Greenhouse Buying Guide

If you enjoy time in the garden but feel restricted with maybe a vegetable patch or raised beds, then a greenhouse could be the answer. If you are considering buying a greenhouse though, there is much to consider. There are many benefits of greenhouses, so read on as we explore how to choose a greenhouse.

Which greenhouses are the best for your requirements? Learn more in this comprehensive greenhouse buying guide, which provides detailed information on everything you need to know.

An overview of the main topics for this greenhouse buying guide are listed below. Simply click on any of these topics to drill down on that topic of buying a greenhouse.

How to buy a greenhouse – step by step

Introduction to greenhouses
Starting your greenhouse journey
Key decisions in choosing a greenhouse
Further considerations in greenhouse planning
Greenhouse buying guide - how to choose a greenhouse
Delivery information

Introduction to greenhouses

You might feel open to the idea of buying a greenhouse and understand how much a greenhouse enriches the world of gardening. Think about it, a greenhouse gives you the opportunity to cultivate flowers, vegetables, fruits, herbs and other plants all year round. The weather outside is immaterial, as the greenhouse protects the plants inside from the worst of the British weather.

In this greenhouse buying guide, we walk through all the essentials you need to know to make an informed decision about buying the best greenhouses to meet your needs.

A greenhouse is a structure, typically made of glass or transparent plastic, that is used to cultivate and protect plants. It works by allowing sunlight to enter and trap heat inside, creating a warmer environment than the surrounding air. This enables plants to grow in conditions that may not be suitable for them outdoors, such as during colder seasons or in regions with harsh climates. Greenhouses are commonly used for growing fruits, vegetables, flowers and other plants.

Below we discuss some of the main pros and cons of greenhouses.

Listed below are fifteen of the main benefits of greenhouses:

• 1)    Controlled microclimate atmosphere – owners can set the optimal environmental conditions for plant cultivation. This means in the UK winter months, for example, you can grow crops such as tomatoes and cucumber, which are sun-loving and heat-seeking plants
• 2)    Education and learning - when buying a greenhouse for beginners they are a great educational tool. They provide an opportunity for new and experienced gardeners to learn about growing plants and sustainable living
• 3)    Efficient use of water - many greenhouses incorporate irrigation systems that minimise water waste and provide efficient irrigation, this is ideal for living an eco-friendly and sustainable lifestyle
• 4)    Energy efficiency - greenhouses are energy-efficient and a zero-cost energy source as they do not require any electricity for their heat generation
• 5)    Extended growing season - naturally, one of the main benefits of greenhouses is that they enable all-year-round gardening by protecting plants from the extremes of the British weather
• 6)    Good light distribution - greenhouse glazing refracts light meaning that the sun rays are evenly distributed throughout the greenhouse. This ensures good light distribution and means the sun’s rays do not directly reach the plant
• 7)    Improved plant disease control - the controlled environment of a greenhouse reduces diseases through temperature, air circulation and humidity control. The enclosed nature of greenhouses also reduces exposure to disease-causing agents such as wild plants and insects
• 8)    Improved yields and productivity - the controlled environment leads to higher crop yields as well as plants which grow quicker. For commercial crop grower’s large greenhouses are ideal for growing crops such as strawberries (even in winter months)
• 9)    Increased plant variety - a major benefit of greenhouses is the increased plant variety, which can be great. Gardeners can grow exotic species (e.g. orchids), which require specific conditions. There is also the chance to grow ornamental plants as well as rare and endangered plants
• 10)    Optimal growing environment - greenhouses provide an ideal environment for plant cultivation through controls of factors such as light, heat and humidity
• 11)    Protection from pests - pest control is one of the main advantages of greenhouses. As we said earlier, this reduces diseases and the need for using chemicals to combat pests
• 12)    Reduced carbon footprint - greenhouse gardening brings with it the chance to localise your food production and practice sustainable living. This in turn will also reduce your carbon footprint
• 13)    Seeds & seedlings cultivation - an improvement on potting sheds, greenhouses are a safe place for both seed germination and the cultivation of seedlings
• 14)    Use of Hydroponics – there is an increasing use of greenhouses in hydroponics (growing plants without soil). This is because greenhouses can be set to the optimal growing conditions for plant life with precise controls of water, nutrients, and oxygen
• 15)    Year-round harvests - due to the environmental controls, year-round cultivation is possible. So, you can harvest crops such as cucumbers, and tomatoes in winter months in the UK

