Greenhouse Design

Choosing The Right Greenhouse Design

When one has a greenhouse, it means that one never has to quit gardening just because of weather conditions. You can keep on propagating cuttings and seeds and grow several plant varieties whatever the season.

When choosing a greenhouse, select a greenhouse style that matches the design of your home and the layout of your garden. Weather conditions should also be taken into account, as when your area experiences heavy snows during the winter, most likely you will not select a flat or straight roof design, rather a roof that will allow the snow to slide off easily.

The standard free-standing with curved or peaked roof greenhouse up to now is very popular that can be found in so many gardens. The rectangular or square shape permits for utmost growing space for plants, usually designed with benches on the sides and at the back.

Lean-to or home or wall attached greenhouses designs are manufactured and used when there is limited space at the backyard. These greenhouse designs are very accessible and convenient for connecting much needed water and power supply.

When choosing a certain design in the market, the “sky’s the limit”. Small solariums of various designs are widely available, medium and large sized greenhouses and even prefabricated greenhouse kits for easy installation.

Here are some greenhouse designs:

1. Gable greenhouse. This design type usually is attached to a wall or garage or any structure utilizing only half the gable’s actual gable des

gn. Generally, this type has flat roof panels but slightly sloping and vertical sidewalls. At times, the gable types of greenhouse are also attached to another greenhouse employing the use of the end wall rather than sidewall.

2. Barn style greenhouse. This design type is, as the name suggests shaped similar to a barn having wide roof and interior and with shorter walls. This design is usually incorporated in a garden of country setting or theme or a rustic garden appeal. This greenhouse design can be attached to another greenhouse or can be beautifully constructed in a garden freestanding.

3. Dome greenhouse. This design is identical to a dome, meaning it is half a ball and placed directly on land. This design can not be attached to a structure and only can be constructed as a freestanding type of greenhouse, as this design has no sidewalls. This type of greenhouse is a bit expensive to make due to the many pieces of different glazing that generally are needed to complete this design shape.

5. Gothic style greenhouse. This design type has a very historical gothic appearance. The walls and roof are formed in such a manner as to create a continuous form, allowing snow to fall down easily. This design type can be either attached or freestanding, however it is usually not recommended attached except when your home’s design is very much similar to a gothic design.

6. Hoop greenhouse. This type of design is constructed with a metal pipe or PVC to make the hoop’s shape then enclosed with plastic covering. This type of design is very cost effective on your initial purchase, but the maintenance of continuously replacing the cover (plastic) can really add up.

One will find that the majority of greenhouses for sale are manufactured from aluminum material that is weatherproof and lightweight. Galvanized steel also is sturdy and lightweight. Wood can also be used, but one has to make sure to use a lumber that has been pressure treated such as redwood or cedar because these are weather resistant.

As to whatever greenhouse design should you decide on, be sure to look for a structure with the highest strength and stability and must have these features:

• Will be cable to endure extreme weather conditions, like very high winds and snowfall build up.

• Should have the necessary support for grow lights, sidewall shelving and hanging baskets.

• Should have an intricate detail of having hinged screened storm doors as well as large side or individual roof vents.

• A wide selection of styles and sizes offered. Keep in mind that costs can limit your greenhouse size, however extensions can later be added when needed and when you already have enough budget for it.

• The door may be easily adjusted to be dropped or lowered into the foundation’s opening so to get rid of an elevated step when you feel that it is needed.

Take note that often, most greenhouse owners complain of a limited space when they built their greenhouse on a budget. So whatever design you choose, just remember to get the largest that your money can buy.

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Grow Master 8×6 Greenhouse

Grow Master 8×6

Greenhouse

Grow Master 8x6 Greenhouse Silver

Grow Master 8×6 Greenhouse

 

The new Grow Master 8×6 Greenhouse from Greenhouse Stores is the newest 8×6 greenhouse for gardeners and allotment holders alike. Built from an anodized aluminium frame that will always stay bright and shiny, the Grow Master Greenhouse is a little different from other 8×6 polycarbonate greenhouses in that there are no glazing W clips to be seen anywhere ! This of course is a good thing as these very clips can pop out during very windy conditions causing all sorts of problems, such as glazing panels being blown out. With the Grow Master this isn’t an issue at all as this greenhouse uses a new system where the glazing slides into channels within the actual aluminium greenhouse frame which are then sandwiched in place by aluminium slats. This is the most wind resistant polycarbonate greenhouse on the market, without a doubt and as a result very popular with allotment growers.

