By Ryan, Planet Greenhouse
The Royal Victorian is the Janssens flagship — the classic Victorian glasshouse most people picture when they imagine a proper greenhouse. But it comes in several sizes, and the jump from one to the next changes more than square footage. Doors, roof vents, and even anchoring differ as the models scale up.
Here's a plain comparison of the core sizes, so you can find the one that fits your space and your growing.
What are the Janssens Royal Victorian models?
The Royal Victorian line runs from the compact VI23 up through the VI34, VI36, and the largest standard model, the VI46. They share the same classic Victorian styling, heavy-duty powder-coated aluminum frame, and 15-year warranty — they differ in footprint, door configuration, and how much ventilation comes built in.
Here's the lineup at a glance:
| Model | Footprint | Doors | Roof vents |
|---|---|---|---|
| VI23 | 7'9" × 10'2" | — | Compact; one shade-cloth section |
| VI34 | 10'2" × 15' | Single sliding* | 3 (2 auto, 1 spindle) |
| VI36 | 10'2" × 19'10" | Double sliding | 4 (2 auto, 2 spindle) |
| VI46 | 12'7" × 19'10" | Double sliding | 6 (4 auto, 2 spindle) |
*VI34 units shipped after April 2024 come with a double sliding door.
VI23 — the compact classic
At 7'9" × 10'2", the VI23 is the entry point into the Royal Victorian line. It's sized for one shade-cloth section and suits a gardener who wants genuine Janssens quality and looks without a large footprint — a courtyard, a smaller yard, or a focused growing space for starts and tender plants.
You get the same frame and the same warranty as the bigger models. What you're trading is interior room and built-in ventilation capacity. For many buyers with limited space, that's exactly the right trade.
VI34 — the popular mid-size
The VI34 (10'2" × 15') is where a lot of buyers land. It ships as a complete package: base frame, a sliding door (single, or double on units shipped after April 2024), three roof vents — two automatic, one spindle-operated — one louvered window for cool-air intake, a misting system, and gutters with downspouts.
It's a well-rounded size — big enough to walk through and work in comfortably, not so big that foundation and heating costs balloon. If you're growing for yourself and your household year-round, this is a natural starting point.
VI36 — more length, double doors
Step up to the VI36 (10'2" × 19'10") and you keep the same width as the VI34 but gain substantial length. It comes with a double sliding door, four roof vents (two automatic, two spindle), a louvered window, a misting system, and gutters and downspouts. More length means more bench space and more ventilation to match.
VI46 — the largest standard Royal Victorian
The VI46 (12'7" × 19'10") is the biggest standard model in the line — wider and fully featured. It includes a double sliding door, six roof vents (four automatic, two spindle), a louvered window, and a misting system. Because of its size, it also ships with an additional pair of corner anchors at the midpoint of the walls for extra structural security.
If you're growing seriously, want room for beds and benches both, or simply want the most presence in the garden, the VI46 is the flagship of the flagship.
The door-placement detail most buyers miss
Here's something worth knowing before you order a VI36 or VI46: both include a set of three spandrels (the decorative scroll supports) at the midpoint of the long walls. If you want a double door centered on the long side, it conflicts with that spandrel. It's not a defect — it's a design detail — and there are three clean fixes:
- Buy one extra spandrel and install a pair on each side of the door — best if you're running shade cloth.
- Buy three extra spandrels for full sets on both sides — better for heavy snow or wind, though it interferes with shade cloth.
- Custom side lights — order one additional PRO1456 and source narrower glass locally.
This is exactly the kind of thing that's easy to sort out in a two-minute phone call and frustrating to discover mid-build. We flag it for every VI36 and VI46 buyer.
Which Royal Victorian is right for you?
- Tight on space? VI23.
- Want the well-rounded, walk-in mid-size? VI34.
- Need more length and bench room? VI36.
- Growing seriously, want the largest and most featured? VI46.
Whichever you choose, the decisions that follow are the same: the right foundation, a ventilation plan that fits your climate, and glazing matched to your winters. And if the Royal Victorian isn't quite it, the broader Janssens greenhouse collection includes the Modern, Cathedral, Orangerie, and custom Gigant lines.
Not sure which size fits your space and your growing? Call us or reach out anytime. We'll help you match the model to your yard, your climate, and how you actually plan to use it — before you commit to a footprint.