Greenhouses, while beneficial for extending the growing season and protecting plants, do have some disadvantages. These include:

• - Climate control - unless you have automated climate control, managing the climate can be a job in itself. Of course (at a cost) some greenhouses have automated climate control (e.g. for adjusting temperature, humidity, ventilation and lighting)
• - Cost - the initial cost of a greenhouse can be high. Additionally, some greenhouses may require ongoing costs for cooling, heating and maintenance
• - Lack of pollinators - although pollinators like bees, butterflies and wasps may find their way into your greenhouse it is less certain than them doing this in the open air of your garden. This can become a serious issue with pollinating plants, and you may have to consider approaches to increasing pollinator access
• - Space issues - many smaller gardens struggle to cope with the size of a greenhouse (although we have many smaller greenhouse sizes available). Additionally, once a greenhouse is in place, it is difficult and costly to move or expand them
• - Maintenance - the maintenance of a greenhouse is typically higher than the equivalent maintenance for open air gardening. Maintenance includes the need to clean windows and other internal surfaces. Other tasks include watering (unless automated systems are in place) as well as heating and ventilation systems maintenance
• - Pest management - certain pests (aphids, mealybugs, spider mites, thrips and whiteflies) and diseases (botrytis (grey mould), downy mildew, powdery mildew, and tomato blight) love greenhouses too. They can spread rapidly in a greenhouse environment and require urgent attention when discovered

Believe it or not, greenhouse design dates back to Emperor Tiberius in Roman times who ordered the construction of a garden building to grow his cucumbers! Modern greenhouses as we know them gained popularity in the seventeenth century, where they were used to keep exotic plants alive from around the world.

There is a range of greenhouse designs to consider today, we have 180+ available online here at Shedstore. Choose here from simple cold frames, which consume little space and are an ideal greenhouse for beginners. Victorian-style greenhouses bring a traditional classic aesthetic and memories of yesteryear. Walk in greenhouses, are typically larger and typically 6'+ in height, they allow plenty of room for walking around inside the greenhouse. If you are looking for some storage space too, consider greenhouse combi sheds, which have a greenhouse with an attached side shed for storage. Add a WOW factor with the modern shaped hexagonal-shaped greenhouses, these larger style conservatory greenhouses could be used for conventional greenhouse gardening or maybe even as a home office. Finally, are sunrooms, these large greenhouses literally "trap the sun" and can be used for a multitude of purposes.

Within greenhouse designs, we consider the frame (aluminium or wooden), the glazing type (e.g. glass, toughened glass, polycarbonate panels (some are frosted)), configurable door options, integrated air vents and ventilation as well as greenhouse staging and shelving. So, read on as we explore the various greenhouse designs available.

Starting your greenhouse journey

With food prices rising the reason to start your greenhouse journey could be partly economic. But with the undoubted mental wellbeing of gardening and the healthy lifestyle of outdoor living, there is much else to consider. We believe that any garden large enough to house a greenhouse would be better off with one.

Greenhouses provide the perfect conditions for growing your own fruit, vegetables, flowers, etc. all year round. They protect plants from the British weather and give significant protection from pests that keeping them outdoors in the garden just does not do. Improve your mental and physical health today by investing in a greenhouse. Even where space is more restricted such as a patio, balcony or small garden we have container gardening options including cold frames that could be an option.

