Have you always dreamed of having a pretty hardtop solarium in your backyard? How about a sunroom attached to your house?
Your dreams can now come true!
I found a company called Gazebo Penguin that makes some amazing-looking outdoor structures. I couldn’t resist but to review two of their most popular solariums:
- Gazebo Penguin Florence Solarium
- Gazebo Penguin Add-a-Room Solarium
Keep on reading! My Gazebo Penguin reviews and detailed buyer’s guide are here to help you find the best solarium kit for your property.
Contents
Gazebo Penguin Reviews
Gazebo Penguin Add-a-Room All-Season Solarium
- Dimensions: 8-feet by 12-Feet
- Powder-coated aluminum structure, UV-treated polycarbonate roof
- Sliding doors can be placed on any side
- Made of heavy-duty aluminum
- 100% rust-proof
- UV-treated polycarbonate roof
- Sliding doors can be installed on any side
Let’s kick things off with the Gazebo Penguin Add-A-Room review!
The Add-A-Room solarium is made of highly durable aluminum, which is coated with a 100 percent rust-resistant enamel finish. You can leave your structure out during rainy seasons without the worry of it getting rusty.
This solarium doesn’t have a floor, but it does feature a UV-treated polycarbonate roof that will protect you from direct sunlight during hot summer days. The roof is reinforced and suited for use throughout all four seasons.
This well-designed structure has two sliding doors that can be installed on any side to fit the layout of your property. You can also slide doors both ways, left and right.
You can count on tinted fiberglass sliding screens to give you some privacy when drinking your morning coffee and the screens can be positioned at five different heights. Slide them all the way down to get a full view of your backyard.
This product comes in two shades, sand and slate, and in four different sizes, the biggest measuring 10’x16’.
Add-A-Room can be used as an extension to your home, trailer, or RV. Expand your living space in a matter of hours!
Pros
- Strong aluminum build
- Rust-resistant
- Provides UV protection
- Practical sliding doors
- Adjustable wind panels
- Suited for all 4 seasons
- Multiple color and size options available
- 1-year limited warranty
Cons
- Roof not suited for extreme weather
- Fiberglass screens could be stronger
Gazebo Penguin Florence Solarium
- Resists most types of weather
- Powder-coated aluminum structure with polycarbonate roof, reinforced roof is made from 0.3125-in polycarbonate material...
- The wind panels can slide all the way down to the bottom or in any of the 5 positions of the solarium and allow maximum...
- Made of durable aluminum
- The reinforced roof provides UV protection
- Features height-adjustable wind panels
- Resist most types of weather
Give your backyard a new look with the Florence Penguin 12’x18′ Four Season Solarium. It will quickly become your new favorite place to hang out during summer or winter. The Florence Solarium can withstand most types of weather, including rain, snow, and heat.
The tinted 0.3125-inch polycarbonate roof will protect you from harmful UV rays that are known to cause skin cancer and premature aging. The side panels are there to protect you from the wind and give you some privacy. You can always slide them down to let some fresh air in.
What I particularly like about this product is that it gives you the option to install the sliding doors in two ways – to open to the right or to the left side. You can install both sliding doors next to each other to get a grand entrance to your small backyard palace.
Who says your palace has to be small? You have three sizes to pick from, the smallest measuring 12’x12’ and the largest 12’x18’.
This solarium also comes available in sand or slate shade. Both colors are neutral and will beautifully complement other shades of nature. Best of all, you can hide the unsightly screws with the caps that come included with the product.
Pros
- Made of heavy-duty aluminum
- Rust resistant
- Provides UV protection
- Suited for all seasons
- Doors can be installed in different ways
- Has sliding wind panels
- Multiple colors and sizes available
- 1-year limited warranty
Cons
- The roof doesn’t withstand extreme weather
- Assembly instructions are not very clear
Gazebo Penguin On HomeDepot
While Amazon seems to have a limited choice of these garden structures, Home Depo on the other hand carries a bigger variety:
| Name | Image | Find on Home Depot | Size | Color |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gazebo Penguin Florence Add-A-Room Solarium 10 ft. x 12 ft. in Slate |  | Check price | 10' x 12' | Slate |
| Gazebo Penguin Florence Add-A-Room Solarium 8 ft. x 12 ft. in Slate |  | Check price | 8' x 12' | Slate |
| Gazebo Penguin Florence Add-A-Room Solarium 10 ft. x 16 ft. in Slate |  | Check price | 10' x 16' | Slate |
| Gazebo Penguin Florence Add-A-Room Solarium 10 ft. x 16 ft. in Sand |  | Check price | 10' x 16' | Sand |
| Gazebo Penguin Florence Solarium 12 ft. x 18 ft. in Sand |  | Check price | 12' x 18' | Sand |
| Gazebo Penguin Florence Solarium 12 ft. x 18 ft. in Slate |  | Check price | 12' x 18' | Slate |
Get To Know The Gazebo Penguin Brand
Gazebo Penguin Inc. is a family-run business based in Montreal. They have been operating since 1984. Their journey started with the local production of gazebos, garden swings, and winter car shelters.
As their business and competition grew, they had no other choice but to move their production to China. By making this decision, they ensured that their prices stayed competitive and that new products could hit the market.
Gazebo Penguin now manufactures a whole range of stylish backyard structures and accessories that can significantly improve your home living. They have added a new gazebo, solarium, and furniture line to their original collection. Their latest addition is the kids’ favorite Backyard Skating Rink .
