Florida homes need bigger lanais
A lanai is the heart of a Florida home. It is where you drink coffee, read, and watch the rain. Many lanais are just too small for the life owners want.
A lanai extension pushes that space outward. More room for a dining set. More room for a sitting area. The indoor-outdoor line moves in your favor.
Extensions tie into your existing roof or wall. Done right, they look like they were always there. The roof line flows. The screen lines match.
This is not a quick add-on. It is real construction with footings, framing, and a roof. We build it like part of the house, because it is.
Roof tie-ins done right
The roof connection is the most important detail. Water must flow off the new roof without leaking at the joint. Flashing and sealant do that job.
We match the roof slope to your home where possible. A matching slope looks clean and sheds water well. Flat tie-ins work too when the house shape calls for it.
The frame attaches to the house wall with proper anchors. Not screws into stucco. Real structural connections sized for wind loads.
Gutters on the new edge carry water away. We tie them into your existing drainage so the yard does not flood at the new drip line.
Screened or open
Most lanai extensions get screened. Screens keep the bugs out and match the rest of the lanai. The space feels like one big room.
Some owners leave part open. An open section works for a grill or a hot tub. Screens and steam do not mix well, so plan the zones.
Kick plates along the base add strength and block splash-back. They also keep pets from pushing through the lower screens.
Doors matter too. Place them where traffic flows: to the pool, to the yard, to the driveway. We plan door spots with you.
How it works
Lanai extensions take more planning than a simple cover. We handle the design, the engineering, and the permits.
- Free visit. We measure the lanai and study the roof and wall where we will tie in. We talk about how you will use the new space.
- Design and drawings. You get a layout showing the new footprint, roof tie-in, doors, and screens. We revise until it feels right.
- Written price. One price covers footings, framing, roofing, screens, and finish work. It is in writing.
- Permits. Extensions always need permits and engineered drawings in Broward. We file everything.
- Build. Footings, frame, roof, then screens and trim. Most extensions take one to two weeks.
Care for the long haul
Rinse screens and frames a few times a year. Salt air builds up fast near the coast. A hose keeps everything bright.
Check the roof tie-in flashing once a year. Look for lifted edges or cracked sealant from the ground. Catching it early keeps it a small fix.
Keep gutters clear so water runs away from the new slab. Standing water at the edge can stain the concrete over time.
Every project is different — contact us for a free written estimate.
A lanai that fits your life
Picture the space you wish you had. Room for the table and the chairs. Room for the kids to play while you read. That is what an extension buys.
Start with how you live, not with square feet. Tell us the moments you want outside. We design the space around them.
Extending what Florida started
The lanai is a Florida invention, and half the homes in Fort Lauderdale have one that is too small. Extending it is one of the best upgrades you can make. You already know you use the space. More of it just means more mornings with coffee and more evenings outside.
Matching the existing structure is the craft. The roofline, the screen frames, and the slab edge all need to line up so the addition looks original. We measure the existing lanai carefully and build the extension to the same lines. A good extension is invisible. Guests should not be able to tell where the old lanai ends.
The slab is the foundation of the whole job. An extension needs a proper concrete slab tied into the existing one so it does not settle or crack apart at the seam. In our sandy soil, the slab needs the right thickness and reinforcement. Cutting corners here shows up as a cracked joint within a year.
Decide on roof style early. A solid insulated roof over the extension gives real rain protection and cooler shade. A screen-only extension is cheaper and keeps the open feeling. Many owners split the difference with a solid roof over part and screen over the rest.
Call (301) 679-9193 or send the form for a free on-site estimate.