Lanai Vs. Florida Room: Key Differences And Considerations

If you’re looking to add extra outdoor-inspired living space to your home, two popular options are a lanai and a Florida room. While they serve similar purposes, there are some key differences between these structures that are important to understand when deciding which is right for your home.

Brief Comparison Table

Lanai	Florida Room
Outdoor, open-air design	More enclosed, can be fully integrated into home
Screened or roofed structure	Windows/screens on all sides for light and breeze
Blends seamlessly with exterior	Transition space between indoors and outdoors
Lower cost, easier to build	Higher cost, usually requires permits
Provides shade and airflow	Adds conditioned square footage

A lanai is an open-air covered patio or porch, while a Florida room is a more enclosed 3- or 4-season room with many windows. Lanais emphasize bringing the outdoors in, while Florida rooms allow you to expand your home’s livable footprint.

What Is A Lanai?

A lanai is an open-sided patio or porch, typically screened or roofed, meant for relaxing and entertaining. The term lanai comes from Hawaii, where it refers to a porch or balcony.

Lanais are designed to seamlessly connect indoor and outdoor living spaces. They provide shade and allow breezes to flow through while protecting you from direct sun and light rain. Lanais blend beautifully with the exterior of homes and yards in warm climates like Florida, Hawaii, and parts of California.

Key Features Of Lanais:

• Open-air, outdoor design
• Screened or roofed for shade/protection
• Often wraps around the home and opens to pool/yard
• Ceiling fans, lighting, and outdoor furniture
• Less expensive to construct than Florida rooms
• Easier permitting compared to additions

Lanais can be DIY projects or professionally installed. Materials like wood, composite decking, aluminum, or vinyl are used. Screening and roofing match the home’s aesthetics. Lanais are highly customizable in size, shape, and features. Many homeowners decorate them with potted plants, fountains, wind chimes, and artwork.

What Is A Florida Room?

A Florida room, also called a sunroom or enclosed patio, is a glass-enclosed space built onto the exterior of a home. Florida rooms originated in Florida as livable outdoor rooms that allowed appreciation of the sunny climate.

Florida rooms have large windows on all sides, including the roof, to let in natural light. Screened windows and doors provide ventilation and indoor-outdoor flow. Florida rooms can be fully integrated into the footprint of the home or jut out from an external wall.

Key Features Of Florida Rooms:

• Windows/screens on all sides with sunlight and views
• Insulation, wall finishes, HVAC like other rooms
• Offers transitional space between indoors and outdoors
• Expands home’s livable square footage
• Can be converted to interior room by replacing screens with glass
• More expensive to build than lanais
• Often requires permitting as an addition

Florida rooms allow homeowners to add conditioned, all-season living space to their home. They can be custom built to desired size and specs. Options like ceiling fans, recessed lighting, and tile floors give Florida rooms an interior room appeal. Homeowners furnish them as extra living or dining areas.

Lanai Vs. Florida Room: Key Differences

While lanais and Florida rooms both expand a home’s livable space, there are some important differences:

Openness

• Lanais have an open-air, outdoor design. Florida rooms are more enclosed with windows/screens on all sides.

Exposure

• Lanais offer shade and protection from elements but are open to breezes. Florida rooms buffer both sun and wind while allowing light and airflow.

Integration

• Lanais seamlessly extend living areas outside. Florida rooms feel like transitional spaces between indoors and outdoors.

Climate Control

• Lanais are not climate controlled. Florida rooms can be heated, cooled, and made into 3- or 4-season spaces.

Permits

• Lanais usually don’t require permits. Florida rooms often need permits as home additions.

Cost

• Building a basic lanai is cheaper than adding a Florida room. Florida rooms require more infrastructure.

Resale Value

• Both lanais and Florida rooms add livable space that increases home value. Florida rooms have a greater ROI.

Also Read: Should You Choose Flat Or Dome Skylight?

Pros And Cons Of Lanais

Pros

• Seamlessly connects indoor/outdoor living
• Provides shade and protection from rain
• Promotes airflow and natural ventilation
• Low cost, easy DIY or professional install
• Highly customizable size, shape and features
• No permits required in many cases
• Increases home value and resale appeal

Cons

• Not climate controlled, subject to elements
• Less privacy from neighbors or street
• Can make interior spaces feel drafty
• Screening requires regular maintenance
• Less of a return on investment than Florida room

Lanais are best suited to mild, temperate climates. They provide an affordable way to expand living space and invite the outdoors in. Openness can also mean less privacy and interior drafts.

Pros And Cons Of Florida Rooms

Pros

• Adds conditioned, livable square footage
• Protection from rain, sun, wind, and cold/heat
• Lets in natural light via windows on all sides
• Creates transitional space between indoors/outdoors
• Can be used year-round in any climate
• Increases home value significantly
• Easily converted to interior room

Cons

• More expensive to build than a lanai
• Requires permits in many cases
• Can overheat without shades and proper ventilation
• Lots of windows/screens require cleaning
• Blocks views compared to open lanai
• Appearance not as seamless with home exterior

Florida rooms make excellent multi-season living spaces, but come at a higher cost. The enclosed space also requires attention to temperature control and cleaning.

FAQs

Also Read: Differences Between Halo And Juno Track Lighting.

Key Considerations

• Climate – Lanais work best in consistently warm climates, while Florida rooms allow year-round use in any region. Consider seasonal weather and temperatures in your area.
• Purpose – How will you use the space? Lanais are best for outdoor relaxation and entertainment. Florida rooms function more like livable interior family rooms.
• Aesthetics – Lanais have an open, seamless look that blends with the home’s exterior. Florida rooms look more clearly defined as additions.
• Exposure – Florida rooms offer protection from the elements. Lanais are more exposed but promote natural airflow.
• Budget – Lanais are generally DIY-friendly and more affordable. Florida rooms require significant investment for a larger return.
• HOA Rules – If you belong to a homeowner’s association, check for any restrictions on additions like lanais or Florida rooms.
• Permits – Depending on size and specifics, lanai additions may not require permits. Florida rooms usually need permitting approval.