Get matched with top patio pros in Mallory, WV

A lanai is a covered patio with open walls, while a Florida room has sides made of mesh screens or windows, with or without partial low walls. In addition, lanais often use concrete or other patio flooring, while Florida rooms may have more indoor-style flooring like tile or wood. Both allow you to enjoy the outdoors without being in the direct sun, but a lanai doesn’t offer any barrier against insects or debris.

A screened-in porch can add value to your home, with a potential return on investment (ROI) of 70% to 84%. The actual value added depends heavily on several factors. Climate is a major consideration; homes in warm, humid, or buggy areas (like the Southern regions) see the highest ROI. In colder climates, the value is diminished as the unconditioned space is unusable for much of the year. Other factors that influence the return include the quality of materials and construction, the size of the porch, and the local real estate market. While a screened-in porch can enhance curb appeal and attract potential buyers, it is not included in the home's total square footage for appraisal purposes.

There are many materials to choose from, including picket fencing, wood slats, galvanized metal skirting, dog-ear fence panels, scallop wood fence panels, bamboo screens, and other decorative screens. You can search for materials at local big box stores like Home Depot or scour online home improvement sites. Good search terms to use are fencing, skirting, and privacy panels.

While there is no one size that’s considered best, the sunroom size that’s best for you will come down to the size of your home and how you want to use your sunroom. Smaller sunrooms under 120 square feet provide a nice semi-outdoor sitting area, medium-sized sunrooms between 120 and 200 square feet can house an outdoor dining area and a small area for additional seating, and large sunrooms over 200 square feet can serve multiple purposes and even include an outdoor kitchen.