A comfortable winter garden — a warm glass room from spring to autumn
A winter garden is a warm and cosy glass room where you can spend time from April to October — and often on milder winter days as well. The glass keeps wind and rain out, and even on a cool spring day the sun heats the space so quickly that it is pleasant to sit there without a jacket. With good design, a winter garden is surprisingly comfortable even on the hottest summer day — we will come back to that shortly.
Klaaskoda specialises in designing and building winter gardens — from foundation to glass, with one contractor, one contract and one warranty. Our winter gardens are based on Malmerk Klaasium systems — the quality and long-term warranty of Estonia’s largest glass manufacturer. Technically this is an uninsulated solution, which is the most sensible choice for the majority of use cases — an insulated variant costs 2.5–3 times more but offers no significant added value for most owners.
Why our winter garden is a sensible choice
Our winter garden is a sensible choice for those who want comfortable extra space from spring to autumn without a large investment. Compared to a more expensive insulated (year-round heated) winter garden, the differences are significant — read more about uninsulated winter garden pricing.
- Simpler construction. Single glazing and uninsulated aluminium profiles are lighter, which means less load on the existing building and a simpler foundation requirement.
- Lower investment. The scope of work for an uninsulated winter garden is smaller — no insulated profiles, double-glazed units, heating solution or ventilation system required.
- Natural ventilation. Openable terrace glazing panels in the walls provide excellent air circulation. On a warm day you can open the glass panels fully and the winter garden becomes an open terrace.
- Faster construction time. A simple structure means faster installation — a typical uninsulated winter garden is completed in 2–4 weeks.
- No heating required. A winter heating solution is not necessary. If needed, you can use a portable electric heater to extend the season even further.
- Ideal for seasonal use. From spring to autumn, an uninsulated winter garden is a fully functional living space. On a sunny winter day you can also spend time there — the glass heats the room quickly.
Shade in summer, not heat — tinted roof glazing
A glass-roofed room can overheat in summer sunshine — the greenhouse effect is a real problem that hastily designed projects often overlook. The solution is simple and concrete: tinted roof glazing. It filters solar heat — the light stays, the heat goes. The winter garden does not turn into a sauna in summer; it stays cool and comfortable even on the hottest day.
This is exactly the kind of detail we automatically consider during the design process. We always select the roof glazing according to how much sun the building receives and from which direction — because the right tint removes excess heat without making the room feel dark or gloomy. The result: a winter garden that is comfortable in every season, including the hottest afternoon in August.
Winter garden construction
The framework of an uninsulated winter garden is made from aluminium rectangular hollow sections (typical dimensions 50×50, 100×50, 150×50 and 200×50 mm). Aluminium is a lightweight, corrosion-resistant and long-lasting material that is excellently suited to the Estonian climate. Powder coating based on the RAL colour chart is used as the surface finish, ensuring a uniform and durable surface.
The walls consist of openable terrace glazing panels — framed sliding glass, frameless sliding glass or frameless folding glass. The glazing is single-pane toughened safety glass 8 or 10 mm thick, which is safe and durable. Toughened glass withstands impact loads and thermal shocks, and when broken it shatters into small, safe fragments.
The roof is also made of toughened glass. Watertightness of the roof is ensured by a profile system specifically developed for glass roofs — the glass has a three-sided bearing surface and the front edge extends up to 200 mm over the front edge of the roof. Final hermetic sealing is achieved with butyl tape bonded at the glass joints; side profiles and wall connections are finished with cover flashings.
The structural components are prefabricated profile by profile in the workshop and assembled on site. This ensures precise joints and a high-quality end result.
Uses for a winter garden
An uninsulated winter garden is a surprisingly versatile space. Here are the most common uses:
- Terrace extension. Covering an existing terrace with a glass roof and glass walls creates a weather-proof space usable from spring to autumn. In summer you can open the panels and the winter garden becomes an open terrace.
- Summer dining room. Enjoying meals with the family in a glass-enclosed space where rain and wind are no bother. Ideal for extending the barbecue season.
- Relaxation and reading area. A quiet corner with a view of the garden. Sunlight streams through the glass roof and creates a cosy atmosphere.
- Growing and overwintering plants. The glass room captures solar warmth and protects plants from overnight frost. The higher temperature compared to outside air noticeably extends the growing season.
- Entertaining guests. Garden parties and gatherings without worrying about the weather. An uninsulated winter garden accommodates a large group and the glass walls give a sense of openness.
Malmerk Klaasium systems in our winter gardens
For building uninsulated winter gardens we use Malmerk Klaasium glass solutions — systems from Estonia’s largest glass manufacturer, designed and produced in Estonia specifically for the Nordic climate. Malmerk systems are CE-certified and VTT-tested (Finnish Technical Research Centre), meaning they have been verified to the most stringent Nordic standards.