You can find their products at some of the biggest online retailers, like Amazon, Home Depot, Walmart, Lowes, and Sears.
People at Gazebo Penguin Inc. stand behind the quality of their products with a 1-year repair or replacement warranty against manufacturer’s defects. Their local Montreal plant and a warehouse located in Willsboro, NY, allow them to fulfill warranties as quickly as possible.
After all, they are dedicated to serving their customers and making them happy.
Buyer’s Guide: How To Buy The Best Solarium Kit
Features To Look For In A Solarium Kit
Size
Solarium kits come in different sizes. Pick one that best suits the size of your backyard and the size of your family.
Ask yourself these questions before settling on the size:
- How much space do I have available in my backyard (if looking at the Florence Solarium )?
- What size of a structure can I attach to my house (if looking at the Add-A-Room Solarium )?
- Is this structure large enough for my family?
- How many people will I host at my outdoor gatherings?
- How will I furnish my solarium?
If you have a small family and don’t plan on inviting people over, then buying the 12’x12’ Florence Solarium may be the best option for you. This size is enough to fit a couple of chairs and a coffee table to create a cozy environment.
For anything more than that, you will need to choose the 12’x15’ or 12’x18’ option.
Frame Material
The structure of your solarium should be made of strong and durable material that can withstand the weather in all four seasons of the year.
These are the materials commonly used for the frames of sunrooms:
- Aluminum
- Vinyl
- Wood
- Resin
- Plastic
Aluminum seems to be one of the best materials out there. It can defy most types of weather because it is naturally resistant to rust. But, unfortunately, aluminum can corrode! It is in your best interest to find a solarium that has been protected with some kind of coating.
Luckily, the Add-A-Room Solarium is protected with a 100 percent rustproof baked enamel finish.
Aluminum is a lightweight metal that makes for easy installation. You won’t need to hire a contractor to assemble your brand-new structure. All you need is a family member to help you out.
Best of all, aluminum is low maintenance. It doesn’t need to be varnished or cleaned regularly like wood. You just need to wipe it down with a damp cloth and mild soap every once in a while to remove the dust and grime.
Vinyl is another strong and durable material you can opt for as an alternative. In fact, most vinyl support beams are reinforced with – you’ve guessed it – aluminum.
Roof Material
Solariums are typically roofed either with glass or polycarbonate. Glass has better clarity and is resistant to scratches. It will give you a beautiful view of the night sky. However, glass is also more fragile and more expensive than polycarbonate.
If you decide to buy solarium with a glass roof, you should ensure the whole structure is strong enough to hold such weight. Glass is twice as heavy as polycarbonate!
Polycarbonate roofs, on the other hand, are just as strong and durable, if not more. They can withstand large temperature swings and are ideal for outdoor use.
Polycarbonate panels can be clear or tinted. A tinted roof, as seen on both Gazebo Penguin solariums , will give you shade and privacy.
Since you will be using your sunroom in colder months, it is best to pick a material that traps the heat inside. The U value (thermal transmittance) lets you know how good of an insulator a certain material is. The lower the U value is, the better.
What Are The Benefits Of Having A Backyard Solarium?
If you can’t decide whether or not to buy a solarium, these benefits will certainly convince you. A solarium will:
- Increase the value of your home.
- Beautify your home and improve your curb appeal.
- Give your backyard a new function and purpose.
- Expand your living space in a matter of hours.
- Provide a new place to hang out with your friends and family.
- Provide a new dining room, office, reading room, gym, or any other functional room that you don’t have space for in your house.
- Be easier and cheaper than hiring a contractor to build an extension to your house.
- Make for a room that gets a lot of sunlight and air to benefit you greatly.
You don’t have to buy a solarium to enjoy these benefits. You can buy a hardtop gazebo from my top 5 list instead.
How Much Snow Can A Solarium Roof Hold?
The answer to this question depends on how thick and strong the roof is. Most solariums can handle light to moderate snow accumulation. Anything more than that can cause damage to the roof.
Don’t let the snow accumulate too high and always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations! You certainly don’t want to hear the glass or polycarbonate crack above your head.
For instance, the roof of the Florence Solarium is made with 0.3125-in polycarbonate material, which should handle the weight of up to 6 inches of snow. Despite that, the roof must be kept free of snow altogether, according to the instructions provided by the brand.
The instructions clearly state, “While the product is designed for 4-seasons use, the roof must be kept free of accumulation of snow”. The 1- year limited warranty doesn’t cover damage caused by snow accumulation.
Luckily, most solariums have a sloped roof, like the Gazebo Penguin solariums . The snow should slide down on its own. If not, you can brush off the excess with a broom or a snow roof rake.
FAQ: Answered
How To Clean Penguin Gazebo Roof?
Clean your Penguin Gazebo roof using a soft sponge and mild soap mixed with lukewarm water. Rinse the sponge and change out the water regularly, so you don’t leave unsightly watermarks behind. Don’t use a harsh scrubbing brush or cleaner on polycarbonate roofs.
Give Your Backyard A New Look
Giving your backyard a new look has never been easier with my Gazebo Penguin reviews at your service!
Why spend tens of thousands of dollars on a contractor to build a solarium from scratch when you can buy one from Gazebo Penguin? Their products are made out of strong aluminum and reinforced polycarbonate that will serve you well in years to come.
So, why wait any longer? Your brand-new getaway spot is only a few clicks away.
About The Authors
Last update on 2024-04-30 at 09:39 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API