Before rushing off and buying a greenhouse for your garden, it’s essential that you take the time to consider a few key components. Greenhouses come in all shapes and sizes, there are plenty of different styles on offer, so it’s important that you do your research to ensure you’re getting the right greenhouse for your requirements.
There are also some other considerations that you need to take into account before making a final decision; some of the questions we are commonly asked are:
Where should I position my Greenhouse?
What size is right for me?
What glazing is available?
What frame should I choose?
What is the right base for me?
What ventilation options do I have?
How much will it all cost?
Where Should I Position My Greenhouse?
If you’re investing in a permanent greenhouse structure, it’s vital that you’re completely confident that you are placing it in the perfect spot for your plants to thrive all year round.
First and foremost, be sure to place your greenhouse in an area that gets plenty of sunlight, preferably for the vast majority of the day. Ensuring natural daylight hits your greenhouse all day is vital, as this will enable the plants housed within to experience optimal growing conditions. Also, be sure to take the time to find an area that isn’t prone to surface water, and is flat.
If you are looking to use your greenhouse all year round – consider orienting the ridge of the roof to the east-west to maximise light in the darker months of the year. If you will only use the greenhouse during spring and summer, have your ridge run north-south, as this will allow both sides of your greenhouse to get similar amounts of time in the sunlight. But if orienting your garden in this manner isn’t an option for you in the space available, don’t be too concerned – domestic greenhouses are rarely large enough to be adversely affected by this.
Whilst it can be tempting to nestle your greenhouse away in a well-sheltered area, we’d recommend leaving at least 2ft of space around the outside of your greenhouse. This allows your greenhouse to be sheltered from cold winds but also gives you plenty of space to walk around all sides of the greenhouse. This space is essential when you come to clean the glass, or if you ever need to replace a pane of glass.
Top Tip: Avoid placing your greenhouse near any tall trees! Trees will severely hamper the amount of sunlight that reaches your greenhouse, which is a big problem when you’re relying on sunlight being on your greenhouse for the majority of the day. Not to mention that there’s always a chance that branches could break off the tree and smash your glass panes too.
What Size Greenhouse Is Right For Me?
The size of the greenhouse you opt for will depend on how many crops you’re planning on housing, along with how much space you have available to you in your garden. If you have a large garden and plan on using your greenhouse extensively all year round, then you could go for a large greenhouse.
When it comes to making your final decision, you need to delve deeper into the specifics of the greenhouse, taking into account things such as:
Glazing
The glazing is the most important component for any greenhouse, doing the lion’s share of the work when it comes to temperature and light levels. There are many different plastic and glass options available, each with its own set of pros and cons. Consider your criteria: if strength and safety are key, then toughened safety glass will be favoured, while plastic may be just fine if you don’t expect the greenhouse to endure much strain.
Frame
The frame is what holds your greenhouse together and keeps the glass in place. The most popular frame materials are wood and aluminium. Stronger frames will feature additional bracing along the eaves and ridge, vital for durability, so look out for this to ensure that your greenhouse lasts and doesn’t succumb to the weather. Available in a wide range of materials, colours and shapes, the frame is fundamental to the overall style of the greenhouse.
Base
A greenhouse base is important for lifting the greenhouse off the ground and ensuring that the frame and panels are all sitting level. Like all of your greenhouse’s components, the base can vary in construction; as your greenhouse can be sat onto soil or a concrete pad in simple cases, but it will also usually require a metal base or brick plinth to lift the greenhouse off the ground. A sturdy base is absolutely key for a greenhouse, a firm base will keep the frame balanced and secure and will help your greenhouse withstand floods, high winds and shifting soil.
Most of the greenhouses on offer here at PandaSunshade come with integral bases, which offer enhanced greenhouse strength and make the installation phase significantly easier.
Top Tip: Not all greenhouses come with an integral base as standard. This feature is relatively unique and it’s something we believe should be included to ensure your greenhouse can stand the test of time.
Ventilation
Good ventilation is important for controlling the temperature of the greenhouse and maintaining a healthy environment for your plants. Unfortunately, we can’t predict the level of sunlight we receive, especially in the UK, so it is difficult to control the internal temperature of the greenhouse without the help of ventilation. Ventilation will appear in the form of roof vents and side louvre vents. Look out for greenhouses that come with more vents and louvres as standard to ensure you have the ultimate control over the temperature of your greenhouse. Your plants will be grateful for good circulation and vents will help prevent the spread of mould and disease inside too.
If you’re looking for a more consistent form of ventilation, you can choose to install automatic ventilation in your greenhouse, which is ideal for those warmer days! Providing good air circulation is essential, especially in hot weather, and automatic ventilation can ensure your crops don’t overheat on particularly warm days.
Automatic vents work by expanding mineral wax pushing the piston included in the mechanism; this process will see the vent open whenever the temperature gets too warm. When the temperature drops, the wax will shrink back to its original form and a strong spring helps to close the vent, whilst resetting the piston back into its original place.
How Much Does A Greenhouse Cost?
Greenhouses come in all shapes and sizes, so it’s important to consider a price you’re comfortable paying and searching for greenhouses that fit within your budget. For a high-quality, made to last greenhouse, you’ll need to spend upwards of £1000. That should be more than enough to get you a good-sized greenhouse that comes with a 25-year guarantee.
Along with the cost of the greenhouse itself, you must also consider that many suppliers will charge for the base separately. Always take the time to check if your greenhouse base is included in the price, as this can be a costly expense if you’re not expecting it!
If you’re just starting out and want to find a smaller greenhouse to suit your budget, there are plenty of mini-greenhouse options available. These are a great way to see the benefits of greenhouses before committing to the purchase of a larger unit; they’re also ideal for those with limited garden space too.
