. Pleasant in the Winter months, gets warm by April. Have retractable awnings for April & May. Should mention we had blown insulation put in above the lanai and garage.

[cjky2k]

Originally Posted by JohnN

We have been in Florida for 17 years now. The first 4 years we were in a patio villa as snowbirds, so didn't matter so much.
When we moved to our courtyard villa, the orientation was VERY important to us, that Florida sun is hot hot hot.
So, our lanai faces NE and we love it, shady all late morning and all afternoon. So is the rear of the house which is our living area and primary bedroom. The front of the house gets the south and west sun, fortunately it's the garage and a covered front porch.

I vote for the NE lanai , I wouldn't consider anything else unless you're a sun person. But it is hot, baby.

We have a CYV with front door facing north. Original lanai on the east side which we expanded across the back - facing south. We love this. In the summer, the sun is never directly in the south facing section (its path is to far north). but it is in the winter!! Our master BR also faces south, so great sunny spot for our cats during the winter and shady all summer. I would not ever want west facing, as even with the high north path of the sun in the summer, the west side gets very hot in the afternoons.

[The Left Mitten]

Personally, I would listen to your wife. We did the same thing 5-1/2 years ago and have a beautiful east facing lanai. We have never regretted it. Some of our friends and neighbors whose Lena‘s face west or south find them almost unusable for a big portion of the year

[coconutmama]

Originally Posted by ResQme

Southern lanai was always a priority for us when looking at lots because we always have a pool (only form of exercise we can do is swimming) and my wife always wants maximum sun exposure for the pool. Also, the front garage stays a few degrees cooler.

This is exactly how we feel about our exposure. Our 1st home here was the opposite & the garage and kitchen were always too hot.

We use sun shades in our lanai for our southern exposure now & they work fine, allowing the pool to stay warm

[SunShanGirl]

My screened porch faces South, lanai faces North. I enjoy both regularly. I always hear that you don’t want a West facing lanai. I can see the wisdom in that!

[sowilts]

Originally Posted by Altavia

West facing view lots can have nice sunset views and stay warmer in cooler weather.

Power shades can block the sun when needed and keep the lanai warm in cooler weather.

Agree. We have fantastic Sunset views on our West facing Lanai.

[DonnaNi4os]

My lanai has a north-eastern exposure. I get just enough light in the morning to sustain my plants and it NEVER gets hot afternoon sun. Perfect for me.

[Jim1mack]

Ours faces south. We also have a pool and there’s a good sized covered area with ceiling fans. During summer the sun is too high to shine into the covered area but it is warming our pool. During winter with the lower sun it helps warm the covered area? We installed pull down shades (Lowe’s) to utilized as needed when the sun shines in our faces.

[lmack]

Originally Posted by Coop63

Looking at houses in TV and my wife is insistent that we only consider east and north facing lanai’s. I am hoping that an audience vote will help me confirm her concerns, or open up our search to more houses. We plan to homestead in Florida and travel north for the hot summer months.

We live in Michigan and our 3 season room is the favorite hangout during summer months. Sun shades are not very sophisticated here, given the climate. What do you all think?

I need to agree with one poster stating house direction can limit your choices but we really wanted south/SW and found it. We really like the light we get into the home but love our sunsets! We are SW (more S than W) and get a super sunset view. They are just beautiful!

[maistocars]

Good with the wife's opinion!

[TedfromGA]

In addition to the lanai orientation you will need to consider nearby noise sources. Examples: Pickle Ball courts, Rec Center pools, Golf courses, Multi Modal cart paths, roads with a yellow or white line down the middle (indicates moderate to heavy auto/truck traffic). For us the "noise" potential is more important. We have SW facing lanai and use power screens (installed by RK sunscreens). With a patio in the front of the house evenings are nice, mornings are nice on the lanai.

[Normal]

If you entertain in your lanai, then you would want an eastern facing lanai with the front yard facing west. If you like afternoons and evenings in the front yard or on the front porch, then a lanai facing west would be a better choice.

[ndf888]

You never know if you’re going to change your mind about heading North every summer. This happened to us. Better be safe and listen to your wife.