Kitchen Solariums
We are thinking about trying to build a solarium off our kitchen (there is a ground floor extension below), possibly with a small deck/terrace extending off the back. If anyone has undertaken a similar project and can RECOMMEND AN ARCHITECT with experience working on this type of project, it would be appreciated, as are any…
We are thinking about trying to build a solarium off our kitchen (there is a ground floor extension below), possibly with a small deck/terrace extending off the back. If anyone has undertaken a similar project and can RECOMMEND AN ARCHITECT with experience working on this type of project, it would be appreciated, as are any personal stories or advice on solarium renovations. This will likely be part of a total kitchen reno. Thanks.
Today’s Wash. Post has article on adding screened porches – some replacing decks. Wonder if these will catch on with brownstones – seems the main advantage over a deck is keeping the mosquitos out. Though having the shade of an actual roof, and a few more months use out of them each year, probably are advantages, too.
You can still get natural sunlight in the roof of your addition without having the roof be all glass – get one large skylight, or several of those small round ones that are becoming popular.
If you did one large skylight you could buy an antique stained glass window and install it under the skylight. Which would connect the new addition to the rest of the brownstone.
Agreed with 9:03. With rising energy costs it is expensive and irresponsible something that needs loads of electricity to super-cool in Summer, like solariums need. Might even make it hard to sell your house. Also they’d be a b*tch to clean, think about it. The glass will never look like the room in your photo. Except for a few hours after you’ve spent a lot of money hiring a crew to come over and clean it. Plus do you have any trees in your yard? I’d be wary of branches falling on it. It does happen in storms.
If you look at antique solariums, they have high pitched roofs that are more steep than this. If the top is too flattened out, which it would be on a brownstone, it will catch leaves and debris and dirt from the dirty NYC air. And bird poop, goodness, the bird poop.
I often recommend these guys, but in your case it may be more fitting:
http://agenciearchitects.com/work/?view=project&project_id=11
Have you thought about how hot you will be in there with windows above you? Saw one once on a house tour – even in the spring, the sun in that room was so hot, even with shades, I realized it doesn’t really work in our climate. I realize you can turn on the AC all the time, but why would you want to have to?
I realize this photo is not yours – so better to do windows for walls, not for the ceiling as well.
Try George Architect-917 414 1511 specialzing in high-end residential work with a skil for custom detailing. They were great to work with renovating my townhome kitchen opening onto the backyard garden.