So, where do you begin? Well, reading this guide will be a great help. You need to do your research, greenhouse FAQs include:

• 1) What size of greenhouse do I need?
• 2) What types of greenhouses would work best for me?
• 3) What plants should I grow in a greenhouse?
• 4) What type of frame will suit me best - wooden or aluminium?
• 5) What is the best glazing option for me - toughened glass or polycarbonate?
• 6) What ventilation options do I need to consider?
• 7) When you can answer 1-6 above, you can calculate "What is the cost of a greenhouse?" suited to my needs

If all the above seems overwhelming, read on as we explore all these topics and more.

Exploring a range of different greenhouse ideas enables you to transform your garden into a year-round place for plant cultivation. Polycarbonate (or glass) greenhouses maximise sunlight exposure. Mini greenhouses are ideal for gardens with limited space, with cold frames and lean to styles being ideal against a garden wall or fence. Other greenhouse ideas include the integration of greenhouse shelving and raised beds; we discuss other ideas throughout the rest of this greenhouse buying guide.

Key decisions in choosing a greenhouse

Here we discuss the key decisions you need to consider. First, we discuss size-related factors such as the space you have available and the sizes of a variety of greenhouses. Next, we walk through the different types of greenhouses, this will help you consider your options. Finally, we consider materials and construction including frames, glazing, doors, vents, staging and greenhouse bases.

Deciding which greenhouse size, you need is always one of the foremost important greenhouse considerations. We always generally advise you to “Buy the largest greenhouse possible”, this gives you room to grow into. But it is important as well to assess exactly how much greenhouse space you need. You also need to consider other garden uses, such as a garden office, summer house, children's playhouse, lawn, patio area, etc.

Here at Shedstore, our greenhouse sizes range from 4’x2’ cold frames and lean to greenhouses, right up to a huge 10’x32’ greenhouse, which could be used for commercial crop cultivation. This means whatever greenhouse size you need; it is safe to assume that we will have one to meet your requirements!

Always remember to leave the width of a wheelbarrow on each of the four sides of the greenhouse (apart from lean to greenhouses, which have three sides). You will also have to leave space for hedges, fencing and trees. This space is essential for comfort, but also essential maintenance tasks such as painting/treating and cleaning. Also, leave sufficient space for doors and vents to open freely.

As we said above, of course, when deciding on the best types of greenhouses for you it will partially depend on the space you have available. But avoid making the mistake many gardeners do, which is to buy a smaller greenhouse than they need. It is difficult to change your mind later!

So, what are the different types of greenhouses? Read on as we discuss each in turn.

Mini Greenhouses

Our mini greenhouses tend to be any of lean to greenhouses, half-height greenhouses or cold frames.  Often an ideal greenhouse for beginners, they provide some growing room and are also suited to use in small gardens, patio areas, or balconies. We talked earlier about “Starting your greenhouse journey” and this for many is where their greenhouse adventure begins.

Browse and shop for mini greenhouses

Small Greenhouses

Giving more growing room than mini greenhouses, our small greenhouses range from 6’x4’ to 6’x8’ in greenhouse size. These are among the most popular greenhouse sizes we sell and are large enough for many gardeners to grow the fruit, flowers, and vegetables they want. There is sufficient room for housing seedlings all-the-way through to adult plants.

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Large Greenhouses

If you need more space, there is no problem, large greenhouses range from 6’x10’ right up to our largest 10’x32’ size. The 10’x6’ and 10’x8’ sizes are especially popular among our large greenhouses for sale. Only the most enthusiastic of home growers in larger gardens will buy these top rated greenhouses. Often these are the haven of professional growers, but if bought they offer full space for all plant lifecycle phases from seedlings to fully grown plants. With these expect all the extras in greenhouses, such as shelving and plenty of greenhouse ventilation. Some buyers will also add garden furniture inside.

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Walk in greenhouses

Almost all our walk in greenhouses are from the large greenhouses category, but they are worthy of separate mention. These tall greenhouses are 6’+ high and above and enable walk in access (hence the name). As well as giving comfort for walking in their dimensions are suited for tall plants as well as garden equipment and tools. These are an ideal solution for taller gardeners who benefit from the extra headroom.

