I had a few problems with the instructions and assembly of the Penguin Solarium I ordered through Costco. Here is the finished product (assembled) with some tips for the layman (since I'm a layman too).
@tonyviscione Yes - I'm in Canada so we also get rain and snow here. It's very sturdy. There are anchors too but I didn't bother since my solarium is sheltered from the wind. We've had some of the hardest rainfall I can remember this year and it's dry as a bone inside.
Twyla. I am in Manitoba too. Stood up well until hail revealed how brittle the panels had become in the sun, despite ensuring the treated side was up. I am trying to find the manufacturer code from the manual in order to get some warranty from Penguin. There were several different types. Some had a screwed on center piece in the center of the bottom of every panel. Mine is identical to DraftedByTheMan's. I have sentr hinm a note too inquiring but what code is on the bottom of each page of your manual. I have lost mine.DraftedByTheMan's video did not quite show the bottom of his manual for me to see.
I found your video very helpful. We put ours together last weekend. It's 12 x 18, and took two days, 10 hours each day. Our main problem was that most of the 'E' joining slats did not slide well, we used lots of WD40, grease and elbow grease. The instructions were very poor. It would have helped to have an idea of what parts were inside. In the end, it was a real 'puzzle', but it's very nice! Let's see how it stands up to Manitoba snow, wind and ice! Thx for the video, our weather strip
Hi...I'm about to buy one of these solariums. Can you tell me if the 2 window panes on each panel are removable to have just the screens top and bottom? Thanks
The inside dimension is 11 ft 7 in. The walls are 2 1/2 inches thick each. That totals up to the 12 ft. It's kinda fun putting it up if you know that to expect. The instructions say you should have more than one person but you definitely need at least 2 people. The doors should not be turned around since there is a design on the bottom that needs to match the other outside panels and I think it would look bad if the panels were inside out.
I had the same issue with the fuzz on the wrong side of the door. I thought I messed it and tore it apart just to find I had to change it back. I recently had damage by hail and am pursuing warranty but need to provide to penguin the manufacturer code(Manufacturer code on box or in manual e.g. SUN-HO, MAS-HO, HER-11). I cannot find my manual but yours is identical. Supposedly the manufacturer code is on the bottom of each page in the manual--can you share what the code is in your manual?
Hi. I'm thinking about getting this over a gazebo. Does it get overly heated in the summer? And which would you choose a hardtop gazebo or this, if you had to do it over again? And does it mount down to the ground for security?
If all the windows are closed, it does get vert hot - basically a green house. I’ve never been overheated since I just open the windows and even a slight breeze will cool it down. An advantage of this is right now when it’s cool/cold outside (early Spring) and it’s warm and cozy inside the gazebo. The roof is a hard plastic but it’s 10 years old and has become brittle. I don’t think it will last another winter and would likely collapse under the snow. I need to find a new solution to replace or reinforce the roof. It is very heavy and, although it did come with pins I could use to secure it, I found them unnecessary. There’s no chance it would blow over. That said, my backyard is sheltered so it would take typhoon winds to damage it.
Thank you! So much for responding. I'm sooo undecided about this or a metal roof gazebo. Don't want to deal with replacing anything. Was looking at the Sojag model. I plan to put it on a deck. Do you see a problem doing this?
Hard plastic will last 9 or 10 years but for me...time is up. I’ll be taking a video of my roof to Home Depot today to see if the experts have any suggestions on how to reinforce or replace. That said, I’ve always enjoyed the extra light from the roof and I’m not sure how I’d feel about it without the transparency. I can’t see a problem putting it on a wooden deck but I would check to make sure the contact points between the gazebo & deck wouldn’t cause any rot.
@@DraftedByTheMan Thank you so much for answering my agonizing questions. Let us know your resolve to the roof if you don't mind. Yeah...love the light aspect of the solarium, gazebos come like that too. ( my brain hurts) 😂
I started off by myself and then had some problems with the wind knocking over some panels so I had my son help me the first day and the second day, my father-in-law, Eddie came to the rescue. I guess the correct answer is that it's a two man job.
Hi, Thanks for posting that video. We just bought the Solaj equivalent. How did you anchor the solarium to the patio? I am still unsure on what to do.. Thanks, Bert
Could it be that each door should be swapped and then the felt would touch outside wall. Mount the wheel hardware to fit the other side of door slab and plastic plug any hole
Also used blue concrete screws to anchor to concrete pad. Didn't come with these but I would definitely recommend. Also silicone around the base inside to keep water from running underneath.
Looking for more info on the windows. I see a lot of reviews with issues about them, but no real in depth about their material, thickness etc. Someone said they are like Saran Wrap. Can you tell me about them please and maybe post some pics or a video with review of the windows themselves.
Kenneth Swaney I was doubtful of the "saran wrap" looking window panels but after 4 years they are holding up well. Some edges have started to roll out the spline holding them in but a bit of work stretching and forcing them back in works. They are very tough I find. No damage to them but plenty on the polycarb panels from hail after the sun has made them brittle.
Kenneth Swaney No issue with the windows either. The plastic is quite thick and durable. Just be careful about leaning anything against them. My son left a broom handle leaning against the window on a hot day and it left a dent.
