Building your own garden \u201cretractable solarium\u201d (basically a mobile glass house or low canopy) is a brilliant way to extend your sunbathing season from early spring to late autumn. It works on the principle of the greenhouse effect \u2013 it\u2019s pleasantly warm inside, even if a cold wind is still blowing outside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here\u2019s a simplified guide on how to build a low, retractable solarium that even a skilled beginner can handle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\ud83d\udee0\ufe0f What is a retractable solarium?
It\u2019s a low structure (approx. 60\u201380 cm high) with a transparent filling that is placed on rails. When you want to sunbathe in the lee, you\u2019re under it. When it’s hot or you want to go outside, simply slide the top part away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Required materials:
Construction: Aluminum profiles or light wooden prisms (treated against moisture).
Filling: Cellular polycarbonate (4\u20136 mm thick) – it is light and filters aggressive UV radiation (but lets heat through).
Movement system: Small rubber wheels and aluminum guide rails (U-profiles).
Base: Wooden terrace or concrete slab.
\ud83d\udccb Detailed procedure<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Create an arched or gabled roof (an arch is better for rainwater drainage and the strength of polycarbonate).
The height should be such that you can comfortably read a book inside, but not too high so that the air inside heats up quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Important: The polycarbonate cavities must be sealed with tape to prevent algae and condensation from forming in them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\ud83c\udf21\ufe0f Safety and comfort (Critical points)
To avoid boiling inside like in a greenhouse, you need to think about the details:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ventilation: Make openings at both ends (at the head and feet) or leave a gap for air to circulate. Without this, you risk overheating your body!
UV protection: Be careful, regular polycarbonate has a UV filter on the outside. This means that it will protect you from burning, but you will not get a tan. If you want to really get a tan under it, you need to use special UV-permeable plates or make part of the canopy openable.
Anchoring: The solarium is very light and the wind could blow it away to the neighbors. Always install a safety lock (hook) to secure it to the floor when not in use.
\ud83d\udcb0 Advantages of building your own
Property Homemade Purchased covering
Price approx. \u20ac150 – \u20ac300 from \u20ac1,500 upwards
Dimensions Exactly to the size of your terrace Standardized
Repair You can repair it yourself for a few euros Manufacturer’s service required
Why build it at all?
A retractable solarium will allow you to catch a tan already in March, when it is, for example, only 10 \u00b0C outside. Under polycarbonate, the temperature in sunny weather rises to a pleasant 25\u201330 \u00b0C within a few minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Would you like me to draw up an exact list of materials (e.g. how many screws and what area of \u200b\u200bpolycarbonate to buy) for a standard size of 2\u00d71 meter?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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