Anniversary year Solarlux is packed with new innovations

25 years of light, visibility and comfort in the Netherlands

In 2026, Solarlux Netherlands will celebrate its 25th anniversary. A quarter century in which the company developed from a pioneer in glass folding walls to a full-fledged partner in the field of flexible glass facade solutions. The product range now includes conservatories, garden rooms and balcony glazing that are continuously innovated, expanded and tested. All this to guarantee maximum transparency and smooth transitions between inside and outside, with an eye for technical details, design and comfort.

Solarlux was founded in 1983 in Melle, near Osnabrück (D). The family business now has about a thousand committed employees, who have signed on to more than 18,000 projects worldwide. “Initially, we sold our products through Germany to mainly Dutch resellers,” says senior account manager André Jansen. “But soon there were questions from architects and contractors. There was a need for Dutch product information and a local point of contact who thought about technical details.” The Dutch team now consists of thirty employees, including project managers, work planners and an in-house assembly service. “An essential difference from many system suppliers. We don't sell individual profiles, but deliver a total concept - from advice and design to installation and aftercare. For an architect, that means a single point of contact and the certainty that his design will actually be realized as intended.”

Slim and transparent

Over the past 25 years, Jansen has seen the market change significantly. For example, the move from paper to digital has led to new tools that bring ideas to life early on and significantly simplify the design process. From 3D/BIM to Virtual Reality (VR) and Artificial Intelligence (AI). “If you look at the product level, you will notice, for example, that our facades are becoming slimmer and more transparent,” he says. “For example, to allow maximum daylighting. Also, windows and doors are becoming wider and higher and the requirements for burglar resistance, thermal insulation, wind and water tightness are increasing. That Solarlux is at the forefront of this is proven by our latest innovations, such as cero frameless.”

Pleasant passage

The minimalist cero sliding system has been providing seamless transitions between inside and outside for years and will get even slimmer sight widths in the middle of this year, says Jansen. “In addition, a great development is our smart rail for folding walls, with a height of 10 instead of 15 mm. With this new floor rail, we create an even more pleasant passage, while at the same time ensuring excellent wind and water tightness.” Following the introduction of the smart rail for aluminum systems last October, Solarlux will also introduce a smart rail for wooden systems in April.

Maximum sound insulation

A third innovation is the Soundline M extension frame for facades with high noise levels. “The extension frame is made up of an insulated folding window on the inside and an uninsulated Proline T sliding/sliding system on the outside,” says Jansen. “As a result, maximum soundproofing goes hand in hand with maximum opening and easy cleaning from the inside.”

In addition to a standard Soundline system, Solarlux is also introducing a mega system, which, with a construction depth of 500 mm, can be used for increased industrial noise requirements. Solarlux is also launching a large number of conservatory roofs and terrace coverings with even flatter inclination angles, even slimmer profiles and in a minimalist design. Again without compromising on quality and wind and water tightness.

Emergence of Red Grandis

“In addition to appearance, thermal insulation and wind and water tightness, sustainability and circularity are becoming increasingly important,” Jansen notes. “For example, to combat resource depletion. A nice initiative in this context is the addition of Red Grandis to our wood range.” Red Grandis is the brand name of Eucalyptus wood from northern Uruguay. “A unique feature of the tree is that it is ready to harvest after only 24 years, whereas oak, for example, takes up to 100 years. So Red Grandis grows considerably faster, but is at least as durable and has excellent insulation value. Moreover, the wood can be finished very smoothly, which makes it ideally suited for facade joinery.” When wood is combined with aluminum, users even benefit from the best of both worlds: the warm look of wood, the sleek look of aluminum and excellent durability, weather resistance and energy efficiency!