Grow Master Green 8x6 Greenhouse

NEW – 8×6 Green Grow Master

The Grow Master comes with a galvanized steel silver base which has optional corner posts that can be buried into soft ground and then cemented into place, ideal if you don’t have a hard surface such as slabs or concrete on which to put your greenhouse. This feature is not available with any other 8×6 polycarbonate greenhouse.

CHECK PRICES NOW – The new Grow Master 8×6 Greenhouse and Greenhouse Kits

Grow King Greenhouse base with corner posts

Grow King Greenhouse base with corner posts

Bracing throughout for STRENGTH

The Grow Master features extra bracing in the roof and corners to keep the greenhouse stable in windy conditions, essential if you live in an exposed spot.

grow master greenhouse extra roof bracing

grow master greenhouse roof bracing

A properly braced greenhouse is essential, especially in a poly glazed model. This is because polycarbonate is much lighter than glass meaning that more rigidity is needed from the frame as it isn’t coming from glass.

Grow Master Greenhouse corner bracing

Grow Master Greenhouse corner bracing

Grow Master 6×6 Greenhouse

New for 2014 is the Grow Master in 6×6, with all of the features of the original 8×6 model.

Grow Master 6x6 Greenhouse-1

Grow Master 6×6 Greenhouse

GrowMaster6x6Greenhousein Green

NEW – Green 6×6 Model

Grow Master 6×4 Greenhouse

Grow Master 6×4 in Green.

growmaster 6x4 greenhouse

Grow Master 6×4 Greenhouse

Vitavia Venus Greenhouse

Vitavia Venus Greenhouse

The Vitavia Venus Greenhouse is everything that a keen gardener could wish for in a greenhouse that “does what it says on the tin”, and more ! A greenhouse is a purchase that many gardeners can agonize over for weeks or even months, such is the choice available. However, most gardeners are looking for something solid that will last them years and years whilst being pleasing to the eye, after all you’ll have to look at it every day !

The Vitavia Venus really does fit the bill on all counts. It has a simple, solid design that will withstand the worst of our delightful British weather and looks smart and functional. The Venus is a 6ft wide greenhouse (6ft across the gable ends) that is available in silver or green.

Vitavia Venus 7500 6ft x 12ft Greenhouse

6x12 Greenhouse

Vitavia greenhouse frames, well the silver ones anyway are anodized. Anodizing is a process that leaves the frames extremely shiny and this is how they remain as anodizing stops aluminium from dulling and going a nasty grey colour over time. Of course if silver isn’t for you go for a Venus in green.


greenhouse stores

CLICK HERE to see the Vitavia Venus Greenhouse range in Silver and Green with FREE DELIVERY

Vitavia Venus 2500 6ft x 4ft Greenhouse

vitavia venus 6x4 greenhouse silver

Vitavia Venus 6×4 Greenhouse in Anodized Silver.

Vitavia Venus Greenhouse Glazing Options

The Venus is available in a choice of either Horticultural Glass, Toughened Safety Glass or Twin Wall Polycarbonate. Horticultural glass is the cheapest and most popular option generally but it’s not ideal if you’ve a young family or live in a windy spot as it’s quite delicate and if it breaks it breaks into dangerous shards. Toughened glass is probably the ideal greenhouse glazing for UK gardeners as it is heavy, thick and highly resistant to heavy wind and the weight of snow sitting on it. Polycarbonate is the default choice for gardeners with small families and educational uses as it won’t smash and certainly isn’t heavy at all making it very safe indeed.

