Modern sunroom extension: 16 Stunning Sunrooms That Will Make You Want A Glass Extension Right Now
75 Awesome Sunroom Design Ideas
floor to ceiling windows allow to see even large trees from top to bottom
We all know that sunrooms are structures that are either attached or integrated into the house to allow you enjoy the surrounding landscape. They protect from the harsh weather outside so they are perfect for any climate zone. It’s a perfect place to relax while enjoying a view, reading a book, meeting with friends, or even to sleeping.
If you’re designing a house from scratch, it’s a great idea to include at least a small sunroom into the plan. If you already have a home, don’t get upset. You can always build a sunroom extension that would even better because it’d have a glass roof and a great view of your mature garden.
Sunroom decorating ideas
There are many ways to decorate such room depending on its purpose. The most popular way is to turn into a room you’d be able to gather with friends and family. In that case, you have two options. You can turn it into a “living room” or into a “dining room”. Decorating it would be the same as decorating these two rooms. Although you can add much more greenery here because it’d thrive in the amount of sunlight it’d get. Although you’ll see on pictures below that you can turn a sunroom into a gym, into an indoor pool room, into a bathroom, into a bedroom and into other rooms too. With thoughtful layout, pretty fabrics, comfy furniture, and beautiful decor accents it’d become the most-used space in your house.
Sunroom’s furnture
The most important thing you should consider when choosing the furniture is its ability to withstand harsh conditions. It’ll receive much more sunlight than in any other room so it should be well protected. For example, wood furniture need to be stained the same way as outdoor furniture, fabrics should be as durable as fabrics used outdoors, and so on.
With these things in mind, check the gallery of beautiful examples showing how a sunroom can be designed. You’ll definitely find a lot of ideas to plan and decorate your very own room to relax.
Btw, if you search for inspiration in some special interior style, we have several more posts to help you with that:
- Modern
- Farmhouse
- Coastal and beach-inspired
- Scandinavian
- Boho
- Vintage
- Attic
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a handing daybed is a perfect furniture choice for a sunroom
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gorgeous tiles and gorgeos vases make the interior of this indoor sunroom pool trully awesome
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even a small sunroom extension is great addition to any home (the mid-ceuntry look of this one is great)
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add glass roof and windows to a back patio and you got yourself a beautiful organgery
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super cozy sunroom filled with natural wood and a wood-burning stove
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a classic choice of seating furniture for a sunroom with colorful pillows
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contemporary narrow sunroom extension that features black shutters
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even a small sunroom extension could fit a pool where you can swim like pro
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even standard ceilings works great in sunrooms especially if there is a brick fireplace
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growing plants indoors is much better when they are able to get as much sunlight as they need
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perfect sunroom for some yoga exercises
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quite functional sunroom gym with a bunch of cool exercise machines
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screened porch design in natural colors
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spacious four seasons sunroom with skylight and jacuzzi
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sunroom is a perfect place for an indoor pool
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this screen porch addition features a ceiling fan and a fireplace so owners are able to cool down or warm up the place
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A sunroom for gatherings with lots of black and white stripes.
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Bohemian style sunroom design. Lovely combination of a red sofa, rustic wood, bare brick and a super cool floor light fixture. Great place as for dining as for reading.
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All-white Scandinavian room with a bunch of windows and a glass door.
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Gorgeous loft space with the whole wall covered with windows.
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A Sunroom That Is Perfect For A Party
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Rustic sunroom In a cottage. Lovely sky blue walls and decorations make the space cool and fun.
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Small yet cozy sunroom house extension. Perfect little nook to enjoy winter weather in warmness.
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Lovely cottage-style orangery room where owners could dine from time to time.
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Sunroom-style bedroom. Who said you need some other furniture besides a hanging bed?
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Small bohemian sunroom where owners could sleep durning hot summer days.
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A garden sunroom that brings outdoors in
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Lovely sunroom-style living room addition where kids could play.
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A Dining Room Surrounded By Windows
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Decorating a sunroom isn’t that much different than decorating any other room in the house.
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A very functional sunroom design with lovely upholstery color. Two tables could solve lots of task and could be combined for large parties.
