Ever since sheet glass was invented, it has proven invaluable for myriad uses. The glass window was an instant hit, as it could keep out rain, snow, dust, wind, bugs, animals, noise, and intruders, while still affording a great view. Capitalizing on its ability to intensify the heat of the sun, it was also used for building useful structures, such as greenhouses and sunrooms.
Greenhouses, also known as hothouses, are used for growing plants in cold weather. It is believed that greenhouses, as we know them today, were first constructed in Italy in the 16th century. These giardini botanici, (botanical gardens), were originally used for housing the exotic tropical plants that were brought back to the country by explorers. The idea of greenhouses soon spread throughout Europe. In England, they were often called conservatories, because they were used for conserving plants and flowers.
The same concept was used to create sunrooms, also called solaria, from the Latin, sol, meaning sun. Usually consisting of three walls of windows that went almost completely from the floor to the ceiling, they were built onto houses, and favored for their ability to bring in the best of the outdoors, while offering protection from the worst of it. Bright, airy, and cheerful, they lent themselves to everything from quiet meditation to lively conversation. Common in hospitals as well, solaria were also thought to impart health benefits, and were frequently recommended by doctors, to help people recover from illnesses, such as influenza, pneumonia, pleurisy, tuberculosis, and the common cold.
The advantages of solar heating have always been quite obvious as well, and are especially relevant today, with all of the concern over global warming and the necessity of finding alternate energy sources.
Sunrooms are still in vogue in all styles and sizes of homes. In fact, they are more popular than ever. Besides providing us with spectacular views, they assist with our ongoing efforts to bring the outdoors inside, and the indoors, outside. Also keeping in line with our other great passion of having sanctuaries in our own backyards, where we can detach ourselves from the fray, the modern sunroom is detached from the house. At GazeboCreations.com, you’ll find a great selection of the most beautiful sunrooms available anywhere.
A sunroom from GazeboCreations.com can also be used as an extra room, a place for entertaining, a home office, a spa, a guesthouse, and, essentially, as anything else that you want it to be. At GazeboCreations.com, you can use the Sunroom Designer to create a spectacular sunroom in just a few steps, choosing from dozens of options, including several colors of vinyl siding, shingles, shutters, and trim, as well as finished interiors, insulation, ceiling fans, cupolas, window boxes, and more.
GazeboCreations.com also has design consultants and customer service professionals to assist you with all of your questions. To contact them, call 1-888-293-2339, or e-mail cs@gazebocreations.com.