Venus Greenhouse Sizes

The Vitavia Venus is available in the following sizes:

Models Nominal Size Length Width Eaves Height Ridge Height Vents Growing Area
Venus 2500
6′ x 4′
1.31m•
(4’4″)
1.93m•
(6’4″)
1.24m•
(4’1″)
1.97m•
(6’6″)
1
2.5m2•
(27ft2)
Venus 3800
6′ x 6′
1.95m•
(6’5″)
1.93m•
(6’4″)
1.24m•
(4’1″)
1.97m•
(6’6″)
1
3.8m2•
(41ft2)
Venus 5000
6′ x 8′
2.57m
(8’5″)
1.93m
(6’4″)
1.24m
(4’1″)
1.97m
(6’6″)
1
5.0m2
(54ft2)
Venus 6200
6′ x 10′
3.21m•
(10’6″)
1.93m•
(6’4″)
1.24m•
(4’1″)
1.97m
(6’6″)
2
6.2m2
(67ft2)
Venus 7500
6′ x 12′
3.84m
(12’7″)
1.93m•
(6’4″)
1.24m•
(4’1″)
1.97m•
(6’6″)
2
7.5m2
(81ft2

 

Take a closer look. This video is a brief walk around a Venus 8×6 in Silver, on a rather dull English day !

Vitavia Venus 5000 8ft x 6ft Greenhouse in anodized silver finish.

vitavia venus silver 8x6 greenhouse

The Vitavia Venus Greenhouse makes a superb allotment greenhouse as it’s simple yet solid design will stand up to harsh weather without any maintenance  due to the built in roof and corner bracing that keeps the greenhouse rigid in the harshest wind, rain and snow.

vitavia greenhouses

Palram Harmony Greenhouse

Palram Harmony Greenhouse

The Palram Harmony Greenhouse is quite an arrival for those of us looking for a new greenhouse this year. Specifically if you’re in the market for a polycarbonate glazed greenhouse this one is definitely worth a look for a number of reasons. The big feature of this greenhouse is the Sliding Assembly System which means we can wave goodbye to fiddly glazing clips once and for all. Easy construction and no more panels blowing out in the wind ! Fantastic……….

Palram Harmony Review Video

CHECK PRICES NOW – The NEW Palram Harmony in Silver or Green !


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Palram Harmony Greenhouse

Palram Harmony Silver Greenhouse

Palram Harmony Standard Features:

  • High headroon at eaves and ridge ( 6ft 8″ Ridge)
  • Opening Hinged Door
  • Crystal Clear Polycarbonate Glazing
  • Gutter, Roof Vent and Galvanized Steel Base Included
  • 5 Year Warranty

Palram Harmony Green Greenhouse


The Harmony greenhouse is available in silver or green and in a number of practical sizes: 6×4, 6×6, 8×6 and 6×10

The great features of the Harmony are the outward opening door rather than a regular sliding door found on most greenhouses which when open is secured in the open position by a clever little magnet that sticks to the metal base, clever ! There’s also a door latch to secure the door when shut which will stop it opening in high winds, a major cause of greenhouse damage and even destruction !

Probably the best feature of all though is the way in which the glazing fits into the greenhouse. Rather than the regular method using glazing clips which can pop out, the glazing here just slides into channels within the aluminium frame. For a greenhouse of this price this is a very clever feature indeed.

Palram Harmony Greenhouse Sizes

Palram Harmony 6ft x 4ft

Palram Harmony 6ft x 6ft

Palram Harmony 6ft x 8ft

Palram Harmony 6ft x 10ft

Palram Harmony 6ft x 14ft

New Palram Harmony 6 x 14 Greenhouse

palram harmony greenhouse 6x14

NEW – The Palram Harmony 6ft x 14ft Greenhouse


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Gardman Greenhouse

Gardman Greenhouses

Gardman Greenhouses are THE big name in entry level “cheap greenhouses” for gardeners everywhere. If value for money features highly on your list of requirements the you simply have to consider a Gardman greenhouse for your garden. There is a reason that this is one of the UK’s best selling greenhouses and that is that this greenhouse “does what it says on the tin” ! In other words for the money, the specification that you get will far exceed most gardeners needs.
8x6 greenhouse
All Gardman greenhouses feature a green steel base plinth, a green aluminium frame and 4mm twin wall polycarbonate glazing. The product is shipped in 3 boxes and therefore is “flat packed” for home erection and arrives with full instructions. These greenhouses are very easy to put up and this can generally be acheived in about 4 hours with 2 responsible adults on the job !
The paint finish on these greenhouses really is as good as those that you’ll find on greenhouses twice the price. The green finish not only ensures that your greenhouse lasts for many years it also makes it blend seamlessly into your garden, lovely !