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Sunrooms are perfect places to grow some greenery. For example you can create a DIY herb garden there. Btw, white furniture, walls and floors are perfect to make the room even more brighter that it already is.
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An Amazing Sunroom With A Tree Behind The Window
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An Amazing Sunroom Porch
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An Awesome Screen Porch
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An Entertaining Sunroom
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Contemporary Sunroom
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Cool Large Sunroom
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Even sunrooms need windows treatments to protect you durning hot summer days.
Although here turquoise ceiling is definitely a focal point.
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Midcentury Modern Sunroom
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Covered Porch With Lake Views
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Cozy Sunroom In A Forest
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Cozy Sunroom With A Bunch Of Planters
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Cozy Sunroom With A Hanging Sofa
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Cute Sunroom
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Gorgeous Sunroom Like Sunroom
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a conservatory externsion that features a cool pyramid-shaped glass roof
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Beautiful sunroom with a deck on it. Perfect for any season.
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Hunter Like Sunroom
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Indoor Outdoor Sunroom
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Low pitched ceiling made of glass makes any room special.
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Plantation Style Sunroom
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Really Awesome Sunroom For Gatherings
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Lovely shabby chic sun porch.
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A Living Room With A Lot Of Windows
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traditional conservatory design with a glass roof
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Small sunroom garden
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This sunroom is very well connected to the deck. Thanks to this solution all seasons are covered.
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Small yet quite cozy room.
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Working surrounded by natural light is much better then working in a cubicle.
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Simple sunroom extension of the house. Perfect for relaxing outdoors without actually being there.
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A kitchen with glass roof and floor to ceiling windows is awesome place for cooking. A gallery wall only makes it more cozy.
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It’s especially great when not only walls made of glass but sunroom’s roof too. Perfect place for an indoor garden.
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traditional sunroom design with two conversation zones
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Every sunroom should have a cozy daybed.
So great place to relax.
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Sunroom decorated in neutral tones
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Sunroom addition with lovely sea views.
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Sunroom With A Polycarbonate Clear Roof
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Sunroom with french doors leading outside
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If you live far from your neighbours then you can build a sunroom bathroom.
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If you wonder how to decorate a sunroom – don’t. If it’s like a small porch, you can gather balcony decorating ideas and implement them there.
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Gorgeous gazebo-shaped sunroom with vintage furniture.
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An awesome view can make any sunroom special
Sunroom Extension | Modern Sunroom Extension
Find Your Perfect Sunroom Extension with Ultraframe
Our conservatories, orangeries and house extensions are often also referred to as sunrooms, they are designed to let in plenty of natural light, provide a comfortable temperature for year-round use and create a sense of space.
Sunroom Extensions: Your Choices
Our diverse range of products can be customised with a range of design options allowing you to create a sunroom that delivers on your design inspiration.
INSPIRATIONAL IDEA 1 – USE BIFOLD DOORS TO CONNECT YOUR SPACES
When designing your new sunroom extension, you’ll need to consider three separate spaces: your home, the room you’re planning to create and your garden. These different areas of your home will need to flow together flawlessly, or else your plans may not work in reality.
If you’re looking to create a new living space with expansive views of your garden, choose our Contemporary Orangery. This is a modern sunroom extension that’s compatible with bifold or sliding doors, which can be opened up to create extensive views of your garden and create a seamless link with your home.
The impact of using bifold or sliding doors in conjunction with the Ultraframe Glass Roof to open up your space and draw natural light into your sunroom extension is demonstrated in the image below.
Natural light can enter the room from all angles to create a bright, roomy environment.
If you’re looking to install a modern conservatory, our Glass Roof system with the slimline ridge features a neat, lantern style ridge end for a modern, contemporary finish.
Refine Your Design
Opt for super-insulated columns to create a modern external effect on your sunroom extension. The columns will sit at the corners of your extension and are used as an alternative to traditional brick piers. Available in fluted or flat designs, they provide more than just decorative value, our super-insulated columns are five times more thermally efficient than a brick pier of the same size.
To allow for an easy transition between your three spaces, consider using french doors to connect your home to your new sunroom extension. These can be closed for privacy when you need some quiet time.
If you’re planning to create a sunroom extension to be used as a living room with plenty of soft furnishings and carpeting.
