[Uptown Girl]

We've just returned from our first visit (lifestyle package) to TV. Great place... You guys have it together!
Have a question about Lanais.... what is the optimum directional placement?
N,S E,W? How about as the season changes? Does this matter a whole lot?
A friend in Floral City said,"Gotta be southern exposure to use it in spring, fall and winter!" Does that sound valid?
We're looking at the CYV with the partial lanai/birdcage feature and really don't want an umbrella taking up the modest space.
I saw NO ONE on a lanai anywhere while we were visiting, so maybe it becomes something not used much after a while, but for me this lanai will be a major treat! (among other things, I like to paint.)
Your shared knowledge will be most appreciated!
(Hoping to be villagers in 2011)

[Ohiogirl]

I've visited our CYV (Eastern and Southern exposure) in October, November, December, April, and June in the last 4 years. Moving down for the season in a few weeks, finally becoming snowbirds. I'm a lanai/porch lover, but can only stand the heat in summer before about 7:30 am (helps that I'm a morning person) and during an evening rain after dark.

I think you didn't see anyone out on lanais because you visited in summer. Maybe we also use them more in CYV neighborhoods because they're so private. I'm there in my jammies with my morning coffee just about every day of my visit, reading the paper, checking my email and planning my day. Don't think I'll ever get tired of it.

Before mid May and after mid October, I use it most mornings, and usually eat out there for breakfast and dinner. I'm guessing that on mild winter days, I'll use it more mid-day, although I also think it's nice to go out with a comfy afghan with my fee up and read a book.

We have a builder-planted oak tree that is nicely shaped and has grown about 6-8 feet in just over 4 years. It is kind of southwest of our lanai and we think it will really make things pleasant in a couple of years, already starting to see some benefit.

We do notice a difference for the time of year - added a roll-down screen on the east side as it gives us more morning shade starting about April, maybe March. In the winter, the sun is a lot lower and makes it pretty comfortable in the afternoon/early evening unless it's really chilly. I'm guessing since winter doesn't last for 6 mos, but only at most a week or so at a time (I know, except for the last 2 winters) that I might even get excited about that and make a pot of chili or chicken noodle soup!

[Pturner]

Hi Billy Joel's girl (i.e., Uptown Girl),

We always eat breakfast on the lanai when we're in TV and eat breakfast at home. I can't imagine we ever would not. I also love sitting on my lanai reading, sipping a first coffee in the morning before breakfast or wine in the evening. Don't sit out during the heat of the day in the summer though. When we were there last fall and this spring, I frequently sat out in the afternoons after a morning of golf.

But, here's the real point. We have private back-yard lanai, so you won't see me sitting out there, except when you come over. I think that's more important than orientation, although we do love our SE exposure.

We sometimes play golf in the early evenings and when we do, we often see people on their lanai's on the golf course.

So no, I don't think people get tired of their lanais!

[Pturner]

Uptown Girl. Oops, where are my manners. That was your first post!

to Talk of the Villages. You'll meet the nicest people on this site, so stick around and join the conversations. And...

Glad you enjoyed your first visit. TV is wonderful, isn't it...

[Niels]

Before I moved here, I was advised by a couple of people to avoid a lanai that faced the West. I think that proved to be good advice.

What do you want to use your lanai for? That may help determine how you would like it to face. We have a corner lanai that faces East and South. This works out great for us. We always eat lunch and dinner on the lanai. My wife also goes out there to read her books sometimes.

We don't eat breakfast so we usually don't use the lanai when the sun is coming in the lanai during the morning. (Although, my wife has gone out there a few times in the AM and says its usually not too bad because it isn't that hot in the morning). On the other hand, when the temperature reaches it's peak in the afternoon the sun is on the other side of the house so we can eat dinner on the lanai. The sun here is really intense in the summer.
If you use a roll down screen like Ohiogirl mentioned, that can also help to block unwanted sun.

[JohnN]

The west sun is pretty brutal, but some people like that , esp. if they've a pool. Our faces northeast and is angled with the house, so it's virtually shady all year round. I like shade, it's plenty mild weather.

[Uptown Girl]

Your notes of personal experience are exactly what I was looking for!
Darling Hubby just reminded me that brilliant humans have also invented things like patio fans and solar screens. Why didn't I guess that?!
I do believe I'm gonna love my future lanai any which way it sits! Thanks everyone!

[EXYZEE40]

Our courtyard villa faces the south. We are on a golf course and there are large pine trees on either side of our area which give plenty of shade. Once in a while we will have either breakfast or dinner on the lanai. But just about everyday that we can,we have a good cup of coffee and lunch on the lanai.
Even in the summer, we are under shade in the afternoon and in the cooler temps. we dress warm when we sit outside (sweatshirts/jeans). Absolutely love the time we spend on our lanai.

As regards seeing people using their lanai's, it is very rare to see anyone as you drive around neighborhoods. But I do think that people will use their lanai when they have friends visit. Think about this - how many people have outdoor grills, how many have you seen having 'cook-outs' on the holidays, very few! And, if you also notice, almost all the lanais are nicely furnished but empty.
When buying, take the time to give extra thought to lanai placement in the model your are considering.

[Kelsie52]

I think you will get many suggestions about how to have the Lanai face--
We are having our home built now and ours will face East--I think it will be ok--maybe not the exactly positioned the way we would want --but it was the best we could do because we love our lot !!!

The most important thing to us was that the Lanai was in The Villages !!!!!

Good Luck

[CSilvestrucci]

I wanted a west facing lanai because I wanted to watch the sunset and I wanted to have coffee out there in the mornings without the sun. It's worked out perfect for me but I know most don't want the afternoon and evening sun. I have 2 ceiling fans and it's rarely too hot for me out there.

[jojo]

Ours faces west too and I love the sunsets and warmth in the winter. With the fans we eat out there almost every night. I have a table out further in the birdcage so that I can get morning sun during the winter.

[Army Guy]

Another vote for west facing lanai. Yes, it does get hot in the summer afternoons BUT! Our CYV is at the highest point in Bonita and backs up to the Bonita Pool, so from our lanai and living room when you are looking out we not only see the beautiful sunsets, but also a beautiful view since we sit up so high, all the way into Pennecamp & Buttonwood!

Arm Guy

[Uptown Girl]

And who doesn't love sunsets? Thanks again to everyone for taking the time to give great first hand experiences. Most appreciated!!!

[Tbugs]

I moved into a beautiful "resale" home here in The Villages about 1 year ago. The previous owner had the screen lanai enclosed with sliding glass windows a few years ago so his allergy-prone wife could enjoy being on it in the times of heavy pollen. It is East facing so we get a beautiful sunrise over the golf course. The owner had duct work installed so it is heated and air conditioned.

We spend each morning in the glassed in Florida room reading The Daily Sun and drinking our coffee while watching the early golfers come down the course. The house is situated so no balls come into the yard.

My advice - spend some extra money at first and have the enclosed Florida room put in - East facing. Personally, I prefer a "resale" home because of extras already there; mature landscaping; no construction mess around; and lower bonds.

[skip0358]

We have an East facing Lanai. I have my morning coffee, lunch and dinner out there.I really don't mind the heat at all. On real hot days I pull the shades down in the AM to keep the early morning sun out. Our Lanai has 3 sides exposeed see we also get a pretty good breeze, Only on a few really hot days have we opted to stay inside for dinner, hope this helps somewhat.