Polycarbonate vs Glass: Choosing the Best Greenhouse for Durability & Insulation

If you want to understand the benefits of choosing a polycarbonate greenhouse over the glass variety or find the best polycarbonate greenhouse for your budget, you have come to the right place.

Polycarbonate greenhouses are growing in popularity amongst gardeners right now because they do a terrific job of improving thermal insulation. They are also easier to assemble and do not come with the same risk of breakage that traditional glass does.

Additionally, polycarbonate greenhouses are highly effective in protecting plants from harsh environmental conditions, thanks to their impact resistance and insulation properties. Put all these features together and you see straight away why they are set to change the way you nurse your seedlings.

But, when it comes to modern greenhouses, more people are moving towards replacing greenhouse glass with polycarbonate panels because they combine durability, insulation and ease of use, making them a better overall option for most gardening needs.

The best way to get to grips with what constitutes the best polycarbonate greenhouse is to dive into the details. Polycarbonate glazing offers excellent insulation properties, durability and superior light transmission, making it an ideal choice for greenhouse construction, we go on to discuss.

Replacing greenhouse glass with polycarbonate is a quick and effortless way to boost the thermal properties of the structure. Polycarbonate panels help insulate against extreme temperatures and protect plants from direct sunlight, preventing scorch burns.

Glass greenhouses, and wooden greenhouses that use panes of glass, lose a lot of heat due to radiation. Look at any double-glazed window and you will see that the only way to reduce this loss is with a second piece of glass.

Because this would make any greenhouse design unwieldy and more expensive, switching to polycarbonate is the smart move to make. By keeping your green shoots and seeds warm and cosy, you can ensure they are ready to be planted outside sooner rather than later.

The best polycarbonate greenhouse will need to be one that will withstand the knocks and bumps that will inevitably occur. When the wind picks up and a few of those damaged branches begin to totter, you want to know that your greenhouse is not going to be an instant write-off.

Using polycarbonate makes a greenhouse as durable as many of the garden offices we have to offer. If you want further advice if your garden is prone to unpredictable gusts, we would always recommend moving away from glass, learn more in our greenhouse buying guide.

It is worth a special mention to twin wall polycarbonate panels. These are particularly beneficial for greenhouses due to their excellent insulation properties, durability and UV resistance.

When you start replacing greenhouse glass with polycarbonate you get a whole host of benefits that you would not expect at first. Just like our plastic storage solutions are designed to stand up to UV, so is polycarbonate; plus it will also help protect your skin when working in intense sunlight during the summer. Polycarbonate roof panels offer exceptional durability and UV protection, making them ideal for creating optimal conditions for plant growth. That said, covering up and applying a suitable barrier cream is also highly recommended.

A key point to take away here is that polycarbonate will not degrade or weaken due to intense sunlight exposure. This is yet another reason it has fast become such a popular material for discerning gardeners who want nothing but the best.

If you think a polycarbonate greenhouse is going to be tricky to install, think again. The lightweight nature of this new material makes it so much easier to get into position than heavy panes of glass. It is also not prone to breaking or cracking when handled roughly, something which is an inherent limitation of glass. It is important to secure the greenhouse base to a level surface to ensure stability and warranty validity.

The ease of assembly gives you the freedom to shape your garden exactly how you want it, all while taking time to make sure nothing is missed. You are never going to feel like you must rush the job because it is going to be so quick and easy. This is ideal when you want to be able to nurture your seedlings with ease.

What is a polycarbonate greenhouse going to cost you? Good question! While this will depend on the footprint and size you choose (as with all types of outdoor structures) it will typically be significantly cheaper than glass. The cost of a polycarbonate greenhouse varies based on the greenhouse size. The cost reduces particularly for smaller greenhouses, such as 6x4 models, which are ideal for smaller gardens and constrained spaces.

Not only is polycarbonate lighter and therefore easier to ship and deliver, but it is also much cheaper and faster to produce. All these little cost savings are then added up and passed onto you so that you can breathe new life into your garden for a fraction of the price. Perfect when you want to be able to create a space in which everything fits right into place.

Before you dive into our Shedstore buying guides, take a moment to read through the following hints and tips. They have been put together by our experts so that you can find exactly what you need without delay. One excellent option to consider is a Palram greenhouse, which is known for its durability and usability throughout the year.

Just like when you shop for bike sheds, take a moment to measure up when searching for the best polycarbonate greenhouse. The last thing you want is to feel like you are forever trying to cram in more than is sensible just because you skipped a key step at the very beginning.

Small polycarbonate greenhouses are ideal for smaller gardens, or limited spaces such as patios. They maximise space for varied planting and are practical for compact gardening needs.

Make sure you are realistic about the surrounding space you have available in your garden so that your new structure does not overshadow everything else. Once you have the upper limit, you can then figure out how much space you need based on the plants you want to grow.

Creating the best polycarbonate greenhouse is all about adapting the structure to suit your individual needs. Proper ventilation must be right near the top of your list of priorities when you are growing new plants in a polycarbonate greenhouse. This is because it is the best way to get repeatable temperature control so you can optimise the growing conditions.

Roof vents are crucial in managing air circulation and temperature for optimal plant growth.

Adding vents or fans are the two most common approaches gardeners use, and they each have their merits. If the weather is very still and humid, consider opening the vents and using a fan to force some convection cooling.

Look out for vent options from us including:

• Palram Canopia Greenhouse Auto Vent Arm
• Palram Canopia Rion Eco Grow Greenhouse Roof Vent

Replacing greenhouse glass with polycarbonate is only the first step. When you want to know how to buy a shed, you work through a list of all the optional extras you can enjoy. So, when you want the best polycarbonate greenhouse, why approach things any other way?

In our opinion, essential greenhouse accessories include ground stakes are essential for anchoring the greenhouse to ensure stability and rigidity. Considering each of these in turn will give you plenty of food for thought:

• Automatic watering systems - to maintain optimal conditions
• Digital temperature monitoring - linked to motorised vents
• Tiered work benches and growing stations - to maximise space (e.g. the Palram Canopia Greenhouse Adjustable Workbench)

Take a closer look and you are sure to find the right combination of features for your specific needs.

For those in the market to buy a new greenhouse, we’ve discussed the many advantages of buying a polycarbonate greenhouse over a glass version. If you already own a glass greenhouse, hopefully, we’ve outlined why replacing greenhouse glass with polycarbonate, such as translucent polycarbonate glazing compared to glass glazing, is a great idea. Reasons such as impact resistance and its UV resistance are two main factors, but we provided many others above.

Do not forget whether you are looking to buy small polycarbonate greenhouses or large polycarbonate greenhouses as your new greenhouse, we sell them all here at Shedstore. Choose models with a roof vent, an aluminium frame, a variety of doors and easy access with our walk-in greenhouses range.