The Glass Roof is available in any RAL colour, allowing you to match your roof to your windows and doors.
This interior shot of a Performance Conservatory shows how the internal pelmet is used to house downlighters to provide the conservatory with light.
INSPIRATIONAL IDEA 2 – BUILD A KITCHEN DINER EXTENSION WITHOUT INTERNAL DOORS
If you want to create an open plan extension that can be used to serve a range of functions, explore our Livinroof and Ultraroof extensions.
Livinroof is a solid roof system that combines the best of both solid and glass conservatory roofs, allowing you to position shaped glazing almost anywhere in the roof to create stunning designs not possible with other solid roof systems on the market. Ultraroof is a tiled conservatory roof that looks outstanding and provides incredible thermal performance.
Internally, the insulated pelmet retains warmth and can include spotlights to keep your room cosy at night and speakers can be included too to help create a light filled modern sunroom extension that’s perfect for entertaining or relaxing all year round.
As you can see below, the Livinroof’s shaped glazing creates a stunning internal design and floods natural light into the open plan kitchen, creating a warm, inviting environment.
When viewed from the outside, the Livinroof is equally as stunning:
Create your dream kitchen diner extension
- Exclude internal doors from your design so that your new room is accessible from your kitchen area.
- Livinroof and Ultraroof house extensions comply with the latest Building Regulations.
- Depending on the space you have available, you could create a dining room that also includes a seating area with couches where guests could relax afterwards. The addition of carpets could be used to separate the space into two distinct sections.
- For an easy passage from your kitchen through to your garden, use bifold or sliding doors to introduce your bespoke sunroom extension to the outside. If space is limited, opt for French doors that open fully outward for better access.
INSPIRATIONAL IDEA 3 – CREATE AN ORANGERY EFFECT SUNROOM EXTENSION
Choose a Contemporary Orangery that features a Glass Roof and internal pelmet to create an orangery effect as an alternative to a traditional flat roof extension with a lantern. Use our structural Goalpost to create larger sunroom extensions with large, open spans of bifold or sliding doors.
Internally, an insulated pelmet will keep your extension space warm and create a orangery effect, room-like feel. As well as this, with the addition of speakers, you’ll be able to listen to music when entertaining or relaxing. Why not add a central lighting panel to create a focal point in your extension and include additional lighting?
Externally, add style to your roofline with the decorative cornice available in a variety of flat and curved designs to hide guttering.
Must Have Sunroom Additions
Connect your orangery to your home via French doors so that your space can be screened off when privacy is needed but opened up when your house is busy.
Use the larger part of your sunroom extension as a lounge that your family or visitors can relax in when you’ve finished eating.
Externally, use masonry to create a traditional effect or flat super insulated columns to highlight a modern sunroom extension design.
Open your T shaped orangery to the garden with bifold doors so that guests can come and go freely during busier times.
Here, the Ultrasky Roof is used to create two distinct spaces – a large lounge area that leads into an alcoved dining room.
Sunroom Extensions: FAQS
How big can a sunroom extension be?
Your sunroom extension, conservatory or orangery can’t take up any more than 50% of the land around your home as it stood when it was first built. Take care to account for sheds, greenhouses and any other outbuildings, which will need to be included in your calculations.
Can I choose different colours for my sunroom extension?
You can customise your sunroom extension using a range of RAL colours.
The completed installation will blend in with the rest of your home and look the way you expected.
How do I find an Ultra Installer to build my sunroom extension?
You can find one of our Ultra Installers by using our search tool.
Find a Trusted Sunroom Extension Installer Near You
Use our search tool to locate an approved sunroom extension in your local area. Explore our range using a VR tool that lets you take a tour of the orangeries, conservatories and extensions we offer. If you like an image you see, save it in your dedicated Scrapbook to look at later.
Tips for choosing solarium equipment
A long time ago (namely, in 1672) in distant England, the notorious scientist Isaac Newton, recovering from the discovery of the law of universal gravitation, became interested in the nature of sunlight.
Having experimented this way and that, the great researcher suddenly noticed that when passing through a prism, the sunbeam clearly breaks up into seven colors: violet, blue, cyan, green, yellow, orange and red.
