What’s a lanai porch, and how’s it a unique design element?
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Sometimes, a lovely indoor-outdoor area is perhaps all you need to unwind after a long day. The pleasant weather, the shining sun, and the greenery are enough to add a surreal feel to your afternoons. If you do not already have such an area on your property, maybe it’s time to think of constructing one. You can build a screened-in porch, a patio, or a unique lanai porch.
A lanai porch can be a wonderful place to relax with family and friends — beautifully bringing the outdoors in. This Hawaiian architectural design can be a great addition to your home, apart from potentially increasing its value.
If you’ve been looking for a way to upgrade your outdoor living area, a lanai porch will take your home façade a notch higher.
What is a lanai porch?
A lanai porch is a specific type of porch — originating from Hawaii. Generally, such a structure is an enclosed porch with a concrete floor or a stone floor. Simply put, it’s a type of roofed, open-sided outdoor living space that resembles a veranda.
A typical lanai porch has screens or sliding glass doors that you can open or shut depending on the weather outside. A lanai can be raised like a porch or flat on the ground like a patio. However, it’s usually larger than a porch or patio.
Differences with other outdoor areas
The main differences between lanais, conventional outdoor patios, porches, or verandas are how they look, and their location with respect to a house.
A patio is usually roofless. It may have paved, brick, stone, or concrete flooring. It’s almost like an outdoor living room with the quintessential patio furniture such as sectionals, sofas, chairs, and comfortable cushions.
A lanai offers more protection than a traditional porch. It’s usually a screen enclosure with or without windows — giving homeowners a coveted indoor/outdoor living feel, and yet protecting them from the elements.
A lanai porch is also different from a typical sunroom because it usually has concrete floors and is built on the ground adjacent to a home.
A veranda, much like a lanai, is roofed. However, it may often wrap around the front of a house — even extending around the sides.
Lanai porch costs
This type of porch may cost anywhere between $25 and $120 per square foot. An average-sized porch can range from about $800 to $3,000. The total construction cost depends on factors such as whether you’re converting an existing porch or building a new one, its size, type of material, and whether it’s a DIY project or you’re hiring professionals.
Keep in mind that building such a porch is less expensive than adding a sunroom to your home.
Read more: How to estimate a remodeling job
Pros and cons of a lanai porch
Although a lanai porch or a screened porch is typically not included in the appraised square footage of your home, it does add a convenience value.
It gives a homeowner a place to relax while taking in their green surroundings — for years to come. In fact, the average lifespan for a lanai screen is between 10 to 12 years.
This porch can complement or transform the existing look of your house — adding a great amount of style and function.
However, if you live in a region with extreme temperatures, a lanai enclosure may not be very comfortable. Since it’s not insulated like a four-season sunroom, climate control can be difficult.
Additionally, a lanai porch, unlike a sunroom, may add little resale value to your home.
Last thoughts
A lanai porch, a Hawaiian architectural staple, offers you the best of both worlds — protection from the elements and the exuberant feeling of being outdoors.
So, if you’re looking to upgrade your outdoor space, or just want a feel of Hawaii, build the classic screen lanai, add in some cozy tables and chairs, and relax with your loved ones.
Written by Ramona Sinha. October 26, 2021
Ramona is a content writer for Kukun. This experienced blogger uses simple and succinct words to decipher the complex phenomenon called life. An avid traveler, she’s a digital nomad at heart and an animal lover from the depths of her soul.
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This looks nice, but without a real ROI, I think it’s for people who love it.