Gardman Greenhouse Deals at Amazon.co.uk

Standard Specification:

    •  Green Enamel coated steel base and aluminium frame
    • 4mm Twin Wall Polycarbonate
    • Sliding Door
    • Opening Roof Vent (8×6, 6×6 and Lean to only)

The Gardman 8×6 Greenhouse can be had for under £300 in the UK and it represents amazing value for money with it’s 4sq metre growing area, opening roof vent and green finish. Not only is it well specified, like all Gardman Greenhouses there are a wealth of accessories available to compliment the greenhouse such as louvre vents, automatic roof vents, staging, shelving and rainwater kits.

Of course Gardman offers it’s excellent greenhouses in a number of sizes, those being:

    • Gardman Lean to 4ft x 6ft (1310mm x 1930mm)
    • Gardman 6ft x 4ft (1930mm x 1310mm)
    • Gardman 6ft x 6ft (1930mm x 1930mm)
    • Gardman 6ft x 8ft (1930mm x 2570mm)

Elite Streamline Greenhouse

The Elite Streamline Greenhouse is 5ft wide making it an ideal size for fitting in to tight spaces in your garden or allotment.
The greenhouse comes with a built in base with a low threshold doorway meaning no more tripping over your greenhouse base whilst carrying trays of plants etc !
As small greenhouses go the Elite Streamline Greenhouse is extremely well specified with one roof vent as standard and full length toughened glass should you require it.
The greenhouse is available in six different colour finishes and three glazing options including polycarbonate glazing. Greenhouse staging from Elite is also available in 6 colour options and various lengths.

Elite Streamline Greenhouse DEALS at Greenhousestores.co.uk

elite streamline

 

 

Kingfisher Greenhouses

Kingfisher Greenhouses are new to the UK in 2012. The Kingfisher Greenhouses range will appeal to the buyer looking for a cheap greenhouse for the garden or allotment.
Standard features include 4mm twin wall polycarbonate, single sliding doors, one opening roof vent and integral guttering.
The Kingfisher range features 3 freestanding greenhouses in sizes 6×4, 6×6 and 6×8 and a lean to greenhouse in 4ft x 2ft. All greenhouses are in silver aluminium except the 6×8 which has a green powder coated finish.

Kingfisher 6×6 Greenhouse Silver
There is 1 tier and 2 tier staging available for all freestanding greenhouse models which runs the entire length of the greenhouse. This is unique to Kinjgfisher Greenhouses as most greenhouse staging only comes in lengths of around 4ft only.
Kingfisher Greenhouse Staging
The Kingfisher Lean to Greenhouse at 4ft x 2ft is ideally sized to fit into any garden, yard or even on your apartment balcony and features everything you’d expect on a larger greenhouse such as a sliding door, roof vent and super insulating 4mm twin wall glazing.

Kingfisher Lean-To Greenhouse Silver

To see more quality greenhouses at great prices visit Greenhouse Stores


greenhouse stores

Halls Popular Greenhouse Review

Halls Popular Greenhouse Review

halls greenhouse
The Halls Popular greenhouse is simply a modern classic when it comes to greenhouses. If it was a car then it would be Toyota, well designed, reliable and it’ll last forever ! The Halls Popular really is an erect and forget type of greenhouse that has stood the test of time and can be found in tens of thousands of gardens all over the world doing what it does best by providing a warm and protected environment for our plants. Because the Popular is so trusted by gardeners it just becomes more and more, well, popular ! Gardening neighbors will happily stand discussing garden matters over the boundary fence and often make recommendations to each other including greenhouse recommendations it would seem as the ownership of this great greenhouse continues to grow and grow.

Halls Popular Silver Greenhouse

halls Popular greenhouse

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Why do people like this greenhouse so much ? Well talking to greenhouse gardeners will give you the answers to this question. Gardeners like the simplicity of the design which means not only is the greenhouse easy to erect in your garden it is also much less likely to go wrong or parts on the greenhouse fail. Gardeners also like the  solid steel base that Halls produce for the greenhouse frame to sit on, providing a rigid platform on which to erect your greenhouse. Halls Popular greenhouses are also available with a choice of glazing types. The standard and by far the cheapest glazing is Horticultural glass which is standard 3mm thick greenhouse glass which offers great light transmission but is quite delicate and therefore not ideal when you have children or pets running around the place. The other glass choice is that of toughened safety glass which is certainly the choice of keen gardeners as it is robust and safe. Toughened glass is 4mm thick and is much heavier than horticultural glass meaning it is not only more resistant to knocks but also very resistant to being affected by windy conditions. The biggest bonus of specifying toughened glass though is that if it does break it smashes down into little glass pebbles rather like a car windscreen which are relatively harmless when compared to the shards left by horticultural glass which makes it a safe option.