Now it is no longer possible, of course, to say with absolute certainty, but it is unlikely that Newton could then assume that he had taken the first step towards promoting the worldwide artificial tanning industry and that after some three hundred years and three years, at 19In 75, not far away, but only in Germany, the Wolf brothers will present the first solar installation to the general public.
Solariums have long become a familiar reality for us, although modern manufacturers, we must give them their due, never cease to amaze us with their technical capabilities, and especially with the design of solar installations. Consumers of “artificial sun” (especially in large cities) have also seen everything, they are capricious, they demand only the newest and “fancy” equipment, they deftly operate with the concepts of “lamp power” and “turbo solarium”, often not fully understanding what this means And what exactly are the requirements. Do you understand, dear heads of beauty salons, managers, managers and administrators? I’m sure YES, but just in case, let’s take a closer look at what’s what.
So, the main thing we need to get from absolutely any solarium is a tan. No, no one argues: vibration massage, oxygen shower, aromatherapy, glass that follows the contours of the body, and in general any way to achieve maximum comfort is wonderful, but everything was started solely for the sake of a high-quality, beautiful and safe (!) tan.
Sunburn is nothing more than a protective reaction of the skin when exposed to ultraviolet radiation (UV, “ultra” – from the Latin ultra – “above”, “beyond”), which in our case is generated by special lamps. “What follows from this, comrades? That there are lamps without a solarium, but nothing happens, comrades? That’s right, a solarium without lamps!” Forgive me for the free interpretation of the words from the famous film.
Choosing equipment for a solarium: UV lamps
Indeed, lamps in a solarium decide everything, so you need to deal with them especially carefully. And what is needed and important for us, of course, is not the lamp itself, but the ultraviolet that it generates.
As you know, ultraviolet radiation, depending on its effect on a living organism, is conditionally divided into three components: UVA-, UVB- and UVC-rays. More details from here.
- UVA is the longest wavelength of ultraviolet radiation (wavelength 320 to 400 nm). These rays are responsible for the direct pigmentation of the skin, causing the formation of melanin, which gives the skin a brown tint.
- UVB is the most intense part of the spectrum (wavelength from 280 to 315 nm), causing reddening of the skin, thereby provoking the appearance of a tan. This radiation stimulates the formation of colorless promelanin, which provides further protection from sunlight and a long-lasting tan. By the way, the same spectrum is “responsible” for the production of vitamin D3, due to the deficiency of which we suffer if we are deprived of the opportunity to sunbathe for a long time.
- UVC – the most aggressive ultraviolet radiation (shortwave, wavelength from 100 to 280 nm). Ideally, it is completely retained by the ozone layer of the atmosphere (if there are no “ozone holes”) and does not penetrate the Earth.
Ideally, it is completely retained by the ozone layer of the atmosphere (if there are no “ozone holes”) and does not penetrate the Earth. Solarium lamps must be completely free of harmful UVC radiation!
With regard to the ratio of UVA and UVB rays in tanning lamps, as a rule, UVA rays make up up to 99% of the spectral composition of the lamp, UVB rays 1-3%, because due to the high intensity of UVB rays we need their smaller number.
So, is the first conclusion : when choosing a solarium, we carefully study the spectral composition of the lamps (which should be indicated in the technical passport of the solarium)! It is on this that the quality, duration and especially the safety of tanning mainly depend!
The next thing to pay attention to is the electric power of the lamp, which determines the strength of the ultraviolet radiation (calculated in W). Everything is quite simple here: the higher the power, the less time it will take to tan, but again, the more powerful the lamps, the more vigilant the salon administrator needs to be in working with clients, keeping them from excessive fanaticism, otherwise it will end in a burn! For example, in a solarium with 160 W lamps (and, of course, that have not worked out the hours required for the service life), the duration of the session, even for prepared (i.
e. slightly tanned) skin, should not exceed 10 minutes .
Of course, the administrator must be able to correctly explain to fanatical tanning fans that she (he) does not sell them a session for 20 minutes instead of the prescribed ten, not from her own harmfulness, but because she cares about the health of clients. The more hours the lamp has worked, the more time it will take for the session. Our customers know about this, and therefore they are often only interested in the “freshness” of the lamps. By the way, unfortunately, the following often happens: lamps are changed in a solarium without warning regular customers who, out of habit, buy a session for 15-20 minutes. As a rule, in this case, the case again ends with burns.
