A winter garden is a living space created by enclosing a garden, terrace or balcony with a glass roof and glass walls for year-round use. We explain what it consists of, who it suits, and the facts about heating, summer heat and maintenance.
Short answer
A winter garden is a living space created by enclosing a garden, terrace or balcony with a glass roof and glass walls so it can be used in all four seasons. You keep the view while rain, wind and cold stay outside. SkyArt Group builds its winter gardens entirely on aluminium carriers; as an authorised Albert Genau manufacturing dealer, it manufactures and installs the system itself.
What is a winter garden for?
- At home: it extends the living, dining or working area towards the garden or terrace.
- In cafés and restaurants: it keeps outdoor tables in use through winter.
- In hotels: it encloses breakfast and lobby areas without blocking the view.
What does a winter garden consist of?
| Part | How SkyArt builds it |
|---|---|
| Structure | 100 × 160 mm aluminium profile; the leg also works as a gutter |
| Roof | Fixed glass roof: 4+4 laminated glass, optionally argon-filled insulated glass; minimum slope 15% |
| Side walls | Guillotine glass, insulated sliding glass or folding glass |
| Shading | Sky Zip screen under the roof |
| Floor | Prepared by the customer; we recommend decking or microcement |
Who is it for, and who is it not for?
It suits anyone with at least 15 m² who wants to use the space in winter too; areas under 15 m² are priced as 15 m² (how big should a winter garden be?). If you want to open the roof from time to time, an opening roof system may be a better fit than a winter garden.
Three facts to know
- Heating: Use a dehumidifying air conditioner; we do not recommend stoves, infrared heaters or heaters that blow dry air. More in how to heat a winter garden.
- Summer heat: A glass roof heats up in summer; the remedy is a Sky Zip screen under the roof.
- Maintenance: On gasketed glass roofs the gasket between panels wears out in about 2 years; maintenance is needed every 6 months near trees and once a year elsewhere.
Lead time, warranty and permits
Manufacturing and installation take 25–30 days on average, and the system carries a 2-year warranty. Permit rules vary by building and municipality; check your building's management plan and ask your municipality (is a winter garden legal?). Before you start, read what to know before building a winter garden and request a free survey.
