Wood Interior Options
Solar Innovations® offers several product designs in a beautiful custom wood system. A wooden interior works well for any application of a sunroom, conservatory, or skylight. Structures that have high moisture such as greenhouses and pool enclosures are not recommended for wooden interiors due to warping and rotting over time.
Thermal efficiency tends to be higher with a wooden structure because wood allows for lower u-values. The lowered u-value means that the room will maintain a more even temperature and will not lose as much heat in the cold winter months. All of Solar Innovations® systems are thermally isolated which prevents the metal frame from touching the glass at any point. This greatly increases the overall insulation of the room.
When used correctly, a wooden interior can give the structure a traditional feel. A conservatory can be highly decorative and include traditional elements reminiscent of those from hundred years ago in England. The rafter profiles can be customized to traditional designs and shapes. Moldings and trims on the structure can be formed to match existing architectural elements on your house. The same is true for wood interior panels which can be customized to virtually any design a customer may select. Each rafter is finished by hand with either a paint or a stain. To further enhance the conservatory, a color can be used to match your home’s décor or you can choose from one of our eight standard colors.
Wood interior systems can be composed of a solid wood or glu-lam interior and maintenance free aluminum exterior. Our structures are available in solid Mahogany or Spanish Cedar. Upon special request, structure interiors can be finished with laminates of Western Red Cedar, Southern Yellow Pine, and Northern White Pine (straight eave applications only), and Douglas Fir. Redwood and Cherry may be integrated into your skylight depending on final engineering requirements. Our advanced aluminum weep system carries water and condensation away from the wood, which increases the longevity of the structure.
Solar Innovations has tested a wood curtain wall. Click here to learn more.
A solid wood structure is typically utilized with smaller structures that have spans of 12’0” or less. Any span over 12’0” would be recommended to utilize glu-lam. A solid wooden structure is recommended for structures that are going to be stained, and glu-lam is used for painted structures. Owners can stain the structure themselves if they would like or Solar Innovations can complete the staining using a 3-5 coat microporous sealer. The first coat seals/protects the wood. The second coat stains the wood and the third coat is a finishing coat.
Solar Innovations’® door and window products are offered with wood options of Mahogany or Spanish Cedar veneers. A wood veneer is characteristically the best choice for an operable unit because it limits the expansion and contraction due to changes in the weather. Upon special request, veneers of Western Red Cedar, Southern Yellow Pine, Northern White Pine, and Birch are available.
With the addition of decorative trims and other accessories, the potential of Solar Innovations® wood systems are limitless. Solar Innovations® will prepare the wood surface for final finishing with a protective water based sealer that helps minimize damage and discoloration during delivery and installation. It is the customer’s responsibility to properly maintain the finish on the wood to preserve the warranty.
Optional Wood Rafter Profiles
Please Note: Solar Innovations, Inc. only recommends using wood for exterior purposes if there is an overhang to provide protection or if the product will be used for interior applications. Also, Solar Innovations, Inc. does not recommend the use of wood on the exterior of doors, for durability purposes and hardware limitations.
We will be happy to assist you or answer any questions. Please call 800-618-0669 or e-mail us at [email protected].