Attention! When installing new lamps, it is necessary not only to inform regular customers about this, but also to post certificates, which must indicate the date of replacement of the lamps and the period of their operation.
Such a diploma will be issued to you by a company that sells lamps (unless, of course, this is a serious organization that cares about its own reputation).
Speaking of power, it should also be noted that if the solarium has separate, more powerful lamps for the face and décolleté, then they must be able to be switched off.
Conclusion of the second : powerful lamps (from 160 W) allow you to reduce the session time and therefore serve more clients (which has an extremely positive effect on profitability!), And not extend the session time to achieve a bronze tan in one go!
Talking about lamps, let’s understand what low and high pressure lamps are, what is the difference and comparative advantages of each type. So, in modern solariums, gas-discharge mercury lamps of two types are used:
- low pressure ultraviolet fluorescent lamps;
- high pressure ultraviolet metal halide lamps.
Low pressure ultraviolet lamps are the closest in nature to conventional fluorescent lamps used for lighting, only tanning lamps work in reverse.
In lamps for lighting, the composition of the glass of the flask and the phosphor contain substances that retard ultraviolet radiation, and lamps for solariums pass it through. Moreover, for the intensity and uniformity of the radiation, the diameter of the lamps increases (compared to fluorescent ones) and a special reflective coating is applied (“reflector” lamps), which does not allow aimless scattering of ultraviolet radiation. As for the UVA and UVB rays, their ratio in the lamps can be adjusted by changing the composition of the phosphor and glass.
Attention! Important note: Low pressure UV lamps do not generate dangerous UVC radiation!
The difference between high-pressure mercury gas-discharge metal halide lamps and ultraviolet fluorescent lamps is that they discharge at a higher pressure and there is no phosphor layer. High pressure lamps are usually more powerful, but – attention! – this type of lamp must be equipped with special filters that block aggressive UVC radiation!
It should be noted that the vast majority of modern solariums are equipped with low pressure ultraviolet lamps.
When developing new models of lamps, as a rule, the focus is on the power and safety of radiation, increasing the effectiveness of tanning with a decrease in session time, as well as reducing energy consumption.
By the way, if you buy a solarium with one type of lamp, this does not mean that you will have to select exactly the same ones when replacing them. You can easily replace the lamps with more modern and powerful ones.
Attention! The main thing is that they fit in length and diameter.
It can be concluded that when buying both a solarium and lamps separately, special attention should be paid to the following characteristics of :
- ratio of UVB rays to UVA, no UVC radiation;
- lamp power;
- the number of lamps: the more of them, the more intense and even the tan, for example, the presence of side panels in horizontal solariums immediately increases the cost of a solarium;
- the presence of a reflective (reflective) layer on the lamps.
Summing up the conversation about the lamps, I would like to quote the words of representatives of Solana, one of the suppliers of solariums in Russia: “You should not hope that only superpower and ultra-modern equipment determine the stunning results of tanning if the solarium is equipped with inexpensive non-professional lamps. But it’s safe to say that the latest generation of intense professional lamps can give life to your far from new solarium.
In addition to the lamps, the main components of the solarium are the housing, the control unit, and the fan.
As for the case, in addition to design frills, you should pay attention to its shape and the material from which it is made. The main requirement for the form: it must provide the most uniform tan of the entire body. For example, in vertical tanning beds, corners are considered a disadvantage, since only an elliptical or round internal shape allows you to achieve an optimal level of tanning.
In the manufacture of the body for decorative, facing parts, impact-resistant and UV-resistant plastic is used, while the main load-bearing parts are made of metal.
Ventilation system
The ventilation system must also meet a number of requirements :
- in horizontal sunbeds, the airflow must be from the legs to the head plus additional side ventilation;
- in vertical models – circular ventilation;
- Separate facial ventilator (in high-end tanning salons).
It is necessary to say a few words about the glass that covers the lamps: expensive modern models often use frosted glass, which creates the effect of “fan radiation”, due to which the tan lies as evenly as possible. In any case, the glass must be impact-resistant and easy to disinfect. As for the glass that repeats the shape of the body, you need to be careful here: all our clients are of different heights and builds, so what fits one person may be hopelessly small or large for another.
