A Comprehensive Guide To Buying A Greenhouse

Greenhouses act as a barrier between the environment and the plants you are growing, allowing you to lengthen and boost your growth cycle.

The purpose of a greenhouse is to provide a space where heat may be stored. It is designed to impede the flow of thermal energy and the sunlight that passes through the transparent walls in the greenhouse, which radiates heat and warms the air. Greenhouses also keep plants from freezing under negative temperatures.

Aside from knowing what to plant in your greenhouse, owning greenhouse grants you the option to grow your food, conserve power, get relevant gardening experience, and unwind.

If you are looking for tips on buying one, you are in the right place!

Types Of Greenhouses

Conventional

Most gardening that requires protection from the harsh environment may be done in a conventional greenhouse. This type gives you plenty of space to move around within the greenhouse.

In warmer climates, conventional greenhouses are efficient. Wood, PVC, LDPE plastic, or metal are the most common greenhouse materials. Glass, acrylic, or polycarbonate panels are also used to construct the house frame, which may be wrapped in Visqueen plastic, LDPE, or marine vinyl sheeting. They come in various shapes, including A-Frame, Quonset, and Gothic Arch.

Victorian 

Victorian greenhouses are the ideal blend of vintage beauty and elegance. They provide a classic atmosphere and bring a touch of old-fashioned glitz and grandeur to your yard.

This type of greenhouse includes significant design qualities still sought by gardeners today: a 45-degree steep roof that facilitates light transmission and, more importantly, grants the greenhouse an extra lift. Specimen plants like peach and banana benefit from the increased height since it encourages more air and a more stable environment in the greenhouse.

Tunnel and Arch-shaped

These greenhouse designs are cost-effective and straightforward, resulting in increased agricultural output. They shield plants from harsh weather, such as extreme colds and rainstorms.

Tunnel greenhouses feature a half-circle roof that gives them the appearance of a tunnel. Plants are rarely grown vertically but rather horizontally. They are designed mainly for small spaces. Snow and rain flow off easily because of its form.

An arch-shaped greenhouse has a pointed top and a barn-style design and is oval rather than round. Because there is no surface for snow to pile up on, it just slides down the sides.

Portable

With a portable greenhouse, you may conveniently shift cultivation according to weather and season. You may also change its position in places with little sunshine to follow the sunlight.  There is no need to miss out on the pleasures of growing herbs and veggies due to a lack of space. Even the smallest patio, balcony, porch, or yard may be transformed with a suitable model.

Factors To Consider Before Buying A Greenhouse

Several factors are vital for a thriving greenhouse bursting with plants.

Location

It is critical to situate the greenhouse in a location that receives the most sunlight. Avoid setting near structures such as trees or fences that may block the sun and cast silhouettes on it. Natural light should be allowed to enter from all corners.

Insulation

Insulating the greenhouse is a must. Various materials provide excellent insulation, though some can be rather costly. Use bubble wrap to cover air gaps and prevent heat loss for a low-cost alternative. 

Guttering

To conserve water for the plants, you need to build a guttering system to collect rain efficiently. This is useful in the summer when a hosepipe ban is likely.

Vents

Because greenhouses have greater temperatures, vents are needed to allow hot, rising air to escape and cold air to enter. This is a serious investment that should not be ignored or underestimated.

Damp down

In scorching temperatures, putting water onto the greenhouse floor is necessary. This ensures that the plants receive enough moisture and humidity throughout the day, preventing thermal discomfort and drying.

Best Greenhouse Brands

If you are still browsing for a brand that offers top-notch greenhouses, this list is what you need.

Exaco

Exaco Trading Co. specializes in producing high-quality European greenhouses that are one-of-a-kind. They provide dependable and trustworthy service based on their 20 years of professional experience.

Their greenhouses come in various styles and sizes from the best German and Belgian designers. They have spent decades polishing their designs, so each greenhouse is built with high-quality materials. Exaco has a perfect greenhouse for you, from year-round cold frames to exquisite glass Victorian greenhouses.

Janssens

There are garden rooms... and then there are Janssens.

The Belgian greenhouse manufacturer takes pride in providing garden houses for those seeking a practical and iconic product. They produce and export a variety of greenhouses that are supplied globally through competent distributors. Janssens greenhouses are constructed using only the best materials and the most advanced, fully automated technologies. 

Mont

With their patented attachment system that removes hundreds of parts, Mont Greenhouses makes assembly easier. After the site has been prepared, most individuals take two days to erect the greenhouse, which is reasonable to pay for a competent greenhouse that will last for years.

Produced by Riverstone industries, Mont is a commercial-grade greenhouse made for your everyday hobby greenhouse gardener.

Solexx

Solexx greenhouses are built to get the most out of your space, even if it is a small one. The one-of-a-kind composite frame provides years of service with no maintenance. You can put together the greenhouse kit and enjoy it without needing a foundation. The panels generate an evenly diffused light that promotes plant growth.

They have a 10-year limited UV warranty and increased longevity, and the ability to withstand snow, wind, and hail without discoloring. Best of all, it requires very little upkeep.

Rion

The new Rion greenhouses have been revamped to increase durability and make installation easier. The polycarbonate twin wall panels have been modified to improve product strength, 100% UV protection, and strong wind/hail resistance. Rion's Pin & Lock technique is used to craft the frame comprised of UV-protected extruded resin. Their new roof is more sturdy, with aluminum profiles and a design that allows the panels to glide into position.

With all of the upgrades to the Rion greenhouse series, it now surpasses the previous generation.

Riga

Designed, engineered, and manufactured in Germany with 30 years of experience, Riga Greenhouses are made to withstand heavy winters and winds. It has a sturdy onion-shaped design, and the strong twin- or triple-walled polycarbonate protects your plants even in the cold.

Hoklartherm's Riga line is a greenhouse that can be used throughout the year. Its distinctive design provides ample headroom on the inside while providing enough slope on the outside to allow large snow loads to slide down and strong winds to pass right through.

Palram - Canopia

The glass panels of Palram-Canopia greenhouses slide into slots within the frame, creating a unique slide-in glazing system. There are no dreadful small glazing clips or strips to deal with. There are no clips to pop out, so it provides superior protection in super windy conditions.

Palram-Canopia's polycarbonate glazing is as clear as glass. It is virtually unbreakable and shatterproof, ideal for family gardens where safety is a top priority. 

Last Word

Knowing how long to keep your plants in the greenhouse should be easier once you pick the greenhouse that caters to your needs, such as your allotted space, preferred materials, and cultivation style. 

With so many choices on the market, we hope that our guide will lead you somewhere!