What's The Difference Between a Lanai and a Loggia?
Welcome to Florida.
Sometimes new arrivals will have a tough time with some terms that are unique to Florida and sometimes the concept of how we live will confuse folks. On the West Coast of Florida for example, our Ocean is the Gulf of Mexico and the tides can be as infrequent as once a day. For someone moving here from a fishing village on Cape Cod, that's a nearly impossible concept to comprehend.
I was reminded about how things can be difficult for brand new residents when I was showing a midwestern couple and their Realtor around a new listing that we have. As I gave a tour, I took time to showcase how the Loggia would be an ideal after dinner retreat with it's garden and lake view. Then the Realtor for these very nice people asked me what a Loggia was.
WHA-AAT?!?!
Seriously, if you are buying a home in the state of Florida and your representative is unsure of what a Loggia is, find new representation! I mean most people know what a Lanai is, and although the concept was originally from Hawaii (hence the island with the same name) it has been modified in Florida to typically mean; a caged-in patio with furniture, that can conceivably be used as an extra room. While a Loggia, on the other hand, is an Italian designed room with one wall open to the yard (often a garden). Usually, Loggias are part of Lanais but not all Lanais have Loggias. But, honestly if you are going to live in Florida you need to know the difference.
In our home, we have a Loggia which leads into the Lanai and more often use the Loggia, although the Lanai is much larger. That's one of the great features of a Loggia, it's functional in inclement weather, while not all Lanais are. If I had to only have one, I would pick the Loggia. It is more versatile and downright fun in the rainy season.
Of course, my other favorite outdoor space is the front porch. After a long day at work I love to pull in the driveway and see the country porch attached to our nearly neo-classical home. It's a study in contrasts, like much of Florida.
Sometimes new arrivals will have a tough time with some terms that are unique to Florida and sometimes the concept of how we live will confuse folks. On the West Coast of Florida for example, our Ocean is the Gulf of Mexico and the tides can be as infrequent as once a day. For someone moving here from a fishing village on Cape Cod, that's a nearly impossible concept to comprehend.
I was reminded about how things can be difficult for brand new residents when I was showing a midwestern couple and their Realtor around a new listing that we have. As I gave a tour, I took time to showcase how the Loggia would be an ideal after dinner retreat with it's garden and lake view. Then the Realtor for these very nice people asked me what a Loggia was.
WHA-AAT?!?!
Seriously, if you are buying a home in the state of Florida and your representative is unsure of what a Loggia is, find new representation! I mean most people know what a Lanai is, and although the concept was originally from Hawaii (hence the island with the same name) it has been modified in Florida to typically mean; a caged-in patio with furniture, that can conceivably be used as an extra room. While a Loggia, on the other hand, is an Italian designed room with one wall open to the yard (often a garden). Usually, Loggias are part of Lanais but not all Lanais have Loggias. But, honestly if you are going to live in Florida you need to know the difference.
In our home, we have a Loggia which leads into the Lanai and more often use the Loggia, although the Lanai is much larger. That's one of the great features of a Loggia, it's functional in inclement weather, while not all Lanais are. If I had to only have one, I would pick the Loggia. It is more versatile and downright fun in the rainy season.
Of course, my other favorite outdoor space is the front porch. After a long day at work I love to pull in the driveway and see the country porch attached to our nearly neo-classical home. It's a study in contrasts, like much of Florida.
Or maybe I just like the people on the porch.
©John Gaudiano
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