Attention! Disinfectants are also selected not random, but specially designed for solarium glass or, at least, not containing acids that can damage the glass. Representatives of MagicSun, a well-known company on the tanning bed market, for example, recommended a Russian-made Alaminol product.
And let’s finally figure out which solariums we have “turbo” and which are not “turbo”. Although the term has come into common use in the beauty business in recent years, few salon managers can define its exact meaning. One thing can be said with certainty: our “advanced”, informed clients are much more willing to pay money for a tan in a “turbo” solarium. Here is how representatives of the Solana company explain the meaning of this concept: “Some people think that“ turbo ”is a vertical solarium. Someone is sure that something in the “turbo” tanning bed can “darken” in one session.
All these assumptions are far from the truth.
In fact, “turbo” refers to a certain solarium cooling system, the power of which allows it to work non-stop for an unlimited amount of time without the slightest risk of overheating.
The ventilation system for the customer in the “turbo” solarium is also particularly powerful. Thus, any modern professional tanning bed from a well-known manufacturer can be given with full confidence the title of “turbo”, which so attracts customers.” Representatives of MagicSun share this opinion, adding that the concept of “turbo” applies to solariums with a lamp power of 160 watts or more.
What to consider when buying a solarium
If you decide to purchase a solarium, you will certainly face the question: which solarium to buy, vertical or horizontal, which one will be in the greatest demand? There is no single answer. Someone will say with confidence that modern customers want to sunbathe only in vertical solariums, someone will say with no less confidence that the fashion for vertical solariums has irrevocably passed .
.. Both of these statements, of course, are not true. Long-term world practice has proved that both vertical and horizontal solariums are equally modern and in demand. The question here needs to be put differently: “Which solarium will be optimal for my salon? Do my clients want to dance while sunbathing in a light breeze or relax in a lying position?”
If possible, then, of course, it is necessary to conduct a preliminary study regarding the preference for the most optimal model for customers. If you open a tanning studio, this question does not arise: both types of solariums must be presented.
Certain requirements apply to the premises. If you are choosing a solarium for a ready-made salon, studio, etc., then when choosing, you will have to start from the room, its area, the presence of supply and exhaust ventilation, the ability to place a shower cabin, etc. A competent supplier company will certainly help you choose the most optimal model, taking into account all your wishes and possibilities (however, do not forget about the SES requirements for the size and equipment of tanning rooms).
Another important issue to be considered is the licensing of a solarium. To provide artificial tanning services, a medical license for cosmetology is now required.
Attention! Now even models that are described as “household appliance” in the certificate of conformity are subject to compulsory licensing. Therefore, before buying a tanning bed, ALWAYS consult with your local licensing chamber, what aspects of this issue you need to consider.
And one of the fundamental questions is the cost of a solarium. The range of prices is huge – from 6,000 euros (we take into account only professional solariums with all the necessary conditions) to 50,000 euros and even more.
The average price for a competitive solarium is 10,000–20,000 euros. It must be said directly that with more or less similar characteristics regarding the spectral composition of the lamps, their power and quantity, you will have to pay from 20,000 euros for a solarium with an ultra-modern “fancy” design and additional options such as aromatherapy, sea breeze effect, remote administrator, etc. I’m just not talking about the audio system – it is built into EVERY professional model.
The higher the class of your salon, studio or fitness center, the more you will have to surprise your customers, and the importance of solarium design, of course, cannot be underestimated, because it is on the basis of this that our customers draw conclusions about the highest quality of the service provided. If you clearly understand that the level of demands of your customers requires you to purchase an expensive model, and there are not enough funds, then keep in mind that all the leading companies selling solariums and related equipment now offer a variety of purchase options: installment plan, credit, leasing, rental with possibility of subsequent purchase. Which option is best for you is decided on an individual basis.
It is necessary to be very thoughtful when choosing a solarium supplier. There are enough of them in Russia, and a huge number of models will be presented for your choice. Recently, many so-called “gray” companies have appeared, using not entirely legal methods of importing solariums and related equipment into the country.
