[hotrodgirl]

I originally had planned for a southern exposure as I am one of those people who crave light in my home. I actually ended up with a lot where my lanai exposure will be ESE, not exactly what I was anticipating having for my home. However, the lot backs up to a golf course which was equally important to me. Not so much the course itself, but some sort of view... Now that I have checked out my plat of survey a gazillion times, I see how this can actually be beneficial! With my kitchen/nook window facing south and my lanai and nook sliders facing ESE, I will get plenty of daylight coming in, but not so much as to heat up the house. I plan to have a birdcage in the back which should still get plenty of light. And the lanai should stay a bit cooler, so I am sure this will work!
I might suggest that you visit a west facing lot during the afternoon to see if you like it. I truly think I could do anything except north. But keep in mind the amount of light that may come in and how it may affect your lifestyle! Good hunting and I am sure you will find the perfect place for your new home!

[tommy steam]

Originally Posted by jimbo2012

West side will heat up

winter



summer




I would think facing east is cool in the winter afternoons??

Jimbo, which way will your lanai be facing?

[jimbo2012]

Originally Posted by tommy steam

Jimbo, which way will your lanai be facing?

The exact orientation is 160 deg mag., true solar south in that area is 175 deg, so I looked for a lot turned 15 deg east to get away from the western setting sun a bit, but great for morning warmth & lite.

I'm sure that is the ideal place to be.

Additionally I'm using solar hot water so as an added benefit it works for that great as well.

THere are other landscaping benefits to take advantage of if you're aware of the suns heat. Example certain palms planted on the cooler north side of your hause may not be happy, but in direct sun on the south they can thrive, but that's another whole issue.

[Happinow]

Agree with Hulababy!!

[Wing-nut2]

I've been in Florida since 1957. I would only buy a house that faces north or south. That's my 2 cents.

[l2ridehd]

Ours is West facing and it is perfect. Yes the summer months are hotter. The pool stays warmer, we have a Sunsetter awning that provides shade when needed and if it's to hot, we jump it the pool. West facing with an awning allows you 12 months use, East facing is very cool in the winter months. So my first choice would be West. Because we knew we wanted a pool, we actually looked for West facing.

[jimbo2012]

In reality west facing by more than 30 deg off due south is not giving you the all the solar gain to heat the pool.

In other words if the mag reading is greater than 205 deg you lose some gain especially in the winter months.

You can always kick up the heater

[delima2000]

Ours is facing west love looking at the sunset. Living in Mira Mesa we have a large tree in the backyard that keeps it shaded.

[jgbama]

Originally Posted by GG1953

We are considering buying in TV. We have heard that a west facing lanai is so hot that it is unusable in the afternoon. Do some buyers avoid a west facing lanai? Any input is appreciated.

GG, if you have read all the replies, you'll see a lot love the West lanai exposure, but it is a personal choice you'll have to make. There is always the good and bad with many things, (i.e. gas cart vs electric cart).

Our last stay was in a villa with the lanai facing West. Hot! The house we are closing on in July has the lanai facing North. Has a nice oak tree in front yard so the front of the house is shaded during most of the hot hours of the day.

There are so many nice park areas to view the sunsets, if that is your "thing", and even a scenic viewing area overlooking Lake Sumter, where many make it a truly enjoyable experience, to include wine and snacks. Very romantic. (Yes, we plan to do it often after we move down.)

If you want West because sunsets are a priority, keep in mind many West facing lanai are blocked by the homes directly behind, so you couldn't actually see the sun set beyond the horizon. Yes, the pictures God paints across the sky each dawn and sunset are breath taking, but with all the things we all buy or will be buying when we move down, buying shades for the lanai just adds more expense. With a pool we will be out most of the afternoon. Don't think I could bear it if the lanai faced West!

My suggestion would be get a North facing lanai. Most of the homes and villas we have rented (8) have had the lanai face either South or North; the two with a West were really hot from about 1PM until just before sunset.

Think of your lifestyle and what priorities you want. For us it was a small pool and anywhere along the Morse Blvd corridor (because my favorite championship courses are on or just off Morse Blvd). Also I wanted ease of access to Morse, and be reasonably close to the town squares. We got it in Rio Grande. We are a block off Morse, and will be 5 minutes to Spanish Springs and 5 minutes to Lake Sumter. Are we excited? You can go to the bank on it!!! Can't wait to call TV. . . HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good luck with your choice!

[graciegirl]

I would guess that about one quarter of the homes have west facing lanai's or southwest or north west etc.etc.etc.

It is just like all of the villages here. If it is YOUR lanai or YOUR village, it is the one you like the best. We loved both houses, and we loved both lots and we loved both villages, and all of our neighbors and we have enjoyed both west facing lanai's.

So wherever you live, or whatever you face, it is the most fun place to be for YOU, you can just count on that.

I just love this place.

[kaydee]

My lanai faces west & yes it is pretty warm in the summer mid to late afternoon. That being said, I wouldn't want any other way. We planted trees that gives a canopy effect which creates enough shade & we use the ceiling fan often. MOST afternoons we are still able to enjoy the screened lanai and.... since the sun is at the back of the house my kitchen which is in the front has had a chance to cool down. If I had to choose all over again my preference would still be a lanai facing west.

[Vinny]

After owning 9 homes I learned to never buy a house with a west facing lanai or east facing master bedroom. Word!

[hedoman]

we love the west facing with the sunsets and ability to use the sun to warm us in the winter. We got all westward windows tinted and the sun does not heat the house in the summer. East facing is lonely unless you get up early to watch the sunrise.....cold in many months

[Golfer in Sanibel]

Originally Posted by jimbo2012

In reality west facing by more than 30 deg off due south is not giving you the all the solar gain to heat the pool.

In other words if the mag reading is greater than 205 deg you lose some gain especially in the winter months.

You can always kick up the heater

Professor, Splain to me how west facing is too hot, except when heating a pool. You need to put the sextant away and think a little more logically. You must be an engineer.

[jojo]

A west-facing lanai may not be for everyone but we purposefully chose ours. It is ideal for pools. The sunsets are spectacular. It is warm in the winter and comfortable in the shoulder season. We eat dinner outside on all but a very few hot days. The ceiling fans help in the summer and we also get good breezes. I read out there in the afternoons in the summer under the ceiling fan.