Lanai vs Patio: Which Glynlea Plans Get Which

Lanai vs patio comes down to one thing: a lanai is a covered outdoor room attached to the back of the home, and a patio is usually an open paved area with sky above it. At Glynlea Country Club, Lennar's eight plans split between the two. Five plans show a lanai, two show a patio, and one shows a covered porch. Here is which plan has which, the sizes Lennar's drawings show, and how to choose.

Lanai vs Patio: The Simple Difference

A lanai is a Florida word for a covered porch-like room at the back of the house. It has a roof, and the home's sliding glass doors often open right onto it. You can sit out in the rain or the midday sun and stay in the shade.

A patio is a paved outdoor area, often next to the back door. Most patios are open to the sky unless you add an umbrella or a cover.

A covered porch is a roofed area, often by an entry. In some plans it sits by a side or back door.

For more on lanais, including how sizes compare in another community, see our guide to what a lanai is.

Which Glynlea Plans Have Which

These labels come from Lennar's own floor plan drawings and plan descriptions for Glynlea.

We left the Hartford patio size out on purpose. The number on that drawing did not look right to us, so ask for the current plan.

How Lennar Describes Each Space

In Lennar's words:

• Azalea: ""Glass sliders lead to an attached lanai."" Lennar adds that ""The lanai provides a comfortable outdoor living space perfect for entertaining or well-deserved relaxation.""

• Alexia: The family room ""extends out to the covered lanai.""

• Hailey: The open plan has ""easy access to a nearby covered porch.""

• Victoria: ""This home showcases a lovely patio area that steps further out into the backyard.""

• Hartford: ""French doors open up to the patio for post-meal entertainment and more.""

• Daisy: ""Glass sliders let indoor gatherings flow out onto the covered lanai."" Lennar notes ""There's plenty of space for an outdoor living or dining set.""

• Tulip: ""A glass door leads to the covered lanai for al fresco dining or post-meal entertainment.""

• Periwinkle: ""Glass sliders allow gatherings to flow out onto the covered lanai.""

What Comes Standard Outside

Both of Lennar's Glynlea feature lists include an ""Elegant paver driveway and patio."" Both also list pre-wiring for a ceiling fan in the lanai, per plan. That means where a plan has a lanai, Lennar plans for a fan up top, which helps on hot afternoons. Ask whether the fan itself is included or just the wiring.

Pros of a Covered Lanai

• Shade. A roof blocks the sun overhead for much of the day.

• Rain cover. A Florida afternoon shower does not end your dinner outside.

• Feels like another room. With sliders open, the living room and lanai work as one space.

• Furniture lasts longer. Cushions and tables stay out of the worst sun and rain.

Pros of a Patio

• Open sky. Good for grilling, sunbathing and stargazing.

• More light inside. No roof means no shadow over the back windows.

• Flexible. You can add an umbrella or shade later, if your plans allow it.

Making Outdoor Space Work in Florida Weather

Whichever you choose, a few simple moves make the space easier to use:

• Add a fan where the wiring is. Moving air makes a hot afternoon feel cooler.

• Pick outdoor-rated furniture. Cushions made for outdoor use dry faster after a storm.

• Plan your lighting. An evening on the lanai or patio needs a light you can switch on from inside.

• Think about storms. Before a storm, bring in anything that can blow around, from chairs to plant pots.

On a patio, an umbrella with a heavy base is the quickest shade. On a lanai, the roof does most of the work for you.

Who Each One Suits

Pick a lanai plan (Azalea, Alexia, Daisy, Tulip, Periwinkle) if:

• You want to eat or sit outside most days.

• You work from home and want a shaded spot for calls.

• You have kids or pets who play out back while you watch from the shade.

Pick a patio plan (Victoria, Hartford) if:

• You grill a lot and want open air.

• You like sun on the back of the house.

• You plan to set up your own outdoor space later.

The Hailey is its own case. Its drawing shows covered porches rather than a lanai or patio, so look at it in person.

For the full plan details, see all eight golf course homes at Glynlea compared. If you want taller rooms inside to match an open lanai, see ceiling heights in the Pinehurst homes.

Storms and Your Outdoor Space

Florida homes face storm season every year. Sliding glass doors and windows are part of what an insurance inspector looks at. A wind mitigation inspection checks things like the roof and how the home's openings are protected, and it can affect your insurance. Read how a wind mitigation inspection works on a new Florida home.

Lennar's Pinehurst feature list names ""Impact Low E Windows."" The Twin Homes and Augusta list does not mention windows, so ask the sales team in writing what windows and doors your home has.

A Quick Outdoor Checklist on Tour

1. Stand on the lanai or patio at the time of day you would use it most.

2. Check which way the back of the home faces.

3. Look at what is behind the homesite: another home, water or golf.

4. Ask whether the lanai fan wiring includes a fan.

5. Ask what changes are allowed later, like adding shade or screens.

Not sure where the homesite sits in the neighborhood? Our map of the roads around Glynlea helps you get your bearings.

Common Questions

Want to stand on each lanai and patio yourself? Call 561-704-0091 or set a time to tour Glynlea. See the plans on our Glynlea Country Club community listing.

Related reading: Golf Course Homes at Glynlea Country Club: All Eight Lennar Plans Compared · 9 Foot Ceilings at Glynlea: What the Pinehurst 9'4"" First Floors Mean · Map of Port St. Lucie: The Roads Around Glynlea Country Club