Recently, I wrote about how Cape Coral, Florida, was a home away from home for me, my sons, and their dad (my ex-husband) for more than ten years. My ex-father-in-law (my sons’ grandpa) lives in a fabulous high-rise condo that has the following amenities:

• Overlooks the Gulf of Mexico intercoastal bay area
• Three lanais per condo, the largest one of the three located off the master bedroom and living room (In Florida, a lanai is a covered and screened-in outdoor space, such as a balcony like my ex-father-in-law has, a patio, pool, outdoor kitchen, or a porch attached to the home. Lanais also offer a shaded space to hang out, a space free of insects, the elements, and alligators invading a pool, which a lot of Floridians have.)
• Walk-in closets
• A clubhouse with a full-sized kitchen, large enough to host a wedding
• Two separate gyms with full workout capabilities
• Lower-level parking structures with garages for each unit
• Two large pools
• Four commercial-sized propane grills to cook poolside
• Ice maker and water poolside
• Cabanas on the pool level for those who did not want to go back up to their condo or to use for entertaining
• An enormous marina adjacent to it
• Windows, doors, and building structure are all compliant with Florida hurricane building codes and safety requirements

According to Weather Underground, “Miami-Dade and Broward counties are part of a High-Velocity Hurricane Zone, where local code requires that a building’s entire envelope (including windows, doors, and eaves) incorporates lab-tested, wind-resistant design. Elsewhere in the state, the requirements vary, based on expectations of where peak winds will be the strongest,”.

Each time we visited Grandpa, I would literally have to pinch myself because it all seemed so surreal – it was absolutely a stunning paradise. Grandpa is not a millionaire, but he did well for himself and knew how to manage as well as budget his money well.

He was a career military man who retired as a two-star general in the National Guard. Since he spent the majority of his life in the military, relying on the military amenities, he saved almost every penny he made. Furthermore, as a retiree, he has full medical coverage through the military as well as many travel perks as a veteran.

What is the difference between a lanai and a Florida room?

A remodeling company writes the following about Florida rooms, “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,”.

I found that the difference depends on who you ask. For example, in my Michigan home, I have a Florida room off the back of my house that has a sliding door which opens to my large wood deck that used to have a pool off it as well.

A few years ago, we got rid of the pool. I took out two of the sliding glass windows and had PVC walls put up to make it more of a four-season room, allowing me to have my office out there. However, during the bitterly cold months, the little space heater was not cutting it!

Needless to say, it’s back to being a three-season sunroom, which is lovely, as the mosquitoes get ravenous during the summer months, and because of this, it is difficult to sit comfortably outside at night during those hours. So, we open all the windows (not the screens) in the Florida room and can enjoy a sweet summer breeze, sipping on lemonade, watching a mesmerizing fire crackle on my deck while staying safe from the tiny vampires.

That same remodeling company goes on to explain that, “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,”.

Then there are my ex-father-in-law’s lanais attached to his Florida condo that include two with roofs, but no screens. The other one has access from his master bedroom and has a roof like the others, but is completely screened in. I guess this one is an actual lanai, and the others are just balconies.

What is the purpose of a lanai in Florida

In addition to having an ex-father-in-law who lives in Florida, I also have family members and a close friend who lives in Florida. My friend’s parents had a large lanai that covered their entire pool and grilling area. Here are the reasons they had this area completely screened in:

• To keep out alligators
• To keep out insects
• To keep the dogs safe and from leaving the yard
• To keep the area protected from sun exposure
• To keep debris from going into the pool
• To keep down the costs of air conditioning, as it provides a space to stay cool
• Increases the value of the home

A local Florida lanai company, True Aluminum, offers the following thoughts regarding the purpose of a lanai, “When you choose to add on a lanai or screen room, you’re making the choice to increase the living space in your home. Because these areas are protected from the elements, you can use this as a place to put nice quality outdoor furniture where you, your friends, and family can sit and relax outdoors.

It also gives you a second dining room or family room for dining and entertainment, which can be very helpful when you have friends or family come over a lot for cookouts or game nights. The lanai can also be a nice refuge for some alone time since it can be sealed off from the rest of the house.

While we do typically enjoy good weather here, we also have the rainy season which puts a damper on some of our outdoor plans—especially when children want to go outside to play. A screened-in porch can give them a safe place to play while still being outside and protected from rainfall. It can also be a relaxing place to sit and read a book while listening to the rain falling, “.

 What is a lanai in Florida

In conclusion, a lanai offers a unique blend of indoor and outdoor living, while truly enhancing the Floridian lifestyle as well as providing a versatile and relaxing space for all to enjoy.