Greenhouse buying advice please

AuntyCat

Hi all, just after a bit of advice please.

I'm wanting to buy a greenhouse for our new garden, can any one give tips & advice.

We are having some work done to level an area at the side of the house & will use some of the old flags laid there as the base. how does the greenhouse then attach to the ground? I've just looked at some greenhouses on a website & the say you needt o buy the base seperately. Some of the reviews say the base has spikes that go into the ground - but how will that work on flags?

Any other advice also greatfully received - we're after an 8x6, easy to put up, good price (obviously) - any good /bad experiences?

Thanks

Bunnygirl

I cut the legs off my frame very easy to do. I drilled the base and paving slabs and screwed it down. I have a halls greenhouse very happy with it have a look on homebase website they have some on offer at the moment greenhouse people is also a good site.

Jnelhams

I got mine from the Greenhouse People

http://www.greenhousepeople.co.uk/

Who also gave me the name of a local installer, which was good.

I found a previous greenhouse from Norfolk Greenhouses was just too flimsy and the instructions dreadful, but they were helpful on the phone.

Tip would be buy the biggest you can afford and that you have space for as you always always end up full. Oh and don't buy the white greenhouse powder shading, it's a mess and a pain to clean off.

Sunnyday

Mine was one with the spikes in the corners of the base, we dug 4 holes and turned the base so that one spike went into each one and then filled the holes with bags of that quick setting fence post stuff, then we threw the water on top and that was that.

The base inside is weed control fabric with a couple of inches of gravel on top - works well. The only thing that i would do differently second time around is to raise it up higher maybe on sleepers or something as i'm quite tall and i keep bashing my head in the corners

SD

AuntyCat

Thanks all for the advice.

Hombase was where I was looking at the time - they have some good affers as you say. I will have a look at greenhouse people.

Someone at work suggested screwfix have some decent priced greenhouses, anyone have experience of them?

Obviously it will vary, but how much are we looking at for an installer?

Mallotum_X

AuntyCat wrote: »

Thanks all for the advice.

Hombase was where I was looking at the time - they have some good affers as you say. I will have a look at greenhouse people.

Someone at work suggested screwfix have some decent priced greenhouses, anyone have experience of them?

Obviously it will vary, but how much are we looking at for an installer?

Screwfix is basically B+Q, so you safe with them. Have you had a look on Ebay, there are usually plenty of second hand greenhouses, and as they last a long time that would save you quite a bit of money. Although usually you have to go take them down.

djjame

Most greenhouses need a base ( a metal skirting board that goes around the bottom) to add extra rigidity to the frame. even if the greenhouse is going to slabs (recommended), you will need the base. Greenhouses often have a lip on the front, this means if you put the greenhouse directly on to a slab base, the door will not slide properly. Another advantage is the extra hight that base gives.

djjame

Instillation costs vary, but for a professional greenhouse fitter to erect a greenhouse expect to pay £180 ish for a 6ft x 8ft, you might get it for a bit less. Of course most greenhouses are designed for self assembly. Weirdly in my experience, glass greenhouses are easier to erect than polycarbonate ones - honestly!

With regard to screw fix - prices are ok, but you can't beat buying from a specialist greenhouse retailer. That way, if you get stuck putting the greenhouse up, you have some one experienced to call to ask for advice. I just did a quick search and there are a few places cheaper than screw fix, that specialise in just greenhouses.