[BPRICE1234]

Hello, we are wanting to enclose our lanai. I have seen plenty of post asking for suggestions on companies.

My question is for those after the install, is there anything you would have done differently? We are looking at fullview but I am more interested in pro/cons.

For instance, do you open all the doors or just 1 or 2? Did you go with fixed glass if it opens to just grass?

What about tinted glass, we love our view and wonder if the extra equipment takes away from the view?

Any suggestions are welcome.

Thanks, Bryan

[villagetinker]

We used Fullview.
About 2/3 of the lanai has grass/garden so these areas have either fixed windows or windows that slide to open. All of these areas have fixed windows at the bottom ~18 inches.
The remaining 2 areas have either 3 or for sliders so we can open the entire end into the birdcage.
If you plan to air condition this area you need to be class 4 or 5 (Sumter County), pay attention to this detail, as Sumter County will not allow you to add AC if it is class 1 to 3.
We chose hurricane rated windows, double glass, and tinted.
If you have a pet, you can do what we did was to have a pet door installed in the lower section that connects to the birdcage.

Feel free to send me a PM and we can discuss further over the phone.

[Lottoguy]

I would strongly recommend tinted privacy glass. Avoid the glass on the bottom of the walls because they could get hit with a pebble when someone is cutting your grass. Those mowers kick out lots of things.

[Jim 9922]

Be sure to include electric outlets in the new outside walls.

[Bay Kid]

I have sliding windows to the side. Major problem is getting the outside clean because of the full screen. I have been quoted a big price to have them cleaned by pulling the windows out from the inside or replace the screen with every cleaning. Be careful with the design.

[villagetinker]

Originally Posted by Bay Kid

I have sliding windows to the side. Major problem is getting the outside clean because of the full screen. I have been quoted a big price to have them cleaned by pulling the windows out from the inside or replace the screen with every cleaning. Be careful with the design.

Our screens are removeable, just like typical window screens, I agree if the design has fixed screens this would be a problem.

[rsmurano]

Not true about the class designation that Sumter county puts on your install. We had this done to our lanai:
Brought the level of the floor up to the level of the houses floor,
Put electricity in the floor for media center and electric chairs. Also put electricity in outside posts.
Used double pane windows made with egas,
Laid tile down to match interior of the house,
Insulated the ceiling in the lanai,
And put a Mitsubishi split heat pump in the ceiling,
Using the Cielo thermostat to program the heat pump.
All of this it’s rated as a class 3 which means no increase in property taxes.
2 things you need to do to keep it a class 3 install: 1) keep your original doors intact, 2) put in air conditioning/heater. My Mitsubishi heat pump is classified as a dehumidifier which is the same Mitsubishi split that everybody buys but it has a dehumidifier gauge next to the unit so if it gets to humid in their, it turns on

[talonip]

Unless your lanai is directly into the afternoon sun you don’t need double pane. You can block some of the sun with landscape bushes like bottle brush. I have had two houses with single pane and Mitsubishi humidifiers lol. Works perfectly.

I used custom windows on the last one. Single pain with screens on outside. Love the screens they use. They are dark and give an another level of privacy. I have two ceiling mounted units due to the size of my lanai. M and S air conditioning did a great job. During last hurricane no problems or water leaks. The windows have some tint.

[crash]

Originally Posted by BPRICE1234

Hello, we are wanting to enclose our lanai. I have seen plenty of post asking for suggestions on companies.

My question is for those after the install, is there anything you would have done differently? We are looking at fullview but I am more interested in pro/cons.

For instance, do you open all the doors or just 1 or 2? Did you go with fixed glass if it opens to just grass?

What about tinted glass, we love our view and wonder if the extra equipment takes away from the view?

Any suggestions are welcome.

Thanks, Bryan

Ours opens in the center with a fixed glass on either side. No screens since it is inside a bird cage. Fixed screens makes it hard to clean the doors they are heavy. Definitely use dual pane glass. We raised the floor highly recommend doing that.

[Iowatransplant]

We enclosed our lanai with Kolbe patio doors from Romac Lumber in Leesburg. Full view. 12’ doors that split in the middle so the outside panels are stationary and the center opens to 6’ for ease of moving stuff in or out. Screens easily move for cleaning. Fibrex material is superior to vinyl or aluminum. Double pane and hurricane rated. Love the outcome and considerably less expensive than the quotes from the “typical” enclosure companies using vinyl or aluminum.

[Bay Kid]

Originally Posted by villagetinker

Our screens are removeable, just like typical window screens, I agree if the design has fixed screens this would be a problem.

Sorry to say mine are fixed. I wish there was a good screen company that could design removable screens.

[Cneigoot]

Could you give some idea of the cost? My Lanai is approximately 10x20.

[Donnahamilton999]

Originally Posted by BPRICE1234

Hello, we are wanting to enclose our lanai. I have seen plenty of post asking for suggestions on companies.

My question is for those after the install, is there anything you would have done differently? We are looking at fullview but I am more interested in pro/cons.


For instance, do you open all the doors or just 1 or 2? Did you go with fixed glass if it opens to just grass?


What about tinted glass, we love our view and wonder if the extra equipment takes away from the view?

Any suggestions are welcome.

Thanks, Bryan

I would not do Anything different I live in Village Of Deluna if you’re interested in stopping by and see him and I am happy to show it to you. Full View did my enclosure. They did a great job.

[jimhoward]

Originally Posted by Cneigoot

Could you give some idea of the cost? My Lanai is approximately 10x20.

Roughtly $20K if you use double pane glass and don't do any modifications (like raising the floor, adding tile, removing sliders, adding mini-split, adding electrical, etc). Fullview or similar supplier can give you an accurate price estimate very promptly.

[Bwanajim]

I really don't understand all the people putting glass in their patio. I like the patio all open so we can feel the breeze and see & hear the birds, everything being outside.