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Lean to greenhouses

With mini, small, and large lean to greenhouses available, these truly span our greenhouse sizes spectrum. They are space efficient as they use a fence or wall as the greenhouse backing. Most often they use pent roofing, which is ideal as they gradually slope downwards from a high point located at the back.

Lean to greenhouses with a back panel can be used throughout the garden, whereas backless models require situating against a solid object. Larger models such as the Palram Canopia Rion range make ideal sunrooms or conservatories.

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Greenhouse combi sheds

For gardeners needing both a greenhouse and additional storage, our greenhouse combi sheds offer a dual-purpose, stylish solution, combining plant cultivation with storage. These popular hybrid structures are designed to fulfil both gardening and storage requirements in a single, elegant unit. Considering the cost, the added storage feature of these combi-sheds represents great value. Our range includes sizes from 8'x6' to 12’x6’, catering to various needs and garden sizes.

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Researching greenhouse types and their advantages is crucial before buying a greenhouse. The choice between an aluminium frame for its longevity and minimal upkeep, or a wooden frame for its visual charm, impacts your gardening experience. Each material brings distinct benefits that can significantly improve your gardening projects, we discuss these below.

Wooden frames

When buying wooden greenhouses you add a sensational garden building. Natural timber is a superb choice in the garden and although often associated with a traditional or classic appearance, we also sell many contemporary style wooden greenhouses. We have all the sizes available from mini greenhouses to large models, so whatever the size of your garden, there is a wooden greenhouse to suit.

Most of our range has an apex roof, with sturdy cladding options of either shiplap tongue and groove or tongue and groove. Choose from two main brands here:

• Forest Garden - these are all pressure treated and guaranteed for 15 years
• Coppice - these are all Pressure treated and guaranteed for 1 year

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Aluminium frames

Aluminium frames are the preferred choice for most greenhouses. Aluminium greenhouses are appreciated for their durability, lightness and resistance to rust, which minimises ongoing maintenance tasks. These greenhouses, often feature a powder-coated finish and built-in guttering for easy rainwater collection. Our range is produced by leading UK greenhouse brands, Halls and Palram Canopia. They are all supplied with guarantees ranging from five to fifteen years, and the larger models include additional framing for extra support.

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Greenhouse glazing is an important factor in the aesthetic appeal and cost of a greenhouse. With the main options including toughened glass, styrene (a form of transparent plastic) and polycarbonate, there are choices to be made. We discuss each of these greenhouse glazing options below:

Toughened glass

Most greenhouse manufacturers do not offer standard horticultural glass as standard and have now migrated to toughened glass (sometimes known as safety glass). As a glazing, toughened glass is specifically designed to break into larger and safer pieces, which improves greenhouse safety. Toughened glass is often chosen for its light transmission, as it is the best of the options listed here. Around 90% of light penetrates through, which optimises plant growth. This also is direct sunlight rather than diffused light.

The level of insulation for toughened glass greenhouses is lower than in polycarbonate models. Consequently, they cool down and heat up more quickly. We always recommend, therefore, that a greenhouse heater and shading be bought with a toughened glass greenhouse. Built to last, they can last a lifetime but will require regular cleaning and maintenance.

Clear Polycarbonate Glazing

Polycarbonate is the most frequently available form of greenhouse. This is a specialist form of plastic, which provides strong UV-protection enabling it to avoid yellowing and becoming brittle. Polycarbonate is a lighter form of glazing and has no sharp edges. In terms of installation, it is also much easier, quicker and safer to install. As we said previously, polycarbonate does diffuse the light but still makes an effective greenhouse choice.

Clear polycarbonate greenhouses provide perfect internal/external viewing (as good as glass), but frosted polycarbonate greenhouses are available too. These diffuse light even further than clear polycarbonate.

Frosted Polycarbonate Glazing

Like its clear counterpart, frosted polycarbonate is shatterproof, UV-stabilised and easier to handle during installation.

Its frosted construction diffuses light even further so light surrounds the plant rather than creating hotspots which can scorch a plant or cause it to unnaturally stretch for the best light. Some greenhouses are hybrid, so include both clear and frosted polycarbonate for the best of both worlds.

