Custom-engineered solariums have an average cost of $40,000 to $130,000. You can try to build one yourself, but it’s not “a quick-fix weekend project.”
Solariums are custom-built rooms that provide owners with a view throughout the year
What if the biggest window in your house was a roof — a dazzling geometric framework that offered you a front-row seat when stars fell, meteors blinked or the moon eclipsed? And when the next Alberta storm unleashes its fury, you would have a panoramic view from the comfortable warmth of your own home.
Solariums are a resplendent winter sanctuary, and the ultimate fantasy for sun lovers, gardening aficionados and nature enthusiasts — all of whom seek solace in a custom-built room with a view.
The winter months are the most popular time of year for homeowners to think solarium. Just ask engineer Andy Banack, owner and president of Edmonton’s Apollo Sunrooms Inc. Banack says a good first step for potential buyers is to understand the riddle of how a sunroom and a solarium are the same, yet different.
“The key to understanding the difference between a solarium and a sunroom is the roofing. A sunroom is any room with an abundance of glass to allow sunlight in. A solarium is a sunroom, but it’s a specialized sunroom because it has a glass roof enclosure.”
Although Banack will demolish walls and furbish fresh foundations to kick-start your renovation, he says that homes best suited for solariums are those with uncomplicated roof lines. Capable of building any size solarium, Banack adds that it’s a misconception to believe solariums must ultimately “face south.”
“What is more important than facing south is how a solarium attaches and matches architecturally to your home,” says Banack. “Our goal is to make it look as though this addition has always been part of your house. And some clients want them facing west, others east. In the end, the best location to build a solarium is the area that offers the best view, while allowing continuity through the rooms of your house.”
While Banack’s top-of-the-line, custom-engineered solariums have an average cost of $40,000 to $130,000, some consumers prefer the do-it-yourself dollar savings of building their own. With average costs of $10,000 to $15,000 and up, solarium kits are a popular alternative for acreage owners, rural denizens and those with professional building experience.
Paul Doerksen, owner and manager of Ideal Sundecks, says a quality Canadian kit product should respect three things: snow load (the weight of snow on the roof area); wind load (wind pressure against the walls); and wind lift (wind pressure lifting the roof area). Doerksen cautions buyers that different kits are designed for different climates.
“Because snow loads differ from region to region, some kits are manufactured for different climates and are not conducive to Alberta weather. Banff, for example, has a snow load of
120 pounds per square foot while Edmonton is
25 pounds per square foot,” explains Doerksen. “So purchasing a product designed for Florida may not work in Edmonton.”
Although solariums can be built by anyone, with an average cost savings more than 25 per cent, Doerksen doesn’t recommend it for everyone. Because “90 per cent of solarium leakage is instalment related,” Doerksen says that practising due diligence sometimes means hiring a qualified installer to assemble your kit.
“These are not a quick-fix weekend project,” warns Doerksen. “People have to determine if they are handy enough to measure, cut and erect a structure and have it perform in the Alberta climate with the snow loads. With my company, the benefit of professional installation is a full warranty that includes the installation itself.”
Retired couple Mike and Betty Gibbins didn’t want a do-it-yourself solarium. Instead, they opted for a custom-engineered job and a unique protective glass that blocks 90 per cent of the sun’s ultraviolet light. Keeping out dangerous UV rays, “Conservaglass” coatings retain heat in the winter, while reflecting heat excess each summer.
The Gibbins’ cactus plants like it, too.
“We built our solarium for two reasons. One is that we wanted to open the house up because the dining room was cramped. The other reason was because we collect plants and this is a nice place for them,” says Gibbins.
“We have about 250 cactus and 150 related cactus succulents. As members of the Cactus and Succulent Society of Alberta, we see this as a great place to hold cactus house parties. We’ve had three so far.”
During the day, if it’s really cold outside, Gibbins says he might use a fan booster to increase heat flow to the room. But as temperatures softly chill at night, the cacti thrive.
“It cools at night and this is nice for the plants because they like cool nights,” notes Gibbins.
How easy is it to change solarium infrastructure into a greenhouse? To change any solarium into a greenhouse, just add plants, says Banack.
To protect your floor and foundation from water spillage, however, he suggests incorporating a tile or concrete floor that’s been sealed and is permeable.
“We get a lot of people who like plants and we’ve built three solariums that are orchid houses,” says Banack. “And one of the reasons is that orchids do quite well in this environment.
“But rose trees, banana trees, jade trees and even orange trees also do very well. You name it. I’ve seen two orange trees in our solariums now. The oranges are small, but they do turn orange.”
Realtor Peter Schalin says a solarium absolutely increases the resale value of your home.
“Generally I’ll add $10,000 to $40,000, depending on the array of options included. But keep in mind, there are people who build solariums bigger than most homes.”
Banack’s advice to future owners is that the sky is the limit. “If you have preconceived notions limiting you, get rid of them. Think about what you want, not what you think you can get. We have clients and their home backs onto the North Saskatchewan valley. They watch deer from the comfort of their easy chairs.”
Banack warms to his favourite topic: “That’s the beauty of solariums. You can take a vacation and you never left home.”
By Linda Alberta, Freelance
