The solarium has always been subject to fascination and admiration for its luminosity, as well as its ability to offer a clear view of the surrounding nature. Starting from the ancient Roman home atriums to today’s modern relaxation areas, the desire to integrate natural light and the beauty of the outside world is limitless. In this blog, we invite you to discover the evolution of the solarium, while exploring how Basco Windows & Doors can contribute to preserving its full value.
The Evolution of the Solarium: Inviting Nature Indoors
The solarium has become a popular addition to many homes throughout the age and has left its mark in history. It also considered a special place by many. Let's embark on a journey through time together to discover the evolution of the solarium, from its distant origins to its place in our contemporary interiors.
Ancient Roots
The idea of a space dedicated to sunlight is not new. It found its roots in ancient civilizations, and sought to capture and use sunlight, both for functional and aesthetic reasons. In ancient Rome, for example, the atrium (the open central space of a house) was designed with a special opening in the roof to let the sunlight in. It was a place where nature and art were beautifully exposed with the help of plants, fountains and works of art to further blur the indoor-outdoor divide.
The Victorian Era Greenhouse
During the Victorian era the desire to integrate nature into the interiors of homes was revived. The greenhouse, ancestor of the contemporary solarium, became a distinctive symbol of refinement and elegance. Built mostly out of iron and glass, the greenhouse, with its majestic structures, was the ideal place to grow rare plants and display botanical collections. More than just a space for plants to grow, the greenhouse was a place of relaxation that also reflected its owner's prestige.
Contemporary Conversions
The twentieth century brought its share of innovations by redefining the concept of the solarium. Thanks to technological advancements and new building materials, solariums began to adopt larger glass windows and roofs, thus optimizing the entry of sunlight and improving insulation. The use of aluminum structures made the solarium more affordable, making it accessible to a greater number of houseowners.
In addition, 3-season and 4-season solariums have emerged with the use of thermal pane windows, as well as with Low-E, tempered, laminated and/or clear glass. These materials are designed to make solariums sturdy enough to withstand temperature variations during the different seasons, with specially designed glass to provide thermal insulation in the winter and heat protection in the summer, making these spaces comfortable throughout the year.
Increasing Solarium Durability with Appropriate Maintenance
Through the ages, the solarium has evolved from being a mere lighted space in ancient civilizations to a symbol of refinement in the Victorian era, to eventually becoming a place of relaxation and connection with nature within our modern homes.
This evolution is a testament to the enduring need for natural light and our constant desire to connect with nature from the comfort of our home. At Basco Windows & Doors, we are proud to help preserve this tradition by offering you our maintenance and modernization services, to ensure your solarium keeps its pristine allure through time.
Our solarium maintenance and repair services can help prolong the life of your solarium. Whether you wish to give your solarium a facelift or simply preserve its condition, we specialize in glass pane replacements and modernization. You can trust Basco to revitalize your space to make it studier and brighter than ever!