Covered Patio Ideas for Wildwood Groves Homes
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A covered patio is an outdoor space at the back of the home with a roof over it. At Wildwood Groves, every one of Lennar's floor plan drawings shows one. In South Florida, that roof matters. It gives you shade from the sun and a dry place to sit when a quick rain shower rolls through.
This guide explains what a covered patio is, how each Wildwood Groves plan places it, and practical ways to set it up.
What Is a Covered Patio?
A patio is a flat outdoor area next to the house, usually at ground level. A covered patio has a roof over all or part of it. In many Florida homes, the roof is part of the main house roof.
People often mix up these words:
Patio: a ground-level outdoor area. It may be open to the sky.
Covered patio: a patio with a roof over it.
Lanai: a Florida word for a covered outdoor room at the back of the home.
Terrace: Lennar uses this word for the Mulberry's covered outdoor space.
If you want the longer version, read our guide that explains what a lanai is and how it differs from a porch or patio.
How Each Wildwood Groves Plan Uses It
Lennar's descriptions and drawings show where each covered outdoor space sits.
Caraway. Lennar says the covered patio is reached ""through sliding glass doors"" from the main living area. The Caraway is the smallest plan, with 2,086 square feet on one level.
Edlin. Lennar says ""a covered patio allows for desirable indoor-outdoor living."" The drawing also shows a second outdoor area marked ""Patio.""
Fontana. Lennar places the family room, kitchen and breakfast area at the back of the home, ""where a covered patio provides outdoor living options."" The breakfast area is part of that back section.
Mulberry. Lennar calls this one a covered terrace and says it ""offers outdoor entertainment."" The drawing labels it ""Covered Patio.""
Willow. The only two-story plan also shows a covered patio on its first-floor drawing.
Lennar's drawings label each covered patio but do not give its size. Ask the sales team for the exact measurement on the plan and homesite you want.
To compare the plans for everything else, read our guide to the four one-level house plans at Wildwood Groves.
What Comes With the Outside of the Home
Lennar's standard list for Wildwood Groves includes ""brick paver driveway, walkway, entry and patio areas."" That means the patio surface itself is brick pavers, not plain concrete. Lennar also describes the homesites as ""large.""
For the rest of the standard list, read everything Lennar includes at Wildwood Groves.
Covered Patio Ideas That Work in South Florida
A covered patio is only as useful as the way you set it up. These ideas fit any of the Wildwood Groves plans.
1. Pick Its Main Job
Decide what you will use it for most:
Outdoor dining. A table and chairs close to the kitchen door.
Lounging. A small sofa, two chairs and a side table.
Play space. An open floor near the door so you can see children from inside.
One main use works better than three crowded together.
2. Choose Furniture Made for Outdoors
South Florida air is humid and rain blows in sideways in a storm. Look for furniture labeled for outdoor use. Aluminum, resin wicker and teak are common choices. Pick cushions with covers you can remove and wash.
3. Plan for Light
The roof that gives shade also makes the patio darker in the evening. Battery or solar lanterns and outdoor-rated lamps add light without new wiring. Ask the sales team what lighting and outlets the plan shows for the patio.
4. Think About Storms
Loose furniture can blow around in high wind. Have a place inside the garage to store cushions and light chairs when a storm is coming.
5. Grill Safely
If you cook outdoors, read your grill's instructions about how far it must be from walls and the roof. Many covered patios are too close for a grill to sit under the roof.
6. Extend Into the Yard
With a large homesite, the covered patio can be the start of your outdoor space, not the end. A path of pavers or a few planters can lead from the patio into the yard. If you want to build anything bigger later, ask about Miami-Dade County permits first.
Caring for the Patio and Pavers
Brick pavers are made to handle rain and foot traffic, but they need some care:
Sweep often. Leaves and dirt left sitting can stain pavers.
Pull weeds early. Small weeds can grow in the joints between pavers.
Rinse spills quickly. Grease from cooking and drinks can leave marks.
Watch for low spots. If a paver sinks or rocks, note it. Report it if your home is still under warranty.
Ask about sealing. Some owners seal pavers to help with stains. Ask what the builder recommends before you do it.
Shade and Comfort Through the Year
The roof over a covered patio blocks direct sun from above. Low morning or late afternoon sun can still reach the space from the side. Outdoor curtains, a tall planter or a shade sail on the open side can help. Pick fabrics labeled for outdoor use so they hold up in the sun.
A fan makes a big difference on humid days. Ask the sales team whether the patio has a place to mount one and what wiring the plan shows.
Lanai or Covered Patio: Does the Name Matter?
Builders use different words for similar spaces. A Lennar community in St. Lucie County uses a mix of lanais and patios across its plans. Our guide to how lanais and patios differ across one set of plans shows how much the label can vary. What matters is the size, the roof and the floor. Ask for all three in writing.
Who Gets the Most From It
Families who eat outside. In the Fontana, Lennar groups the kitchen, breakfast area and family room at the back of the home with the covered patio.
Buyers who host. Lennar describes the Mulberry's covered terrace as offering ""outdoor entertainment,"" and the Edlin has the largest family room of the one-level plans on Lennar's drawings.
Home office workers. A shaded spot outside is a good break from the desk. If you need a dedicated office, see our ideas for setting up the Fontana's study.
Prices start in the high $600,000s. Call 561-704-0091 for today's numbers.
Common Questions
Do all Wildwood Groves homes have a covered patio?
Each of Lennar's five floor plan drawings shows a covered patio at the back of the home. Lennar calls the Mulberry's a covered terrace.
How big are the covered patios?
Lennar's drawings label the covered patios but do not list their sizes. Ask the sales team for the measurement on your plan and homesite.
What is the patio floor made of?
Lennar's standard list includes brick paver driveway, walkway, entry and patio areas.
Is a covered patio the same as a lanai?
They are close. Lanai is a Florida word for a covered outdoor room. Builders use both words, so ask what each one includes.
Can I add on to the covered patio later?
Ask the sales team what the plan allows, and check Miami-Dade County permit rules before you build anything new.
Are the homesites at Wildwood Groves large?
Lennar describes them as large homesites. Ask for the exact lot size of any homesite you are considering.
See the Outdoor Space in Person
Call 561-704-0091 or schedule a Wildwood Groves tour. Plans and photos are on the Wildwood Groves community page.
Related reading: One Level House Plans at Wildwood Groves: All Four Compared · Study Room Ideas for the Fontana at Wildwood Groves · Bi-Fold Closet Doors and Everything Else Lennar Includes at Wildwood Groves