Glass Room in Marbella and the Costa del Sol: How to Gain an Extra Room on Your Terrace

Introduction: the extra room you already have

Many homes in Marbella, across the Costa del Sol and inland in Granada have a room hiding in plain sight: a generous terrace that is only really enjoyed for a few weeks in spring and autumn, a penthouse terrace that scorches in summer and stands empty in winter, or a stretch of garden next to the living room that could be far more than a place to dry the washing. That space already exists. What it needs is to become a truly liveable room.

That is exactly what a glass room does. Also called a veranda or conservatory, it is a glazed enclosure built with thermally broken aluminium profiles and an insulated roof that behaves like one more room of the house, comfortable in January and in August. In this article we explain what sets a glass room apart from an ordinary terrace enclosure, what needs to be studied before building one, and how we work at Tecnisun C.B.

Glass room or basic enclosure: not the same thing

When someone says "I want to enclose my terrace", they may mean two very different things. The difference lies in the profile, the roof and, above all, how the space will be used.

A basic enclosure has its place: for a utility area, a porch to keep bikes out of the weather, or a terrace you simply want to shield from wind and dust, it does the job well. But if the idea is to read there in mid-winter, work from it or eat there every day, you need a thermally broken glass room. We go into more detail on our terrace enclosures page.

Why a thermally broken glass room does not condense

In a standard aluminium profile, the inner and outer faces are joined by the metal itself. Aluminium conducts temperature very well, so on a cold morning the profile is cold on the inside too. When warm, humid indoor air touches that cold surface, the vapour turns into droplets: the condensation that makes older enclosures "sweat".

A thermally broken profile includes an insulating strip that separates the inner face from the outer face. Outside heat or cold does not travel through the profile, there is no thermal shock, and the interior stays mild and dry. Combined with good double glazing, this lets the glass room hold the warmth of the heating in winter and the cool of the air conditioning in summer, with a clear improvement in energy efficiency and sound insulation compared with an enclosure without thermal break.

The roof: the part you notice most

On an enclosed terrace, the roof is the surface that takes the most sun during the day and loses the most heat at night. That is why in a liveable glass room we use an insulated sandwich-panel roof, at least 50 mm thick and usually between 50 and 80 mm depending on orientation and use.

What we study before building a glass room

A glass room is not an off-the-shelf product that is simply dropped into place. Each one needs a prior technical study, and how well it performs for years to come depends on that study.

• Water ingress: on penthouses and roof terraces we check waterproofing, falls and drainage. Enclosing over a damp problem only hides it.
• Weight and supports: we check what the structure rests on and how loads are distributed, especially on terraces above other rooms or a garage.
• Base: in a garden a concrete footing and a supporting structure are usually needed, defined in drawings before work starts.
• Orientation and use: a north-facing glass room used as a study is not the same as a south-facing one by the pool. Glass, roof thickness and solar protection are chosen case by case.

With that information we prepare the drawings and the work schedule.

Lightweight structure, dry assembly

A glass room is a lightweight structure assembled dry: aluminium profiles, glass and panels arrive prepared and are put together on site, without major building work. That means less dust, less noise and less disruption at home.

Installation is carried out by our partner team of professional installers, with the manager present on every job: he directs the work, checks the finishing and adjusts every sash before the glass room is signed off. We are a two-person family business and prefer to take on fewer projects and do them well.

On permits: a glass room is a lightweight structure; we advise you on the paperwork your particular case requires, which depends on the municipality and on the property.

Glass rooms on the Costa del Sol: living outdoors, all year

On the coast, from Marbella to Malaga, many homes are designed around the outdoors: terraces facing the sea, gardens with a pool, porches that are lived in for much of the year. A glass room extends that way of life into the cooler, windier or rainier months, and also protects against the strongest midday sun in summer. Salt air is a factor on the seafront, so we choose finishes suited to coastal exposure. In Granada, with colder winters and hotter summers, the insulated roof and the thermal break make the biggest difference.

Ideas for your new room

Once enclosed and insulated, a glass room can host almost any use an indoor room would:

• A bright sitting room that extends the living room outwards.
• A larger kitchen or a dining room overlooking the garden, as in our kitchen extension veranda.
• A playroom or a reading corner used all year round.
• A quiet home office, separate from the rest of the house.

You can see more real work in our two-tone thermally broken aluminium veranda in Granada and the Almond Hill House veranda in Órgiva.

Frequently asked questions

Can a glass room be used in both winter and summer?

Yes, that is the whole point. With thermally broken profiles, good glazing and an insulated panel roof, it behaves like the rest of the house. For very sunny orientations we recommend adding solar protection.

What is the difference between a glass room, a veranda and a conservatory?

Essentially none: they are different names for the same idea. In Spain people say veranda or thermally broken glazed enclosure; in English, glass room or conservatory.

Can a glass room be built on a penthouse terrace?

Yes, always after studying the waterproofing, drainage and the load the roof can take. It is one of the most common cases.

Do I need a permit for a glass room?

It depends on the municipality and the property. A glass room is a lightweight structure; we advise you on the paperwork your case requires before work begins.

Is there a charge for the quote?

The online quote is free and without obligation, based on your measurements and photos. The technical home visit has a cost, which we tell you before arranging it.