Florida Room vs. Lanai: What’s the Difference?
Florida Room vs. Lanai: What’s the Difference?
You dream of the perfect home space to enjoy the outdoors in the gorgeous Florida sunshine, entertain friends, or just curl up with a good book. Should you install a Florida room or a lanai? Are there advantages to both?
A Florida room and a lanai might seem similar at first glance, but they’re actually very different home additions with their own benefits for your outdoor living area. Which one is your perfect home improvement match? The experts at Lifestyle Remodeling, Florida’s go-to installer of sunrooms in the Tampa area, explain the differences and perks of Florida rooms vs. lanais so you can decide what’s best for your home!
What Is a Florida Room?
Floridians often add what’s known as a sunroom—a bright and airy space also called a Florida room—to their homes. They’re also called patio rooms and three-season rooms. They’re entirely closed off with a roof and one or more glass or screen walls. Florida rooms let in lots of sunlight, offering an ideal retreat where one can relish nature without pests, debris, or extreme weather conditions.
The term “Florida room” originated in–you guessed it–Florida! It’s a nod to the state’s warm climate and abundance of sunny days. These rooms are typically built onto the side or back of a house and feature large windows or glass walls that offer panoramic views of the surrounding Florida scenery.
While homeowners previously used basic screens or soft vinyl enclosures to create their Florida rooms, many modern technological advances in glass and insulation enable Florida homeowners to experience the effects of being outdoors without feeling uncomfortable.
They’ve become the epitome of outdoor living spaces, a common upgrade from a screened patio, and one of the most sought-after features of any home, especially in the Sunshine State.
What is the Purpose of a Florida Room?
The primary purpose of a Florida room is to provide additional living space that blurs the line between indoors and outdoors. It’s a versatile area that can be used for a variety of activities, such as:
- Relaxing with a good book
- Enjoying a meal with family or entertaining friends
- Watching the sunset
- Working from home in a sun-filled space
- Practicing yoga or meditation surrounded by Florida’s natural beauty
- Providing a playroom or craft room for children
- Using it as a second living room
Florida sunroom additions are also a great way to increase your home’s value. According to a 2020 Cost vs. Value Report, a midrange sunroom addition can recoup between 49% and 59% of its resale cost. (This depends on the quality of the construction.)
What Is a Lanai?
A lanai is another popular outdoor living space in Florida. The term “lanai” comes from the Hawaiian language and refers to a covered porch or veranda.
Unlike a Florida room, which is fully enclosed, a lanai typically has open sides and a roof. The roof provides shade and protection from the elements, while the open sides allow for plenty of fresh air and unobstructed views of nature, your entire pool, and the outdoor kitchen or BBQ.
What’s the Difference Between Patios and Porches vs. a Lanai?
While a patio is similar to a lanai in that it’s an outdoor living area, it doesn’t have the same level of protection from the elements. Patios are exposed to the sun and rain, making them less comfortable to use during certain times of the day or year.
The main difference between a porch and a lanai is the location. Porches are usually located at the entrance of a house, while lanais are typically found in the back or side yard. Porches are also smaller than lanais and are often used as a transitional space between the indoors and outdoors.
Florida Room vs. Lanai: Key Differences
Having discussed what makes up a Florida room or lanai, let’s break down some key differences between these enjoyable outdoor spaces.
Enclosure Type
The most significant difference between a Florida room and a lanai is the level of enclosure. Florida rooms are fully enclosed with glass windows or walls, which provides a higher level of protection from the elements and bugs. Lanais, on the other hand, have open sides and a roof, which makes for an immersive outdoor area.
Florida rooms or sunrooms also offer more privacy and security due to their walls, as well as protection for furniture and decor.
Comfort Level
Another key difference between Florida rooms and lanais is the level of comfort they provide. Because Florida rooms are fully enclosed, they can be air-conditioned to maintain a comfortable temperature year-round as a four-season sunroom, shielding you from the hot summer sun and humid air.
Lanais, on the other hand, are more exposed to the elements and may not be as comfortable to use during hot or rainy weather, but they do provide an open and airy feel.
Functionality
Both Florida rooms and lanais are versatile spaces that can be used for various activities, but they have some functionality differences. Florida rooms are often used to extend the home’s living space and can be furnished with comfortable seating, dining areas, and even entertainment centers.
Lanais, on the other hand, are more often used for outdoor dining, relaxing, and enjoying the view of the pool cage or backyard.
Cost Comparison
Finally, there’s the question of cost. Florida rooms tend to be more of an investment than lanais because they require more materials and labor to construct.
Of course, the actual cost of a new sunroom or lanai will depend on a variety of factors, such as the size of the space, the materials used, and the location of the home. Ultimately, whether you choose a Florida sunroom or a lanai, you’ll add a beautiful and functional space to your home that you can enjoy for years to come.
While Lifestyle Remodeling is not a real estate appraiser, it’s also worth mentioning that a patio enclosure or sunroom will likely add more value to your home in the long run vs. a lanai, giving you a better ROI.
Is a Florida Room or Lanai Best For My Home?
When you’re thinking about adding a Florida room or lanai to your home, there are a few key things to consider. You want to ensure the space is comfortable and functional for your needs. What’s your primary purpose for your outdoor space? Will you use it as a living area, an extension of your natural environment, or a combination of both?
Circulating Cool Air in Your Florida Room
If you plan on using your Florida room year-round, think about how you’ll cool the space during the warmer months. One option is to install an independent portable AC unit that would plug into a standard electrical outlet. There are many sizes, options, and features to choose from. This will help keep a comfortable temperature in the living area, even during bouts of extreme heat and humidity.
You could also consider installing a mini-split system to manage the air conditioning separately from other areas of your house.
In addition to a full array of three and four-season room design options, Lifestyle Remodeling builds new sunroom walls with thermal break technology on the wall frames. They will have a strong structure, good insulation, and raceway options to run electrical wiring. The wall sections and roofing come with high-density foam insulation in order to keep cool air in and hot air out.
Windows for a Florida Room
The windows you choose for your Florida room can make a big difference in the overall comfort and functionality of the space. You’ll want to select windows that provide plenty of natural light and fresh air while also being energy-efficient and able to withstand the weather conditions in your area.
Lifestyle Remodeling offers high-performance glass with a multi-layered soft coat with HPG COOL GLASS technology that blocks more than 90% of UV rays. Our sunroom windows are energy efficient, easy to use, don’t need tinting, and are durable and safe! Double-paned glass provides excellent insulation and reduces noise.
Our Florida sunrooms provide ground-floor access to sunshine year-round. We have multiple door and window options, including floor-to-ceiling PremierView windows or our VistaView system with glass transom and knee wall options.
As the Tampa area’s authorized TEMO sunroom distributor, we also offer TEMO’s unique Window Wall System, which features a puncture-resistant, full-view memory screen that is easily removable. With TEMO, you get the best of both worlds with glass and screens!
Get Started with Your Florida Room or Lanai Project Today
So, what’s the perfect place for your new outdoor oasis? If you want that cozy, indoor feel with a touch of the outdoors, a Florida room’s your best bet. But if you’re craving an open-air, tropical vibe, a lanai’s the way to go.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the process of planning and building a Florida room or lanai, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. Lifestyle Remodeling offers many options when designing or renovating a custom sunroom. From studio to cathedral sunrooms, take a peek at our gallery to see what strikes your fancy! Give us a call today to get a free quote.