Halls Popular Green Greenhouse

Halls Popular 6 x 10 Silver horticultural greenhousestores

The last glazing option of all is that of 4mm twin wall polycarbonate which is by far the safest option and is generally recommended for use in educational environments as well as for use by the elderly and disabled people. This type of polycarbonate has other useful features though, those being excellent heat retention due to the fact that in essence the glazing is double glazed and also due to it’s slightly opaque appearance the polycarbonate also offers good protection from UV rays which can scorch your plants.

The Halls Popular is available in the following sizes:

Halls Popular 6ft x 4ft Greenhouse

Halls Popular 6x4 green greenhouse horticultural greenhousestores

Halls Popular 6ft x 6ft Greenhouse

Halls Popular 6x6 Silver greenhouse horticultural greenhousestores

Halls Popular 6ft x 8ft Greenhouse

Halls Popular Silver 8x6 Greenhouse

Halls Popular 6ft x 10ft

halls popular 6x10 greenhouse

Halls Popular Greenhouse Prices

At different times of the year there are various deals to be had on Halls Popular such as good discounts or free accessory offers. For the start of 2013 Halls are giving away a 2 Tier Staging with top tier extension with all Halls Popular greenhouses, excellent !

See all of the latest deals here at Greenhouse Stores:


greenhouse stores

Lean to

Lean to greenhouses offer the solution to some gardener’s space saving and best utilization of space requirements. Because a lean to can be attached to a wall, shed, outbuilding or your house they offer a very practical way of making the most of the space that you have available. The advantage of a lean to of course is that they aren’t merely limited to providing just a warm and protected environment for plants and vegetables but also providing exactly the same for the gardener, you ! Nothing beats relaxing in the warmth of the greenhouse, maybe listening to the radio and enjoying a coffee whilst tending your plants.

Lean to greenhouses are available in wood and aluminium with aluminium being the more popular mainly due to price and the fact that they require little or no maintenance. Wooden lean to greenhouses however offer a very classy traditional look that blends beautifully into any garden.
Lean to greenhouses come in many sizes from 2ft wide through to 8ft wide and lengths up to and sometimes over 40ft !

The smallest lean to greenhouses are generally sized 4×2, that being 2ft out from your wall and 4ft across the doors. 4×2 lean to’s are produced by Palram, Vitavia, Elite and Halls in various colours and door types.

elite-easygrow-greenhouse

The next size up is the 4ft wide lean to greenhouse produced by Elite in two model configurations. The Windsor is 4ft wide and features a low ridge for positioning the greenhouse against garages or single storey bungalows where height is minimal. Elite also produce the Elite Kensington 4 which offers a higher ridge. Swallow Greenhouses are made from redwood pine and are the finest wooden lean to greenhouses available. Made by craftsmen in the UK by hand these wooden greenhouses include installation at your property as part of the price meaning a stress free process from start to finish.

windsor-3

6ft wide lean to greenhouses tend to be rather popular and all of the big brands produce a range of models in this size. See below the Halls Silverline lean to and a wooden Swallow Dove 6ft wide lean to.

Halls Silverline Green 6x8 Lean to Greenhousestores

8ft wide lean to’s are produced by Swallow Greenhouses in their Heron model and also by Elite with their Kensington 8 model. Here’s the massive Swallow Heron 8ft wide lean-to:

SwallowHeron8x14WoodenLeanToGreenhouse

See a full range here: Lean to Greenhouses

Halls Universal Greenhouse

The Halls Universal Greenhouse offers a lot of growing space for your money. The 8ft wide  Universal is available in 8×10 and  8×12 sizes, each with a single sliding door and 2 roof vents.
This Halls Greenhouse is available in silver and as a green greenhouse featuring horticultural or toughened glass or twin wall polycarbonate. There is a full range of Halls Greenhouse Accessories available including autovents, louvres, staging, shading and potting benches.
This is the next greenhouse in the range from the Popular greenhouse as it offers bigger sizes with additional bracing for strength.

See the full range of greenhouses for sale here: Greenhouse Stores

 

halls greenhouse