As a rule, the prices of such firms are lower for the same models. But, having saved on the purchase of a solarium, you can lose much more in the future, waiting for months for spare parts or elementary service.
The best recommendation for the company is the experience of many years of work on the market, the presence of an active service department and a certain model range of solariums and lamps, as well as grateful customers who successfully conduct business.
In conclusion, I consider it necessary to touch upon a question that worries all potential owners of the “solar business” without exception: will the business be profitable and pay off?
Of course, the companies selling this equipment are unanimous in their opinion that according to the criteria of profitability and payback, the solarium takes the 1st place.
The main proof of this is both the rapid development of a separate area of the beauty industry: tanning studios, and the expansion of the range of services in existing salons through the purchase of 2-3 models of solariums. On the other hand, the secondary market for tanning beds is huge, although often in these cases, beauty industry owners want to replace their outdated tanning bed with a modern model.
I would just like to remind you of the basic principle of buying expensive equipment: measure SEVENTY times, buy once. This type of business can be, like any other, both very profitable and completely unsuccessful – it depends on how carefully YOU analyze the market before buying, study competitors, interview your customers if you already have them. Calculate how much you will spend on the purchase of a solarium, delivery, installation, consumables, administrator’s salary, rent of the occupied space. Find out what prices your direct competitors have for a tanning session and act accordingly.
7 Myths about the solar business: how not to get burned when buying a solarium
The answer to the question about the profitability and relevance of the tanning business is obvious, perhaps, to everyone involved in the beauty and health industry. Do you need a solarium in a beauty studio, salon, fitness center? Certainly yes.
But, as soon as it comes to buying equipment for a solarium or replacing it with a more modern one, a lot of questions immediately arise: which solarium is better, what is the main thing when choosing, how to choose the equipment that is optimal for the price? After all, the demand for tanning services has led to an increase in the number of suppliers offering to buy solariums, and often, with comparable technical characteristics, solariums differ quite significantly in price. Understanding all this can be difficult. We hope that our article will provide answers to key questions and help to avoid erroneous steps.
Myth No.
1. A solarium in a salon is not so much a source of income as an extension of the range of services. With a relatively small initial investment, minimal current costs and complete unpretentiousness in maintenance, a solarium, thanks to record payback periods (from 3 to 5 months), often turns into one of the main sources of stable profits. The main proof of this is the rapid development of tanning studios (sun studios) and the development of studios for 3-4 solariums in addition to existing beauty salons.
The benefit of investing in a tanning business is the many budget options available, from the smallest to the big budget. Moreover, the largest manufacturers of solariums pay great attention to technical improvements, the development of a stylish design not only for professional series of solariums, but also for a line of economical models.
To unlock the enormous potential of a business using a solarium, you just need to take it to its rightful place, pay special attention when drawing up an advertising plan or a marketing plan for a beauty studio.
Solarium colored lamps
Myth #2. Finding the lowest price is key when choosing a solarium supplier
Choosing the right solarium supplier is not only about finding the lowest price. The low price of equipment may be evidence of savings on the maintenance of the service department, the necessary warehouse of spare parts, accessories, and lamps. When deciding on the purchase of a solarium, it is necessary to clearly agree on at whose expense the delivery, installation will be carried out, whether personnel are trained (and not only work on the equipment, but also work with customers), on what conditions warranty and service maintenance will be provided in the future, lamp replacement.
Another very important point is the spectral composition of the lamps included in the standard package of the solarium (for more details, see Myth #7). This factor is directly related to the speed and quality of your clients’ tanning and greatly influences the base price of the equipment.
In addition, many companies have recently appeared in Russia using not entirely legal and therefore temporary methods of importing equipment into the country. What does this mean for the client? First of all, the lack of confidence in the stability of the company: having saved when buying a solarium, you can lose many times more, being forced to wait for spare parts or elementary service.
Given all of the above, I would like to note that the most profitable purchase of a solarium, like any other high-tech equipment, is not the purchase at the lowest price, but the purchase from a reliable supplier offering equipment with a guarantee and good service. The best recommendation for any company is many years of experience in the market, as well as a large number of customers who successfully do business with solariums produced by it.
Myth #3. All modern solariums are more or less the same
At first glance, you might really think that this is so: housing, lamps, control unit, fan – these are the main components of a solarium.