@DraftedByTheMan Their solution is for me to install the doors backwards but then the panel on the bottom will not match the rest of the panels. Not good!
Very good. It’s 10c and raining right now. Still dry and cosy inside with an electric heater. I think the plastic roof is getting brittle now so I’ll have to figure out how to replace it. I have had over a foot of snow on top with no problem. I think this year if we have a heavy snowfall and a rain, then it (the plastic roof) would collapse. I’ll make sure to sweep it before that happens. Still looks good.
@@DraftedByTheMan That's confidence building, so thanks! Do the wind screens (windows) each easily come off the walls for maximum ventilation or cleaning? Hoping to maximize ventilation during hot days.
@itwyful Curious about your weather stripping. I found the E slats would slide well you wiggle the panels while trying to slide it. At first I was doing the same thing - forcing the slats. I never had the doors with the proper weather stripping replaced. I think Costco and the manufacturer just let this issue go away.
Where I live, it gets pretty hot. Is the roof tinted? Is there a considerable amount of shade inside the unit? Or will it get hot? Is there a cover you can put on the roof? Even if you make one yourself.
The roof is somewhat tinted and oblique. I find that by opening the screened windows I can control the temperature nicely. That said, on a hot day, a breeze is welcome. I also purchased a heater that hangs from the peak (a small hook is there) so we can enjoy the solarium in the winter or cold evenings.
Just looking at the door fuzzies in the video, how practical would it be to simply remove the door from the slider and turn it around? it appears as though it has latches on both ends.
Yes the roof is translucent and it has endured many years with some heavy snowfalls. I have noticed recently that the roof has become brittle so it eventually needs replacing.
@@DraftedByTheMan your roof has held up for 8 years... that's not bad at all... and if the sun does shine through, I think it's a good investment. Thanks for sharing your experience.
Thanks so much for your video. I am still researching and contemplating if I want to purchase it. We are looking at putting out by our pool. I not sure I see how the "windows" open. Can they be screened? Live in North Carolina a a wooded lot and want to avoid the bugs!
The windows are already screened. There are two tabs on each window that can be pulled out to lower/raise the window. It's quite easy to open and close all the windows. We use it to control the temperature inside without having to leave the doors open.
@@brianjaggard773 Possible to easily remove each window from the wall too? To maximize the ventilation, as in all bug screens up, and no window on the walls?
Jim Lester2 hours agoLINKED COMMENTWhen you say the windows open down does that mean that air can only come through the upper half of the windows and the lower half always is fixed with the thin plastic ? Maybe not a problem just would like to know.
Regarding the felt (fuzzy side) on the door. I had contacted the manufacturer (or their Canadian distributor/agent), they admitted it was a mistake and promised to follow-up to fix but never did.
When you say the windows open down does that mean that air can only come through the upper half of the windows and the lower half always is fixed with the thin plastic ? Does the solarium get very warm since there is no venting in the roof ? Thanks for the video. JIM
Since the windows open all the way around the solarium (with the exception of the two doors), it's enough for a breeze to blow through. I've never found it too hot with all the windows open but it's very hot on a sunny day if they are all closed. Cools down very quickly as soon as windows are opened.
@@DraftedByTheMan Exactly how do you "open all the way around?" Are you saying that when both windows are all the way down, they are behind the aluminum part of the panel is, so that effectively, both window areas are now fully open? Basically that the entire screen area is then fully open for full ventilation? Just a little worried that one of the windows is always blocking one of the screens, since they slide up and down.
I think the mistake here on the doors is that it needs to be placed outside. Then it provides the insulation. Unfortunately diagrams don't show that clearly and it's misleading :(
Hi there...love our gazebo...have had it for a few years...does anyone know of a supplier of the tinted polycarbonate sheets (4 X 8 size) so we can replace two panels that have been damaged on the outside surface by flying branches?
I've seen some hardware stores that have big sheets of polycarbonate that can be cut to size. I'd suggest checking some local hardware stores (unless Home Depot has already put them out of business
@@DraftedByTheMan ok thank you. Going to be putting up the 12x15 this weekend. After all the installation nightmares I've been reading, I can honestly say I'm not looking forward to it!😆
@@DraftedByTheMan What kind of roof replacement are you thinking of? Same panels from the manufacturer or coming up with an alternative modification/upgrade?
here is my like. :) . thanks for this great detailed video. It has been 6 years now since you posted the video. Is it still holding up ? do you still recommend it ? thanks
Yes, no problems with it at all. Roof, windows, doors, etc still all functioning. Still getting compliments from visitors. (this is Brian but Maria was logged in)
Installed the doors on the outside so bottom panel looks same on outside, as the others. Fuzzy black strip then is on the inside. Definitely a manufacturing defect.
I have an update from Penguin/Costo regarding the weatherstripping problem. They have told me I only need the weatherstripping on the one side so the "backwards" weatherstripping is not an issue in their eyes. However, the supervisor told me that in the future, they will have weatherstripping on both sides of the door so it will always be visible from the inside. Now....that basically means that they intend to have weatherstripping on weatherstripping but they won't fix my problem.
Definitely not upside down. The door has a top and bottom. Top panel clear, bottom panel solid. If I turn flip it over, it will definitely look strange...
