Best place to buy a greenhouse??

Daffodil421

:)Hello!
We've just moved house and am v keen to get started on digging out a new veg plot. :j I'd also like a greenhouse - I was thinking about trying to find one second-hand and would like to know what experiences people have had doing this? Seems like it could be a bit of a minefield. Other than that, has anyone got any recommendations of where to buy a new one that doesn't cost the earth? Ideally I'd like a safety glass or polycarbonate one, as I've got two very young children. Thank you very much for reading!

A._Badger

With new greenhouses it really helps to see one before you buy - but that's not always easy. When I was buying my latest, the selection locally was extremely poor. Still, if you can get to see one, it's worth a journey as they really do vary. I was quite surprised by the flimsy construction of even some of the better known brands.

That said, what I nearly bought (before I went mad and bought something even more expensive) and what a lot of other people seem to be going for these days, was a Rhino. They aren't the cheapest but they are good and well priced for the quality of design and manufacture.

Even better, the company that makes and sells them also offers a lot of cheaper alternatives - www.thegreenhousepeople.co.uk

I've never bought a secondhand greenhouse, though you do see them occasionally on newsagent noticeboards, eBay, local free newspapers and, I gather, Freecycle.

But whatever you do, please get one with toughened glass - especially (though not solely) because you have children. Horticultural glass is very nasty stuff when it breaks.

Hope that's some help.

Lotus-eater

Have a search on here if you can, there are lots of threads already with this info in them!

Would do it for you a bit, but I'm in a rush.

I_want_a_baby

A Badger - what did you buy that was expensive?

Me & OH are debating about getting a Keder, very expensive but they seem very strong, weatherproof and childproof. Can't find many reviews on them though??

A._Badger

I_want_a_baby wrote: »

A Badger - what did you buy that was expensive?

Me & OH are debating about getting a Keder, very expensive but they seem very strong, weatherproof and childproof. Can't find many reviews on them though??

Don't know Keder, but the one I bought was a Hartley Botanic. I decided I'd probably buy just one so I might as well treat myself. It's beautifully made but there are one or two drawbacks to its unique design.

[Deleted User]

Am interested in getting one for myself, but not too expensive. Came across this when searching on the web, http://www.gardenbuildingsdirect.co.uk/Wooden-Greenhouses/BillyOh-Lincoln-Greenhouse-Package-Deal
Has anyone got any information on these or, even better does anyone have one of these in their garden? The price is really good and I like the idea that it can be easily erected, the metal frame ones look as though they may be rather complicated/tricky.
Any advice or info would be much appreciated.

[Deleted User]

After posting my message at 6-43pm I went back to make an order for this and found that the price has gone up by £50! In an afternoon! I know that it has definately gone up as I had copied and pasted the page so I could find it easily. Not such a good price with the extra 50 quid, will NOT be getting this one myself now. Hope someone can come up with some more/better advice.

Lotus-eater

Deleted_User wrote: »

Am interested in getting one for myself, but not too expensive. Came across this when searching on the web, http://www.gardenbuildingsdirect.co.uk/Wooden-Greenhouses/BillyOh-Lincoln-Greenhouse-Package-Deal
Has anyone got any information on these

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=652525

Good deal of info about the company that runs GBD on that thread.

I looked into the large billyoh greenhouse, then read about windows and doors blowing in and badly fitting everything. So I'm glad I went for something else in the end.
The more windy and exposed your site is, the better the one you need to buy.

oldsam

Got a secondhand one at best Yorkshire price for the allotment including delivery over a fence by four helpers! I did have to replace some of the glazing . If you consider the cost of a greenhouse against that of a polytunnel the tunnel will start round the £300 plus mark and cover a larger area, If your budget will allow you and you must have a greenhouse , Then go for the strongest with with back of parts from a company of repute expect to pay £1,000 upwards range and erected by them. You will always need a bigger greenhouse than the one you thinking about , It does not long to fill a small one . Put the kettle on for a cup of tea ,sit down with pencil and paper make a layout drawing of the garden area and services near to it for water ,electric and gas if you going to heat it . Seedingham House !

domino

Have you looked on your local freecycle pages? I got a lovely 8 x 6 greenhouse with spare glass from a lovely local gardener who was updating his! All I needed was some kind friends to help me dismantle it.