However, for excellent tanning results, creating comfortable conditions for the client during the session, as well as confidence in the long and reliable operation of the tanning bed, this is not enough. As in any industry, there are leading manufacturing plants whose quality of equipment is recognized on the international market: for example, solariums MegaSun, Ergoline (Germany), Alisun, Hapro (Netherlands).
The concepts of quality and level of equipment include a number of characteristics. For example, when choosing a solarium, it is very important to pay attention to its shape: it should provide the most even tan of the whole body. In vertical solariums, this result is achieved only if the internal shape is elliptical or round, corners are considered a disadvantage. In the device of the ventilation system, an accurate calculation of the direction of air flows is necessary: from the legs to the head and additionally lateral ventilation in horizontal solariums, and circular ventilation in vertical models.
High-end tanning beds have a separate facial fan.
Solarium control should be convenient and easy. It is important that the electronic remote control be located in full accessibility for the possibility of adjusting all functions by the client himself directly during the session. Certain requirements are imposed on the body of modern solariums. Decorative, facing parts of the body are made of impact-resistant and UV-resistant plastic, while the main load-bearing parts are made of metal. An all-metal case greatly complicates both the assembly process and subsequent maintenance, and therefore unreasonably increases the cost of equipment.
All of the above indicates that a direct comparison of equipment is far from unambiguous and sometimes misleading due to the variety of characteristics that must be taken into account.
Solarium MegaSun 7900 alpha deluxe
Now only vertical solariums are in fashion
Fashion issues are perhaps the most controversial, especially in the medium and long term. It can be argued that vertical solariums are popular and do not go out of fashion, however, it should be borne in mind that horizontal solariums have never gone out of fashion and are rightfully classics.
Vertical solariums have an important advantage in their use by beauty salons – they take up less space, so more vertical solariums can fit on the same free area than horizontal ones. If you are the owner of a beauty salon, we advise you to pay close attention to this fact.
Everything else is a matter of tastes, which, as you know, are individual, and we do not undertake to argue about them.
Myth #5. The “fashion” for vertical solariums has passed, customers want to sunbathe only in horizontal solariums
Often one has to face peremptory statements that a vertical solarium is much better, and a horizontal one is almost a relic of the past, and vice versa. Such conclusions are fundamentally wrong. Long-term experience of world practice has proved that both vertical and horizontal solariums are equally popular and modern.
The question is which tanning bed is more suitable for your salon, what your clients are looking for. Sunbathe surrounded by a pleasant breeze, moving to the beat of the music, or relax and get maximum pleasure, lying on the glass that follows the contours of the body? Of course, the best solution to meet the demand of the maximum range of customers is to purchase both models, if, of course, the budget and space allow.
The supplier’s competent staff will always help you make the right choice and suggest how to conduct a preliminary study on the most suitable model.
Myth #6. Now the demand is only for “turbo-sunbeds”
Indeed, recently in Russia such a term as “turbo-sunbed” has become quite widespread, although many cannot exactly determine what the main meaning of this characteristic is. “Advanced” tanning enthusiasts attach a special, downright magical meaning to this word, wondering if they pay money for a session in a tanning bed: in a “turbo” or “ordinary” one.
Some people think that “turbo” is a vertical solarium. Someone is sure that in the “turbo-tanning bed” you can “darken” in one session. All these assumptions are far from the truth, in fact, “turbo” refers to a certain solarium cooling system, the power of which allows it to work non-stop for an unlimited amount of time without the slightest risk of overheating. The ventilation system for the client in the “turbo-solarium” is also particularly powerful.
Thus, any modern professional tanning bed from a well-known manufacturer can be given with full confidence the title of “turbo”, which so attracts customers.
Myth #7. For a good tan in a solarium, the main thing is a large power and number of lamps
Unfortunately, the supporters of this statement will have to be a little disappointed. Yes, the number and power of lamps affect the speed of tanning, but the spectral composition of the lamps is a more important characteristic. Modern ultraviolet lamps use UVA rays (with a wavelength of 320-400 nm) 97-99% and UVB rays (280-320 nm) 1-3%, and dangerous UVC rays are completely absent.