A lanai is a type of outdoor living space that is roofed and enclosed on at least one side, usually found at the back of a house). It is a combination of a patio and a veranda or porch, and the term comes from Hawaii). Lanais are often connected to an entrance and covered by the roof, and they usually feature a solid floor, often made of concrete, enclosed with glass or screening. They are designed to protect from the heat, sun, insects, and debris, and they work well in warm climates. Lanais can be costly to build because of the square footage involved, and not all buildings work structurally with a lanai. However, they add value to a home and offer more protection than a traditional porch because they usually feature screens or windows. Lanais are different from patios because they always share at least one wall with a building, are always at the same elevation as the nearest floor of the house they attach to, and are always covered by a roof and open to the outdoors on at least one side.