Both types of polycarbonate retain heat well. Twin-wall polycarbonate provides the best insulation due to the air pocket created between the walls. Polycarbonate lasts around 10-12 years.

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Another consideration is greenhouse doors, especially as different options can impact the cost of a greenhouse. Sometimes, the size or security greenhouse features you are looking for will govern your decisions on greenhouse doors.

Single or Double Greenhouse Doors

If you have a choice, you need to consider your circumstances. Do you need double door access? What items will you be moving in or out? Are they large? Items such as tall plants, large flowerpots, wheelbarrows, etc. may nudge you towards buying a double door greenhouse.

Sliding Doors

As a space-saving and windproof feature, you may prefer to buy a greenhouse model with sliding greenhouse doors.

Threshold Bars

A greenhouse without a threshold bar eliminates a trip hazard and makes manoeuvring easier, particularly for wheelchair users.

Security Considerations

Do you need a security door? One of the downsides of greenhouse transparency is that your (sometimes) highly valuable contents are on open display. Securing a greenhouse door is therefore particularly important where you have high-value items inside. Where this is an important factor, consider adding a door with a key-operated padlock.

Sometimes also called roof windows, greenhouse air vents ensure that your greenhouse plants grow in optimal conditions. Ventilation is important for the maintenance of a healthy and thriving environment, particularly in combatting fungal diseases. Vents and louvre windows regulate temperature and airflow, and both manual and automatic models are available.

Having greenhouse air vents at different levels optimises conditions. All greenhouses should have at least one roof vent, the more the better, with a definite rule applying that "the larger the greenhouse, the more greenhouse air vents that will be needed".

Roof Vents

The main vent for a greenhouse is a roof vent. They are essential for regulating the temperature inside the greenhouse.

Generally, the larger the greenhouse, the greater the number of roof vents. All other things being equal, choose a greenhouse with as many vents as possible.

Louvre Vents

Louvre vents are another useful feature as they maximise airflow throughout the greenhouse. Air is drawn in through the louvre vent, which is positioned close to the ground.

The air heats up as it enters the greenhouse and is then released as hot air through the roof vent.

Auto Vents

As the name suggests, auto vents open and close automatically when the temperature inside the greenhouse rises or falls to a certain level.

They are particularly useful when a greenhouse is left unattended for large parts of the day.

It is important to remember that you will want to perform tasks such as potting and watering as well as you may need an area for fertiliser and compost storage. This is where greenhouse staging, and greenhouse shelving play their part. Sometimes these are supplied as integral components when buying a greenhouse, alternatively, they can be bought as optional extras.

Greenhouse staging is the "catch-all" term used to describe the workspace in the greenhouse. This includes items such as workbenches and potting tables. Whereas greenhouse shelving or greenhouse racking provides sections for the organising of tools, supplies and plants.

A strong greenhouse base will deliver durability, enhanced insulation, foundation stability, a level surface, optimal drainage, pest control and protection against the weather. There are various options available for greenhouse bases, including:

• - Plastic greenhouse bases
• - Full concrete greenhouse bases
• - Perimeter greenhouse bases

For further details on this topic, visit our comprehensive article – how to build a greenhouse base.

Concrete Bases

If using a base such as concrete or slabs, ensure it is level and reliable before the greenhouse is installed.

With concrete slabs, space them out and pour shingle in the gaps. Not only is this cheaper, it helps with drainage after watering the plants.

Perimeter Bases

Perimeter bases are another option. Use slabs or bricks to create a solid base for the perimeter frame, as well as a central walkway. This exposes the rest of the greenhouse area to the soil so that plants can be grown in the ground.

Some greenhouses come with an integral perimeter base. If it is necessary to select this base as an optional upgrade, it is definitely worth the extra money.

Plastic Greenhouse Bases

Shedstore sell plastic greenhouse bases as an easy to assemble kit. 100% recycled, these eco-friendly bases come with membrane and, though light, are extremely strong and durable. They can be filled with pea gravel before use.