Both framed and frameless terrace glazing panels are suitable for the walls of an uninsulated winter garden. Framed sliding glass is a classic and durable solution where each glass panel slides independently in its own frame along aluminium tracks. Frameless sliding and folding glass panels provide a cleaner visual appearance and allow the wall to be opened completely.
Because Malmerk manufactures its systems in Estonia, spare parts availability is fast and warranty service is convenient. This is an important advantage over imported solutions, where ordering a spare part can take weeks.
Foundation requirements for a winter garden
The foundation of an uninsulated winter garden is simpler than that of an insulated one, but it cannot be skipped. A proper foundation is the base on which the entire structure rests — without it the framework will move, the glass panels will jam and the warranty will be void.
In Pärnumaa the frost depth is approximately 1.2–1.4 metres. The foundation of an uninsulated winter garden must account for frost heave, but because the structure is lighter than an insulated winter garden, simpler solutions are also suitable — for example screw pile foundations, pad foundations or a shallower strip foundation. Soil type influences the choice of solution: the sandy soil typical of the Pärnu area is more resistant to frost heave than clay, but we assess the situation on site for every project.
Klaaskoda constructs the foundation of an uninsulated winter garden itself — this is part of our full-service solution. We dimension the foundation from the outset based on the tolerance requirements of the glass solution (Malmerk Klaasium systems permit a structural movement of only ±2 mm for folding panels and ±7 mm for sliding panels). This is a detail that a separate builder may not be aware of.
Solutions for large spans — up to 15 metres post-free
Many customers ordering an uninsulated winter garden want maximum openness and a panoramic view of the garden. Most companies are limited to spans of 3–4 metres, as larger spans require the design of special beams and structural calculations.
Klaaskoda is able to design and build post-free glass span solutions of up to 15 metres. This means that the wall of your winter garden can be one large uninterrupted glass surface — without intermediate posts that obstruct the view. This is made possible by specially dimensioned custom beams that our engineers design according to the loads and conditions of the specific project.
Winter garden in Pärnu’s maritime climate
The maritime climate of Pärnu and the entire western Estonian coastal area places its own demands on the materials used in glass solutions. Salty sea air, stronger winds and higher humidity mean that materials must be corrosion-resistant and the structure must withstand greater wind loads.
An aluminium framework is the ideal material for a maritime climate — unlike steel, aluminium does not rust, and the powder-coated finish also protects it from salty air. Malmerk Klaasium systems are designed for the Nordic climate, including coastal areas, and have been tested for the corresponding wind and snow loads.
Klaaskoda serves Pärnumaa, Saaremaa and Hiiumaa — all coastal regions where accounting for the characteristics of the maritime climate is an everyday part of our work. We operate in areas where we know the local conditions and soils.
Why Klaaskoda specialises in winter gardens
An uninsulated winter garden is a project where our strengths come to the fore most clearly. A full-service solution — from foundation to glass — means the client has one point of contact, one contract and one warranty. There is no need to coordinate a separate foundation contractor, a separate structural engineer and a separate glazing company.
Building an uninsulated winter garden combines everything we do well: foundation work, designing and building aluminium structures, constructing a glass roof, and installing walls of Malmerk Klaasium terrace glazing. Every stage affects the next — the foundation tolerances determine the accuracy of the framework, and the accuracy of the framework determines the fit of the glass. With one team, this chain is under control.
Our full-service solution approach means that ordering an uninsulated winter garden is a simpler, faster process with a higher quality result. In addition, we provide a single warranty covering the entire scope of work — foundation, structure and glazing alike.
Frequently asked questions
Get a quote for your winter garden
Designing an uninsulated winter garden always begins with an on-site measurement visit and consultation. In Pärnumaa, Saaremaa and Hiiumaa the measurement visit is free of charge. Get in touch, describe what you have in mind and we will send a specialist to you.
Send your enquiry with photos and measurements to info@klaaskoda.ee or fill in the contact form. We respond within 24 hours.
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Uninsulated winter garden price — indicative range
An uninsulated winter garden is bespoke work — the final price is always confirmed after a free on-site measurement visit and quotation. As an indicative range, our uninsulated winter gardens have come to approximately €8,000 to €40,000+, depending on the scope of the project.
The single biggest factor is how many sides need to be glazed: a corner position against the house requires 2 sides, a mid-wall position requires 3 sides, and a freestanding structure requires 4 sides. Other key factors include the terrace glazing system chosen, the height of the structure, and any additional works such as foundation, fireplace corner or tiled floor — all of which Klaaskoda can carry out as part of a full-service solution. Larger winter gardens typically have a lower cost per square metre, because the fixed design and foundation costs are spread across a bigger area.
The most cost-effective path to your own glass room starts with a free measurement visit. Send us your project details and we will find the right solution and price for you. Request a quote · Read more about winter garden pricing.