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• - Installation – whether you choose DIY or professional installation will vary costs enormously. Also, the size and complexity of the greenhouse installation will vary in costs too:
•    - DIY installation – this might be free for smaller, low-complexity greenhouses. All you might need is to buy or hire tools, which might cost anywhere between £50-£200
•    - Professional installation – costs vary considerably, depending on size, complexity, and area of the UK. We are assuming that an average UK rate might be £25 per hour.
•       - Small greenhouses - between 3 to 8 hours (so, costs between £75 and £200)
•       - Large greenhouses - between 10 to 30 hours (so, costs between £250 and £750)
•       - Note: some of our greenhouses are priced including installation, click on individual greenhouses for product details

• - Purchase price – this will vary depending on the greenhouse size and the greenhouse materials used:
•   - Cold frames - expect to pay between £50 and £125
•   - Mini greenhouses - costs vary between £175 for basic models up to £500
•   - Small greenhouses (up to 8'x6' in size) - costs vary significantly:
•      - Basic models - e.g. 6'x6' Palram Canopia Mythos Small Polycarbonate Greenhouse - from £300
•      - Advanced models - e.g. 8'1 x 4'9 Coppice Hatfield Lean To Painted Wooden Greenhouse - up to £4,500
•      - Note: at least half of our small greenhouses are available at a price of up to £800
•   - Large greenhouses - (from 8'x'6 up to 10'x32' in greenhouse size) - again costs vary substantially:
  •      - Basic models - e.g. 6'x10' Palram Canopia Mythos Walk In Polycarbonate Greenhouse - from £400
  •      - Advanced models - e.g. 8'3’ x 9'4 Coppice Ashdown Apex Painted Wooden Greenhouse - up to £5,500
  •      - Note: at least half of our large greenhouses are available at a price of up to £1,500

• - Accessories – the following greenhouse accessories also are available at an additional cost:
•    - Greenhouse heaters - from £20 up to £300 - there are a massive selection of heater options for greenhouses available
•    - Greenhouse lighting - simple LED lights cost up to £20, whereas lighting systems can cost up to £200, with solar lighting being popular
•    - Greenhouse shelving - up to £30 for basic greenhouse shelving, and as much as £100 for advanced modular greenhouse shelving systems
•    - Greenhouse ventilation - basic louvre vents cost up to £50, whereas automated greenhouse ventilation systems could cost up to £300
•    - View our complete range of greenhouse accessories here, which includes a few additional options too at this link
• - Building permits and planning permission – these can differ significantly depending on the Local Authority and the intricacy of the greenhouse assembly. Fees start at £80, but generally, most back garden greenhouses do not require a planning permission application

To summarise, listed below are fourteen greenhouse tips. Use these greenhouse ideas when choosing a greenhouse, these are a summary of earlier thoughts in this greenhouse buying guide:

• 1) Access - consider ease of access inside the greenhouse for sale, you might appreciate a walk-in greenhouse
• 2) Climate control - evaluate your options for both greenhouse air vents and heating for to management of air and internal temperatures
• 3) Cost of a greenhouse - consider greenhouse prices, which we summarised earlier
• 4) Customisation - integrate flexibility with greenhouse shelving and modular extension options
• 5) Durability - choose greenhouse materials and greenhouse designs that are built to last
• 6) Environmental consideration - the best greenhouses are made from sustainable materials and incorporate eco-friendly values (e.g. energy efficiency and water conservation)

Delivery information

Our service includes a convenient pick-a-day delivery feature for numerous items, enabling you to select your desired delivery date ahead of the purchase as detailed on the product page. For items lacking this feature, the expected dispatch times are provided.

After purchase, the manufacturer will get in touch to arrange the delivery. Be aware that any changes made post-payment could alter your delivery schedule, so it is advisable to finalise your order carefully.

Contact Us

If you have any queries, our UK customer service team is here to assist you. You can reach us by calling 0333 003 0518 or by using the Live Chat feature on our website. Please send emails through our contact page form.